May 24, 2013

Another beautiful day so after lunch decided to drive south on the Seward Highway to check out the area.  We had not been that route since our return earlier in May.  Looking across the Arm. . .

The tide was out but when we were returning saw a small bore tide.  Should have a large one on Sunday and Monday since those will be very low tides in the afternoons.

Looking down near the end of the Arm  . . . . .

 

There are two very nice forest service campgrounds on the Whittier road.  Only part of Williwaw was open because of the amount of snow still in the areas. The host advised us that all reservations for the weekend had been cancelled due to the snow.  Some of the sites were plowed and we saw many campers already set up even though it had opened just a few hours earlier (the host said she arrived about noon to find campers waiting to get in).

As we drove towards Whittier we saw the remains of many avalanches

Coming back north to the Park we saw many waterfalls (most of these will be dry after the snow melts).  At this point we could see six . . .

We had wondered how the crowds would be since this was the first night of the holiday weekend and such a beautiful day.  We notified people we would be closing the gate at 9 PM and the park would be open to foot traffic from the lower parking lot only.  Took a little while (there was a large 16th birthday held in the picnic area)  but by about 9:30 all the cars had departed.

May 17-18, 2013

While the total snow fall for Anchorage was much less in 2012/13 after the near record year of 2011/12,  the late snow broke several records for the Anchorage Area

First the record for the longest snow season  (from the first snow fall until the last one of  late winter/spring) was held by the year 1982 at 230 days until this season with 232 days.  The average number of days between first and last snow is 186.  Also the largest snow fall for the date May 17 was this year.

On May 13 the snow on the mountain across Turnagin Arm was really melting.

However on May 17 we received about 1/2 inch with higher elevations receiving 4 to 6 inches.

                 

  

Sunday morning driving home from Church the side the mountain near McHugh was covered in ice and beginning to melt.

We also noticed more water coming down the McHugh Creek at the waterfall near the entrance to the park.

 

On Sunday evening we went to Dick and Patricia’s for dinner.  So good to visit some more of our Alaskan friends.  Taking a different route we came across this covered bridge at the entrance to South Bridge subdivision.

 

May 20, 2013

When we were traveling north we had to stop several times to wait for roads to be cleared.  At Toad River we met Cassie and Jack and stayed in touch as we both traveled to Alaska.  On Monday we drove to Palmer to meet them for lunch.  This area had received more snow also.  Pioneer Peak was beautiful. . .

As were the mountains across the Hay Flats.

The next morning about 6:15 AM I saw my first moose in the park.  Had been seeing scat so knew we had both bear and moose in the area.  Still have not seen a bear.

The state park had a volunteer training session on May 23.  This gave us an opportunity to meet some of the other host as well as other rangers.  We were told that in Alaska there are 7 volunteers for every paid employee.  Once again we were reminded that the parks run smoother because of the number of hours spent by volunteers.  Matt took pictures of each couple (or single) to post at Potters Section House  (now park headquarters).

During the afternoon session after getting some information on wildlife behavior, we were each given the opportunity to fire bear spray at the “wooden bear”.

May, 2013 Exciting time for our grandchildren

Joy’s son, Noah, attended prom

Jana’s oldest son, Jackson, graduated from high school

                                                   

Awards night . . . . Braden won Southside’s Geometry Award

Kate and Annaleigh took their first flight in a small (4 place) airplane with the Young Eagles.

Kate

Annaleigh

We are so proud of each of them and wanted to share these exciting times with you.

May 3, 2013 Arrive at McHugh Creek

Stopped at the Potters Section House (now Chugach State Park office) to meet Tom Crockett, the park ranger.  He came out to McHugh with us to open the gate and be of assistance  in getting settled.  When we stopped Francis realized the MH was low on the front (of course there was still a lot of ice on the undercarriage). Later when checking he learned the airbags were deflated.  He had also noticed in Watson Lake that we had a water leak in the bay.

Looking down towards the MH and Turnagin Arm from the upper parking lot.

Saturday morning we woke to a light dusting of snow.

The host site is about level with the middle parking lot which is about 75 feet above the Seward Highway.

                                  

The road up is a very sharp climb.

The site is set up for the motorhome to drive in so this is the scene from the windshield.

A friend stopped by to hike and visit.  This is her picture looking down on the Arm from the trail.  The day was overcast but we still had a good many visitors.  As we learned when we were here in 2004 thru 2008 usually weather does not result in changing plans for Alaskans they change their clothing and just deal with the weather.

When Francis checked for the damage to the MH he found the fresh water tank was hanging loose and the leak was from the vent hose at the top.  He replaced the hose and eliminated the leak.  Had a lot of drying up to do . . . .thank goodness for good weather.

             

                   

Looking up from the Seward Highway the MH is visible now. . . .not sure if it will be when spring finally arrives and the trees leaf out.

The following are some pictures from around this park

Small waterfall.

Looking up Creek.

Looking down creek. . . .note the overlook at the top of the picture.

The morning Francis took the MH into the freightliner service center he had to be there for 7:00 AM.  I stayed in the park area until we knew what would need to be done and how long it would take.  Driving along the Seward High the following are pictures across the Arm from Bird Creek.

                             

Also saw 2 eagles

The airbags on the MH were not damaged. Thank goodness.  The problem was a link on the air valve (cost $11.00 for the part and 1 hr. service $152).  The part had to be ordered  and Francis put the replacement part on when it arrived.

The Sunday after we arrived we went over to Chuigak United Meth. Church to visit friends.  Told the minister we had to find a closer church this was a little far to come every Sunday.  When we left church we stopped by the Eagle River Nature Center.

It still looks the same but was disappointed that none of our friends were working today.

May 2, 2013 Pictures from friends

We knew leaving Organ Pipe and Casa Grande early in April we would be missing a lot of the cactus in bloom.  Our friend, Barbara, from Rovers Roost sent this picture of the large saguaro at the park. 

When we were held up at Toad River we met another couple headed to the Palmer area.  We left a day before them but stayed in touch in route. 

Cassie shared their experience and photo with us. “While driving the area along Long Lake about 50 miles from Palmer on the Glenn Highway. You'll recall there were signs warning to watch for falling rock..... We were driving along, noticing all the rocks (mostly small) that had fallen, & then ahead, we saw a slide start to happen. It was a big one. Jack got on the brakes & we stopped only 40 feet or so from where this boulder slid down & bounced across the road. Scaaaary!!! Since more appeared to be coming down along the ledge where this one came from, we drove around it on the crumbling edge & got out of there. I called 911 & reported it. What an adrenalin rush!!!”

We have seen lots of rock slides and rocks on the road but nothing compared to this boulder.  Thank goodness they had no damage from it.

May 2, 2013 Leaving Tok, AK

Spent the night in Tok and found everything still frozen here . . . . no opportunity to wash the rig and car.  Anyone driving into Alaska drives through Tok.  In the Athabascan language “Tok” means water and appears on maps drawn up in the late 1800’s.

We decided to drive on to Glennallen (125 miles) since there was a good weather report for today.  However we quickly realized that the  weather report was in error.

 

The Copper River starts at the glacier in the Wrangel Mountains and part of the Tok Cutoff follows the river.

With the warmer weather the ice is beginning to breakup in the Copper River.

The Matanuska River is also breaking up.

Some of the “breakup” really forms interesting designs.

As we were driving along we noticed a number of frozen waterfalls

May 1, 2013 Entering Alaska

The welcome to Alaska sign is actually before the border crossing into the USA from Canada.

There is a section of about 20 miles between the border crossing into the USA/Alaska and the entrance to Canada when driving south.

 

We arrived behind a Uhaul truck which took some time to clear but our entry was quick and easy.

The Alaska Highway seems to be much better (smoother so far) after we crossed the border.

Looking towards the Wrangel/St. Elias Mountains

There are a number of ways the DOT marks the highways, railings, etc. for the snow plows.  We think this is an interesting way to mark the edge of the highway so the plows will avoid hitting the

markers.  The top of the markers are approximately 10 to 12 feet high.  They do get a lot of snow in this area and the plows attempt to open the road as quickly as possible during or after a storm.