So much to see and do in Anchorage

We woke up to a beautiful morning.  We had been very fortunate that the rain had stayed at bay for as much as it has.  The tent held up to the rain the night before.  It got heavy a few times and only had a few drips from the zipper strings.

We had planned a full day and had no idea how filled it would become.  We really saw lots of what Anchorage and it's surrounding communities could offer.

We started with a walk around the RV park with the dogs, paid our fees for the night before and also for the following night.  Yes!  We actually stayed in one place for more than 24 hours.  It would prove to be rare, but still happened.  The registration area even had a dog collar to replace the one that Luther broke while going after a squirrel in Yellowstone.

Off we went to see the salmon run at the Ship Creek Viewing Platform.  North and South of us were plenty of men and a few women fly fishing for the salmon that spawn in the pristine creek.

We headed to one of the local dog parks in town.  It was about 5 miles on the West side of Anchorage on the campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage.  We passed the usual suburban mall plazas and fast food emporiums before landing at the non-fenced University Lake Park Unleashed Dog Park.

The "non-fenced" caused me some concern, especially when a young woman informed me that there was a moose and her calve spotted across the lake.  Moose can be mean and I wasn't sure how Luther/BuddyJack would react if they saw them.  I would have hated to have found out that they did not mix with two dugs bucked.

We played some ball to keep them occupied.  They enjoyed the balls as well as the new smells of many other dogs and animals.  We leashed them back up and continued down a trail to the water.  Both dogs really wanted to go swimming.  They were allowed to run along the banks, but definitely no swimming with that cow and calve around.

We got back to the ,main area of the dog park and saw the cutest dog park sign I've ever seen:

We had to replenish our supplies, so we stopped at Target to pick up some Clif Bars and other staples.  Neither of us are huge breakfast eaters, preferring a cup of joe instead.  But when 10 AM rolls around, we needed to eat something and that Clif Bar solved the problem.

We headed back to camp to unload the groceries and to check on the campsite.  All good!  The camping area even cleared out a bit, which was good for parking the car.

We didn't stay long, but headed out to really start the day of sightseeing.  The first stop was to check out the monument of Ike which we had passed a number of times already.  The Eisenhower Alaska Statehood Memorial is a bronze statue overlooking the Alaska Railroad yards and Ship Creek.  It commemorates the 1959 signing of Alaska into statehood.  A bust of Ike wrapped with a bald eagle and the American flag was surrounded by flowers and plaque honoring Anchorage as a tent city 75 years earlier.

Eisenhower Alaska Statehood Memorial

Alaska Railroad

Our next stop was to Earthquake Park, an interpretive trail commemorating the 1964 earthquake which occurred in Anchorage and South-central Alaska.  The views of Anchorage were supposed to be amazing.

What was amazing were the amount of mosquitoes in one small area.  The dogs paid no heed, but we were getting eaten alive.  To get from the parking lot to the first sight, one has to walk through, what seemed to be, a rain forest.  The flora was huge and quite lush.  The bugs, the same!

We quickly walked from the first exhibit to a clearing where I took the next shot.  With the rain the night before, it was muggy.  The mugginess caused us to be a great treat for the bugs as we walked back along the trail to the car.

Anchorage from a distance

We got back to the car and jumped in.  A few mosquitoes jumped in with us, but they were soon swatted and killed.  We headed back to the main road and headed South on the Seward Highway, a 125 mile scenic byway from Anchorage to Seward, Alaska.

We had planned on heading down to Seward the following day, but we traveled to the Turnagain Arm of Route 1, first stopping at Potter Marsh.  Located in the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge and formed by the construction of the Alaska Railroad in 1917.

Multiple boardwalks headed into the marshlands, offering glimpses of the local animals which inhabit the area.  We did not see too many animals, but we did get a chance to view a soaring Bald Eagle, some swans, fish and ducks.  It was a great place to stop for a bit, without mosquitoes and without the engine running.

We meandered the walkways, looking all around.  It was so quiet.  The skies were threatening rain but the sun seemed to be just as sure of himself.  The crowds were light and all guests spoke softly with a simple nod or polite hello as we passed each other.

Look real close and you can see the bald eagle

Spawning Salmon

Tom at the end of the line

Duck

We headed back towards the car.  The dogs were anxious for our return.  It was not hot, but there was no shade.  We gave the dogs some water and headed back onto Route 1.

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center was next on the agenda.  Located at Mile 79 on the Seward, it was fairly quick to get to.

I am not a great fan of zoos or animals in captivity, but I was drawn to this conservation center.  All of the animals that were in the center would be dead without there aid.  Many came as babies, hungry, alone and in need.  I would suggest clicking on the link above and reading all about the different animals they assist.

Moose

Porcupine

Musk Oxen

Black Bear

Wood Bison

Wood Bison

Elk

Elk

Black Bear

Along the route to the AWCC, we passed a road sign directing visitors to the Portage Glacier.  We decided to head back toward Anchorage and take the turn to our first up close glacier sighting.  We passed many pools of water and then saw the glacier below:

I wanted to take a picture, but the trees blocked my view from the parking area.  As usual, no dogs are allowed on the trails, so I parked the car and climbed onto a rock to get a view sans trees.  The blues of the glacier never really came through the lens, but it was awesome.

We traveled down the road some more, continuing to follow the signs to the Portage Glacier and found ourselves at a visitor center and parking lot.  One needs to travel in a boat to see the glacier as it had receded around the mountain over the past few years.  (No global warming?  Right!)

The temperature was getting warm, so we decided to return to the main road, avoiding having to leave the dogs in the car for any extended period of time.  On the way back, I looked for a spot I saw on the way in.  A few twists and turns and I found the pull off to a glacial lake.

The dogs deserved some play time too.  I stopped the car along the banks of the lake and let the dogs out.  Both went running to the water and waited for a ball.  We were all lucky to find an old dog toy left at the banks of the lake.  A green cloth frisbee.

Again, I was not sure of the temperature of the water, but what the heck.  A quick toss and Luther was in.  Back and then a toss for BJ.  Back and forth, longer and further.  They loved it.

BuddyJack tired out first and jumped onto a picnic table, something he likes to do.  I took the opportunity to take a few pictures as he looked quite beautiful along the green lake and mountains.

Tom continued to play with Luther with his own leash.  This was a great day for them and would be a great night for us as the dogs would surely sleep.  It was still early and we were heading back to Anchorage.  Still so much to see before heading back on the road tomorrow.

We got back into Anchorage and parked the car by the Visitor's Center.  We strolled past flower gardens and then the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts.  We took a peak inside the building and grabbed a brochure to bring home to show my peeps at the PAC.

Alaska Center for the Performing Arts

Main Lobby

For my PAC peeps, "No Balloons Allowed!"

I had heard about a Planet Walk in town and wanted to check it out.  Basically, it is a representation of our galaxy and planets if real time if one's stroll was at light speed.  The first stop had the Sun and an interactive kiosk.  Sponsored by the Rotary Club and was designed by 2004 Service High School graduate, Eli Menaker.

The Sun

Interactive display

The planets were actual size based on the sun.  I did not fully comprehend that fact until we searched for the sign for Mercury, and then the planet, not realizing it was on the sign.  When we got to Mars, the Alaskan Railroad was rolling down towards Seward.

For those who know our galaxy, getting to Neptune would be a lengthy walk and we were getting hungry.  We turned around and headed back to the main drag and stopped at Club Paris for a bite.

But, first, a martini with three olives.  

We had a nice time at Club Paris, enjoying our food and beverage.  We sat at the bar and savored the dark room and delicious meal.  The restaurant was extremely busy with steaks being served all around.

We headed back into the cloudy dusk and scoped out the local gift shops and public art which was located around the town.

Flight of the Raven

He's gonna get me!

Awww.  He just wanted to give a hug.

May have found help for Tom's sleeping

Moose and Me!

Sled Dog

We headed back to camp only to find our campsite had been overrun with some young person's caravan.  Tents were everywhere.  We had a late night snack and called it a day.  We saw so much and tomorrow was going to be just as varied and stimulating as we were heading back down the Seward Highway to the Kenai Peninsula.  Until then...

One Dude, One Dog!  Cheers!