Final Post, Final Thoughts

I've decided to end my blog here in Dawson Creek where the journey into the true, remote wilderness began.  I was definitely very sad that my trip had come to an end and that I was returning to Houston.  But, as I said in my post leaving Homer, I just felt that the cost of barely-adequate hotel rooms was no longer justifiable.  I've learned: when taking a long trip in the future, I'll definitely do it in an RV.   Live and learn, eh?  

In closing, I feel that the highlight of the trip - without question - was when I summoned the courage to take the dangerous and very remote Dempster Highway: 

1000 miles to Inuvik and then back, with no cell coverage, no "911" emergency available, no food, water or supply stores and just one gas station midway in Eagle Plains.  

That road is NOT one that I'd recommend for the majority of tourists.   

And yet the scenery was breath-taking, and the road took me across the Arctic Circle!




 
Homer, of course, was terrific as it was 2 years ago.   I'll assuredly return to Homer for a much longer visit.    

Turnagain Arm outside of Anchorage and along the Seward Hwy has always taken my breath away (left).

And remote, isolated Eagle, Alaska  was a new experience for me.

















I hope you've enjoyed my blog!   Joe
September, 2014

Dawson Creek Stampede

Made it back to Dawson Creek, "Mile 0" of the Alaska Highway.    

You'll recall from my previous posts that this is where my REAL adventure began ... with the onset of the famed Alaska Highway.   On this, my return visit, I was fortunate enough to arrive on a Saturday during which the town was celebrating its Fall Festival and Stampede...

 I stayed at the Holiday Inn, just a quarter of a mile from the rodeo fairgrounds.  I think the hotel's reservation clerk felt sorry that the room rate was so expensive, so she slipped me a free ticket to get into the stampede and fair.   Yee-haw!   I was off to join the frivolities...

And a few snapshots as I drove along the Alaska Highway back to Dawson Creek:

Lots of bison and bear.   The Alaska Highway doesn't have that much traffic, so the bison were lounging and grazing along the highway unafraid of humans.

As you can see, they were completely unabashed about coming right up to the car.  No question about who is boss out here!

One gorgeous vista after another, and more and more wildlife.  The bears were very shy...climbed trees or darted back into the forest.    Other animals were more curious...

Congratulations University of Texas Cyclists! HOOK 'EM, HORNS!

Well, I'll be darned!    Here they come!  The University of Texas cyclists!

You may recall that when I drove into Jasper, Alberta, Canada, I met some cyclists wearing burnt orange "Texas 4000" cycling jerseys.   These young men and women from the University of Texas in Austin were selected to bicycle all the way from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska ... a 4,000 mile journey.   The purpose?   To raise awareness of the fight against cancer.

I stopped in Glennellen, Alaska to refuel and grab a sandwich.   As I left the town, who should I meet coming into town, but those same University of Texas cyclists.   They had less than 200 miles to go until arriving in Anchorage!   They made it!   Good for them!! 

They saw my "JoeTex" cyclist license plates, remembered me and we excitedly exchanged the famous "Hook 'Em, Horns" sign.   LOL.  




4,000 miles of cycling.  What an achievement.  I was proud of and very happy for them.    

Achorage And then Back on the Glenn Highway!

Heading back into Anchorage along Cook Inlet and Turnagain Arm:

 Turnagain Arm is just spectacular as you saw in my previous photos.   Often misty in the morning, it looks like what I imagine a Scandinavian fjord to be as these photos attest:

Leaving Anchorage, I headed east again along the Glenn Highway.   Outside of Palmer, I passed again the gorgeous Matanuska Range and Matanusca Glacier:

And as you can see from these 2 photos, there's plenty of room to look for bears, moose and other wildlife...or simply build your remote cabin in the woods.

And speaking of a cabin in the woods, can you spot the cabin surrounded by woods in this photo?    You may have to click on the photo to blow it up, but I almost didn't see the cabin myself.   I passed it, and then mused: "Was there a cabin among all those trees?"   I turned around and snapped the photo.   This guy sure must like his remote serenity!

A Sad But Temporary Farewell to Homer

Well...with much regret I decided that it was time to leave Homer.   I've visited Homer before, really enjoyed it, and I'd planned to stay a week here.   But the hotel rooms were in excess of $250 for just a barely-tolerable room.   And while I have the money, I really didn't appreciate being taken advantage of, so ... time to start my return journey after just 2 wonderful days here.   

I took these 2 photos at a promenade overlooking Homer and Kachemak Bay.  It's on the Seward Highway coming in to Homer.

As much as I regret leaving, I know I'll be back soon enough.   And next time, I hope to be smart enough to have an RV
so I can stay for as long as I want!


And in 2 hours I'll be back in Soldotna, heading back to Anchorage.   Soldotna is another of my favorite towns.   Lots of very friendly people...and delicious Forest Pie!!!   Yum-yum!  LOL.  

The Kenai River runs alongside downtown Soldotna, and fishing is the town's major attraction.

 But the moose are no strangers along the riverbanks either....

Tomorrow I'll be in Anchorage for 2 nights so I can rest up.  I'm looking forward to that!

Homer & Homer Spit

 Welcome to Homer & Homer Spit!   Perhaps my favorite site in Alaska so far...

 

Along the Spit, you can sit and meditate alongside driftwood, Kachemak Bay and the mountains.   

Or you can saunter or cycle on the trail that runs the length of the Spit or...

 Or you can simply amble along the Spit and visit the marina, dozens of shops, fishing charters, ice cream parlors and restaurants.   

But of all the options available, my favorite - no contest - was...

Hanging out with a group of local fishermen and gabbing with them as they went after the silver salmon.   This inlet was teeming with the fish; they were literally jumping out of the water, as if to mock the fishermen.

The temperature was in the mid-60's, the sun was warm and the locals were very friendly, so I sat, gabbed and watched for over an hour.   It was very peaceful and serene.   I didn't want to leave.   I thought - gee! - if I could stay here for a week, my doctor would have to treat me for hyPOtension rather than hyPERtension.

During that time only 2 fishermen were successful in landing any fish.   My new buddy to the right caught 2 fish...and he was the envy of the rest of the group. Way to go, Daniel!

Overall, Homer gave me another Perfect Day.   I've always enjoyed Homer.   And yet I'm leaving because....WHY????