Monday July 19th, Porcupine Camp, Hope, AK

95 Miles

A dry day, but low cloud and around 14 degrees…..summer in Alaska!

Ruakiwi had developed a small leak, a bit of water was coming in under the drivers feet and Ian had been trying to find it. Thought it may be the seal around the window so he and Keith took it down to a windscreen repair place first thing this morning. A real nice guy, who checked it all out and found a small leak around the cable release…..so fingers crossed no more wet feet. Also got a few small stone chips repaired…remnants of the Dalton Drive!

We picked up a few fresh supplies, and fueled up then headed south down the Kenai Peninsula. Wow, this was a rude awakening, it was really busy, mainly single lane each way, with a speed limit of 65 mph….not what we had been used to! This really is one of the most popular areas of Alaska. The scenery is stunning, not at all what I imagined. The mountains just rise up all around, small fjords and many patches of snow. The road followed the edge of the Turnagain Arm for much of the way, a really nice drive. \

Had to stop and check out the fishermen at Bird Creek, the salmon season had started just last week in this waterway and there were a large number of people trying their luck out saw several getting caught. Also delighted to see a bald eagle cruising above.

Next stop was a Wildlife Conservation Centre, a non-profit organization where injured and rescued wildlife is on display. A great chance to see bears, moose, caribou, elk up close. Wish I could say the photos were taken in the wild….but sorry!

Once we turned off the  busy highway, the 15 mile road to Hope was just a dream. It is an old mining town on the edge of the Turnagain Arm, will check it all out in the morning as a bit late getting in. Thanks Keith for recommending the camp, great spot over looking the water.