Alaska - RV

June 6/Wednesday

At midnight, we docked in Whittier.  In the morning we would be up and off the Island Princess by 615 AM.   Jackie and Janice would depart the pier at 815 AM and we would meet up at the Anchorage Airport.

Princess Cruises is the only cruise line that utilizes the Whittier port, as the other cruise lines all come in to Seward.   Whittier allows customers to depart the cruise ship and immediately get on the train to Denali.  This saves time from having to motor coach to Anchorage and then get on the train.

Whittier was chosen by the military as its northern port because the harbor never freezes.

The town currently has a population of 400 residence.  85% of all residents live in one building in the town of Whittier.  The elementary, middle and high school are located just across the street.  There is tremendous snowfall in Whittier; however, the schools never close as they have a tunnel from the apartments to the schools.  The 2017 graduation class was a total of 9 students (5 girls and 4 boys).

When you depart Whittier for Anchorage, you have to travel via a tunnel through the mountain that is shared with cars and the railway.

Once we connected with Janice & Jackie, we then contacted Alaska Holidays (motor home company) to pick us and take us to their locations.  They were prompt in picking us up and once we started the check-in/orientation process it seemed to take a long time (approximately 2 hours).  We were ready to hit the road!   Next stop – groceries!   Well, that took 2 hours to locate and finalize what we all needed (approximately $360).

Finally, we are on the road heading towards Denali.  Our first day, we drove to Trapper Creek (mile marker 114.6) and located an RV park that would work just great for us.  We had driven approximately 120 miles on our first day.

Dumb Alaska Laws:  Moose may not be viewed from an airplane.

Steps:  12,320

Mt. Denali (behind the clouds)

RV - Crew

Hurricane Gulch

Alaska War Memorial

June 7/Thursday

It was time to really switch gears and plan and enjoy our next part of the adventure of traveling Alaska in a motor home.   When we awoke, we had a leisure breakfast with Denali as our final destination for today.

We would use the Milepost (the bible of north country travel) to plot our journey.  It was helpful to look ahead to pick out our points of interest.

Mile 132.2 – Denali State Park – we would swing in here to check it out and for a view of Denali.

Mile 134.8 – Denali Viewpoint South

Mile 147.1 – Medal of Honor Loop to Alaska Veterans Memorial – this was a very nice memorial to all 5 branches of the military.  They also had a small gift shop there and we had nice conversation with the ladies that worked there.

Mile 174 – Hurricane Gulch Bridge – we stopped to take pictures here and toss a few snowballs around.  There was no walking space on the bridge and they did have signs to not walk on the bridge, but I wanted that photo op.  There were no cars in sight, but just as soon as I got on the bridge, 6 cars including an RV came along and I had to quickly run off the bridge.   Joe was nice enough to drive us back over the bridge so that I could safely take a picture of the river flowing below.

Mile 195 – We entered the Broad Pass (a beautiful are on the Parks Highway); however, it decided to rain and was overcast at the time we arrived here.  Pictures were just not an option – we had to just 

enjoy the view.

Mile 215 – We had a view of the Limestone Mine (only operating limestone mine in Alaska).

Mile 237.4 – Denali National Park and Preserve entrance – We arrived around 5 PM and checked in to our campsite in Riley Creek Campground.   Jim was anxious to see the wildlife in the park, so we headed out to Savage River (as far as you can drive your own vehicle).

As we drove into the park, we did not see any animals all the way to Savage River.  We started to drive away, but then we noticed a bear running down the hillside with a moose chasing him.  It was like a dance – the moose circling the bear and then they ran up the other hillside.  Wow!   We were astounded by what we had just seen.  We later learned from other guests in the park that the bear had grabbed the moose calf (killing it) and the moose was angry and started to go after the bear.   We waited for awhile to see if they would come back in sight, but we never saw them again.  We headed back for our campsite, we spotted a group of caribou grazing along the way.  So we made one more stop for pictures.

When we pulled into the campground, we saw a moose standing near the parking lot of the visitor center.   She was nonchalantly eating away on the bushes and could careless that we sat their watching and taking pictures.  It was a great photo op!

We headed back to camp for dinner and wind down for the evening.

Carrie & Brian arrived late in the evening and planned to spend a couple days with us.

Dumb Alaska Laws:  While it is legal to shoot bears, waking a sleeping bear for the purpose of taking a photograph is prohibited.

Steps:  5,250

Savage River Rock formation

Moose chasing Grizzly

Snowshoe Hare

Caribou

Moose

June 8/Friday

Today we got up at our leisure and a nice breakfast with Carrie & Brian joining us.

We decided to take a hike on the Horseshoe Trail that looped around Horseshoe lake and we were able to see the beaver dams that had been created.

We opted to grill hamburgers and chicken have a big lunch and have leftovers for dinner tonight.

It was a great idea and the food was delicious.

When we drove out heading for the sled dog exhibition, we had a close-up moose sighting.  She was laying down in the woods just looking out at us with no interest in moving.

We visited the sled dog kennel and were able to pet and meet the various dogs that they use throughout the park.   They also hooked up a team and had them loop a circle to show us how much energy and enjoyment the dogs got out of pulling a sled and running.

We drove back in on the Park Road to Savage River hoping to get to see some animals.  As we pulled into Savage River, the rain started to come down and we did not stay long.

Dumb Alaska Laws:  It is considered an offense to push a live moose out of a moving airplane.

Steps:  13,450

Moose calf

Hiking Horseshoe Lake

Beaver Dam

Which Way Do We Go!

Beaver House

June 9/Saturday

We had to be at the bus depot to catch our bus to Wonder Lake by 630 AM (11 hours).   Our bus pulled up and we met Anna (our upbeat driver).   She was very enthusiastic about the park (worked summers for 13 years) and loved sharing her knowledge and pointing out the animals along the drive.

We saw caribou, dall sheep, moose, ptarmigan and 2 sets of 3 bears along the roadside.  It was a great day for animal viewing, but Mt. Denali did not appear to us today.

Tacos for dinner, ice cream cones for dessert and a little shopping, then time to call it a night. 

Everyone was tired out from the long day.

Dumb Alaska Laws:  No one may tie their pet dog to the roof of a car.

Steps:  4,800

Ptarmigan (Alaska state bird)

Grizzly

Mom and 2 cubs (2 years old)

Mom Grizzly

Twin yearlings

Dall Sheep

Mon and 2 cubs on the move

June 10/Sunday

We had breakfast with Brian & Carrie and then they headed off for Anchorage.  A short visit, but fun to have them with us.

As we headed out of Denali, we saw a moose and 2 calves one last time.   We tried to get a picture of them all, but it was just too difficult (cars stopping and they headed further into the woods).

Today is was our first day of rain (all day) and so we could not get any great pictures.  We arrived into Fairbanks approximately 230 PM.   We saw in our milepost book that Pioneer Park would allow us to park in their parking lot with electricity for $12.00.   Sold!  A great price to overnight!

Pioneer Park is a 44-acre park where they have pulled in historic homes and have made them into shops.  They have shopping, dining, museums, and a children’s playground.  Beautiful grounds to spend an afternoon.

We enjoyed a pasta dinner inside our camper since the weather did not permit grilling tonight.

Dumb Alaska Laws:  It is considered an offense to feed alcoholic beverages to a moose.

Steps:  5,600

June 11/Monday

We had a relaxing morning at Pioneer Park.  Joe and Joanne wanted to go to the Harley Davidson shop to get t-shirts (from the northernmost outpost); however, the website said it was closed Sunday/Monday.  We thought we would head to the North Pole and stay in Fairbanks until Tuesday to purchase the shirts.

We headed out for the Georgeson Botanical Gardens located at University of Alaska Fairbanks.   The flower gardens were just coming into blooms such as:  lily of the valley, lilacs, peony, honeysuckle, etc.   As we were walking through the gardens the rain started up again so we headed out.

  

Our next stop was to a viewpoint of the Alaska pipeline.   The pipeline is 800 miles (48 inches diameter), crosses 3 mountain ranges and more than 500 rivers and streams.  The cost to build in 1977 was $8 billion and the first oil moved through the pipeline on June 20, 1977.

Off to the North Pole (approximately 11 miles from Fairbanks)!   This is where the letters to Santa go – to zip code 99075).  The North Pole has city streets such as, Santa Claus Lane, Snowman Lane and St. Nicholas Drive.   The church was St. Nicholas Catholic Church.  We stopped at their visitor center and the Santa Claus House where we purchased our Christmas ornaments.  Only 197 days till Christmas!

We headed back to Fairbanks to wait until tomorrow to get our t-shirts.  Joanne decided to call and the dealership was open, so we were able to pick-up their t-shirts from the northernmost outpost.

On our way to Valdez with plans to stop around Delta Junction for the night.   We picked a roadside park at mile marker 262.5 on the Richardson Highway.  As it happens, we chose a great location with wonderful views of the mountains.  We were right across the street from the Ft. Greeley Army Airport/base.

Dumb Alaska Laws:  In Nome, one may not roam the city with a bow and arrows.

Steps: 7,000

Alaska Moose

University of Alaska Botanical Gargens

North Pole Alaska

Holding up the Alaska Pipeline

Alaska Bear

Alaska Pipeline

Alaska Mountain Range

June 12/Tuesday

We headed off in the morning with viewpoint stops along the way.

Mile  243.9 – Views of the 3 highest peaks of the Alaska Range (Mount Deborah - elev. 12,339 ft., Hess Mountain – elevation 11,940 ft. and Mount Hayes – elevation 13,832 ft.

Mile 216 – Views of the pipeline

Mile 197.7 – Summit of Isabel Pass (elevation 3,280 ft.) – view of Gulkana Glacier

Mile 189 – a stop at the visitor center at the junction of Glenn Highway & Richardson Highway

Mile 112.6 – Views of the Wrangell Mountains (Mount Sanford – elev. 16,237 ft., Mount Drum – 12,010 ft., Mount Wrangell – 14, 163 ft. and Mount Blackburn – 16,390 ft.)

Mile 106.8 – Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve Visitor Center – very interesting – 13.2 million  acres (800,000 acres is privately owned – some not even explored by the park rangers.   This is the largest national park in North America.   We watched the 22-minute movie “Crown of the Continent”.  It showed the most beautiful scenery.

Mile 29 – Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site -  We were able get a great photo-op not far from the glacier.

Mile 15 – Old Railroad tunnel – a hand cut tunnel that was never completed

Mile 13.9 – Bridal Veil Falls – a must see right from the roadside.  There were numerous falls along the drive through this area.

Mile 2.8 – Dayville Road – just outside of Valdez we camped in roadside area near the fish hatchery.

The drive was breathtaking with snow-capped mountains all around us.  Valdez is nicknamed “little Switzerland” and we would all agree.  Amazing drive!

Alaska tidbit:  There are 616 officially named glaciers in Alaska; however, the Alaska Almanac estimates that Alaska has 100,000 glaciers.

Steps:  5,080

June 13/Wednesday

Today we headed into Valdez with our first stop at the visitor center.  We talked to a woman that worked there (school music teacher) that told us about the area.  We had viewed the pipeline all the way from Fairbanks to Valdez and as it happens you cannot view the pipeline where it comes into Valdez.

We wandered through the town, but there are not many gift shops just a couple museums.  The town is surrounded by snow covered mountains and is beautiful.  The town was mainly the pipeline (oil tankers) and for fishing enthusiasts. 

Note: Peter Toth Indian Carving (in Valdez) – he has a carving in each state (Minnesota – Two Harbors)

We headed out of town (with a stop at the Bridal Veil Falls) and that back to the Glennallen Highway and off to Palmer.

Mile 129.5 Eureka Summit – views of the Chugach Mountains and the Nelchina Glacier

Mile 114.8 – Lions Head – a oddly formed rocky dome that looked like a lions head.  We were also able to see dall sheep at this mile marker

Mile 99.6 – This was a scenic viewpoint of Matanuska Glacier

Mile 83 – views of King mountain (elevation 5,809 ft.)

Mile 36.3 - We overnighted at Fox Run Lodge & campground.   The park was very laid back, but it seemed to work for them.  We were able to get some laundry done and relax tonight.  We had tried to get into another park, but it was full. 

Alaska tidbit: The Sitka Spruce is the office state tree.

Steps:  7, 320

June 14/Thursday

We slept in this morning and had a late morning breakfast of pancakes.  Today we would head into Palmer to start out day.

Of course, we stopped at the visitor center and it was also a museum that told the history of the town.

In 1935 the government had a program (ARRC) that wanted 200 families of Scandinavian descent to come to Palmer to farm.  The US government would give them 40 acres, house, barn and outbuildings for a $3,000 loan.  They recruited families from Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.   They are very proud of their heritage and what a story they had to tell.

From Palmer, we headed to the Kenai Peninsula with plans to overnight in Soldotna.  The scenery was very beautiful with snow covered mountains and the road followed the river.  The rivers many times had a muddy look to them with silt from the glaciers coming down the mountains, but this river was quite different it was a beautiful blue with tinges of green.  We tried to get a picture, but the trees were plentiful and blocked the view.  We thought we could try again on the return trip to Anchorage the next day.

I rode as co-pilot in the front seat of the motorhome and while there, I spotted a moose in a stream as we passed by.  I screamed out because this is what I had wanted to see before leaving Alaska.  We turned the motorhome around and we were able to capture some great photos of the moose.

We stopped at the visitor center for information and we were directed to camp at Centennial City park located along the river.  The camping sites were roomy, private and plenty to choose from.  We chose a site right along the river bank so that we could easily access the boardwalk.  We would highly recommend camping here, but just know that there are no hook-ups.

We barbecued that night, toured around town (saw some Caribou) and then headed to the DQ in town for an ice cream cone for dessert.

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Alaska tidbit:  The Alaska Range is the largest mountain chain in the state.  It covers from the Alaska Peninsula to the Yukon Territory.

Steps: 7,575

June 15/Friday

Today was a rainy day and we needed to head back up to Anchorage for Jackie to catch her evening flight.  We had hopes of snapping some photos on the way back to Anchorage, but it turned out to be overcast and it rained all day.  We could not complain because this was our first day of solid rain.   No pictures today!

Once we got to Anchorage we scoped out the camping situation.  We thought we could probably dry camp somewhere, but that was not true.  I believe they changed this possibility a year or two ago.  We did find Centennial Campground located in Anchorage that was reasonable and confirmed our spot for 2 nights.

Now that our camp site was settled we headed off to have a final dinner with Jackie at the Texas Roadhouse.   We celebrated the ending of our fabulous Alaska adventure.  The rest of our group (Joe/Joanne/Janice/Jim/Mary) would have 1 more day in Alaska and then we would be on our way home too.

Alaska tidbit: 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the United State are located in Alaska.

Steps:  7,325

June 16/Saturday

Today would be a day of leisure as we were in no rush to be anywhere. 

We picked up last minute gift items in downtown, stopped at the open market along the river and tried to see the salmon in the river (no luck there).

We spent the afternoon packing, relaxing and playing some dice.  Relax was the word for the day!

Alaska tidbit:  In 1926, 13-year-old Bennie Benson from cognac, Alaska designed the state flag.

Steps:  8,575

June 17/Sunday

Departure day!  We packed up the remainder of our clothes, donated our leftover food to a couple guys in the campground, returned our motorhome and we were off the airport.

We met Myrna at the airport and we were able to depart around 1 PM on a non-stop for Minneapolis (arrival at home around 9:30 PM).  Unfortunately, Joe and Joanne had to wait at the airport until 7:30 PM that night and had an overnight flight (via Houston) and would not arrive home until 10:30 AM the next day.  Long day for them!

It was an amazing trip!  Alaska provided us with beautiful scenery, close-up viewing of the wildlife and many stories to tell!

Alaska tidbit:  The willow ptarmigan is the official state bird.

Steps:  10, 200

Total Steps:  234,841

Alaska Driven Miles: 1,700

Ice Cream Cones:  too many 😉