United States - Part I
Alaska
On June 23, we entered Alaska via the scenic Top of the World Highway. The customs process was surprisingly quick and straightforward, with just a simple passport check and no inspection of our motorhome. Our journey began with a stop in Chicken, a quaint little village that seemed frozen in time. From there, we continued to Tok, rejoining the Alaska Highway and drove to Delta Junction. As we headed south on the Richardson Highway towards Valdez, the landscape began to unfold in its full splendor, with towering mountains and lush forests. In Valdez, we booked an unforgettable Wildlife and Glacier Tour on the Lu-Lu Belle. The tour was a highlight of our trip, as we spotted a majestic humpback whale and spent some time in awe before the massive Columbia Glacier, marveling at its icy expanse.
Just two days later, we were lucky enough to meet a friendly local fisherman who generously offered to take us out on his boat for a day of shrimp and halibut fishing. It turned out to be an incredible experience, as we managed to catch two enormous halibuts, one of which weighed over 140 pounds. The thrill of the catch and the stunning views from the boat made it a day to remember. We celebrated the 4th of July in McCarthy, a small and remote village that provided a unique opportunity to join in the local festivities. The celebrations were intimate yet lively, with a mix of locals and tourists coming together to mark the occasion.
A few days later, we set out on the Denali Highway, making our way toward the Denali National Park and Preserve. The drive itself was breathtaking, and once we arrived, we were treated to some of the most beautiful hikes we've ever done. The trails took us through stunning landscapes, and we were fortunate enough to spot a variety of wildlife along the way. One of the most unforgettable moments was seeing the peak of Mount Denali without a single cloud in the sky, a rare and awe-inspiring sight.
From Denali National Park, we traveled south on the Parks Highway to Anchorage, where we took some time to explore the city before continuing to the Kenai Peninsula. Our first destination on the peninsula was Homer, a charming town known for its stunning views and vibrant fishing community. We had pre-booked a flight to Katmai National Park, which proved to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The flight itself was spectacular, taking us over some exceptional landscapes, including ancient volcanoes that dotted the terrain below. At Katmai, we had the rare opportunity to observe brown bears fishing for salmon at Brooks Falls. Watching these powerful animals in their natural habitat was an experience we will never forget.
Inspired by our time at Katmai, we decided to try our hand at salmon fishing on the Kenai River. After spending half a day on the river, we were thrilled with our success, having caught 12 large Sockeye Salmon. The river was teeming with life, and the satisfaction of reeling in such a bountiful catch made for an incredibly rewarding day.
At the end of July, we were joined by friends from Luxembourg who had come to spend a week with us in Seward. We rented an Airbnb and spent our days exploring the area together. One of the highlights was another boat tour, this time to the Aialik Glacier. The tour was nothing short of spectacular, and on the way to the glacier, we were lucky enough to witness a pod of 16 humpback whales hunting for fish. Watching these magnificent creatures in action was a truly unforgettable experience.
After spending one and a half months in Alaska, it was time to continue our journey south. We made our way to Haines, where we had booked a ferry on the Marine Highway to Bellingham, Washington. The drive to Haines took us along the Glenn Highway and Alaska Highway, passing through the picturesque Haines Junction. On August 13, we boarded the ferry, marking the end of an extraordinary adventure through Alaska. As we traveled towards Bellingham, we reflected on the countless breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable experiences that had filled our journey, each one etched in our memories forever.
