June 21 - Alaska Day 4 - Fairbanks

Yet another cloudy drizzly morning. (Hopefully, it's just hit-n-miss showers as yesterday.)

I was thinking of signing up for a tour to the Arctic Circle before my trip started. But thought I could entertain myself for 2 days in Fairbanks...I should have signed up (oh well).

I'm heading back towards the North Pole (actually just past) to the Chena River Recreation Area. I'm hoping to do at least a little walking.

The recreation area was created when the Army Corps of Engineers created at 7.1 mile earthen dam in response to the 1967 Chena River floods. The dam controls around 1500 miles of watershed that if uncontrolled would flow into Fairbanks.

There are 2 distinct areas: The Lake Park and the River Park and I plan on going to both.

When I arrive the dam is not hard to miss. I drive right alongside it.

At the park gate, there is a sign indicating a bear has been recently sighted in the area (wonderful!)

At two points along the road, there is parking and steps to the top of the dam (over 50 steps to the top). I'm expecting water when I get to the top; instead it's a huge green meadow.

I search for animals but do not see any.

If it were sunny, this looks like at great place for bflys - lots of Iris and white and yellow flowers blooming.

I head to the Visitors Center to look at the other side of the dam (this is also where the second set of steps to the top is).

When done, I head to the River Park. I explore a bit around here. I see Gulls, this duck

and a Yellow Warbler.

Nobody around the water but I do here folks at the campgrounds.

I walk along the river for a bit but the trail heads back into the woods so I go back. (This isn't an official trail anyway.)

I go one parking lot over and find the trails. I take the 2 mile Nature Trail. Surprisingly the mosquitoes aren't too bad yet.

This trail too doesn't spend much time along the river but I know why. The bank has undercut erosion and could drop in at any time. (There's a warning sign and some of the trail is re-routed.)

Birch and lots of green vegetation on the forest floor.

Seeing/hearing many robins and see my first red squirrel.

I do find moose tracks on the trail but they are heading the opposite direction.

I come across one noisy woodpecker along the trail. He must have been protecting his area.

I get to the Ox Bow - where 2 rivers/creeks come together - I'm looking forward to seeing it but I have to take a little trail thru the woods. Before I start, I notice a metal ladder and some gear along the main trail - someone must be working out here. I head down a footpath towards the Ox Bow and I scare up 2 US Fish and Game folks huddle up in the grasses - Ooops!. They being stealthy as they are trying to tag a Hen (not sure what type bird and I wasn't going to ask as I'm already breaking their cover). I head back.

On the remaining trail, many more mosquitoes flying. It's also a little more boggy environment.

A nice little walk.

I head over to the Lake Park and when I park along the lake there's a sign indicating a Grizzly has been seen here. I walk to a little picnic table to check out the view before leaving. (There was no other people around.)

Time to head back to Fairbanks.

It's too early to go back to town, so I head up to a stop where the Pipeline is visible. The stop is just north the Chena Hot Springs turnoff.

This is the 2nd time I've seen the Pipeline!

On display are the devices that are used to clean the pipeline (called pigs). They have one of the original ones

And a new one.

Then I head north on the Streese Hwy towards the Arctic Circle. It's about 170 miles there but I'm not going that far. I'm just going about 30 miles just to see if the landscape changes.

I climb one big mountain and head back down and things all look the same. Time to head back to Fairbanks.

I make one last stop at the Creamer's Field and see a Sandhill Crane. If I heard a local correctly, soon this field will be filled with them.

Time to end my day and rest up for the "official" part of the trip starting tomorrow.

Denali here I come!!

June 20 - Alaska Day 3 - Fairbanks AK

Early (6am) flight to Fairbanks this morning. Rain, rain go away....please! Yes, it's raining; not an all day rain (I hope) but it's rain and no sun none the less.

I'm a little dazed this morning (lack of sleep) as I start my day at the Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. It's takes me a while to find the trail but I'm greeted by the beautiful songs of a little bird.

Plenty of Iris in the fields.

Before I get too far on the trail, I look up and it's looks like it'll rain at any moment so onto Plan B.

So I make my way out of Fairbanks and head down to Chena Hot Springs. I'm really not interested in the Hot Springs rather the drive there - I'm assuming it will be very scenic as I image it will follow the Chena River which should mean a good chance at seeing wildlife, butterflies (if the sun would come out).

As I expect the road travels thru the forest. The first 9 miles drives like the roller coaster at Kiddieland. I suppose the ups/downs and bumps are due to frost heaves from the very cold winters. I'm not sure why it's only the first 9 miles but I am happy when the rolling ends.

There are not a lot of river views from the road. But there are lots of little ponds - some quite beautiful.

There are many dirt/gravel river access roads but since I don't know the shape of the roads, I simply drive by.

I see no wildlife along the road other than a muskrat crossing the road to get to another pond.

The highlights are 45.5 mile pond and 48 Mile Pond.

I get to 45.5 Mile Pond first and I have it all to myself (except the many mosquitoes flying around my head -- someone forgot the bug spray - must get bug spray).

The view is great especially with the broken clouds.

As I walk along the right shore for 20-30ft, I scare up many dragonflies and blue damselflies. I chase for a bit. (I need to try and ID these.)

I also hear fish jumping in the pond.

As I head over to the left side, I'm happily surprised to see a butterfly lying on the gravel parking area - it's a White Admiral!!! He's alive and well as he flies several times.

Another butterfly to add to my trip - though I've seen the Canadian Swallowtail and White Admiral in WI before. And the Field Crescent is very common in the lower 48.

Next stop is Mile 48 Pond. Again, it's all mine. Not as many dragonflies here for some reason.  I notice there's a picnic area further along on the left side of the pond. I decide to walk over - just checking for more dragonflies. I only make it about 30 ft when I hear splashing; not the fish hopping  out of water sound. I look to the other side of the lake and it's a moose!! Nope, it's two moose!! The splashing is the baby running thru the water. The mom is calming feeding on the vegetation at the bottom of the pond. This is so awesome!

I'd love to get closer but right now, the Mom is happy (and I'm sure she knows I'm here) and I'm not pushing that boundary.

I simply take a seat on the ground and watch the baby frolic

And the mom feed.

What an awesome experience!

I hate to leave but I also don't want to wear out my welcome so I head back to my car and continue down the road.

I finally reach the end of the road which is the Resort; I don't go in but instead turn and head back to Fairbanks. The road definitely wasn't as scenic as I had thought but I'm not complaining, the Mom and baby moose were worth the trip!!

When I get back to Fairbanks, it's raining so I decide to do the tourist thing and go to the North Pole - in AK of course. It's about 13 miles from Fairbanks. Of course, it's a tourist trap with the Christmas Gift Shop but it's so close so why not.

After visiting, all I can say is, I've been to the North Pole!!

Time to head back to Fairbanks. I stop to get some bug spray and return to Creamer's Field as the sun is partially out now. I spray up before I hike the Boreal Trail.

On my way thru the field to the trail head, I see another butterfly. It's brown and I see it land. But since you're not supposed to go into the field (and there were people around), I never actually get a good look at it. Maybe tomorrow if its sunny.

The Boreal Trail is a nice trail as it works it's way through the forest.

The trail is both dirt paths and boardwalks. Lots of water along the way.

And Cala Lilies.

Nice hike to end my day.

Still can't believe the Mom and Baby moose!!

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!!!