The Parks Highway, like all the highways across Alaska has some spectacular scenery, and it is hard not to stop and take a photo.


After crossing this bridge over the Tanana River, I noticed that there was a turnout at the southern end of it.


I parked and with great care walked back on the bridge till I could see exactly what I had seen as I drove over it.


It must have been challenging to establish the railway line to Fairbanks, and the many valleys it had to bridge. This was just one of them.

When I was about half way to Anchorage, fatigue suddenly enveloped me, and I feared I would fall asleep driving. Soon I saw a rest area, parked the car and lay down on my mattress and sleeping bag. It was two hours later when I awoke refreshed. A stretch, a drink and a walk around the rest area, and I was on my way again.

After a couple of nights in Anchorage, I headed down to Homer via the Seward and Sterling Hwys. This was another enjoyable slow ride... slow, because of the constant stops in turnouts


along this All American Road.




Turnagain Arm affords some of the best scenery and views across the water


with glaciers as a backdrop.


The history of change, including the earthquake destruction of Portage and Girdwood is also recorded on roadside signs. A slow, but interesting and enjoyable ride.

From there it was down the west coast of the Kenai peninsula to Homer. By now it was again raining and misty meaning I missed out on seeing Mt Redoubt, which I believe is still smoking. It was no better on the way back, it was raining that day as well.

Homer is a neat little town, focused on the fishing industry. The action is really all down on the spit, so I went for a drive down there. And yes, there was plenty of action there....


but no parking spaces! I was really quite staggered that at this remote location it was actually so very busy and full of campers and motor homes. There was a bald eagle enjoying its catch on the top of the little lighthouse (now a shop), when another bald eagle came and attacked it. In an effort to defend itself, the first bird dropped its meal, and it was still there when I drove back up the Homer Spit. Of course this all happened far too quickly to be able to get a photo, especially since there was nowhere to legally and safely park.

On the way back to Anchorage, one approaches the Portage glaciers from the opposite direction....


and there was another great glacier view despite the overcast conditions.

Since it was late, I decided to by pass Anchorage and continue on along the Glenn Hwy. but I took a wrong turn, and ended up in Wasilla. It was dinner time, over a meal I would think about where to go next.