TRAVEL BY FERRY

Friday-Saturday, 6/21-22/2013. 

The Alaska Marine Highway is a ferry system that connects southeast Alaska + Bellingham, Washington.  Normally (we're not normal), you should make reservations far in advance to travel the ferry system.  Due to cancellations; however, we were lucky to reserve ferry space to chosen islands and towns (and stay a few days each).  This will save us 736 miles of driving, give us a break + experience other adventures.

JUNEAU is Alaska's capital and the only way here is by plane or boat.  It has incredible scenery and is a popular cruise ship port.  There is gold mining history, native heritage, summer and winter sports, wildlife, waterways, rainforests, glaciers...the list goes on. 

Humpback whales have a plate of keratin, or baleen, attached to the upper jaw which works like a strainer to catch their food.  They have no teeth so can only eat the tiniest of seafood.   Krill and small baitfish are prevalent in Juneau so they love it here and eat about a ton of food per day!

Today, June 21, is Juneau's longest day--  18 hrs and 18 min. of daylight (shortest day is in December with 6 hrs and 22 min. of daylight). 

Motorcycle into historic downtown district for shopping!, visit the state capital, and have lunch at the Rookie Cafe.  (Erin and Kate, you would love the food here!)-  the tomato, red pepper and curry soup and  panini with goat cheese, beets, and sliced green apples was scrumptious!  "RV Cafe"  dinner...grilled ribeye, mashed potatoes, and medley of brocolli/cauliflower/carrots. 

Next morning and it's rainy!  Have you tried oatmeal with walnuts, a bit of brown sugar, skim milk and Pensey's orange peel! (or you could use a bit of fresh orange peel).  So good!  The weather has cleared.  At noon, take RV into main Juneau area.  After bagging up lunch and snacks from Breezy Deli and Market, hit the highlights.  Totem poles are fascinating and each tell a story.

From the top : 1) Bald eagle represents US and purchase of Alaska from Russia,  2) Russian Priest represents Christianity and Russian influence in Alaska,  3)  Man is shown harnessing the power of the universe represented by the figure of the sun,  4) Long ago the Raven released the power of the sun, moon and stars for man.

 

My new best friend.

The Macaulay Salmon Hatchery explained a lot about the life of a salmon.  To summarize the process at the hatchery:  1) eggs are collected from the female salmon and milt from the male salmon.  Once fertilized, they are rinsed and placed into incubation trays with a constant flow of fresh water.  Substrate is added to act as artificial gravel for the hatched eggs (alevins) to hide, feed from their yolk sac and grow.

 2) When the yolk sac is depleted, they are called salmon fry and ready to be transported into salt water rearing pens.  The fry spend 9-12 weeks in the rearing pens and memorize (imprint) the characteristics of their surroundings.  3) Once released, the salmon will spend 2-5 years cruising the Pacific Ocean. 

Adult salmon will only return to their place of birth (or location where imprinted) when ready to spawn.  Eggs and milt are collected and the process repeats itself!

The mission of Juneau's hatchery is to enhance salmon resources and promote public understanding.  The cycle of life and death of salmon in this location... as well as in their natural habitat...is incredible!

Rob, how about a 5,000 gal saltwater aquarium? 



Stop at scenic Harbor Park where the fishing is good and the eagles are at home.

Between Glacier Hwy and the Lynn Canal and overlooking Pearl Harbor is Shrine Island, access to the St. Therese Chapel.  Stone structures, called Stations (Way of the Cross) are prominent along the trails.

Very interesting...the Shrine Chapel, Columbarium, gardens, labyrinth, and retreat cabins.  It is a special, peaceful place for spiritual healing and direction.




Back to RV site for dinner of grilled baby back pork ribs, brown/quiona rice and leftover veggies.  Early to bed....

 

AK BACKCOUNTRY

Sunday, 6/16/2013.  HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!! to all the special dads!  Hope you're having a RELAXING and FUN day!

 On this Father's Day, in Kenai's Old Town, we are camped at the bluff's edge over Cook Inlet at the mouth of the Kenai River.  Tim's Day starts out with....

1.  AM-- coffee is served!

2.  Attend the Divine Liturgy services at the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church.  The parish was founded in 1845 and the present church was built in 1895.  It's a quaint, onion-domed church with old icons.  An ancient and God-ordained tradition, everyone stands while at prayer during this 1-hr service.  Very interesting.. and very friendly people. 

3.  Brunch is served! Scrambled eggs w/ chives, bacon, "crispy" hash brown potatoes with onions, sliced oranges & apples, buttered english muffin.

4. Complete project of defrosting and cleaning out RV freezer and refrigerator.

5.  Bicycle ride through the city of Kenai.



6.  An afternoon snack of coffee and cookies on the shore of Cook Inlet.  Some fishing!

7.  Requested dinner of grilled ribeye, baked potatoes and creamed spinach.

8.  Watch the ol' fishing boats go by.

9.  A happy camper!

Who's this?  It's Pickles!...welcome to the family.  Aren't you a cutie!  Without a doubt, you will have a loving and adventurous life with Cory and Hannah.  Can't wait to meet you!

Monday, 6/17/2013.  Boo hoo... have to leave Kenai Peninsula and backtrack to Sterling Hwy and Glenn Hwy towards Anchorage. 

Tim is not too happy to leave the pleasant, relaxing, and scenic area of Kenai Penisula.  Stop on Glenn Hwy for lunch.  Tim wants to go back!  Let's see how far he gets with one coffee and 2 cookies.

Getting late and find Grand View Cafe and RV Campground.  Perfect!  Tuna salad w/ minced carrots, green onions and garlic.  Choice of soup.  Beautiful views of rivers and mountains.

Tuesday, 6/18/2013.  While jogging, Tim is awed by the Matanuska Glacier. 

Soft boiled eggs, english muffins and continue down Glenn Hwy.  Sweeping view of Chugach Mtns. 

Terrain seems to change at every turn. Just awesome.   

One thing we have to check along the way is level of diesel fuel.  The stations are few and far between...maybe open and maybe closed.   Several times we have ROLLED in on diesel fumes.

  Take Hwy1 at Glennallen.  Temp 73 degrees, clear, sunny.   This is an all-day driving push.  The scenery is just wonderful, but it's like the road to nowhere.  No other vehicular traffic for miles and miles!   This is truly the backcountry!

At Tok junction, take Hwy 2 to Northway Post Office.  Is there a post office? 



Is there a Northway?  S curves for 8 miles!...and there it is!   Thank you Sherry for holding the package for us.  Thanks Timmy, for mailing it to us! 



Backtrack S curves for 8 miles and continue on Hwy 2 for 34 miles to Border City Motel and RV Park.  Grilled whole chicken, beets and baked potatoes!

Wednesday, 6/19/2013.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARIA!  Have a FUN and SPECIAL day!  XOXO, Love-- Joan and Tim.

At 8:30am, cross the US border into Yukon, British Columbia, and back into the US again- Hwy1.  Whew, dusty, gravel , bumpy road for a long while!  Stop at Buckshot Betty's for... yep... bakery goods.

Continue on pretty bad road.   A parade of RVs try to avoid the buckles in the road. 

Get out the Victory at Sea CD!!  We're riding the frost heaves like waves in the ocean.  Construction along the way, holes are marked with paint, planes fly overhead.  We are averaging 30-40 mph for the next 200 miles.

So you know, PSB (Pioneer Sister Brenda), we're certainly getting all the kinks out of the RV so let me know when/where you want to go next!  Wait!.. a few problems.  A coffee thermal cup was lost.  Where do I get another?  And, my wine glass! broken probably because of too much use.  No worry..it can be repaired.  PSJ (Pioneer Sister Joan)

 Klune Lake is huge.  Stop at Haines Junction and the Village Bakery for pulled pork panini.  OK, then coffee and cookies.  These little stops for snacks are becoming a habit.  Hwy3 is the way to Haines, but wait!...the sign says check your fuel!



We turn around, fill up with diesel, and begin again.  It's a paved road!  Hooray.  Wow, snow-capped mountains still in view.

Into Haines and drive through the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve.  The 48,000 acre preserve is a seasonal home to more than 3,000 bald eagles which gather each year to feed on chum salmon.  Eagles build nests in trees along the shoreline.  Nests are added to each year and can be up to 7 feet across.  Nests the size of pickup trucks have fallen out of trees!   Nesting eagles have a 2nd backup nest.  They lay eggs in April and the eaglets fledge in August.  LOVE their presence and beauty!

The original Indian name for Haines was Dei-Shu, meaning "end of the trail,"  referring to where Chilkat and Chilkoot Indians met and traded with Russian and American ships at the end of the peninsula.  A lot of other history is centered here. 

Set up at Haines Hitch-UP RV Park and for dinner... other 1/2 of grilled whole chicken, + other leftover vegetables. 

Thursday, 6/20/2013.  Stop at ferry terminal to plan our next leg of trip.  Drive?  or Ferry?  Let's take a driving break and FERRY!  Complete tour of Haines and find a Hammer Museum?  NO WAY!

In the world, there are only 2 hammer museums dedicated to the history of humanity's first tool.  One here in Haines, AK...and one in Lithuania (take note Rim!).   Over 1,600 hammers are on display!  Tim is like a kid in a candy shop. 

Is there a snowplow museum anywhere?








Next door at a deli, have lunch.  The potato bacon chowder and grilled turkey/cheese sandwich hit the spot!  At ferry terminal, wait in line and mingle with other travelers.  Off we go at 6pm to Juneau.  Dramatic scenery.  Photo shot of whale (humpback) tail!

It's a 4 1/2 hr. trip.  Enjoy dinner on board and arrive 10:30 pm in Juneau.  Reservations at Spruce Meadow RV Park.  Can't wait to explore Juneau the next few days!