Whittier Alaska

Aug 25 Day 26
Whittier Alaska, a unique town along the Turnagain Arm.
Today was a day of firsts
We got to drive through the longest tunnel in the USA
We got to start a fire
We got to walk through a tunnel under some railroad tracks, and not get mugged
We got to see our first reindeer and the lady that takes care of him
We got to camp by our very own rolling river.
All of this is in Whittier Alaska, we have lots of video to go with this.

This water is turquoise not from the sky or the trees just because Alaska is so clean

On the road to Whittier

A frames are all over Alaska, this one with the antlers caught our eye

The 2 1/2 mile tunnel, longest in the US goes through a mountain to get to Whittier saves 54 miles of road

The tunnel was named after the engineer that designed it Anton Anderson kind of looks like Al Sr.

The beautiful port of Whittier

Travis told us all about his town came here at 22 and stayed to 45 loves the quiet 

The reindeer and Mrs. Claus-- kind of looks like Elroy

The rolling river, we are spending the night at the Creekside campground

Dom and his fire

The underground tunnel to walk under the tracks to the town of Whittier do not confuse this with the other tunnel not that long.

Kenai Alaska

We left the Driftwood campground around noon, Dom wanted to hang out talk to the people and get free coffee.  We headed north along the Turnagain Arm to the city of Kenai on the Cook inlet and took a tour of this old Russian town.  Learning a little about the Russian Orthodox church.  I guess the Roman Catholic church excommunicated this church because it did not believe in the words "who proceeds from the Father and the Son" also if a man was married and wanted to be a priest he could.  If he was never married and becomes a priest he cannot marry.  Also all the other churches, Greek Orthodox, Ukrainian, all of those are the same religion but just called different because of location.  Also the Domes that these churches have are said to keep the snow off in winter and some of them are in colder climates.  It was a nice day so a hike around town was enjoyed. Heading to Coopers Landing and staying at Kenai Riverside Campground.  As mentioned before the Russians have a big influence on Alaska and it's background.

All this rain makes beautiful flowers

Russian church inside and out built to resemble a ship

Mary Lu gave us all the Russian info

Seal woodcarving

Beach

Day 2 in Homer

Aug 23  Day 24
Rain rain rain, We left the Spit, which is a road that extends out from Homer with shops and a fishing port for all fishing charter and cruise ships to use.  Lots of shops and fun place to visit but the rain makes it hard to enjoy.
We drove into town and stopped at the wildlife refuge and enjoyed the info they gave us on the Diomede islands that extend to Russia in the Bering sea.  At one time they froze over and the 2.5 miles between Russia and US froze over so you could walk it, but of course no one was there to do it. Little Diomede is the US side and Big Diomede is the Russian side  Dom loved this and told the poor Ranger that his ancestors were fur traders from Russia.  Population of Little Diomede 110 people.
Now we know how the Russian invaded Alaska.
As we were in town the weather cleared up and we decided to stay at the Driftwood RV Park, a lot nicer and cheaper then the RV park on the Spit.  This Homer is a cute little town and it has little shops and coffee stops.  Its very artsy.
Update on food prices: We are shoping at Safeway and the prices are similar to US,

Dom doing dishes he loves his motorhome, we decided to rent out the house and live in the driveway this is all we need.

We found the ships that are on the Deadliest catch in the harbor in Homer

An old bookstore and Tai Restaurant

The old bookstore

entrance to the refuge center

Artsy doors to the refuge center

This town is very odd and Artsy

Where all the old ships go to die

The port at Homer, this gloomy photo was taken at 12 noon

Homer Alaska

Aug 22 Day 23
We stayed at the Edgewater RV park in Soldotna last night, no one was there to collect our money so this guy told us to pick a spot and pay tomorrow.  This morning we waited and waited but no one in the office; so I called and left our number. Four days later we got the call to pay up.
We have driven 4300 miles so far and whenever we see one of those little planes we think how fast it is to get around.
Arrived in Homer in the rain but we did see a moose, that was a treat, 2 of them just hanging out by the side of the road.
Some fact about Alaska:
Many people suffer from SAD because of the gloom and I believe it, if you meet people that live in the lower 48 after living in Alaska they will say the gloom and the long dark winters brought them back.  Lots of homes for sale this time of year.
But the light in the summer is great.  Sunrise today 6:42  Sunset will be 9:35.
One thing they must sell a lot of is knives.  Knives are sold everywhere.  I guess for fishing, hunting, and gathering.
The population in Homer 5300 fishing is the main industry.  You catch it and they will ship it.
Seward Popu. 2750- Cruise ships keep this town going
Valdez Popu. 4000- Oil is their claim to fame.

Great time with John and Charlie socializing at the Salty Dog

Moose on the side of the road

Tours and ways to get around fast in Alaska

The catch of the day, just one fishing tour

Halibut, these fish have 2 eyes on one side of their head see the one hanging out.

They will pack and mail your catch

Smothered in dill sauce, toped with bread crumbs and parmesan 

Crab and artichoke topping with parmesan and bread crumbs

view from Captain Patties

Captain Patties the Halibut spot to eat.  Not Crabby Patties like Sponge Bob

On our way to Homer

Aug 21 Day 22
A little more about Seward before we move on to Homer.  First We stayed 2 night at the Beach Camp and although it was fun it was dry camping which means we operate off the generator and propane.  Well this is like park district and clean bathrooms are not a priority here.  So I need hot water, and Dom doesn't because he showers at the shower house.  Well because of the dangers of propane Dom is constantly shutting off the propane needed for the hot water and of course I need IT.  So we have greasy dishes and dirty Madge.  Not a happy Madge.
Back to Seward, they have this marathon up the mountain and I forgot to tell you that if you complete the 3 miles up and down the mountain in 4 hrs, your slow and don't win, but your good enough to go on the list to run next 4th of July.  Also at one time there was an old guy that ran up the mountain but never came down and they don't know what happened to him.  Gone for good.
Leaves are starting to fall and many Alaskans have saunas, they all seem to build their own and use them big time, like us and our whirlpools.
We hiked up Exit Glacier today an then went on to Soldotna to stay the night on our way to Homer.  We are staying at the Edgewater RV park, lots of fishing going on along the Kenai peninsula.

This monument was in honor of the town founder in 1904 named after Seward the guy that helped buy the Alaska for the US, from the Russians 

Fish brought in to be weighed for the derby going on they are both silver Salmon only the red one is changing colors because it's ready to spawn

She is weighing the fish for the prize, these fish are small about 7 lbs, they belong to Richard below.

This is Richard he has been fishing for 33 years in Seward, they asked him if he was going to be at the awards at 4pm and he said no he would be in his sauna.

This is the tally board for the biggest fish for the derby, we met the #1 guy and his Salmon was 16lbs no one is beating him.  Richard above, might win for the most pounds caught.  He has sought over 100 lbs.

At the glacier

How the glacier has receded since 2005

Exit Glacier

Love my walking sticks

Day 2 in Seward

Aug. 20 day 21
Finally it was a beautiful day in Seward.  We could not believe our eyes.  The sun was shinning and it was around 65 degrees. In the water right outside of our camper we could see otters playing.
Also you will see a photo of Marathon Mountain.  Every 4th of July the people of Seward have a race up the side of this mountain and down.  The strange thing is it's not easy, the angle is 45 degrees and they have to crawl up on their hands and knees and then they tape their shoes with duck tape and slide down the other side of the mountain.  The duck tape keeps the gravel from getting in their shoes.  It is a 3 mile round trip foot race and the fastest record is 43 min 22 seconds.  It started as a barroom bet in 1915.  This water never freezes in the winter.  I think some of these Alaska towns are warmer in winter then Chicago, but a whole lot darker.
Seward is also the start of the Iditarod.  This is where it began and it was 938 miles to Nome.  Now the race starts in Anchorage.

Beluga Point the water is so blue

A beautiful sunny day outside our motorhome window

Les and Dom in front of Les's 1987 motorhome

Her music woke us up a future DJ

Marathon mountain

I caught a big one

the boat docks of Seward

The cruise ships love this place

cleaning fish at the dock

Alaskan sealife center

More Puffins

Dom and seal

Tania King crabs

Nana kissing a seal

The Seward Library the metal tiles reflected the light

The start of the Iditarod