Sea Kayaking (May 25, 2012)

Bridal Veil Falls

moss growing on a tree branch

Caines Head

On Friday we took in one last hoorah to nearly end our Alaskan adventure. Since first coming up to this incredibly large state, we have wanted to go sea kayaking, so we finally took advantage of the opportunity. We participated in a 7 hour kayak trip on Resurrection Bay in Seward. Our destination was Caines Head State Recreation Area, accessible by boat or hike (but only at low tide). Much of the trail is covered during high tide. Because we were such "strong paddlers" we were able to make a stop along the way at Bridal Veil Falls before reaching Caines Head. While at Caines Head we ate lunch and then took in a short hike. Normally we would have hiked all the way to the top of Caines Head, but with all the snow this year we only made it about a third of the way. At the top is Fort McGilvry, an old fort from WWII. Seward was the main port for supplies during WWII and the most accessible so they were on constant watch for any Japanese intruders. It would have been cool to see the remains of the old fort, but we had a great time anyway. Our paddling expedition got us up close and personal with Dall porpoises, sea lions, harbor seals, and sea otters. They were all very curious as to what we were. Some came within 20 yards or so to our kayaks, close enough to hear them release and take in oxygen, nibble on food, and submerge beneath the water.

 The day was rainy but the wind was calm. I will take rain over wind anytime I am on the ocean. Although wet, the lack of wind made for some smooth paddling. We also had some wildlife sightings on the way to and from Seward. On the way to Seward we saw our first baby moose of the season. It was so small it could stand right underneath its mom. We also saw an adult moose after leaving Seward walking through the water of a river. The days have been long and bright here and just continue to get longer and brighter.

Memorial Day:
dawn= 3:31 am
sunrise= 4:55 am
sunset= 11:09 pm
dusk= 12:33 am
day length= 18 hours, 15 minutes

Here a Moose, There a Moose, Everywhere a Moose Moose! (May 18-20, 2012)

On Saturday a much larger moose entered our yard. We observed this moose during the winter tearing limbs off of trees. She would go up on her hind legs to reach the branch and then tear it right from the trunk. She is a big girl. We have also seen a number of moose on our evening walks. We saw three on our Friday evening walk and two on our Saturday evening walk. They have been enjoying all the grasses after having such a long, hard winter. Last night we saw both moose cross the road at the same time and today they were eating together. We think the smaller one may be the larger ones calf from last year.

We Have Leaves...And More Moose Visits! (May 13-16, 2012)

Stopping in for Another Visit

Time to Eat!

Checking Us Out

Jon Watching the Moose

Moose in the Swamp

This week has brought multiple visits from the same moose. She is still working hard on getting that lawn trimmed down. We sat in the dining room with the door open, watching her munch away. She would occasionally look up to take a peek at us, but didn't appear to be concerned by our presence. We will miss her visits after we move. On Tuesday after school we were driving past a swampy area and pulled over to watch a moose belly deep in the water eating the water plants. It was the classic picture of what you envision when you think "Alaska and moose". Today it was very apparent that not only do when have buds on some trees, but small leaves are beginning to show on many of them. Things are finally starting to green up around here. We have also been having incredible weather this week. Today it reached 57 degrees. With the warmer temps and the warm sun, we were able to go for a walk today without jackets!

dawn= 4:13 am
sunrise= 5:20 am
sunset= 10:42 pm
dusk= 11:50 pm
day length= 17 hours, 22 minutes

Hungry Moose Lawn Service (May 12-13, 2012)

This little gal was on our neighbor's lawn as we were leaving their house yesterday. She is one hungry girl. They even move, walking on their front knees. Who needs to mow when you can have your very own moose!

The weekend was overcast bringing on and off showers and rice sized hail on both Saturday and Sunday. We kept to Kenai this weekend taking in the wildlife around our house.

dawn= 4:32 am
sunrise= 5:27 am
sunset= 10:35 pm
dusk= 11:39 pm
day length= 17 hours, 7 minutes

Last Visitors: Palmer Area (Saturday, May 5, 2012)

Dall Sheep

Matanuska Glacier

hair-like seaweed stuck to a rock on the beach of Captain Cook

After Glennallen, we headed for the next notable town, Palmer. On this stretch of the Glenn Highway, we spotted many Dall sheep and saw the Matanuska Glacier from a distance. The glacial valley is beautifully carved out by the recession of this glacier. Once through Palmer, we headed south to Anchorage and continued on until we reached Kenai. From Valdez to Kenai we traveled over 400 miles making little sightseeing stops along the way.

Our guests stayed for one week, also taking in Captain Cook State Park in Nikiski, where Sandy found crazy hair-like seaweed stuck to a rock; Homer, where we of course visited Bear Creek Winery, the best winery in the world (we taste tested everything); and Seward (Jon and I had to work this day, bummer). Ken, Sandy, Nate, and Danielle also stopped in for awhile during our 7th grade field trip on Ninilchik Beach where our students spent the day clamming. In addition to clams, the students also found sea anemone, sea stars, mussels, barnacles, sea sponges, and shrimp. It was a great tide for tide pooling!

Last Visitors: Glennallen Area (Saturday, May 5, 2012)

Mount Drum (12, 010 feet peak rising out of the Wrangell Mountains)

Sandy, Ken, Nate, Danielle, Rochelle, and Jon in front of Mount Drum

Trans Alaska pipeline

Rochelle and Jon with the Trans Alaska pipeline in the background

View of the Wrangell Mountains from the Glenn Highway

Once through Thompson Pass, we entered into the low-lying black spruce forests. Throughout this stretch we caught glimpses here and there of the Trans Alaska pipeline, which runs from Prudhoe Bay (on the Arctic Ocean) all the way down to Valdez (on Prince William Sound). The oil runs through the pipes for a total of 800 miles.

As we neared the town of Glennallen, we also took in views of the Wrangell Mountains, including four main peaks: Mount Sanford, Mount Drum, Mount Wrangell, and Mount Blackburn. Mount Wrangell is the largest active volcano in Alaska, standing at 14, 163 feet.

Last Visitors: Through Thompson Pass (Saturday, May 5, 2012)

heading into Thompson Pass

nearing Thompson Pass

Thompson Pass

Taking in Thompson Pass

Rochelle and Jon in Thompson Pass

Worthington Glacier (still covered in snow)

willow ptarmigan- state bird of Alaska

Tsaina River

As we rode the Richardson Highway, it took us through Thompson Pass. Breathtaking.

Last Visitors: Valdez and Onward to the Richardson Highway (Friday-Saturday, May 4-5, 2012)

Daffodils in Valdez

huge snow pile in Valdez

Bridal Veil Falls

Horsetail Falls

mini avalanche next to Bridal Veil Falls

Horsetail Falls

A view of the Chugach mountains

Another view from the Richardson Highway

On Friday night we stayed at the Downtown B&B. Although, it is still their winter season, so it was just the first B, bed and no breakfast. It was simply a place to rest our head. You may or may not remember from an earlier post that Valdez had record snow this year. They received a total of 420 inches. As you can image, they still have enormous piles throughout the town. Despite the snow, as we pulled into our B&B, there were daffodils blooming.

 After checking into our rooms, we ate at an "authentic Alaskan-Mexican" restaurant. The food was actually quite good. On Saturday, we roamed around town the small town checking out all the snow before heading out on the Richardson Highway, which connects to the Glennallen Highway, which takes us into Anchorage. The Richardson Highway was a beautiful drive, especially with the snow still covering the mountains. Once we started entering the mountains, we took in gorgeous views of Horsetail Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and even saw a mini avalanche.

Last Visitors: Whittier to Valdez (Friday, May 4, 2012)

The Aurora

Ferrying across Prince William Sound

Billings Glacier

icebergs

Jon, Rochelle, Danielle, Nate, Ken, and Sandy on the Aurora State Ferry

Stellar Sea Lions on the Sound

an oil tanker (pulling 2 boats behind it)

At 1:45 in the afternoon we drove our vehicles onto the "Aurora" ferry, our abode for the next 5.5 hours on our journey from Whittier to Valdez. Both towns sit on the shores of beautiful Prince William Sound, known for its breathtaking scenery, shrimping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Unfortunately, this beautiful body of water and its wildlife are still experiencing the affects of the Exxon-Valdez oil spill of 1989.

 On the ferry we took in the Chugach Mountains, many islands, and Billings Glacier. We spotted much wildlife: Stellar Sea Lions resting on a buoy, Dall porpoises riding the bow of our boat, and sea otters floating in the water and resting on icebergs. We even saw a group of 5 otters together. We had never seen that many together before. The weather was cloudy with some rain, but no complaints.

Last Visitors: Whittier (Friday, May 4, 2012)

Sandy, Ken, and Jon waiting for the Whittier tunnel to open

Jon and Rochelle in Whittier

Whittier boat harbor

Jon, Danielle, and Nate looking out over the Whittier boat harbor

Nate, Jon, and a very large anchor

On Thursday evening, Jon and I drove up to Anchorage to pick up our last Alaska visitors. Jon's brother (Nate), Nate's girlfriend (Danielle), and Jon's Godparents (Ken and Sandy) flew up for a week long stay. We spent the night in Anchorage on Thursday before heading out for our adventure Friday morning.

We drove to Whittier, a small town only accessible by a 2.5 mile single lane tunnel used by both cars and trains. The tunnel opens every half hour to travelers going in and out of Whittier. To get out of Whittier you travel through the tunnel on the hours. To get in to Whittier you travel through the tunnel on the half hours. At 10:30am we were driving through the Whittier tunnel, right on top of the same tracks the trains use. At 25 mph we traveled through the 2.5 mile tunnel, the longest tunnel in North America. It was eerie, but exciting. Once through the tunnel, you are immediately in the town on Whittier. They still have quite a bit of snow. After checking in for our ferry ride, we explored the small town.