Kenai Peninsula

On shore of Turnagain Arm (Part of Cook Inlet)

Picked up my cousin Margaret in Anchorage and headed south towards the Kenai Peninsula to explore.   Started out on nice sunny day.   Had some good weather days and so not so good days.  The drive going around Turnagain Arm was really stunning.


Turnagain Arm

Found a campsite at the Kenai Princess RV park near Cooper Landing.   It was pretty centrally located so it allowed us access to wandering around the Kenai Penisula and returning to home base.

Denise and her dog, Samson

Went into Soldotna, AK and had the opportunity to visit with Denise, the daughter of good friends Jane and Bill Gorden.  Jane is a teacher at Thompson Intermediate where I retired from.   Went out to lunch and then to the Kenai River Festival.   Such a nice time.

Continued our exploring by heading south to Homer, AK.  


Mount Redoubt near Soldotna (active volcano erupted in 2009)

Mount Illiana

The volcanoes on the other side of Cook Inlet were something to see.   There are three volcanoes that are easily seen..Mount Spur, Mount Redoubt and Mount Illiana.   They are the beginning of the Aluetian chain and still very active.   The locals are always watching the mountains.

Made it all the way down to Homer and went out onto the Spit to shop and eat.  Great seafood here.   Had salmon and halibut which were quite good.   Homer is the halibut fishing capital of not just Alaska, but the WORLD.

Homer Spit seen from Skyline Drive



Up on Skyline Drive in Homer

Dixon Glacier near Homer, AK

After exploring Homer, we headed home for the day.   The next day we went towards Seward because we knew that we wanted to book a whale watching trip.   Not too sure about heading out into the Gulf of Alaska on a boat, but what the heck....  On our way down to Seward we stopped at the Kenai Fiords National Park and actually hiked out to Exit Glacier.   Went down into the glacial till river bed and ended up at the glacier.   Another first for all of us.



Margaret and Me at Exit Glacier (cold and WET that day)

ON Exit Glacier!!

Exit Glacier in Kenai Fiords National Park

Hiking up to this glacier was a dream come true for me.   Never imagined that I would actually get to stand on a GLACIER.  







Tunnel going to Whittier, AK




Went back up north to Whittier, AK one day.  Had to drive through the tunnel to get there.  The tunnel is 2.5 miles long and you have to take turns going in one direction or the other.  Plus you have to wait if a train is going through.



Finally the day for our whale watching trip came.  We drove back down to Seward and boarded our trusty vessel......all I kept hearing was....A three hour tour... singing in my head.   But I took my dramimine and got on board.    OMG what an experience.   We saw Orcas before we even got out of the bay.   Saw Stellar sea lions on the cliffs, several different species of birds, harbor seals out by Aialik Glacier and FINALLY lots and lots of Humpback whales.  


Aialik Glacier

We actually got the once in a lifetime opportunity to see a pod of Humpback whales doing bubbling, where they circle and circle under the water and force fish upward to feed.   It was certainly the highlight of the trip.  

Below are pictures of the wildlife we saw during our time on the Kenai Peninsula.   Please be sure and scroll all the way down to see the amazing pictures.  ENJOY!!


Stellar Jay

Humpback Whale fluke

Immature Eagles near Homer, AK



Eagle along beach

He let me get really close

Momma Moose



Orca

Stellar Sea Lions

Harbor seals on ice in front of glacier

More Humpback whales

Humpback whales feeding (AWESOME SIGHT!!)

Humpbacks got so close to boat you could smell their exhale breath

Now we will  head towards Denali National Park after dropping Margaret off at the airport in Anchorage on Wednesday.   Had such a great time together.   We will continue our adventure and continue to keep you posted.   Love to all Felicia and David (aka Mom and Dad)