We agreed long ago that our meager resources would be directed to traveling and building memories with the kids. We're not interested in the power toys (especially four wheelers, snowmachines and boats) that so many Alaskans tend to blow their money on. So we save up each year to take the kids somewhere unique and meaningful, which we toggle back and forth between someplace affordable and somewhere more far flung. Last year was our big (and expensive) RV tour of California, so this summer we stayed closer to home, and concocted a round trip circuit along the picturesque Glenn, Richardson, Denali and Parks highways, traveling close to 600 miles in four days.
We had perfect weather for most of those days, and only once did it rain on us (though when it did, it really did). After driving past Matanuska Glacier about two hours into our trip, and traveling through our first area of tundra, we arrived at Lake Louise, where we stayed the first night. Despite the beautiful weather, the campground was nearly empty. Islands dot the lake, many with houses and cabins on them.
Our second day took us through the town of Glenallen, where we connected with the Richardson Highway and headed north. The terrain thus far consisted of mixed spruce forest (taiga), with instances of highland tundra. Glaciers could occasionally be seen in the distance, and snowcapped mountains were never out of sight. We would often have the road to ourselves, and though we saw many caribou crossing signs, we sadly never spotted any of the animals themselves. As it was, the only critters we'd see throughout the trip were several brave campground birds and countless arctic ground squirrels.
After a brief run up the Richardson, we turned east at Paxson and began the most scenic and wild leg of the drive, along the historic Denali Highway. Constructed as the original road to Denali National Park, the highway is a 135-mile two-lane stretch of mostly gravel, meandering through taiga and tundra, near the Alaska Range, and crossing the Susitna River. The highway is famous for offering an exceptionally beautiful look at wild interior Alaska, with epic, sweeping vistas at every turn.
Our second night was spent at Tangle Lakes, one of the most concentrated archaeological sites in North America. The final night was spent at Brushkana Creek, at the eastern end of the Denali Highway.
As we made our way south and toward home, we stopped at Byers Lake for a couple hours of canoeing. It was the perfect end to a truly memorable vacation, and despite the mosquito bites, lack of showers, ever present campfire smoke and waterlogged tent, we all had an absolute blast. Camping is one of our favorite activities, and we'll definitely be planning another outing for next summer.
It's been a relatively wet and cool summer this year, despite the record-breaking high temperatures the rest of the country has been experiencing. Whether that means we're in for a colder winter than last year, when the summer was warm and sunny, we don't know. But we're not letting it stop us from getting out and having fun.
Malcolm spent a week at a marine biology camp run by the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, based in Homer. The Center, among other things, operates a remote field station, complete with microscopes, computers and a lab, plus lodging and services for several guests. It was Malcolm's first experience camping that far away from us, and for five days he hiked, explored tidal pools, identified over 100 marine animals in their natural environments, rebuilt a complete sea otter skeleton and went on a whale-watching cruise, where they managed to drift up alongside a pod of orcas (one even touched their boat). As you might expect, he had a blast.
Homer itself was such a beautiful, fun place, we decided to all go back as a family, and camped a couple nights at a local campgound. The town is surrounded by water on three sides, and offers stunning views of Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet. The Spit is the well-known peninsula running out into the bay, and is dotted with shops, restaurants, camping and fishing spots, and marinas for small boats, fishing vessels and cruise ships. However, the central town area on the mainland is even more lovely, and with fewer tourists.
Of course, Calvin turned four in June, and is growing up faster than ever. It's hard to believe that this time next year, he'll be getting ready to enter kindergarten and join his big sister at their elementary school (even harder to believe, Malcolm will be moving on to middle school next year).
We recently added a few members to our family, in the form of five chicks. Brandon built an insulated coop, and the birds now have a cozy home to snuggle up in when it's cool out, and a broad fenced run to stretch their legs in when it's warm. We should start seeing eggs from them next year.
Finally, we're nearly packed and ready to head out on our next adventure, a five-day camping trip looping around counterclockwise through interior Alaska, including the entire stretch of the Denali Highway. People come from around the world to visit Denali National Park, of course, but the gravel highway east of the Park offers some of the most beautiful, inspiring vistas in the state, as well as some of the only alpine tundra accessible from the road system, all with far fewer tourists and other visitors. Given the setting's remoteness, we've taken added precautions with our car and our gear, to make sure we're ready for anything. And we'll be sure to take lots of photos during our trip, which we'll share the next time we update! :)
Take care, and enjoy the summer!
♥
