Haines to Anchorage

Beautiful mountains seen from ferry to Haines

Departed Juneau on June 1 on the ferry to Haines, AK.   Turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day.  The most sun we've seen in quite a while.   A four hour ferry ride got us to Haines where we were going to stay a couple days.


Lighthouse seen from ferry

Going into Haines from ferry terminal

Stunning moon seen from our campsite in Haines, AK

After our stopover in Haines, we headed north towards Anchorage(David tells me we weren't actually heading north, but that's how I saw it).   Would be driving through a small portion of British Columbia and a larger stretch of the Yukon Territory.   The trip to Anchorage (about 800 miles) would take us three days just taking out time.



Went through an area near the Chilcook River called the Valley of the Eagles.  In October there are more than 3,500 eagles here.   Of course, when we drove through we didn't see a single eagle.  Guess they were otherwise occupied.


Chilcook River Valley

Entering Yukon Territory



Frost heaving under highway

Once we were in the Yukon Territory driving took on a whole new meaning.   We really had to take our time and pay close attention to the road.   Winter really takes a toll on the roads up here.   Frost heaving is a major problem causing the road to undulate.    Lots of road signs saying to slow down and believe me we did.  Sometimes only doing 25-30 mph (40-48 km/h) in stretches.

Stopped in Destruction Bay, Yukon Territory; Tok, AK and then Glennallen, AK before arriving in Anchorage.




Destruction Bay, Yukon Territory

Border crossing back into Alaska from Yukon Territory, Canada

I'm in the Yukon, David is in Alaska

Did some exploring when we got to Glennallen, AK.   Took a short trip down the road towards Valdez, AK (didn't go the entire way).   Beautiful mountains, sparkling lakes, a lovely waterfall and the Alaskan Pipeline.  Pretty impressive.


Mount Sanford, one of the 10 tallest in Alaska

Liberty Falls near Chiltina, AK

Alaskan pipeline headed towards Valdez, AK

After leaving Glennallen, we drove towards Anchorage.   David assured me we were heading west, but all I keep thinking is that it's NORTH to Alaska.   Very rainy day with lots of road construction, so we had to take our time again.   Drove right past the Matanuska Glacier.  The largest glacier in Alaska that you can drive to.   Managed to still get a picture through the rain.


Gotta love road construction

Matanuska Glacier in foreground



Trumpeter Swan

We had a few more close encounters with wildlife on this leg of the trip.


Black bear along side of the road in Yukon



Moose just waiting in middle of the road waiting for me to take a picture

We are now in Anchorage staying at the campground on Elmendorff AFB.   David being retired Department of Defense Army Corps of Engineers gets us onto the bases.   Nice campground and a lot cheaper than we've been paying.   Waiting on my cousin, Margaret, to arrive tonight from Minnesota.  She will travel with us for a couple weeks.   Will be heading down the Kenai Peninsula from here.   More later.   Love to all, Felicia and David (aka Mom and Dad)