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Author Archives: Teri J Pieper

Homer

From Juneau we flew to Anchorage and drove to Homer. Homer is located on Kachemak Bay on the Kenai Peninsula. It’s a beautiful drive, first passing along the Turnagin Arm of Cook Inlet and then through the mountains. The snow-covered mountains in Alaska seemed never-ending. It rained a good part of the way but now and then the clouds would part and there would another incredible vista of glaciers and volcanoes.

The Kenai River was impressive and had lots of little towns along it but they were mostly deserted since fishing season had not started. Once we got to Homer, we were treated to more mountain views across Kachemak Bay. The best weather days of our stay were the day we arrived and the day we left! Otherwise, it was intermittently rainy and/or windy. One day it was very rainy and windy and a planned boat trip was cancelled. Because of the weather, I never seemed to have a camera when I needed it so there are few photos of the birds that we saw while attending the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival.

Someone told us there are 10,000 sea otters in Kachemak Bay and they have consumed just about all of the sea urchins. This is good for the kelp beds. We took a boat trip across the bay where we were told 10,000 Black-legged Kittiwakes (a type of gull) and 5,000 Common Murres nest on Gull Island. Tufted Puffins nest there too but they hadn’t arrived in big numbers yet. We also kayaked there.

The view from the bluff where we stayed
On the spit at Homer
We took a water taxi across the bay to go kayaking
Sea otters are pretty adorable
An oyster farm
Our taxi comes to get us
Xtra Tuff boots are the state book of Alaska. Or maybe it’s a cult.
A tractor boat launch
There was a boat in this marina that was featured in the Deadliest Catch
Sea otter on the rocks

24 Hours in Juneau

We arrived in Juneau at 7 am and got to check into our hotel immediately. A friend who we’d only met once before, here in the valley, said she’d take us to see the sights. That was super nice of Rebecca and her dog Tilli. Tilli is an English Shepard in training to be a search and rescue dog. We had a terrific time seeing the Mendenhall Glacier and downtown Juneau.

As we departed the ferry, we were invited by union members to participate in a protest at the state capitol steps at noon. It seems that the governor has proposed cutting the funding for the Alaska Marine Highway system. These ferries are often the only way for Alaskan’s to get around since many small towns are off the road system. They also provide much-needed tourism dollars to the economy. You can read about the protest here. If you look closely at the photos, you can see Rebecca and me.

After she went to work, we rode the tram overlooking the town and then wandered around downtown, looking at all the cruise ship tourists. Cruise ships have changed the character of many of the small towns of Alaska although they also provide tourism dollars. Always a trade-off.

The glacier has retreated a long way in recent years
Nugget Falls
Alder catkins
Top of the tram
Juneau
That cruise ship on the left can carry 4000 passengers
Ravens by the parking garage

A Short Walk in Ketchikan

The ferry dock was a couple of miles from downtown and with only a little more than an hour there, we only had a chance to walk around the nearby marina. The sea anemones were huge – much bigger than what we have seen in Washington. But then Alaskan’s would probably tell you that is true about everything in their state.

An Alaskan Adventure

We recently returned from an Alaskan Adventure Vacation. And by we, I am not talking about me and the girls/dogs. This time it was just me and Ken. A friend stayed with the girls.

We started with a very pleasant drive to Bellingham, had lunch with family and then boarded the ferry, part of the Alaskan Marine Highway System. The ferry was scheduled to take us up to Juneau with one stop in Ketchikan, via the Inside Passage. I’ve never been to this part of the world so it was going to be an interesting trip, hopefully with lots of wonderful scenery and wildlife sightings.

The first night out, the ship, the MV Kennicott, lost time traveling along Vancouver Island and the captain decided to travel through open water rather than the inside route. This was not nearly so scenic and the water was rougher. The crew told us that this almost NEVER happens. Oh well.

Later that day, a passenger became ill and we had to make a detour to Bella Bella, which was the prettiest part of the ferry trip. Lots of forest-covered mountains, narrow passageways between islands and peninsulas and overall good weather. We felt sorry for the passenger and his traveling companion because they were dropped off in what could be described as the middle of nowhere. And there was no ferry dock at Bella Bella so they were evacuated in a life boat.

Of course by then we were way behind schedule so the captain got the ship out in open water as fast as possible and we arrived at Ketchikan the next morning, not too late. We were only there for an hour before going on to Juneau, arriving on time on the following morning.

The ferry experience was nice, except for the open water route. It provided a slower, more relaxed way to travel compared to flying. The boat was not crowded with passengers and we had a chance to meet most everyone on it. We had a small cabin that was comfy enough with two bunks and a sink and the bathrooms were just down the hall. The food was better than cafeteria-style and not over-priced. We took breakfast and lunch food and bought our dinners. Beer and wine were also available. There were plenty of places to hang out and watch the world go by or sit and read in a quiet lounge. We had a tour of the engine room.

I would recommend the ferry to Alaska if you have the time for it. It took 2 1/2 days to reach Juneau and we could have gone to many other destinations if we wanted. All of the crew members were very nice and always ready to answer questions or give assistance as needed.

Leaving Bellingham
Vancouver Island
Some people camped on the solarium deck
One of the engines
I never figured out what this sign meant.
On the way to Bella Bella

Another Grouse on the Prowl

This time the fellow didn’t have a girl grouse to follow around. I saw him as the girls and I walked on the road and I wandered over to see what he was doing and he gave me an enticing ‘come hither’ look and so I did. He must have been excited because he went right into his Dusky Grouse display attitude, puffing up his eyebrows and air sacs and making the deep booming noise that must drive girl grouse wild. Not me, although I do find it interesting.

I think by now, most of the girl grouse (grouses?) are on nests so this fellow might be out of luck. And when I look at these pictures as compared to the ones from last week, he seems like a different bird. Note that the eyebrows are nowhere near as bushy.