Alaska Trip 2019

Drove south from Destruction Bay to Haines Junction, then west to Haines.  Much of the drive we were adjacent to Kluane National Park, in Yukon, going south and east.  We climbed into the Alaska Range, then coasted along the tundra above the treeline, then down into Haines.  The border crossing was about 40 miles outside of Haines.  Beautiful country!

We drove along the edge of the Tustin Wildlife Refuge for most of the morning.  This area is known as the coldest part of Alaska.  The refuge lies in a large Valley east of  Wrangell-Elias National Park, and is adjacent to several other parks and refuges, including those in Canada.  Speaking of Canada, we then crossed the border again. The drive was replete with many frost heaves in the road, so we had to use extreme caution.  It was very rough in spots.  On a positive note, we drove past mountains, National Parks, rivers, trees, marshes, and muskeg.  We experienced a little bit of rain, but not enough to get us wet. The host at the RV Park provided an outstanding meal, and arranged for entertainment with a local Canadian Country singer.  He talked more than he sang, but it was fun nevertheless.  I even played the bagpipes, but could not get on stage because the ceiling was too low for the pipes! ...

Drizzly day as we departed Valdez.  Headed again over Thompson Pass, and into Copper Valley, past Wrangell-Elias National Park.  It rained 90% of the drive today, and it was too cloudy to see the mountains.  It cleared up just before we reached Tok, however.   Once in Tok, we filled up on fuel, and headed into the RV park, where we washed the truck and trailer in the RV wash area.  After everything was dry, we realized it wasn't that good of a job.  Next time!

The group departed the docks at 0900 for a six hour tour to the Meares Glacier, a tidal glacier that is actually advancing, rather than retreating.  On the way to and from the glacier, we saw sea otters, orcas, bald eagles, stellar sea lions, and humpback whales.  Wow!  All in one trip.   We took a short trip toward the Columbia Glacier, just to see the icebergs in the fjord, but the big attraction was the Meares.   Shortly after arriving, we witnessed a large calving of the glacier into the water.  Spectacular!  We could hear the glacier moaning, cracking, and popping, and watched the sea lions clinging to the icebergs. The following day we went to the local museum, and learned all about how the town was devastated after the 1964 earthquake.  The town had to be relocated aftwerwards, as it seemed that the founders of the town built it on the glacier moraine, a bed of sand and gravel.  During the earthquake, which lasted for five minutes, ...

We followed the Matanuska River from Palmer, along Highway 1, past Moose Creek and Chickaloon, to the Matanuska Glacier.  Impressive sight, but no photos.  The air had quite a bit of smoke, so it was not too picturesque.  In Glenallen, we made a right turn onto Highway 4, heading south toward Valdez.  Shortly, we pulled into the visitor center for Wrangell-Elias National Park.   Wow, would have never known that this national park is the size of Switzerland, with more mountains.   Again, smoke obscured the sky, but we were able to see the outline of one of the volcanos.   Like Denali, most of this national park is wild, as there are only two unimproved roads entering the park (60 mile dirt road).  After the visitor center, Highway 4 headed south through the Copper Valley, heading up to Thompson Pass. It was a little drizzly going over the pass, which is only 2600 feet, but drops down to sea level in five miles.  Not like the Sierra Nevada, whe...

Took an opportunity on this day off of touring to play a round of golf at the Palmer Golf Course.  Best score ever, 104!  The views were spectacular, although still a little hazy. After golf, Dianne and I drove out 25 miles or so to Hatcher Pass, and visited the Independence Mine, way up in the mountains northeast of Palmer.  The mine is a state historic park, and many of the buildings have been restored.  On Hatcher Pass, there were many brave souls para-sailing.  It was easy to get an updraft, as the wind was blowing from the west up towards the pass. Then, back to the RV Park for margaritas and chips with the group.

Uneventful drive from Seward up the Seward Highway, back through Anchorage, and a detour through Wasilla to visit my dad's cousin, Becky Usry, and her family.   We met at the Denali Family Restaurant in Wasilla, and met Becky, Greg, and Daisy for the first time ever.  After a very nice visit over lunch, we were back on our way for a short 15 mile drive to Palmer.  The skies were smoky, so the views were disappointing.  On a clear day, they would have been impressive! No photos today.  😞