Halibut Homer

They say that Homer is the halibut capitol of the world and, after our experience yesterday, we would agree!

We have been in Homer on the Spit for three nights at the city campground, the Fishing Hole.  The Spit is a long finger of land that extends out into Kachemak Bay and Homer lies on the southern end of the Kenai Peninsula.

But let me back up…..

Last weekend was about getting the 300 miles or so from Valdez to Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula.  After stopping at the mosquito infested campground (which taught us some lessons), we landed at the Fred Meyers (grocery) in Palmer.  (Palmer and Wasilla are just before Anchorage.)  The hubby is experiencing severe shoulder pain and a helpful waitress directs us to someone performing chair massage.  The massage helps and he starts a regimen of ice and aleve. 

On our way to Palmer we see our first “real” glacier.

While visiting a center devoted to sled dogs, we discover a city of Wasilla campground that has fewer mosquitos than our previous camp.  Lake Lucille is $10 a night and we enjoy a pleasant dinner and our first fire of the trip.

I attempted to start the refrigerator by turning on both gas tanks and, after closing my eyes,  blowing vigorously into the little hole that houses the pilot light.  It works!  Don’t know why, but the pilot light is now high which means it will cool.

After an oil change we decide to relocate to the Wasilla Wal-Mart.  Free and less mosquitos!

The next day we are entering the Kenai Peninsula after driving through Anchorage without a stop….except to get our bearings.

 

Landing in the city of Kenai for the night, we are directed to the river to view caribou.  Too far away for pictures and I’m frustrated that there are 4 snow covered volcanoes across Cook Inlet and I can’t get a picture for the haze!  After a stay at the Kenai Wal-mart, we are heading for Homer.

Camping choices are numerous on the Homer Spit.  We can stay at the $7 city park, the $15 with flush toilets and dump or one of the private cg’s that offer it all for $68 per night!  We choose the Fishing Hole with the flush and dump.

 

These two characters are campground regulars, appearing to enjoy the attention they are receiving.

We are situated between a favorite fishing hole and the harbor.

 

Oops, my laptop has ran out of juice! 

Currently sitting in the car running the laptop off the inverter!

Will finish the Homer story soon… a teaser!

Valdez and a few mountains

Mountains in the Wrangell-St Elias National Park

As we are leaving Tok we spy another 16' Casita parked at Fast Eddy’s.  It’s owner must be inside having breakfast at this famous restaurant.  We are hungry for egg companions and pull  alongside the camper trying to decide if it’s important to meet them.  Hubby makes the decision. “I’m hungry and want breakfast.”

I go in and look around trying to spot someone who looks like a Casita owner.  As we are finishing our meal, a single man walks to the trailer.  He is from Iowa and traveling alone.  His trailer is almost new and one can tell by his enthusiasm that he loves it!

After comparing notes, we wish him safe travels and take off for Valdez…pronounced val-deeez….less than 300 miles away.  By mid-afternoon we are arriving at the Visitor’s Center for the Wrangell-Mt Elias National Park, the largest national park in the country.  It boasts having numerous glaciers, active volcanoes, and over 200,000 square miles of wilderness.

Willow Lake

It’s getting late, no way we are going to make Valdez today!  This will be our first night to sleep on the side of the road.  Other free camping has always been in a commercial parking lot after seeking permission.

The visitor center recommends Willow Lake as a nice pull-off, but it’s too close to the highway and too many people stopping to take pictures.  Since dark never comes, we will find the perfect spot down the road.  At mile 75 on the Richardson Hwy we see two fifth-wheels with their slides pulled out.  This is it!  Home for the night!  I have some concerns about opening a can of chicken…can grizzles get us if they smell it?  The trash (and smells) go into the truck cab for the night.

It’s a peaceful night.  Another rig pulls close before bedtime and I feel extra secure with it right behind us.

We eat our breakfast of oatmeal and protein powder and take off for Valdez passing over Thompson Pass and the Worthington Glacier. 

Worthington Glacier

I was a bit unimpressed with the glacier but loved the mountains and lake!

After crossing Thompson Pass we are descending into a lush valley heading toward the coastal town.  Several waterfalls are right on the road.

Horsetail Falls

We are heading for a county park, Allison Point, that offers dry camping for $15. 

The camp is almost empty and we are seeing incredible scenes in every direction.  Valdez lies just across the bay.

After a quick lunch we drive into town and walk around the docks.

We are watching sea otters in the bay and bald eagles flying over the trailer.  Just loving this place!

And for those of you who are inquiring about mosquitoes, the wind must be sweeping them away as there’s very few here.

This just about catches up our first week in Alaska.  At the present it’s Saturday AM, we are at the Tolsona Wilderness Camp to charge up all the electronics…both camera batteries went down and the tab.  Way too much stuff to recharge by the inverter.  This is our first night hooked up to electricity since 6/3!

Lots and lots of mosquitoes here!

Heading toward Anchorage.

Finally….Alaska!

Arriving back on the old US of A soil felt good until the border guards wanted to confiscate our two bags of apples.  I remarked that they were in their original bags and, after looking at the labels, the guards returned our precious fruit.

The road from the last Yukon town of Haines Junction to the border was downright awful.  Driving between 35 and 45 miles per hour, it took all morning.  And we are stressing even more when the check engine light comes on.  But after 20 miles it goes back off.

A few miles into Alaska we find a campground at Deadman’s Lake.  The price is right…free!  It has no water but pit toilets and a nice campsite right on the lake.

Screeching sounds are heard as we are backing into the campsite.   After securing the camper we look for the source of the noise and find a welcoming committee of one to greet us.

It’s a golden eagle!

 

He was content to stay in the tree allowing us to admire him, flying away only after a boat startled him.

Later that night we were entertained by a naturalist lecture on permafrost (only 9 inches down) and learning a few wildflowers.

Labrador tea

A wee bit behind on our postings…..currently in a campground in Tok where we will stay another night,  heading toward Valdez tomorrow. Today’s Tuesday, 6/18.

The Yukon!

 

The Sign Post Forest in Watson Lake is our first stop in the Yukon.

The first sign was placed in the early 40’s by a homesick military man.  Now there are over 70,000 signs placed by tourists, often giving the mileage back to their hometown.

By night we find ourselves in the village of Teslin at the Yukon Motel.  I go in and inquire about rates….thirty-one dollars for electric hookups, $15 for dry camping and free in the parking lot! 

A rainbow appears behind the restaurant as I walk through the camp.

Moose statue welcomes travelers at the Yukon Motel.

Pushing on we get through Whitehorse….a real city with 75% of the Yukon’s population residing there.  There are two McDonald’s!  They are serving egg mcmuffins instead of sausage and biscuit, so disappointing but happy to get some protein.

The day ends at a Cottonwood RV park, our first private campground.  The pictures will explain why we paid the $30 for a non electric site.

Kluane Lake

Rest Stop

Campsite…lakeshore  behind me.