In Alaska #9–Anchorage to Hope

Not a big day, but a beautiful drive.  I had supplies to top up, and a blog post to do, so it was a bit after 11 when I headed out of town.  The drive is beautiful!  So mostly I  have shots from the points at which I couldn’t prevent myself from stopping.  Here are several from where I stopped for lunch.

The last three are looking back toward Anchorage.  Who knew it was surrounded by snow-topped peaks?  (Hush, those of you who did.)

First on the agenda was walking CJ, who was thrilled to be out–out of the city, out of the van, and just plain out.  When we got back to the van, a group of people were admiring it, and my poem Tempted Into Beauty, and we fell into conversation.  One woman in particular was very taken with the whole setup (van, poem, CJ) and turned out to be a retired elementary teacher, so we hit it off immediately.  Her name is one I can actually remember–her first name is the same as one of my sisters, and her last is the same as my friends who are also in Alaska, on tour.  She asked if I’d be home for the eclipse, so I gave her directions to my house, but I’ll be astonished if she shows up.  Pleased, but astonished.  That’s her in the red jacket, below.

What they are all looking at is a small group of sheep on the cliff across the road.  Someone had spotted them earlier, so they all got out the equipment to have a good look.

I had a nice leisurely lunch and went on my way.  But kept stopping.  You can see why.  

I think the following were the next stop.

I remember the Alaska quake, but didn’t remember exactly when it was, and didn’t know it was the second largest recorded (by whenever that sign was posted, anyway).

The water was quite turbulent near the shore, and I kept trying to figure out why.  It was very windy, and I think it was a combination of very shallow water, strong tidal current, and strong wind blowing against the tide.  

Eventually you get past the water and turn south (?) down the peninsula.  But the beauty doesn’t quit (making Tempted Into Beauty entirely apropos).  Took these at a rest area.  

Once I got to the campground at Hope, I realized I’d probably seen it across the water earlier.  

The hillside above the campground.

My current view.

Tomorrow: Homer.  They have promised me spectacular mountain views.  Let’s hope it doesn’t rain 😀