Alaska is immense in size ... and equally immense in landscapes, wildlife, and scenery. While studying the map of this largest state in the United States, I remember feeling a bit intimidated. Would two and a half months be enough time to see everything that we wanted to see? How do people best experience ''all things Alaskan'' in less time than that? My answer came when we spent two and a half weeks in the Kenai Peninsula, which is located an hour south of Anchorage. With its coastal fishing towns, mountain and glacial views, salmon-filled streams, and aqua-blue inland lakes, the Kenai Peninsula is truly Alaska's ''mini-me''.
As we drove along Turnagain Arm, we soon realized why Alaska's Kenai Peninsula is a popular destination for visitors who have a shorter time frame but still want to experience all the beauty of interior Alaska. Located directly south of Anchorage, the peninsula is surrounded by the waters of Cook Inlet, Turnagain Arm, Gulf of Alaska, and Prince Edward Sound.
Active volcanoes, mountains, and glaciers can be seen in the distance.
Bears and moose hang out in the many lakes and streams.
Fishing enthusiasts reel in super-sized halibut, salmon, and trout.
Measuring only 200 miles long and 100 miles wide, the Kenai Peninsula can easily be explored in a week or two. Here are some of our suggestions for places in the Kenai that can add ''maximum'' beauty to a ''mini'' Alaskan adventure.
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
This non-profit sanctuary cares for injured animals and promotes research and education to maintain the health of Alaska's precious wildlife population. During our walk around the center's grounds, we were able to see moose, caribou, eagles, and muskox up close, but the elusive grizzlies didn't make an appearance.
Russian River Trail
Fishermen and bears alike joyfully await the summer return of spawning salmon to the area's many rivers and streams. We enjoyed watching the action from a path alongside the river, but the serene hike got a little more action-packed when one of the bears decided to head down the same narrow path that we were on. Stay calm and keep the bear spray handy!
Captain Cook State Recreation Area
Located at the end of the road in the northwestern corner of the peninsula, this state park has a quiet campground that overlooks Cook Inlet. Mama and Baby Moose visited our campsite as they enjoyed their healthy breakfast of greens. Beautiful walks along the rocky beach revealed numerous nesting shore birds, fields of wildflowers, interesting rock formations, and magestic mountains in the distance.
Homer, Alaska, located on the southwest edge of the peninsula, is known as the ''Halibut Fishing Capital of the World''. Lake Clark and Katmai National Parks, well-known for their bear viewing opportunities, are just a short, but expensive, flightseeing plane ride away. Since I had gotten as close as I wanted to get to grizzlies when visiting Russian River, we decided to save that experience for another time. Walking along the Homer Spit harbor area, feasting on halibut tacos, savoring the fragrance of the gigantic blooming peonies, and meeting up with a passionate fisherman buddy of Doug's was plenty fun for us.
Hidden Lake Campground
We got off the main highway and found a serene inland lake where some traveling buddies of ours are serving as camp hosts. Bill and Linda proudly showed us around their ''little piece of heaven'' and accompanied us on one of their favorite hiking trails. And yes, three out of four people agree that the fashionable mosquito netting is the way to go!
Hope
A 17-mile detour brought us to the shore of Turnagain Arm where the remnants of a tiny gold-rush town still remain. The sleepy village of Hope was once a bustling town of over 3000 ''hopeful'' prospectors. We found our treasure at a beautiful boondocking spot overlooking the water. Peaceful, out-of-the-way resting spots like this are what makes our Alaskan travels ''golden''... even during the occasional rainy and foggy day.
Seward
Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, the town of Seward captures all aspects of ''typical'' Alaskan scenery. Glaciers, mountains, wildlife, rainforests, fjords, and seaside marinas come together to make a visit to Seward truly magical.
Whittier
Whittier was founded as a strategic port location for the US military during WWII when in 1943 it was connected to the mainland of Alaska via a 2.5 mile train tunnel cut through Maynard Mountain. Today the tunnel allows both cars and the train (each taking turns) to access the tiny and picturesque community located on the edge of Prince William Sound. Unfortunately, the local saying, ''it's always sh***ier in Whittier'' proved true when we visited as heavy rain and fog obscured the view from what could have been a primo boondocking site and turned the trails to mud. But it also allowed me to visit the local museum which highlighted Alaska's experiences during WWII ... Did you know that the Japanese occupied Attu, a tiny Aleutian island that is the westernmost point of the US, from June of 1942 through May of 1943? Attu Island was also the site of the only US land battle during that war. The things I learn on a rainy day.
Portage Glacier
Portage Lake, formed by the melting of nearby Portage Glacier, lies on the other side of the tunnel to Whittier. And true to form, the rain stopped and the sun peeked out when we got to that other side. Once there, we decided to take the hour-long Portage Glacier Cruise to see the face of another glacier. Never tire of that beauty! Afterwards, a short, flat one-mile hike brought us to Byron Glacier. It is relatively small compared to other glaciers, but the chance to be ''up close and personal'' with any type of glacier is still pretty special.
They await you in the Kenai Peninsula ... Alaska's ''mini-me''!
Print this post
No comments:
Post a Comment