Anchor Point, On The Kenai Peninsula

Our new location: Anchor Point, Alaska.  This small fishing community is found on the western side of the Kenai Peninsula, on the bay of Cook Inlet.  Our campground is about as quaint and cute as it can be with outstanding views, quiet surroundings and about a half a mile from the ocean.  We're entertained daily by eagles and ravens, even spotting moose in the marsh in front of the motorhome.  We plan to be here at Kyllonen's RV Park for several more days.

Our drive from Valdez to Anchor Point was uneventful until we got to the bridge crossing the Anchor River.  Our motorhome's height is 12' 2'' so the height of the bridge (13" 2") was no issue for us..but that 11 ton weight rating of the bridge was a huge concern.  With no where for Ronnie to turn the 40' coach around he had no choice but to disconnect the Jeep and back the motorhome up the road.  Yep, for the first time (in 5 and a half years) we had to unhook the Jeep to re-route.  After calling the campground with our situation, they were able to give us alternate directions to bypass the bridge.

 

 Here are a few photos of our trip from Valdez to Anchor Point.  I'm sure the landscape must have been spectacular.  Unfortunately the clouds were low and it was rained most of this 2 day journey.  Maybe on our way back north towards Anchorage, we'll have better weather so we can see what we missed. From what we could tell, this must be one of the most scenic areas of Alaska.

Our "boondocking one night camping spot" by this peaceful, most memorable lake.

  All of these photos are through the motorhome's large front windshield.  By this time, many insects had got in it's way.

 Our view, now.. from the motorhome's wind shield, camped at Kyllonen's RV Park.

One morning, a moose decided to make an appearance in the marsh.

 

The volcano, Mount Iliamna.

 We have finally driven as far west as we possibly can, what a scenic view for that reward.

This is Mount Illiamna..  It's about 35 miles away from us here, at Anchor Point by crossing the Cook Inlet.  It's 10,016 feet tall and last erupted in 1953.  Many boat and float airplane excursions take tours there to Lake Clark National Park to view the large brown bears.

Nootka lupine

At the point where the Anchor River flows into the Cook Inlet, this boat launch service tows boats in and out each day using these large, heavy duty tractors.  It is one of the most interesting things to watch as those boat captains must aim the boat accurately onto that boat trailer.  Then, the launch service assistant hooks the boat to the trailer and it's hauled out of the water.

There are four volcanoes in this section of the Pacific Ring of Fire that can be seen from the Kenai Peninsula.  Mt. Redoubt, Mt. Iliamna, Mt. Augustine (last erupted in 2006) and Mt. Douglas (no recent eruptions but has no ice build up either..hummm).  Mt. Redoubt last erupted in 2009, it can be viewed from Anchor Point but because of the cloudy days, I've yet to get a photograph. Homer and Anchorage received about 1/16 inch ash fall from its most recent eruption.

The tides here are extreme, ranging from 15 to 20 feet.  This is low tide.

 More Later..

Homer and the Homer Spit

Lastly, Valdez Vistas.. Part 4

Who ever named this boat understands why "sunny daze" in Valdez are so prized.  Clear blue skies here illuminate snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and glacier fed rivers. Contrast these colors with the blue waters of the ocean sound and the deep evergreen fir trees, why you have the makings of an artist's painting. 

Traveling down a side dirt road to see the Valdez Glacier, we came upon a junk yard that only Fred Sanford (1970's TV show: Sanford & Son) would appreciate. 

Ronnie's "eagle eye" saw this unusual snowmobile.

A view of

Valdez Glacier Lake

Here the river of glacier water and silt flows towards the ocean sound.

A view of Robe Lake.

We drove by the Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery several times on our drive out to Alison Point.  There seemed to be a lot of construction there but on this past drive, we noticed tourists there so we pulled in to explore.  No salmon to see yet but we could stroll around the fish ladders and enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains and the Port of Valdez.

Across from the Hatchery is the scenic Solomon Gulch.  This cascading waterfall originates from a dammed lake high above the canyon.  There is a nice hike to the lake (John Hunter Memorial Trail) but there is the risk of bears, you know.

One hike we felt fairly safe on was the Overlook Trail, located in downtown Valdez.  Yes, bears have been seen in the parking lot but none there this day.  Here is one final view of the town of Valdez from the lookout platform.

More Later as we "Eas-on Down The Road" to the Kenai Peninsula and Homer, Alaska.