7-16-2011 Anchorage

BriB and Bec with Anchorage in the background.

They say over 50% of residents have pilots licenses.

BriB's favorite..trains.  Love the colors of the Alaskan RR!

End of vacation...and they didn't even get to sleep in on vaca LOL........

It has been fun showing the kids Alaska, such a beautiful and still wilderness-ful state, and a place where their dad was stationed many moons ago.

Next chapter will be with BrianW and Lauren.

7-13-2011 Seals in Homer Fishing Hole

Every high tide, 2-4 of these seals would make it into the fishing hole.

7-13-2011 Bald Eagles, Homer

Had so much fun watching the bald eagles fly around Homer.  Totally awesome...enjoy!

7-13-2011 Homer, AK

Homer Spit, on the Kenai Peninsula, was another lovely place to camp and one of our favorite locations.  Totally dry camping, but worth it as the view was awesome ( Mtns, the Fishing Hole, lots of seagulls and Bald Eagles, as we were pretty close to the fish cleaning tables).  Our last trip in 04 we were oceanside, but this one was much more fun, watching people fish and close ups of the eagles.  

They call this the Fishing Hole.   Tide comes in and goes out over on the right where the people are fishing.  Oftentimes seals come in with the tides.

The guys trying their luck.

View of the Spit from Skyline Drive.  We camped way out towards the end.

Bec and Brian

The first rough day when the guys didn't get out.

BrianB trying the fishing hole.

The boat the guys never got to fish from!

7-12-2011 Soldotna

Stopped at the Fred Meyers in Soldotna for the night.  Fred Meyers is like a Super Wal Mart, and they let you stay in their parking lots for free, up to 3 days.  Rolly had gotten stopped while on the road by another driver who heard something and smelled something.  Couldn't find anything until we got to Fred Meyers..broken spring shakels (sp?).  A garage loaned (yes,no charge!!!) floor jack, safety stand and large hammer.  Ended up getting a larger jack.  The 3 guys (yes, BrianB you're a great mech!!) got the job done by 5 PM.  Relaxed for the evening and watched Deadliest Catch.  Boy, I've gotten hooked on that show now LOL....

7-11-2011 Exit Glacier

Took a Ranger tour, then walked back to the glacier.  Exit Glacier is 3 miles long and descends from the Harding Icefield.

7-10-2011 Seward

Another favorite spot of ours, it was so good to see it again.  We lucked out with two camping spots (Rolly and Bonnie and us)  right on the water of Resurrection Bay.  Awesome view!

Becca and Brian chillin.  The rig in the background is the Campground Host's rig and satellite dishes.

Awesome view to wake up to.  What else would Rolly be doing but cleaning :)  He really put us to shame on this trip.

A few bald eagles here, but not as many as Homer.

7-9-2011 Hatchers Pass and Matanuska Glacier

Cloudy and cold at Hatcher's Pass and Independence Mine.  Bonnie, Becca and Kitty stayed at the info center to keep warm while the guys walked around.  The info center was actually quite nice with lots of very old photos, etc.   The Info Center is in what was the Mine Managers home, built in 1939.  We went up to the top of the pass, as that's all our vehicle could do safely.  Independence Mine is an on-going restoration project.

Matanuska Glacier is in Chugach Mtns and heads north 27 miiles.  Width is 2-4 miles.  Didn't get close to this one as there were fees everywhere to get to it.  Knew we would see Exit Glacier, so by-passed this one.

7-8-2011 Port of Whittier and Glacier Boat Tour

Day trip to Whittier, and glacier boat trip on Prince William Sound.  Whittier was created by the US Army during WWII as a port and petroleum delivery center (Milepost).

The tunnel to Whittier handles both vehicles and the railroad.  Time perfectly, the cars wait in a staging area like waiting for a ferry, until the time for vehicles to travel through.  You can see the rr tracks in the pix above.

The Klondike Express boat was very nice, holding 330 passengers.  Smooth ride all day, cloudy but no rain.  Saw one humpback whale, lots of sea otters and seals, but only two bald eagles.  Drove up very close to two glaciers.

Saw one black bear close to shore.

Sea otters are one of my favorites....too cute!

7-6-2011 Denali Tour 6

Last posting for this date.  There were many awe-inspiring sights in Denali!  Makes one realize/remember that a higher being had to create this wonderful awesome scenery!!