Distracton needed

Homer, on the Spit
June 27-28

Well, we may not have made the best choice in campgrounds.  It takes both Momma and Dad FOREVER to get 'suited' up to take me out for a walk.  They should just have a nice fur coat like it do.  I really don't mind the wind, that has been rattling our toppers, blowing through my fur.  And we have had a bit of a drizzle but once again, my thick fur protects my skin. No raincoat needed for me!

Being by the water, we really aren't protected from the wind.  This is the most expensive campground of our trip and sadly, the sites are short so you can't park the truck on site; the Wi-Fi is hit and miss...usually miss; the cable is fuzzy BUT they do have super water pressure and 50 amp.  Haven't seen that in a while!!

This bald eagle is right at home here at the campground.

 PS:  That's Dad's finger in the shot above. I think he was just excited about the eagle being so close.

Once again, the houses have seaplanes at the docks, but the water doesn't freeze in this area so I guess they must keep their pontoons on all winter????

Momma said she thought the doors to the Island and Ocean Visitor Center were unusual.  They were artistically trimmed in metal kelp.  Dad thought the place was outstanding because it was FREE!

 They enjoyed the movie that told the story of the scientists who spend the summer on the Aleutian Islands studying the wildlife with the goal of wildlife preservation.  If they notice/record any decline in wildlife population, then action is taken to reverse the decline. An example would be when the fox was brought to the island years ago and almost wiped out the geese population.  The fox were caught and removed so the geese population could once again survive on the island.

There were also well done exhibits designed to educate the public.  The shirt below was made of seal intestines and sewn with grass.  Needless to say, it was made by natives who knew how to live off the land and use what nature has provided.

Momma had thought about going to the Farmer's Market but it didn't open until 2 pm.  Dad was ready for coffee break so they wound up at Two Sisters Bakery.  What a find!!  Dad said the sticky bun was too good to worry about needing a doggy bag.  Momma had chocolate bread that was so good and unusual that she brought a couple more home....just for me I'm sure!!  You really wouldn't know it was chocolate from the outside.  It just looked like a nice round roll but...hidden inside is delicious, warm, gooey chocolate layered throughout.  What do you mean I'm not supposed to have chocolate?  Guess I'll just have to help myself.  Parents, could you leave the room please or at least turn you backs on me? Distraction needed.....

Hickory

.....on the road again

Seward, AK

Seward, Ak
June 24-25

Well, once again I was left to guard the rig while Momma and Dad headed for the water.  They decided to hop on the Major Marine Tour boat: Northern Star in search of  whales, sea otters, Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoises, harbor seals, bald eagles, puffins, and many other types of marine birds while cruising the protected waters of Resurrection Bay.  In other words....no rough seas. 

They even enjoyed a delicious buffet of  silver salmon and prime rib while on board. 

Momma said she was thankful that the inside area was climate controlled as it sure was COLD up on the outside deck.  They spent the majority of the time looking out the windows and staying comfortable.

Sure enough Resurrection Bay shared views of humpback whales, otters, sea lions, puffin and eagles.  They even saw a mountain goat way up high on the steep bank.  The views were made even more impressive with the use of binoculars.

On board the ship, Momma said they met a bubbly young gal from Pennsylvania who had attended college in Florida and was currently interning in Seward, Alaska at the Alaska Sea Life Center and working on her graduate studies.  She was on board to answer any questions anyone may have as well as offer some special experiences/activities for the children on board.  You'll see her in the blue jacket sitting behind the bucket of COLD Resurrection Bay water.  Her activity had to do with:  How do the animals keep warm in the cold water?

Then they were treated to a view of one of the many glaciers in the area.

The day before, they had walked to Exit Glacier for an even closer view of a glacier.

While I was spending the day guarding the rig, I was reminiscing and dreaming about the day we traveled to Seward.  Midway, Dad pulled into this quaint looking log cabin lodge and café for a cinnamon bun snack with coffee....complete with dog bones.  Momma said she just loves the view of the mountains behind the log cabin buildings.  It's a view she doesn't seem to tire of.

Yep, life is good here in Alaska.  Enjoying a super summer.

Hickory

.....on the road again

A view you never tire of

Seward to Homer
June 26, 2017

The route from Seward to Homer took us on the 'Scenic Highway' with gorgeous views even though it was cloudy and overcast.  I'm sorry to say the pictures just don't do the actual views justice.  I'll bet this trip would be awesome on a sunny day!  It was fantastic on a cloudy day👍👀

Even the view at our campsite in Seward was breath taking.

The roads have been in much better shape in this area although there is still lots of construction.  Did I mention that Alaskans say they have two seasons:  winter and construction?

There definitely is an abundance of woods, bodies of water, mountains...usually snowcapped and wildlife here in Alaska.  We have left the interior and have been enjoying southcentral Alaska.  Now we are heading for the Kenai (KEE ny) Peninsula where we will camp near the water on Homer Spit and watch the tides roll in and out....an average change of 18 feet.  This is also definitely a tourist area with land travelers as well as the cruise ship travelers. 

Now I must say, I was deeply disappointed.  Momma's stylist in Whitehorse told Momma to be sure to stop at  The Moose is Loose Bakery in Soldotna. She said they have the BEST donuts in the world!  (Can they really be better than the donuts from Rise N Roll in Indiana?)  Well, our trip took us through Soldotna and right past the Moose is Loose but it was a Monday.  Guess who is closed on Mondays?  I just knew Dad was going to have a super snack to share today but.....we didn't even make a food stop...anywhere.  No coffee break.  No dog bones.  Just a 4 hour ride with a couple of quick pee breaks.  Now what fun is that?

Now I have my toenails crossed because with the limited number of highways in Alaska, we will be passing right through Soldotna in the opposite direction when we depart Homer.  Here's hoping for  a nice full-stomach  snack break coming up in a couple of days.

Hickory

....on the road again

Palmer, AK

Palmer, Ak
June 23,2017

Anchorage has a really nice Alaskan Native Heritage Center.  It's a nonprofit facility with the goal of keeping their Native Heritage alive.  They have no written language.  Stories are passed down by elders to the younger members of the clan verbally.  Their native language is becoming lost as the younger clan members mix with the rest of the world and adapt to the 'new' ways and 'our' language. 

We were entertained as well as educated with a dance presentation.

 There were replicas of the winter dwellings they used when it was too cold to use their skin dwellings.  The men stayed in a larger dwelling that also acted as the common house while the women stayed in a small dwelling and joined others the in the common house for dances, etc.  Marriages were prearranged by the fathers.  The male would do a year of servitude for the female's family.  The female's family would gather something of wealth to give to the male's family at the end of the year.  If the family accepted the gift, the marriage was complete.  No ceremony.

On the way back to Palmer from Anchorage, we passed a body of water with homes that had water frontage.  Instead of a boat tied to the dock as you would find in the lower 48, about every third house had a sea plane tied up.  I'm sure come winter, the pontoons are swapped out for snow skis and the water take off becomes a snow take off.  Just life in Alaska...

Hickory
......on the road again

Reindeer and Musk Ox near Palmer

Palmer:  Reindeer and Musk Ox Farms
June 22

The reindeer are very docile animals so our tour guide took us into the pen armed with food so we would be certain to have an up close and personal encounter.  The reindeer know the routine and were more than willing to enjoy the treats...even nudging if the treats weren't served up fast enough.  But all you had to do was put your hands in the stop position and they backed off.

Now the Elk on the other hand don't have the temperament or manners of the reindeer so we observed and fed them thru the fence.

There is one bull who is "in charge" of the herd.....the big boss.

And he is the ONLY male.  Males wont' tolerate any competition.  If another male was introduced, in about 5 minutes there would be just one male alive according to our tour guide.

Our tour guide pointed out that the reindeer have big hooves that spread out to act as snowshoes.

The farm had taken in a rescued moose who lost his mom and needed bottle feeding.  This baby is fed 18% fat content milk.  He'll be doing some fast growing!!

Now what do you think of this moose?  

Or this one?

Dad enjoyed catching up with his friend Bill, from Arizona.  His wife, Jan is holding the antlers in the pic above.

The gang moved on to the Musk Ox farm next.  These animals could care less that anyone came to see them...as long as we abide by a few rules.    Our tour guide explained that everyone needs to stay in a group...do not spread out.... so that we aren't viewed as a threat.  The wolf is the predator of the musk ox.   If a musk ox should charge, they run at 30 miles per hour and due to their size, it would not be healthy to be in their line of charge. 

These musk ox are raised for their qiviut...the fine under hair that is combed out and can be knitted into scarfs, hats, mittens, etc.  It is very soft, warm and expensive.  Aunt Janice was admiring a hat that was over $200.  Our tour guide had a knitted cowl that was also priced over $200.  He said it was one of the 'perks' he received for working there. 

I'm glad Momma and Dad weren't tired out from feeding all the other animals today.  I still got all my 'snacks' and cookie bones at coffee time...along with lots of strokes and a belly rub.   They do love me you know.....

Hickory

......on the road again

Palmer and Anchorage

It was travel day again today....heading south toward Anchorage but stopping in Palmer, Ak.  I was the first one loaded up and ready to hit the road.  Maybe I should ask Dad about installing a seat belt for me.  There is construction on the highway and a need for more repairs for some of the dips and bumps in the Denali area, but Dad is getting good a spotting the irregularities and going slow makes for an easy ride over the frost heaves.  The further south we headed, the smoother the road.

It was a good day for moose spotting.  We saw a total of  4 today. This guy was kind enough to be grazing along the roadside.

These two were knee deep in the water

Shortly after arriving in Palmer and getting set up, we headed for Anchorage and the Best Buy store.  We were on a mission.  On one of our stops, after one of those unsettling trips, Dad's laptop was  attacked by a falling jar of my peanut butter.  The peanut butter jar survived without any signs of trauma.  I can't say the same for Dad's laptop.  It totaled his screen....thus the mission to locate a replacement laptop.

Not only did we locate a laptop, we located a bag of my dog food.  I was beginning to worry as my food bag was getting pretty light.  I had heard all the stories about limited supplies but M & D knew enough to make the purchase in Anchorage where there are plenty of shops, stores and just about anything you want or need.  And the price for the big bag was only $1 higher than we normally pay.

Friends we know who reside in Arizona are also touring Alaska this summer and happen to be in Palmer right now as well.  I haven't gotten my hug yet but M & D stopped by to see them and made plans for the following day.

Hickory
.......on the road again

Denali, AK

There are gorgeous views no matter which way you look when in Denali.

 We enjoyed an all you can eat salmon and rib dinner with super berry cobbler for dessert while we were entertained by a fantastic cast.

Having a great time in Denali....

Hickory
.....on the road again