Today is John’s second day off and we are heading south to the coastal area of Anchorage in the hopes of seeing some marine life, maybe a moose, and if we have enough energy, a glacier. We are starting with a walk through the Kincaid Park and a stroll along the beach. (our hotel is the yellow mark)
I’m surprised by the lush greenery of Alaska. I don’t know what I expected, maybe less undergrowth? The plants are similar to what we find in our home state of Pennsylvania, ferns, grasses, raspberry bushes, and some sort of prickly elephant leaf plant. With the amount of people and kids on the trail, it is highly doubtful we will see much wildlife, if any.
Alaska doesn’t coddle their citizens or visitors that’s for sure. As we are looking out over Cook Inlet, I notice that there are a lot of bikes and strollers at the top of the trail. The trail down to the beach is over sandy ground that seems to erode away from under your feet. It is not easy traversing as it is extremely steep, and there are no signs warning you or stopping you from going down. No nicely groomed steps or trail, just a path.
We manage to get to the beach without any injuries. Where’s the water? Why is all the sand in mounds behind us and not on the beach? Hmm. It turns out to be low tide. Our touristing skills seem to be a bit rusty.
A local who John is working with warned him not to venture out into the muck. People tend to get caught off guard by the incoming tide. We are nine hours from high tide so I think we would be safe but who would want to trudge through cold mud? It looks like water but that is mud.
John is a bit disappointed at the rocks and that we didn’t find any gold during our beach combing.
The banks of soft, powdery sand lining the beach are begging to be conquered and many of the kids are climbing up them and then sliding down.
We spend an hour or so walking the beach before heading back to the car.
That was underwhelming. Not wanting to go back to the hotel, we take a drive on coastal highway 1. We find a beluga whale viewing area, however, it is low tide and there is hardly any water in the inlet.
We have to wait for high tide and that isn’t until midnight. Wow, we are really off of our tourist game.
Okay, lets see if we can find a glacier. They should be right where they are supposed to be despite the fact that it is low tide. If nothing else the drive is scenic. Look at those mountains.
We arrive at Portage and head down Portage Glacier Road that parallels Portage Creek. The water is a beautiful blue and we both think it would be a great kayak trip.
The lake is positively gorgeous but it is definitely much cooler here than it is out near the ocean. Brr. It isn’t stopping anyone from getting out on the water, however. There are people on the water already and a parking lot full of people gearing up to go out.
I just can’t get over the unique blue color of the water.
The Portage glacier is visible from the parking lot but a cruise would get you closer, as the brochure advertised. However, the cruises aren’t running.
I read that the glacier has been closer to the lake than it is now. Damn global warming. I wonder what the world’s reaction would be if we were having global cooling?
The blue color of the glacier is the same as blue color of the water, how cool is that? I guess the older the ice the bluer the ice.
John thinks my hunting for flowers is adorable, but there are so many unique flowers here. Like this little guy, a western columbine.
It’s been a long day for us, especially since we are usually sleeping. We have decide to go get some supper and head back to the hotel for a nap. The 49th State Brewing Company is our first choice and it is a good one. The beer is unique, and the food delicious. I don’t usually like doing food pictures but this is for John’s sister, Julie. Halibut baby.
Okay, bedtime.
Very nice photos of the scenery. Glad you are enjoying the trip. Is John working in Alaska? Are you guys going to Quartzite in January. We will be in Mesa, Arizona for January and February, one hour away from Quartzite. We could come with our RV and be part of the “Circle of the wagons,” if invited.