Tuesday June 24, 2014
I've always wanted to visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and just never got around to it. Knowing Terry is a huge fan of wildlife I figured she would really enjoy the visit as well. The 700-acre center is located on the southern edge of Turnagain Arm and serves as a refuge for orphaned or injured wildlife. It also serves as a temporary home to new-born life.
Our visit was surprisingly delightful. It was more of an open habitat then a zoo as the animals had free roam over large enclosures. We parked our vehicle at various spots and walked almost right up to the fenced animals. It was intriguing to be less than fifty feet from a very lethargic black bear. Terry also was thrilled to see the bottle feeding of a moose calf. We both agreed next trip we'll have to visit in the afternoon during bear feeding time!
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| Alaska Wildlife | Conservation Center | Caribou |
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| Wood bison | Wood bison | Caribou |
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| Musk oxen | Black bear (very illusive during our visit) | Canadian lynx |
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| Feeding a moose calf | Feeding a moose calf | Moose calf |
Although we had an afternoon flight to catch I just had to make one more stop. Jim Somerville had taken me up the drive to Crow Creek Pass several years ago and I knew Terry would fall in love with it as well. Our first stop along the route was The Bake Shop to grab homemade soup and breakfast sweet rolls the size of dinner plates. The Bake Shop has served Alaskans and visitors from around the world for over forty years and boasts a beautiful ski-lodge type setting bedecked with lots of colorful flowers.
As we left the shop the road began to narrow and eventually turned to gravel. Soon we began a steeper ascent with winding curves, questionable bridges, sharp drop-offs and nasty potholes. Terry would let out a little gasp every time we encountered an oncoming car. Every now and then I'd find a spot to pull off the road and deeply inhale the beauty of the magnificent valleys. Every time I would do this Terry did a time check and reminded me of our flight departure time. As the road went on and on I continually told her we were almost there. [Note to those who have lots of time on their hands: Someone actually recorded the entire drive on their GoPro 2 HD Hero Camera. Click here to view the YouTube video.]
It was with much relief on my part when we arrived at the waterfall near the end of the drive. My previous visit here with Jim Somerville was almost surreal as the mist from the falls combine with wispy strands of fog creating an otherworldly landscape. Terry was very enchanted and left the car to immerse herself in the powerful beauty as well as grab some photos and one video.
Terry was not only relieved when we finally reached the parking lot of the trail head, but surprisingly insisted on walking a short stretch of the trail. The Cross Pass trail is considered to be one of the best hikes in all of the Chugach Mountains. The 21-mile trail follows a portion of the original Iditarod Trail, including its highest point. Terry expressed a hope to return and hike part or all of the trail.
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| The Bake Shop | Crow Creek Pass | Crow Creek Valley |
We drove the route back down the valley as fast as lightning. Once at the airport we parked the rental car in the first spot we found and made a mad dash into the airport. I did cut it pretty close as we reached the boarding gate with only ten minutes to spare. Once on the plane I dropped my exhausted body into the seat. We had packed our days tightly so I used the flight home to rest and reflect.