Alaska Snapshots

Whittier

Here are some snapshots that I think worth making the website. Overall we had a good time exploring Alaska, I like to do it one more time if I could, but first I have to finish visiting all fifty states. At this time I still have to go to five more states, namely Michigan, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and the smallest yet so elusive Delaware. We hope to cover at least three in 2016.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/alaska/snapshot

Denali by Air (revisited)

Denali Glacier

When we got to Talkeetna, the weather was nice and warm. We went to the municipal airport and inquiry about the flight to the Denali glaciers. To our delight, the seats are still available and off we went. This is a trip of a lifetime and the most expensive adventure while touring Alaska, but it is all worth it. It took almost an hour to get to the glacier and a bit faster to come back down as far as I remember. To our surprise, it was not cold at all! Enjoy the trip of a lifetime.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/alaska/denalifly

Anchorage (revisited)

Anchorage

After the plane ride to land at the Denali glacier, we headed south to Anchorage from Talkeetna. I believe we have just spent one night here. Anchorage is definitely the biggest city in all Alaska. We had oil change and replenish our supplies at Costco nearby.

In term of scenery, the city does not offer many; Anchorage is just a stopping point to and from Homer, Seward and Whittier then on the way to Valdez. By now, I think we are half way into the trip.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/alaska/anchorage

Columbia Gorge - In search of wildflowers

Vista House, Columbia Gorge

The weather is getting warmer. The urge to photograph is raging. Please hold on! This weekend we went to the Columbia Gorge for a day trip, less than 200 miles round trip and eleven hours in total in search of wildflowers.

First we visited the Vista House in the morning, then to a rest stop of Memaloose State Park so I thought, but it was a rest area north of the destination. We continued to Rowena and finally we found what we are looking for – the elusive wildflowers.

We came back to the Vista House in the afternoon, just to see a different lighting and more details; we got them. Oh, by the way we found a waterfall along the Historical Columbia Gorge Highway 30.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/2015/gorge

Denali National Park (revisited)

Wildlife Viewing Area

We stayed for the first time in this trip in a motel, the decision was made to remove the monotonous being inside the Wanderlust all the time and be able to get ready in the morning to take the bus tour going inside Denali National Park. Private vehicle is prohibited after a certain mile inside the park.

It was not such a good decision because the motel room was cold even with the heater on, but at least we can get up and go as compared if we stay in the RV Park. It was also really cold within the park; the sun was barely out that day.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/alaska/denalipark

Fairbanks (revisited)

Watching bush pilot take-off and landing

We stayed three nights in Fairbanks, we went to Arctic Circle, Riverboat Discovery and we replenish our pantry after more than eight days on the road, we buy fresh fruits and bread. Since everything is barged here, things are generally more expensive than in the lower 48 or Continental US.

You would have think and it will be cold up here, the opposite is true. It is warm and pleasant in Fairbanks while we were there. Next we went to Denali National Park.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/alaska/fairbanks

Alaska Highway (revisited)

Dawson Creek, British Columbia

It took eight days and 7 nights to reach Fairbanks, Alaska. The distance from Portland, Oregon is about 2,500 miles, that’s 4,000 km in metric. The distance alone made Pokie not wanting to go back to Alaska, but I still want to go back at least one more time, the next time we make the trip, we will take our time. This whole trip was about 6,000 miles plus in 43 days. We had to change the engine oil one time in Fairbanks.

We encountered an engine problem in which I could fix (the air filter got loose and the engine would not start), we also had a flood at 3:00 AM inside the Wanderlust (water intake was broken) in the heavy rain, and trying to shut the water faucet was a nightmare; we had it fixed in Whitehorse. Also the door’s locks open by themselves in the middle of the night, the simple solution is to unplug the fuse temporarily. The Ford dealer in Whitehorse could not fix it. But at last we made it all the way to Fairbanks.

http://www.yongkieandpokie.com/alaska/highway