SUNDAY,JUNE 9

SUNDAY, JUNE 9:

     Went to bed last night thinking that we’d go to the Presbyterian church in town for worship service this morning.  But we both slept through til – gulp – nearly 10:00!  And then shortly after that a city employee came around to welcome us, give us some helpful literature, and in general to make sure everything was ok – on their end, as well as ours. 

      We were able to view our campsite for the first time in the daylight.  In sunny daylight J  Absolutely beautiful!!  Right on the water (the RV Park is located on the harbor), with several snow-capped peaks in the background.  And tall spruce & hemlock trees all around us.  Well worth having to conserve water (b/c no sewer nor water hook-up’s) and having to do without WiFi.  A trade-off for a fabulous view. 

                                                              

 

 

         Since we’d already missed church, made a leisurely breakfast and then drove into town.  Intended to go into the Visitors Center to ask a few questions, as well as the ferry terminal and the library, to use their WiFi.  Two out of the three were closed on Sunday.  But the ferry terminal was open, and the ship Columbia was just coming in.    This is the largest ferry of the fleet – holds 600 passengers and 134 vehicles.  Was a beautiful sight – this stately ship on calm still water, against a  

blue sky studded with white-capped mountains.  

                                                         

 

 

We stayed to watch the first vehicles come off – wanted to watch someone else go through the hoops.  But it wasn’t quite fair – the only big rig to get off was an Alaskan Marine Highway tractor/trailer . . . whose driver I’m sure has done this hundreds of times. 

 

 

      Booked our next sailing – Thursday, the 13^th.  That will give us 3 more full days after our orientation day today.  That should be perfect.  We decided that we wouldn’t spend anything on big ticket items here – the main one being the Anan Bear Sanctuary, a protected area where you can watch bears behaving in their natural environment.  But the salmon weren’t running yet (not til early July), so therefore no bears. That’s ok – there will be bear-viewing areas later.  There were a couple of other attractions which we briefly considered, but decided that there was plenty to do here on our own, free.

     Drove back “home,” and changed clothes before starting out on a little hike.  I had dressed in multi layers, as I’d done for nearly at least a week, and became too warm!  But how nice that felt!  One of the nicest hikes around had its trailhead just across the street from us.  So we hiked the Rainbow Falls trail.  It was labeled “Moderate – Difficult” because of its many stairs – 586, to be exact.  We guessed that they built the trail with stairs because of the almost constant wetness of the soil and the difficulty that would present to hikers as they ascended & descended, especially in colder weather.  It was only a little over 1 ½ miles round trip, but a good workout for our first real hike   because of the elevation gain. 

    The trail went through the temperate rain forest, like the little one back at Prince Rupert did.  But this seemed on a larger scale, and even more conifers – largely Hemlock and Sitka Spruce.  And this  led  to a beautiful waterfall. 

 

 

 

 

 

     A little past the waterfall was another viewing area just above the falls, which offered gorgeous views of the strait (Zimovia Strait) and the mountains across from it.  Was lovely to have the music of a rushing stream as a backdrop to our hike.
                           
                                                                        

 

 

 

 

     Started a fire for dinner shortly after we returned.  Cooked brats outside, and I prepared baked beans  inside.   Heard a racket of bird calls while I was inside.  Came out, and some crows were crying out to 5 or 6 eagles to Stay Away!  The eagles were giving it right back, but in much more pleasant tones.  Saw them all flying overhead.  Most of the eagles were young, but at least one was mature, as denoted by his or her white head.   We figured that the crows and/or eagles must have a nest up high in one of the trees, but couldn’t find one.

   While Bill was tending the brats on the grill, our neighbors Rob and his wife strolled over.  We compared travelling notes.  They’ve been gone about a week, and plan to travel a total of about 6.  They’ve been to Alaska before, but wanted to see it by water this time.  They had nearly everything booked ahead before they left . . . my hat’s off to them . . . I just couldn’t do it  - too many unknowns & variables.  Bill had found out earlier that their next ferry stop won’t be Petersburg, as it will be for us . . . they’re going straight to Juneau.  But the rest of their itinerary looks very much like ours.

      They did have some potentially route-changing news.  Every campground on the Kenai Peninsula will likely be totally booked nearly the entire month of July, due to a state law which allows Alaskans to use nets to catch salmon during this time period.  So, according to Rob, almost every Alaskan who fishes will be down at the Kenai then.  He’s probably right.  So, as we approach July, we’ll just have to see where we are and how close to the Kenai, and alter plans accordingly if needed.  Thank goodness we have that built-in flexibility!

     Ate inside gazing out the window by our kitchen table at the absolutely lovely scene in front of us.  Saw a couple of very small boats come into the harbor.  The water just shimmers with its peaceful stillness.  We plan to get up close and personal with it tomorrow – plan to take the kayaks out.

     When we looked at the clock after dinner and cleaning up, was 9:00.  Just doesn’t seem possible for it to still be early twilight at that time.  Watched the shadows lengthen over the mountains, and the light fade on the water.

     Oh yes, just after breakfast Jonathan called to tell us that the twins had arrived – about 30 minutes earlier. Lucas Daniel has bragging rights over his little sister Evelyn Kate.  They’re little, but doing well – both breathing on their own.  Will be incubated for a while – he didn’t know how long.  Hard for me to actually believe – there are now Hammond twins!  Thank  you, Father, for watching over their safe delivery.