We finally arose at around 9 this morning, having slept like the proverbial logs.
It was about 3 before we had gotten to bed, coz we stayed up a while, looking at the stars. In particular, we were looking at the Big Dipper. Firstly because this is the emblem on the Alaska state flag, and secondly it was the first time we had seen stars since being up here! Having very little actual darkness, and quite a lot of cloud a lot of the time, stars were indeed a rare sight.
The state flag was designed by a 13 year old boy, who entered it into a design competition, when Alaska became a state back in nineteen something.
We spent some of the morning figuring out the new camera. Even though it is almost identical to our other one, there are some changes in operation, but being your dynamic super hero duo, we sussed it. (To suss is an English term, dating back to the middle ages, meaning to work out how to use digital cameras)
Although it was a bit breezy today, the view over the Inlet was stupendous, the whole Chigmit Mountain range clearly visible, all the peaks still virtually covered with snow, and finally a clear view of Kalgin Island. Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna, our resident volcanoes, were resplendent in their mantles of snow and shadows from what few clouds were around.
At the top of the driveway into the campsite, by the main road, is a “scenic view” turnout for tourists to stop and “Ooh and Aah” at the vista of the mountains. Today, there must have been a million vehicles stop for picture taking. Bob the Owner told the tale of a woman who came into the campsite for better picture taking, despite the big sign which forbids anyone except camp residents from setting foot on the property on pain of dismemberment. River and Max, the camp guard dogs immediately set upon the woman, nearly licked her to death, and she was panicking so much Bob almost wet himself with laughter. She thought the dogs were vicious, and she was gonna get maimed. These two dogs are big, see pix, but soft as brushes. The most harm they do is step on your feet, or smack you in the face with their wildly swishing tails. We are now more determined than ever to dognap River, we just haven’t worked out how to get off the Kenai safely.
It is a bit difficult to avoid the cops when there is only one road off the peninsular.
After a lunch of cheese, Cheddar, Vermont and English Stilton, and crackers, we trogged off down to the Buzz, our local friendly espresso place, where we spent a happy hour interneting and chatting to the owner.
We lazed about the rest of the day, met new campers around the evening campfire, had a wonderful dinner of grilled halibut, scalloped taters and garlic spinach.
The sunset tonight was gorgeous, and Marlipops took 10 million pix with her new toy, trying, as she puts it, for the perfect picture.
We only saw a couple of eagles today, Karen, so nothing exciting to report.
