For Sale...Alaska... 2.5 Cents an Acre! (Days 24-25)

Day 24

We passed through Anchorage on our way to Seward, a small town on the ocean.  Do you remember Seward's "Folly" or the term Seward's "Icebox?"  Back in 1867, Russia wanted to get rid of the wasteland we call Alaska today.  William Seward, Secretary of State, suggested that our country purchase this land that is twice the size of Texas.  The treaty was ratified by a single vote and bought for $7.2 million, which comes out to 2.5 cents an acre.  The media criticized such a deal and began referring to the purchase as Seward's "Folly" or Seward's "Icebox."  The public wasn't too thrilled about it either until "GOLD" was found in them thar hills!  Then everybody thought it was a good deal of course! 

 This is one of the fantastic views of Cook Inlet on our way to Seward.  Many of the rivers are grayish in color and look dirty.  I read that it is due to glacier water that has pulverized rock in it known as "glacier flour."  It is clean water;  but because of this dust,  it appears as "muddy water."  The rivers that are further on down the mountain that run through harder rock,  are crystal clear.

This is the actual color of many of the rivers and lakes!

We thought they were fishing at first;  but realized they had nets and they were "Clamming." The buckets & boots should have been clues.

We took a short hike to get some great pictures of this glacier.

Scratch marks from rocks scraping together

 during glacier movement.

The signs with years on them show how far & how long

it took the glaciers to recede.

I'm standing on what use to be a glacier in 1951.

Evidence of wildlife along the trail.  I know it's bigger than a deer!

We stopped here to eat...but it was closed...even though the sign said it was open.  It may have been a good omen.

We actually camped the old-fashion way...in a National Forest with no electricity, no water, and NO WI-FI!  We do have electricity & water aboard; but not an endless supply.  Read & went to bed early.

Day 25

Staying in Homer which is a fishing village with many places

to eat all types of fish.

Campsite right on the inlet that leads to the ocean!  Keeping my eyes open for Beluga Whales (they're the ones with the big head and no dorsal fin)    Oh...saw one moose today!