This is our last day for sightseeing as we will flying home next weekend. So let’s see, so far we have seen porpoises, whales, sea otters, puffins, kittiwakes, sea lions, eagles, dall goats, and John saw a bear and a moose. I however, have only seen a moose butt.
Hmm. Well, I certainly would like to see a whole moose. I mean, I’ve seen moose before but not an Alaskan moose. Oh, and some salmon! They are supposed to be running now.
John likes to have missions, find me a moose and some salmon. We head downtown to first grab a couple more gifts, this time for ourselves! In the downtown area is the Ship Creek Park where salmon are raised, released, and then they return. Hmm. They don’t seem to be here.
Next we are heading to the Potter Marsh Wildlife Refuge.
This refuge is an “accidental” wetlands, created after the Alaskan railroad was built and three creeks were diverted and came together here. I swear, mallards inhabit every inch on the North American continent.
There are always birds, mostly seagulls, but ducks, geese, swans, cranes and other shore birds too. This is a prime area for nesting and breeding water fowl.
And look at the babies! Mama is in the middle and the babies are trying to hide in the grass.
We spot a red salmon but there isn’t any way to get a picture of it. It is moving steadily upstream and we never get a second sighting. Awe look, miniature lily pads.
The boardwalk winds it way through the wetlands, through the trees where we are getting to see a small variety of birds, but no bear and no moose.
There’s a pretty big viewing area at the end of the boardwalk that is hidden in the trees.
There are a few people sitting, and I suppose. waiting for them to show up. Swamp grass. Pretty.
We make out way back and take the boardwalk that parallels the highway.
The third stream is out this way and it is our last chance to see a salmon. Yellow-leg sandpipers are everywhere too.
Finally! We find some silver salmon. They seem to just be resting or maybe be waiting for high tide when the water will rise and make for easier passage through the wetlands.
There is a Tastee Freeze!!! A Tastee Freeze! Who remembers those? I haven’t seen one in a long time. We’ve come here once a week. This will be my last trip to Tastee Freeze. Sad face.
While we are eating our ice cream cones John makes one last effort to find a moose for me. We drive into Kincaid Park and around and around. Down every little side road we can find. And thanks to my dear hubby’s perseverance. A moose. The WHOLE moose.
I can leave Alaska, a happy woman.
