March 17th
– March 23rd 2014
17+18
We
were still driving to Anchorage. Those two days are described below.
19
Getting to know the city. It was cold in the morning
(about 15 – 20 degrees). Really cold. Slow morning, breakfast,
relaxing, and enjoying “new place” and not being on the road
anymore. Pretty comfortable bed, quiet place – all good. We drove
to the city – downtown area (a lot of snow), parked and walked to
the visitor center. Some information there and in the building next
to it we got big pile of maps and brochures. It looks like we are way
too early (not much happening until the end of April). Seems that mid
May is the “soft start” of the season in Alaska. People on the
streets. Pretty small downtown. Across the street there was a visitor
center for a public lands. It was federal building so we had to go
through the metal detector (really????). Somewhat annoying security
person – telling us to buy the house in Anchorage. More information
about parks and very nice display of artifacts and animals etc. We
did not have much time for that because of parking meter (who wants
to get a ticket first day in town?). We drove along the edge of the
city (not much access to water) and ended up in the Earthquake park –
short walk and decent view of the bay. Really cold – we
underestimated weather and were quite cold. Some more groceries –
generally food is slightly more expansive here. Home – some cooking
– movie – school – sorting and unpacking. We are in Anchorage,
Alaska (I am trying to make it believable by repeating it again and
again).
20
Cold, again. Surprisingly. Same lazy and relaxing
morning. It is pretty outside – snow and mountains in the near
distance. It is also cold. J. had her intake interview at 1:00 pm.
After that we drove to downtown area where J. found pretty nice used
bookstore. Do we really need more books – apparently yes. Cold.
Home. Quiet evening. It is messy, snow everywhere – slowly melting.
The chip on our car window cracked overnight and now we have nice
longer crack. Too bad.
21
Still cold here. J. got her schedule and initial
information yesterday and today she had to go visit the unit. At
eleven. Similar slow morning, some phone calls, did I mention cold?
Hospital. 20 minutes max. After that we stopped by thrift store (J.
needs gloves and hat). Nothing. Home. In a short while we drove to
Alaska botanical garden (obviously snow covered). There was a guy who
appeared when we were looking at their information board. Short talk
with him followed by short walk through the garden. Cold. Kind of
pretty with no people and all that snow. Close by (on the same road)
was Far North Bicentennial Park – big park with many trails. We
thought we would check it out and see what is what. The road actually
went into strange subdivision (like forest with really big houses).
Four or five large parking areas, people skiing or out with their
dogs. Many trails designated for dog mushing and skiing. There are
many parks in and around Anchorage, unfortunately it is still winter
(though slowly leaving the area). After taking a walk in the
botanical garden we were less inclined to take another one in the
park (snowy and cold). We saw some people on bicycles (they have very
wide tires, probably 3 inches or so). Interesting. It will be great
area to explore when snow is gone. Home. Quiet afternoon and evening.
We are still adjusting to real winter and have some issues how to
deal with it and explore Alaska.
22
Saturday. We were both in funny mood and it made the day
somewhat strange. Same morning. We left by eleven or so and were
heading south. City streets, freeway for few miles and than just two
lane road along the water and train track. Impressive views, sun,
snow covered mountains. Quite a few people along the way. Hiking
trails. State park sites – some closed, some parking lots open.
Many pull offs. Some ice on water. Village of Girdwood, some mining
sites near by (now tourist attractions), ski resort, aerial tram,
hiking trails. Tiny town with not much to do (except winter sports).
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center http://www.alaskawildlife.org/
along the way. Option of driving or walking the loop. Muddy and snowy
but still pretty pleasant walk. Bison, moose, elk, bear, and few
smaller animals. Pretty nice area with really impressive
surroundings. River (or stream) with bunch of ice and bunch of ice
breaking off. Few miles further toward Whittier (tiny town, sea port
for Alaska ferries and cruise ships). We did not go to Whittier
because there is toll tunnel (12 dollars) with assigned times to go
there or from there (single lane together with train track). Portage
glacier and Portage lake, its visitor center opens in mid May, frozen
lake with bunch of people on it (walking or skiing). Strange.
Probably 44 cars parked there. Drive back home, sunny and cold. Made
us really sleepy. Alaska is interesting and strange.
23
Sunday. Easy and quiet day. Lazy day as well. A lot of
monkey business at home (sorting, documents, papers, unpacking,
cooking, etc.). We took shorter walk towards Russian Jack Park
(really close), but it is hard to know if the trails are for skiing
or walking. Few degrees above freezing, sunny – makes it nicer and
warmer. Other than that, not much, just normal life.
