Homer

07/3110

Welcome to Homer

The Bosler's at Welcome to Homer

Where does the time go? We arrived in Homer the day before yesterday. The drive into Homer is breathtaking. We're ensconced in OceanView RV park,  a mite spendy but nice. The good news is we went Halibut fishing. The bad news is Bosco did the catching and Kathy did the , well, lets not go into that. Needless to say Kathy won't be going on the ocean any time soon but Bosco may well try another day to catch a Ling cod. We did a combo trip both Ling cod and halibut but the seas were so rough we had to give up the ling cod as a bad deal and head for Halibut fishing holes. No records, but fun and if the seas had been calmer it would have been even more fun. We had 3 gentlemen in our party with us: Merle, Carson and Al. I wasn't the only green person on board! We found a dog walker here at the RV park so Jo and Maggie were well taken care of, no worries there.

Mighty Halibut catcher!

Our time in Seward

7/28/10
We've spent 3 nights, two days here bayside in Seward. Like most Alaska cities we've visited it's very bike friendly; with paved bike paths everywhere. The first full day we were here it rained the whole day; and not just a civilized drizzle but a real down pour. So of course we did the laundry. With only one laundramat in town it was stand in line; just like we did at the showers. Which makes getting clean an all day deal. Yesterday we had a beautiful day. Folks were out walking and visiting. Seems we're in good company as a lot of the folks are spending the summer here in Alaska. Bosco was wanting to fish and he talked to everyone about how and where; so he tried his hand without much luck.

Our campsite overlooking Resurrection Bay, Seward

Seward Harbor

Bosco and Jo walkin' the beach

I got my bike out and biked to the store. Then I met Bosco (on his bike) and we found an Ace hardware as he was looking for something to fix a leaky crack in the roof. We finally ended up fishing again this time at the waterfall. I didn't have much luck and as I lost my lure I decided to watch. He tried several methods but no success.

Not a bad fishing hole! The Fishing was good the catching was terrible.

Sitting in Seward- in the rain of course!

7/25/10
We had a beautiful drive today from Anchorage to Seward. It has rained the entire day, drizzled, poured, and dripped but rain. I can hear it now making music on the trailer. It took 5 days in Palmer to get the repairs on the trailer completed. Thursday night we danced with the Pas and Taws and had a great time. Friday night we stayed at Fox Run RV in Palmer and ate at the Noisy Goose. One of the waitress' had a t-shirt on that said: The worst winter I had was the summer I spent in Alaska! Nuff said.

Saturday the 23rd we headed for Anchorage, staying at the Ship Creek RV park. We left there in the rain for points south. Made it to Girdwood, AK a ski town south on the peninsula, and we visited the Jade factory there.  Well, maybe we had to buy a little jade. Then on to Seward, to set up camp and fix dinner. Hopefully tomorrow it won't rain!

 Pictures are of Girdwood.

Biking in Palmer

7/23/10

Yesterday while waiting for repairs to our trailer we biked a trail in Palmer. We went 11.7 miles; the first half very nice mostly down hill, ah, but for every mile down we have to go up the same amout. You know it wasn't bad!

The trailer news is not as good. They finished the repairs last night. Bosco came in and cleaned up and we headed for a square dance. Nice time, friendly folks.

Today we loaded up and drove over to the air hose to air up the drivers side tires. Bosco looked at the repair work and just the little drive started the shakle hanger to tilt again. So they removed the shakle hanger and rebuilt it , reinforced the frame, and we set off. We stopped at the Noisy Goose and had dinner. Made it to just outside of Palmer and pulled into Fox Run RV to spend the night. We're both tired and are looking forward to a good night sleep.

As the Aussie's say: No Worries!

R and R in Palmer: that's repair and repair

7/21/10

Bosco happened to check under the trailer and noticed a problem with the suspension on the trailer. We went to a square dance in Anchorage and found a welder in Palmer (who just happens to be a Square Dance Caller too) that they said we could trust to repair the Challenger. So as you can see by the photo's we're in Palmer living in the welding yard while the Palace is being repaired. We're just feeling lucky that we found it when we did. Visions of sitting by the side of the road with a busted axle and no phone service haunt us!

A rainy day in Anchorage

7/19/10

Decided to take the dogs to the park and then head for the Alaska Native Heritage Center. We had been told that it was well worth our time and it was. We had a great time wandering around the outside exhibits; which were native homes adapted to life in the wilds of Alaska in the regions they called home. The native groups were divided into 5 main groups and each with a distinctive life style. Displays included native dress, arts, weapons, homes, and dance. Inside they had a central common area where they did talks about lifestyle, arts, history and the like. There was a theater showing films on the half hour. I think we spent 4 hours or more there. I would like to say that we got more done BUT somehow a nap got in the way.

Anchorage

7/18/10

Well, here we are in Anchorage and guess what, it is rainning. No one told us it rains so much up here. Yesterday, we actually got TWO DAYS OF SUNSHINE IN A ROW! We went to see town in the AM and early afternoon. Went to a Saturday open market and had fun. That is where we got the picture. Bought stuff and looked around. Had fun!! Found a park where we could let the dogs run so we spent time there--Jo and Maggie were in heaven. Went grocery shopping after that--we just can't seem to stop eating! Went square dancing in the evening with the Stardusters. Danced at the Anchorage Square and Round Dance Center. They had round speakers on the ceiling, and I have never heard sound that covered a floor that was as good as that! The caller, Mike, did some hexagon dancing--what fun! I'll have to work on that--with my dancers! Saw that the record for that date in Anchorage was 76*. No single person seemed to tell us that it rained and was cold here. Maybe we should have checked a little closer!
The down side is that I took a close look at my passenger side springs and hangers on the trailer, and the walking beam hanger has colapsed and needs replacing. I found a caller that has a welding shop and will call him this afternoon to see if he has time to work on it. If I was home, I could do it. But, I'm not home! One of those little bumps in the road of life--or one of the frost heaves of the road!!
Today we are headed to the laundry mat to do clothes.

The Ride to Anchorage

7/16/10

We spent last night at an abandoned gravel pit along the Glenn Highway toward Anchorage. Gravel pits are common along the roadsides here. Bosco wonders what they do with all that gravel! This camp was fairly secluded from the highway and QUIET! Dogs loved it. They had waterbarred the road so we couldn't go deeper into the pit but we were very content.

Today we are headed to Anchorage but decided to stop just outside Palmer to see a Musk Ox farm. They are bringing back the musk oxen which had gone extinct in Alaska due to hunting and predators. To finance the operation and to give the native women an income they collect the inner fur of the musk ox and sell it to a knitting cooperative and they make shawls, hood/neck warmers, blankets, caps and scarves. Whew! the hood/ neck warmers are a 18" tube knitted in a lace pattern typical for the tribe they belong to and cost $320, a stocking cap $120, a head band $90. They say it is the warmest knitted fabric available. All of the products are the natural taupe color except the caps which add a design of white by bleaching the yarn  and add silk because the bleaching weakens the yarn.

We started calling RV places in Anchorage and the prices were a bit steep: $47/ full hook ups in one and the other with just electric $41. As we wanted to stay 3 or 4 days that was outside the price range. We settled for Midtown RV with a price of $30. It's not the shiniest but people have been friendly and we've lots to do. On arrival I walked across the street and got my haircut by a very nice Korean lady. She and her friend talked and laughed with me and I love my hair cut all for only $25. Sharon, don't get any ideas!

Museums and Bikes ( the ride from Hell)

7/14/10
Decided to stay another day in Valdez, we're becoming old timers in this park. Well, we hadn't seen the museums and history of Valdez and we've done that every where we've been. I also wanted to inquire about getting my hair cut. Oops, that was a mistake, just happened to ask the cost as I was making the appointment: $35.00 for a trim. So I've still got straggly hair and my wallet. Valdez as we see it today is a relatively new town; the old town site was plowed under after the earthquake of 1964 with an epicenter here and a 9.2 event. They have a film in the museum that is very well done with residents, who experienced the quake and the moving of the town, talking about the event and the aftermath. The Army Corps of Engineers evaluated the old town site and declared it unsafe to rebuild there. The current site is much more stable and only 4 miles away. Residents had 3 years to move; some moved their homes lock stock and barrel others rebuilt on the new site. The town got a chance to start over.

After a day of museums it's often good to get some exercise. So we set out on the bikes for a ride. There's a paved bike path that goes all the way out to where we bear watched and fished. We rode 20.4 miles! Our all time record distance. Certain parts of your anatomy go numb after about 10 miles, it could be your brain but that wouldn't be all. It did get cold a bit, and late a bit, and sore a bit, BUT it got done!

Picture at the farthest point of our ride: 10.2 miles from the trailer!

Cruising unlike the Titanic!

7/13/10

We woke up to fog in Valdez. Mountains not visible; wisps of fog covering ponds and creeks. The debate ensued to cruise or not to cruise that was the question. Called the cruise ship company; yes they assured us we are going out. Finally we made the decision; penned up the dogs, packed the day pack; picked up our cameras, and met the bus. What a wonderful day! We cruised out of the harbor with Captain Chris and crew headed for Columbia Glacier. Columbia Glacier is one of the last glaciers to stop advancing and start calving. Which means ice/snow breaks off and forms icebergs. There are various sizes of bergs all with whimsical names. On the way to the glacier we saw a Mama humpback whale and her calf, they showed off for us, breaching and blowing, even coming over to the ship for an extra good look; Dall's porpoises that stopped their eating long enough to run with the ship, with amazing speed and dexterity; two kinds of Puffins, tufted and horned; Pigeon Guillemot (bird); Stellar sea lions; harbor seals and sea otters. We also met some very nice people! Lunch on board was clam chowder for most and Minestrone for some, along with a bagel/ cream cheese, and cookies. Then we hit the main attraction----the glacier and it's icebergs. What a wonderful turquoise blue the ice is that has not started to melt. How eerie it was with the fog wisps; ice bergs and the silence except for the ice popping as it melts. We had a grand time.

Because we got back late and had not taken out dinner we walked the dogs and went out to Mike's Palace for dinner. Going out to dinner even at a burger place is expensive here. We opted for Mikes because locals told us it had great seafood. Right again. The food was great Bosco had blackened Halibut and I had Halibut fingers.

As I hadn't seen the bears the night before we journeyed out to the point again to see the bears and this night she had come early and was already out fishing when we arrived. With the binoculars and the spotting scope (thanks to Dave Nudo who went to our house retrieved the scope and mailed it to us as Bosco had forgotten it)  we saw every detail. The bears played and ate. Mom got annoyed at the sea gulls that followed her every move hoping for a scrap of fish. This night there were several tourists from Israel out to see the bears. I'm sure they don't have grizzly bears in Israel and they really had no idea how fierce she could be so they got way too close for safety sake.  Several had been on our tour with us earlier in the day so we explained to them the danger and gave them a look through the spotting scope.

Lazy Day

7/12/10

We got a late start today, as we were paying bills and that took a lot of time. When we did get going we drove back up the road to Thompson Pass and did some hiking with the dogs. Hiked around a place called Blueberry Lake, and had a ball. Saw beautiful flowers and scenery! When we drove in to Valdez we didn't stop to look at much, so this was our chance. In Keystone Canyon there were some great waterfalls--Bridal Veil and Horse Tail Falls. Went into see Valdez glacier and the old town site of Valdez. The earthquake of 1964 required that Valdez relocate 4 miles away to its present site.

We had gotten reports that a sow grizzly and 3 cubs had been coming out to fish where we had been fishing. We had gone out twice to look but saw only bald eagles (lots of eagles). We got another report that she came out later, so I went out by myself as Kathy didn't want to go then. I left at 21:15 and sat out there until 23:00. I was just about to leave when two cubs came out of the woods follow by mom and the last cub. This is my first griz and was it great. I did not stay too long as the people were really being stupid and getting too close to them. It was too dark to get any pics, but what fun!

Valdez Fishing in the rain

7/11/10

300 inches of rain is a lot. It falls in a mist, a drizzle, a down pour and with wind and without. So, after picking everyone's brain we could find , buying harmonic spoons and Pink and Orange Pixies we finally went fishing. Our first unsuccessful attempt was from the shore. No fish. So we decided to go get the raft. The ads say 15 minutes to the water; well about an hour later we've finally loaded the pontoon and are on our way. What fun! The little raft is very maneuverable and the seats swivel all around so fishing is easy. Bosco caught the first fish but I couldn't land it with the net. I got better because I had more practise. Final score: Bosco 4- Kathy 2. We had decided to fish rain or not and for the most part it didn't rain much: more like misted-- drizzled on us. When we decided to come in the tide had gone out and we were pretty far from the way out so we had to improvised. It was either that or carry the pontoon over lots of rocks about 300 yards and up a hill. As it was; it was up hill, but the raft is only 75 pounds and a gentleman named Neal helped Bosco carry it.
Picture is Bosco rowing the Sea Eagle with Sea Lions in the background.

This is a beautiful city nestled harbor side ringed with snow covered mountains. Saw a black bear from camp last night. Sun happens to be shining this morning; first morning in a while. Valdez citizens are a hardy bunch; riding bikes and jogging in this rain; they don't seem to let a little thing like rain stop them.
Picture below is our catch!

The trip to Valdez

7/10/10

We left our camp in Tok 7/8/10 with regrets. Our destination was Valdez but we didn't really hurry along. If you know Alaska roads you will understand why. It 's slow go. Our first night out we stayed in a camp along the Copper River with our picture window pulled up facing the river and our recliners at the ready. Installed in the recliners plotting our next move or maybe napping I yelped and ducked as a BIG BIRD headed toward the trailer window. Bosco missed the sight I saw and wondered (not for the first time, I might add) what the heck was wrong with me. Turns out we had eagles in camp, and we could watch them fish the river, and catch the thermals above camp. Ah, the retired life. Picture at left is the Copper River later in our drive

The next day we scurried around to leave camp ....at 10:30. Last ones out again. The Michagan tribe left at 05:30: I"m sure just to make us look bad. We only were looking at a 3 hour drive so we did a lot of sightseeing; stopping at Wrangell-St. Elias Mountain Visitors Center where we did a 1/2 mile nature hike and looked at both the Visitor Center exhitbits and the exhibit lodge. Stopping for lunch on the way we headed on to Valdez. The pictures tell the story! Picture at right is view out of our trailer window at lunch.

We are snug in Bayside RV park packed pretty near cheek to jowl but nice people. Valdez poplulation about 3600 people and 9 million fish. The pinks are running, we went out to see them fishing last night. Woke up this AM to rain, turns out Valdez gets 300 inches of rain a year. So, we may wind up fishing in the rain.

                                           Picture  below is at Thompson pass summit.

Catching up in Tok, AK

7/7/10

 The 5th of July we did housekeeping chores like 5 loads of laundry, buying fishing licenses, visiting the visitors center, and riding bikes. I think that day we did almost 10 miles on the bikes. The 6th of July we did 8.75 miles on the bikes. OK, so I know that MOST people have bike wrecks WHILE the bike is moving. I, however, find it's much easier on the frame to do it standing still, trying to spin the pedal around for a quick takeoff. Wham, next thing I know I'm lying crosswise over the bike and well you know the rest. Lady camped near us came over when we pedaled back to camp to see if I was alright. I'm sure she was getting ready to feel guilty for laughing if I really had been hurt.

Today we drove to Chicken, AK. Yes, you heard that right and we've pictures to prove it. The drive is via the Taylor highway also known as the Top of the World Highway. It is an awesome drive. Large burn went though there several years ago and although there are reminders of the burn with standing dead trees the vegetation is growing back. Drat, we didn't see a bear one.

We're headed to Valdez tomorrow, probably take two days to get there. We've heard that the salmon run is on and although the first of it was a dissapointment they are thinking it's due to get better soon.

I think Maggie has had a small stroke. The 3rd of July in Border City we had a big thunder and lightening storm and she got very scared, poor heart just a racing. Next morning her gait was staggery and she was uncertain in her movement; still is but maybe some better. She sleeps more and is more docile. Her appetite is good, but her stamina is poor.

Tok, Alaska, USA

7/4/10

We only traveled about 100 miles today as we wanted to spend July 4th in the USA. Got to Tok about noon, just as they were starting their 4th of July parade. We saw the Color Guard, so we quickly parked the trailer, and by the time we got back it was over. It lasted about 5 minutes--Midvales is bigger! Once again, we drove here in the rain, but it did clear up and the sun came out--it was beautiful. I went across the street the Three Bears Trading post and got my revolver that I shipped up. Went to the Visitors Center to get the lay of the land around here as we are staying 4 nights here. We met a couple in Teslin Lake RV park that we keep bumping into, and last night we had them over for dinner. Sherry brought a dump cake and we ate and talked (I would say till dark, but it doesn't get dark). Had a good evening with them.

Finally in Alaska

7/3/10

We left Cottonwood camp, headed for the Last Wilderness. They don't make it easy to get here! We traveled about 100 miles on the WORST road I have every driven on. The frost heaves were something I could deal with, but then you throw in pot holes and these "fisures" in the pavement that ran any which way--across, with, and diagonally across the road--and it is combat driving. We met a man from Alberta that said "This road is a bloody disgrace". I had different adjectives for it! I averaged 30 miles per hour--but we made it with no apparent damages other than nerves. It was wonderful to get back into the USA!

    We stayed at Border City--it was not a city. We got the last campsite in the RV Park, and I use that term loosely! The first thing we spotted was a cow moose grazing along the tree line about 100 yards away. Kathy said that is a funny looking horse OR it is a moose, and she was absolutely right! Still getting rain!

Cottonwood Campground, Destruction Bay, YK, CA

7/2/10
Well we finally got a day of sunshine!! Were not sure where we were going to tonight, but ended up at Cottonwood Camp on Kluane (Clu au ne) Lake, and what a find! Got here about 15:30, and this place filled up within 45 minutes. Beautiful place, nice sites, and great owners. I took the lab to the lake while Kathy did her email, and then we went for a bike ride. The lake has a gravel trail around it, but 50 miles is too much for us, so we did 5.5 miles. In the gravel, I was happy to go that far! Just looking at the mountains that are ringing this lake, it was also hard to ride!! More passport stamping today, and more adventures because of it.

Whitehorse, YK, CA

6/30/10
We left Teslin in a pouring down rain and drove most of the day in rain of one kind or another. We arrived in Whitehorse our next destination just a little damp. The plan was to spend two nights in Whitehorse and celebrate Canada Day ( the First of July) with the Canadians.We had a bit a problem with our refrigerator and spent the AM working with that. Wound up having to defrost the freezer and that solved the problem. We then drove around Whitehorse visiting museums and generally having a pretty good time. Went home exhausted. We met serveral nice folks in this campground, all of us heading the same way: NORTH!
We stopped in the visitors center in Watson Lake and the volunteer there sold us on getting these "Passports" filled out. She would make any company a great salesperson. So, we've been faithfully getting them stamped at various museums, visitors centers and Interpretive Centers. Turns out we've met some awfully nice people and learned a lot besides.