Anchorage to Sterling

It's time for some visual reinforcement of our travels the last few days. (for those who did not attend Nazareth High School, that means pictures)

We left Wasilla a few days ago heading for Anchorage with little idea of what we were going to do when we got there. Just outside Anchorage is the Alaska Native Heritage Center. It is about 10 years old, and is the finest of its type we have seen. All the tribes of Alaska are represented and the 'guides' are authentic native Alaskans. I would give it 5 stars. Here are just a few pics from the center:


This is an Igloo......without snow of course

A totem pole


There is much, much more to see and learn, but these will have to suffice for now.

We were there about 3 hours and finally headed into downtown Anchorage. It's just another medium size city. We drove around for a while not sure what we were looking for, but we didn't find it, so we left. An old saying about Anchorage; 'The nice thing about it is Alaska is just 30 minutes away'. As we traveled away from the urban area, we soon were traveling along Turnagain Arm, an extension of the Cook Inlet. The scenery again was unique from what we had been seeing.







It was getting late in the afternoon, so we started looking for a campground. After we got the name of the road straightened out and had passed it twice, we found a little gravel parking area with water and electric hookups in the small towwn of Portage. This is the norm in campgrounds in Alaska. In the morning , we headed toward Whittier, but did not intend to go there. However, before you go thru the tunnel to Whittier is Portage Lake with icebergs and a glacier, the first we had seen up close.









Also in Portage is the Alaskan Wildlife Conservation Center. Here are just a few pics of the center. It was somewhat disappointing.

A coyote

Muskox

Moose calf


After about an hour there, we finaly headed for Sterling and made arrangements to meet Carol and Al, my classmates, and to have a mini class reunion of our own. This is our 50 year high school class reunion. They live along the Kenai River in a beautiful 'cabin' Al built.





We had a great time reminiscing and telling stories. We also celebrated Carol and Al's 46th anniversary on Monday evening. We will remember these fun times for many years. Thank you, Al & Carol for your wonderful Northern hospitality.

Well, that's it for now. Barb has gone to bed and I'm a bit tired.

Tomorrow we go on our cruise out of Seward. I will post pics from the cruise as well as a few from our trip to Homer. Till then, take care, have fun and be safe.

Ron & Barb