TURNAGAIN ARM AND A CAMPING BEAR IN ANCHORAGE
Heading from Whittier toward Anchorage, we stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see bear, elk, moose and other wildlife up-close.
The Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet south of Anchorage is home to the second highest bore tide in North America, where a wave is created as incoming tides funnel into the inlet and oppose the current from the rivers going out. Some days when tide is coming in, surfers ride the wave.
Mud flats abound when tide is out. We’re warned to stay off the mud flats, which are made up of a substance that can shift from solid to liquid without notice, capturing people with suction that doesn’t release.
As we drive up Turnagain Arm toward Anchorage, we stop at the 20 Mile Creek bridge to see Hooligan dip netting. Fishermen and women in standard Alaskan rubber boots wade into the water and scoop the Hooligan with a net. The Hooligan, an oily fish containing potent anti-oxidants, are typically 6-10 inches long run. They run in the Turnagain Arm somewhere between late April and early June, when they migrate from salt water into streams and rivers to spawn. Alaskans are permitted to take as many Hooligan as they want for personal use during season.
Mud flats abound when tide is out. We’re warned to stay off the mud flats, which are made up of a substance that can shift from solid to liquid without notice, capturing people with suction that doesn’t release.
As we drive up Turnagain Arm toward Anchorage, we stop at the 20 Mile Creek bridge to see Hooligan dip netting. Fishermen and women in standard Alaskan rubber boots wade into the water and scoop the Hooligan with a net. The Hooligan, an oily fish containing potent anti-oxidants, are typically 6-10 inches long run. They run in the Turnagain Arm somewhere between late April and early June, when they migrate from salt water into streams and rivers to spawn. Alaskans are permitted to take as many Hooligan as they want for personal use during season.
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After an exciting day, we’re thankful for the long days since it’s nearly midnight when, in full daylight, we pull into a campground just north of the city of Anchorage. Tonight brings our only middle-of-the-night excitement. It turns out that we missed a sign posted on the campsite we pulled into. At about 3 a.m., when we’re in a deep sleep, we hear pounding on the door of our motorhome. Apparently, this space had been claimed and the occupant had been out for the night. We move to a space a few campsites away. In the morning, we see that the person who disturbed us is asleep in his car, which he pulled into the campsite. We wonder why he didn’t simply pull into one of the many vacant sites. Perhaps alcohol was involved. We learn a lesson, though. We’ll always check for posted notes before pulling into a campsite.
The campground has a visitor in the morning. Unfortunately, a bear sow was killed on the road a few days ago. What appears to be her yearling cub has visited the campground. We keep our distance, but can’t help but smile as we watch him sit at the picnic table, looking like he’s waiting for a menu. We hope he’ll either stay away from the campground, or be taken in by a refuge. Otherwise, his future could be in jeopardy. Bear visiting campgrounds can end up being destroyed by fish and game to protect tourists. He is adorable. We hope he’ll stay safe.
The campground has a visitor in the morning. Unfortunately, a bear sow was killed on the road a few days ago. What appears to be her yearling cub has visited the campground. We keep our distance, but can’t help but smile as we watch him sit at the picnic table, looking like he’s waiting for a menu. We hope he’ll either stay away from the campground, or be taken in by a refuge. Otherwise, his future could be in jeopardy. Bear visiting campgrounds can end up being destroyed by fish and game to protect tourists. He is adorable. We hope he’ll stay safe.
HMMMM Doesn't look like this seat's been taken.
Yeah that's right girls. You're goona want some of this.
What's a guy got to do to get some service in this joint?