Alaskan adventure Aug/Sept,2016. part 1

We started planing this trip in late Jan 2016. Made our ferry and Denali  reservations also a couple campground ones. Then started putting together ideas on places to visit and camp. It took a lot of planning for this 6 week trip but all worked out great.

Aug 3rd,we started out north on our 5th Alaskan trip.We are to board the Alaska Marine Highway,  MV Kennicott in Bellingham Wa. on Aug 6th.This is our first time traveling on this ferry.
After boarding about 5:30 that afternoon we made our way to the pursers office to get out cabin
assignment.

The Kennicott is one of two ocean going ferries the Marine Highway has. This one has a lot of special features and can be used as a command post when needed for emergencies. With a hello pad and special vehicle loading system.

First night was sailing through the passage between Vancouver Island and mainland BC.
Next morning we were sailing across the Queen Charlotte Sound,open water straight from the ocean.
Nice smooth ride and started seeing humpback whales and salmon.
The first stop is Ketchikan,Ak for about 3 hours.We got off the ferry and had a great breakfast at the Best Western motel across from the ferry dock. After a nice walk toward town we headed back to get
back on the ferry for our next night and Juneau the following morning.
Had a longer stop here so we got to take a longer walk off the ferry.
Next stop would be Yakutat Ak,a fishing community on the coast of the Gulf of Alaska.
Whittier would be where we get off the ferry to start driving  the  Kenai  peninsula.
First was a glacier tour where we saw 8 glaciers but non touching the water.

Our first night was at Willawaw CG after driving the "road/train tunnel" out of Whittier.
Nice camp where you see glaciers and spawning salmon from the walking trails.
Oh I didn't mention the RAIN,well mostly heavy at night but during the day just sprinkles.

Next morning we're off for 2 nights in Seward and a wildlife tour out on Prince William Sound.
Saw a lot of birds,some humpback whales and I got my first and only picture of a Puffin. We saw a lot of them but they are shy birds and as the boat gets close they fly away.Did see some in the nesting area but the light not strong enough to get good shots.

Also walked to the Exit Glacier,along the trail there are year dates as to when the ice was at that spot.
Very popular spot especially when there is a cruise ship in.
Rain lets up a bit so we do get some walks and see the area without clouds.

Off to Homer for a few days but stop along the way to check possible camp spots on our return route.
There are lots of places to camp between NF and AK state parks.
 Arriving at Homer and the rain was pretty much gone with just some little sprinkles.

A nice homemade trailer/camper from Texas

Driving aboard the ferry

A super huge cruise ship in Ketchikan,there were 3 in that morning.

A Kingfisher perched in one of the mooring lines

We had extra time in Yakutat due to some equipment failure.

Loading vehicles with the ramp and elevator.

An eagle and raven in a showdown.

They were filling the plastic tubs with Sockeye Salmon than ice on top . A lot of good meals.

View north as we leave port

Sailing the Gulf of Alaska about 20 miles off the coast. The mainland is full of glaciers.

Two glaciers from the tour.This is part of the Kenai NP

The 6 mile train/auto tunnel,under the mountain that has the Portage glacier on it.

The rain brought out a lot of banana slugs.

Sockeye in the redds (spawning beds).

A Dog/Chum Salmon,same stream with the Sockeyes.

We watched the salmon as they made their way to the spawning area.

This is the Portage glacier.

Great frest wild salmon meat and great view from out camp site.

We had a nice spot right on the shore of Resurrection Bay

Our entertainment during dinner.

Finally got a Puffin picture. They are very shy and fly off when the boat got close.

We walked the trail to the Exit glacier.Along the way were date markers.The face is about 100' across.

This info shows where the ice was at given dates.

The Orthodox church in Ninichik,a small native town on the way to Homer.

Two juvenile eagles practicing their skills.

The sigh says it all. Great coffee.

Our spot in Homer.Thanks to Ted for the suggestion. We had a great view and a nice walk to town.

This is the Beluga wetlands that attracts a lot of birds and moose.

Three Lesser Sand Hill Cranes.

I could have stayed here and eaten everything they made. .Great backed goods and coffee

Just a sample of the breakfast items. Savory croissants ,YUM.

This is a "sticky bun" once a year food,so good.

Two eagles hanging around the Beluga wetlands area.

We tried to eat here but never found it open.Such an interesting place.

To be continued in part 2....

Alaskan adventure Aug/Sept,2016. part 2

We spent 3 days in Homer. Enjoyed some sun for a change. On our walk we spotted an eagle right at a traffic light intersection. There were 3 eaglets in the nest just starting to practice their wings. The adult was in and out of the nest trying to get them to start flying. About 20 Sand Hill cranes flying overhead,they seem to be moving to the wetlands from the area hills on their daily travels.

Leaving Homer we stopped  at the Anchor Point area to watch the eagles on the beach before driving to the Cooper Landing area to spend 2 nights at Quartz Creek CG.
Very nice next to the stream with salmon,actually caught 2  10 lb.(sockeye) couldn't keep them it's a spawning stream. More sun the next days and a nice walk to the falls of the Russian River to watch the salmon jump the falls. I can sure appreciate eating salmon knowing what they go through in their life cycle.

We planned a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Center, the animals there are ones that can't be released back into the wild. Walked around viewing all the animals there, got to see the "Wood Bison"  pretty cool what the center is doing there breading them to increase the wild population.
They have bred and released about 180 so far, and released in an area north of Fairbanks where they once roamed.

Another night at Willawaw CG and back to the center for afternoon feeding. Back to the campground and walked more trails to the glacier and salmon streams.
End of our 2nd week and off to Denali tomorrow.

A pair of Sand Hill Cranes coming in for a landing.

The Beluga wetland was a great spot to watch these beautiful birds.

The adult with the 3 eaglets beginning to take wing.

The adult was in and out of the nest trying to get them to fly.

 

On the beach at Anchor Point we watched many eagles feasting on the salmon left by the fisherman.

This one seemed to be taking sand to use for digestion.

A 4/5 year old joined the party.

The eagles didn't mind the gulls.

Mom and calf were blocking the

Cording to the sign this is the farthest west you can drive to in the western hemisphere direct.

Sockeye gathering to try the falls.

What these fish go through to make it up to the spawning areas.They would jump the falls only to hit into the rocks and try again.

 

Lots of beautiful "shrooms"

This guy was right below us on the viewing platform,still in velvet and close enough to touch.

Musk Ox,they were all resting.

Two huge "browns" getting ready to be fed.

A very shy black eating the salmon thrown to him.

Wood Bison,being raised in the center and released into wilderness interior areas.

This 12 year old Canadian Lynx was brought to the center after being found as a kitten during a forest fire.

Caribou in the velvet shedding stage.

Two of the Tundra wolves born at the center.

This apple has been "hitchhiking" all the way from our friends home in Eugene Or.

The glacier at our Willawaw camp.

Just a peek at that glacier.

To be continued in part 3.