June 19 - Alaska Day 2 - Glenn Hwy to Palmer

Drizzly morning at predicted. Heading up Glenn Hwy to Palmer.

First stop is Eagle River Nature Center. The road to the preserve winds thru the forest with mountain views in almost every direction. The road also follows what I think is the Eagle River and it spots it is visible. There are a couple of large parking areas along the road with views of the River.

As always, I'm hoping for some animals but nothing this morning so far.

The nature center is at the end of the road. I take the 3/4 mile Rodak Nature Trail. The trail heads thru the woods - lots of ferns - and then arrives at a wetland. There are 2 sets of boardwalks and great mountain views of course.

As I arrive at the first boardwalk, there's a very noisy Greater Yellowlegs. Not sure why he/she was so upset; but it flies away for a while and returns still squawking.

There's also a Merganser on the water calmly swimming by.

I head over to the 2nd boardwalk (The salmon boardwalk). No salmon yet.

I really want to see the Eagle River up close so instead of completing the Rodak loop, I head over to the Albert Trail which does head down to the river. The entire trail is 3 miles. I'd love to do entire trail (I have the time) but there are bears here and I'm not comfortable with the whole hiking alone thing AND a signs says that there has been a mother black bear and 2 cubs seen on this trail in the last day or two. So my goal is to just make it to the river which can't be more than a 1/2 mile away.

I head off and see bear scat almost immediately on the trail but I continue.

There are lots of birds calling this morning but hardly see any.

A couple of new flowers  - I believe this is a Grass of Parnassus

And Labrador Tea.

I cross over some boardwalks and trail is closed with a sign that basically says Use Bypass Trail or Turn Back. Ok, not sure why its closed and I see the bypass trail but now I'm really uncomfortable so I turn back.

I actually head back to the Rodak to complete the loop.

Wonderful stop!

But its time to head to Thunderbird Falls. This is a one mile trail to an overlook of a waterfall - a 200ft waterfall. The trail travels thru the woods and follows the edge of a canyon.

I pass many people heading back to the parking lot which is perfect as I get the viewing platform of the waterfall all to myself.

There's also a side trail that heads down into the canyon and then follows the creek to the bottom of the falls. However, the official trail stops before the full falls can be seen. Only the lower splashes are visible.

So I head up some steep muddy trails for a bit for a better view.

The trails continue higher for even better views but decide I'm satisfied and head back.

Next stop is one exit further, Eklutna Lake. The drive is a windy 10 mile road thru the forest. The road ends at the lake in the State Park.

I'm expecting a little lake but this thing is huge and its surrounded by mountains! Holy cow!

This place must look incredible in the sun!

There's a small creek the exits the woods and then follows 50+ yards before it enters the lake.

The lake is so calm. A perfect lake to sea kayak which a couple of folks are doing.

I see no wildlife although there are warning signs for bears.
Great stop!

Now my final stop, Palmer AK and the Musk Ox farm.

Still drizzling out as I drive up. At one point I see a sign the reads something like Moose Crash Experiment - basically its counts the number of moose killed since July 1. The number is 367! And I wonder why I can't find a moose!

I arrive at the Musk Ox farm and for once today, it's not raining. The wind has picked up again though; a little chilly out.

The farm is not-for-profit harvesting the Mux Ox under wool (qiviut). They do this by combing the animals periodically during the Spring (shedding season). The qiviut, said to be warmer than wool, is then woven into clothing.

There are about 85 animals including 3-4 babies.

We walk around and see the animals.

Since the Mux Ox are grazers, they use them to keep the grasses cut on the farm. These are two yearlings keeping the lawn short.

We pass a pen of adult males grazing  with one near the fence playing with his "special" food bowl.

We pass a few more pens before arriving at the Mom/Baby pen.

The babies were born in April and weighed around 25lbs. They are now 90-100lbs each. In July, they will be weaned from their Moms.

They are so cute.

Stopping here makes my day!!

Time to head back to Anchorage.

I've about given up on seeing a moose when I spot one walking in the ditch next to the hwy near the
Chugiak Exit. I only catch a glimpse but it's a female!! Finally!

Great trip today!

But to cap it off, after dinner I head back out to Earthquake Park. The lady from last night's photo trip said it's a moose hot spot so I've got to try one last time.

I pass the park heading toward the edge of the airport when I see a female moose on the side of the road. Of course, my camera is the trunk of my car! But I pull up a little, get out of my car to get the camera, then back in the car without seemingly bothering the moose. :)

The moose is now in back of me so I head up the road and do a U-turn, pass the moose (she's on my side of the road) and plan to turn around in the Earthquake Park parking area. As I drive thru, I see another moose! It's another female!

I look around and see another female!

And a male!

Three moose in the same area! And 1 a bit further down the road - Jackpot!

What a cool way to end my couple of days in Anchorage.

I leave the 3 and head back to the other. She's still feeding along the edge of the road. I pull up across from her. She feeds a bit longer and then she decides she's crossing the road. She takes a couple of steps my way. To avoid having a moose head in my window, I put it in drive and move off, watching her cross the road in back of me - so exciting.

I turn around and head back to the park. More people are gathering to view the trio. I watch them for a bit.

What a perfect end to the day!!

Anchorage does have moose!!!