2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (42)

06/22/2019 / No Travel Day – Shopping & Kenai Visitor & Cultural Center

Start Location:

• Klondike RV Park
• 48665 Funny River Road, Soldotna, Alaska 99669
• 907.262.6035

Start Time: N/A

Mileage:  54,282.3

Cost Per Night: $45.26 USD
Weather: 50 - 70 F Sunny

Paul spent the morning inventorying our fishing gear. In the process, he stripped the bolts out of the back door; so, we needed to fix it. Off to Walmart we went.

As much as I hate shopping at Walmart; they had most of what we needed. I finally found a cell phone necklace holder and only $10.00 to boot. Paul bought a three-tiered bathroom corner caddy. That will triple out bathroom counter space!

On the way back to the RV, we stopped at an outdoor market/ craft fair. They had some nice stuff; only too pricey or too big to carry home. We did buy a nice tomato for tonight’s dinner.

We also stopped by the Kenai Visitor & Cultural Center. As we entered, we encountered the nice couple we talked to at the Marathon Campground Dump Station in Seward.

Then we realized that it was after two and we had not eaten since breakfast. The cashier at Walmart had recommended the Caribou Family Restaurant.

The eatery was deserted; just as we like it. Our service was first-rate, and the food was good. I had breaded fish with sweet potato tater tots. Those tots were the best. The atmosphere of the Caribou reminded us of our favorite café back home (Home Sweet Home).

All in all, just a relaxing day while getting all those pesky small chores done.

Wildlife Spotted: Three bald eagles being chased by a colony of seagulls

Bear (Kenai Visitor Center)

Street Market and Crafts

Loved this Alaska Sea Otter Cape

Fish and Chips AKA Sweet Potato Tater Tots - Caribou Family Restaurant

New Bathroom Corner Shelf

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Travel Day – Klondike RV Park, Soldotna (41)
2. Alaska SeaLife Center (40)
3. Travel Day – Seward, Alaska (39)
4. Fort Richardson/Ship Creek Overlook (38)
5. Travel Day – Golden Nugget RV Park (37)
6. Willow Creek State Recreation Area (36)
7. Fishing Willow Creek (35)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (41)

06/21/2019 / Travel Day – Klondike RV Park, Soldotna

Start Location:

• Harbor Side
• 1118 4th Ave, Seward, AK 99664
• 907.224.4055

Start Time: 10:00 a.m.

Mileage:  54,185.3

Weather: 51 - 62 F Sunny with Clouds

End Location:

• Klondike RV Park
• 48665 Funny River Road, Soldotna, Alaska 99669
• 907.262.6035

End Time: 2:30 p.m.

Mileage:  54,282.3

Cost Per Night: $45.26 USD
Weather: 45 - 59 F Sunny
Route:

• 9 North
• 1 North

We had to make a stop at the Dump Station at the Marathon Campground to lighten our load for travel. The place was packed; but everyone was friendly, helpful and patient.

There was “smoke activity” on the 1 North which made the trip a bit unpleasant. We found out later that all the smoke was due to the Swan Fire.

At that time, the Swan Lake Fire had already burned over 22,000 acres. However, the fire managers largely kept their hands off it. That's because the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is a congressionally designated wilderness area--that means no private property is at risk. Additionally, they believe that there is valuable ecological succession that occurs during and after a fire.

We made it to the RV Park okay and we were pleased with our host, Al. He is going to help Paul set up our fishing gear tomorrow.

Wildlife Spotted: Just lots of birds . . . . gulls mostly

Map of Seward to Soldotna, Alaska

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Alaska SeaLife Center (40)
2. Travel Day – Seward, Alaska (39)
3. Fort Richardson/Ship Creek Overlook (38)
4. Travel Day – Golden Nugget RV Park (37)
5. Willow Creek State Recreation Area (36)
6. Fishing Willow Creek (35)
7. Travel Day – Denali Rainbow Village RV Park (34)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (40)

06/20/2019 / No-Travel Day – Alaska SeaLife Center

Start Location:

• Harbor Side
• 1118 4th Ave, Seward, AK 99664
• 907.224.4055

End Time: N/A

Mileage:  54,185.3

Cost Per Night: $20.00 USD
Weather: 51 - 63 F 50% Sunny with Clouds

We walked into Seward today . . . . 1.1 miles to the Alaska SeaLife Center. It was really pricey - $65.09 for the two of us. Nevertheless, we really enjoyed the museum. I took a ton of photos. The Alaska SeaLife Center educates the public re: the conditions of the oceans, rescues stranded animals and researches the problems associated with the influences of man on earth.

After lunch in the RV, we went into the other part of Seward. I stopped at the Ranger Station to get a stamp for my National Park Passport. Before returning to the RV, we watched fisherman attempting to snag salmon – interesting way to fish.

After dinner a bald eagle flew low around the bay to entertain us. Then a smaller black bird chased him away. We love nature.

Wildlife Spotted: lots of species at the Alaska SeaLife Center – fish; Steller Sea Lions; Seals; Ducks; Seagulls; Puffins; King Eider; Jelly Fish; Octopus; also a Red Salmon that Landon snagged.

Panoramic Shot of Resurrection Bay

Mermaid House on the way to Alaska SeaLife Center

My Sentiments Exactly

Alaska SeaLife Center

Lots of Fish at the Center

Kuliak, the Steller Sea Lion was Born at the Center

Sea Pens Are Colonial Marine Cnidarians

The Tufted Puffin is Also Known as the Crested Puffinn

The Harlequin Duck Mates for Life

Interesting Blue House, Seward, Alaska

Frontier Trading Post Offers Certified Organic and Non-GMO Products

Creek Next To Our Campground – Runs Into the Resurrection Bay

Landon Snagged a Good-Sized Red Salmon

Lots of Murals in Seward, Alaska

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Travel Day – Seward, Alaska (39)
2. Fort Richardson/Ship Creek Overlook (38)
3. Travel Day – Golden Nugget RV Park (37)
4. Willow Creek State Recreation Area (36)
5. Fishing Willow Creek (35)
6. Travel Day – Denali Rainbow Village RV Park (34)
7. Denali ATV Adventure (33)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (39)

06/19/2019 / Travel Day – Seward, Alaska

Start Location:

• Golden Nugget RV Park
• 4100 Debarr Road, Anchorage Alaska 99508
• 907.333.2012

Start Time: 7:35 a.m.

Mileage:  54,057.9

Weather: 48 - 61 F 50% Chance of Rain – Rained A Bit

End Location:

• Harbor Side
• 1118 4th Ave, Seward, AK 99664
• 907.224.4055

End Time: 10:30 a.m.

Mileage:  54,185.3

Cost Per Night: $20.00 USD
Weather: 52 - 66 F 50% Sunny
Route:

• 3 South
• 9 South

Found a beautiful spot – facing the mountains and harbor. The sites are pretty big. However, there is a lot of foot traffic and they wander right through your campsite. Harbor Side is just two blocks from the town; no hookups though. We were unlucky enough to camp right next to a camper with a barking dog!

On The Kenai Fjord Dinner Cruise

As soon as we set up camp, we booked a Kenai Fjord dinner cruise. It departed at 3:00 and returned at 8:30 p.m. The pick-up site is within walking distance. We picked the evening tour because we figured there would be less children. Of course, I was wrong. We arrived early and were the second couple in line to board.

Sadly, fifteen minutes before boarding time, they marched a group of children onto the Orca Voyager. Naturally, they marked most of the premium window seats with their backpacks and junk; then sat in the upper deck outside seats!

Although, we were the second couple aboard, we had to grab a cramped window seat in the back – and we were lucky to get it. Then these kids (who were from California) ran up and down the decks and being loud. It made it difficult to hear the captain’s instructions and narration.

But enough complaining. The cruise glided through Resurrection Bay past abundant wildlife and deep into the Kenai Fjords National Park. The Captain Chad’s chronicle was very interesting and on point; Paul and I both learned a lot. We even witnessed chunks of the glacier come crashing down into the bay.

My dinner of crab cakes with Sriracha aioli, roasted corn, jalapeno, onions and cilantro, served with a mixed vegetable salad and dinner roll was a tad scarce but tasty. Paul had the vegetarian patty. We ate while stopped in front of Aialik Glacer. All the adults aboard were very polite and friendly. Everyone had their opportunity to take photos.

Wildlife Spotted: Commorant (bird); Goat; Humpback Whale; Moon Jellyfish; Otters; Puffins; (flying); Seagulls; Seals; Steller Sea Lions.

Anchorage to Seward, Alaska

Scenery on the 3 South Anchorage to Seward

Friendly and Colorful Locals

You Can See the Water Evaporation In the Distance

Humpback Whale – The Breach

Humpback Whale Waved Goodbye

Bear Glacier - The Longest Glacier in the Park.

You could See a Mountain Goat Far in the Distance

Three Hole Point, Aialik Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

Aialik Glacier is a Little Over 15 Miles from Seward

Sea Otter is Endangered in Western Alaska

My Crab Cake Dinner

Harbor Seals Numbers Have Declined Greatly

View of the Aialik Glacier from the Back of the Orca Voyager

Holding a Chunk of Glacier Ice – Cold & Heavy

The Moon Jellyfish is Translucent and Usually About 10–16” In Diameter

Steller Sea Lions are the Largest Member of the Eared Seal Family

Beautiful Panoramas Everywhere

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Fort Richardson/Ship Creek Overlook (38)
2. Travel Day – Golden Nugget RV Park (37)
3. Willow Creek State Recreation Area (36)
4. Fishing Willow Creek (35)
5. Travel Day – Denali Rainbow Village RV Park (34)
6. Denali ATV Adventure (33)
7. Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour (32)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (38)

06/18/2019 / No Travel Day – Fort Richardson/Ship Creek Overlook

 Start Location:

• Golden Nugget RV Park
• 4100 Debarr Road, Anchorage Alaska 99508
• 907.333.2012

Start Time: N/A.

Mileage:  54,057.9

Cost Per Night: $50.00 USD
Weather: 48 - 61 F 50% Chance of Rain – Rained A Bit

Another lazy day; in fact, we laid around in bed until eight! It was just that kind of a sluggish rainy morning.

We went in search of the Ship Creek Overlook Park. Somehow, we got turned around and ended up driving up the mountainside into Fort Richardson (7 miles East of Anchorage). Fort Richardson is a United States Army installation adjacent to the city of Anchorage. In 2010, it was merged with nearby Elmendorf Air Force Base to form Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

We ignored the no trespassing notices and boy am I glad that we did. We were in awe of the mountain exquisiteness. We also experienced black bears sightings. The first one we spotted was eating dandelions on the side of the road. He took no notice of us at all and I was able to take a ton of photos.

We drove all the way to the top; to the Anchorage Ski Club Arctic Valley. This lift has a base elevation of 2500 feet, and a lift rise to almost 4000 feet. On the way down, Paul pointed out a majestic bald eagle perched atop a phone pole. Took a photo of him too.

The Ship Creek Overlook Park is a favorite spot to view hatchery-seeded coho salmon as they begin running in late July through August. The best viewing can be found in the clear water at the spillway and fish ladders at the Ship Creek Overlook Park off East Whitney Road, in the railroad and warehouse basin north of downtown. Unfortunately, the salmon was not running yet.

We also made a quick stop at the Anchorage Railway Depot. The place was practically deserted. The charm of the structure was easy to enjoy and we also stocked up on more tourist booklets.

Paul bought his waders at Bass Pro Shop for just $129.00! Such a deal. They also had $5.00 t-shirts. I bought a cheap but utility pole – it is a shiny green.

Wildlife Spotted: Three bears, bald eagle, lots of bird including a bald eagle & a ton of sea gulls, rabbits, and live salmon at the Bass Pro Shop.

View of Anchorage from Atop of Fort Richardson

Spectacular Mountain Settings in the Chugach Mountains

This Black Bear is Enjoying His Meal of Dandelions

The Black Bear Allowed Us to Follow as He Made His Way Down the Road

Alaska Has the Largest Population of Bald Eagles in the United States

Alaska Railroad Depot – Bummer that the Tickets Were Too Expensive

Ship Creek Overlook Park – No Salmon in Sight

Stuffed Animal Display at the Anchorage Bass Pro Shop

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Travel Day – Golden Nugget RV Park (37)
2. Willow Creek State Recreation Area (36)
3. Fishing Willow Creek (35)
4. Travel Day – Denali Rainbow Village RV Park (34)
5. Denali ATV Adventure (33)
6. Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour (32)
7. Travel Day – Denali Rainbow Village RV Park (31)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (37)

06/17/2019 / Travel Day – Golden Nugget RV Park

 Start Location:

• Willow Creek RV Resort
• 34076 W Parks Hwy, Willow, Alaska 99699
• 907.495.6343

Start Time:  10:30 a.m.

Mileage:  53,986.2

 End Location:

• Golden Nugget RV Park
• 4100 Debarr Road, Anchorage Alaska 99508
• 907.333.2012

Start Time: 1:30 p.m.

Mileage:  54,057.9

Cost Per Night: $50.00 USD
Weather: 50 - 67 F Overcast with Chance of Rain
Route:

• 3 South
• 1 South

Paul and I woke up with new mosquito bites. The little buggers were inside the ‘Beast.’ I am going to starting using my Dr Bronner's Lavender Soap again . . . it seems to help keep those ‘biters’ away.

Only about seventy miles to travel today. Therefore, we had a lazy morning. We did more laundry and Paul fixed an egg scramble breakfast.

A poor bird was stuck in the laundry room. He was so scared – I tried to give him plenty of room.

We stopped at the local Fred Meyer for both gas and groceries. No taxes added here in Anchorage!!! Love It.

The campsite is in town which is always welcome. Sadly, the sites are pretty cramped. Our utility pole had been hit previously. It still worked but looked bad.

We decided to have a dinner out. The Anchorage Hacienda Mexican Restaurant’s food was just okay. Ramona gave us pretty good service, nevertheless.

Wildlife Spotted: Wild domesticated camp rabbits; Robins; Scared Sparrow in Laundry Room.

Beautiful Landscape on 3 South - Going to Anchorage, Alaska

Plenty of Parking at the Fred Myer - Shopping & Gas - Anchorage, Alaska

Our Spot #147 - Golden Nugget RV Park - Anchorage, Alaska

Dinner at the Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, Anchorage Alaska

Map - Willow to Anchorage, Alaska

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Willow Creek State Recreation Area (36)
2. Fishing Willow Creek (35)
3. Travel Day – Denali Rainbow Village RV Park (34)
4. Denali ATV Adventure (33)
5. Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour (32)
6. Travel Day – Denali Rainbow Village RV Park (31)
7. River Discovery Tour (30)