July 25th 2011

We thought about staying at Homer Spit for another night but the forecast was not good.  As we packed up the tent the winds really began to blow and the rain started to fall.  Seems that way for us, the rain just follows us while we are riding.  The tent almost blew away because I took the stakes out while Cheryl was doing something else.

Today like yesterday was not an eventful day picture wise.  It was too wet to really stop and take pictures no less try to while riding.  I know we missed the beautiful views once again on the way of Homer to Seward and this disappoints us.  We know it is all part of ADV but when you know you might never be up this way again sure stings when you can’t see what everyone brags about. 

Enough complaining, the ride was not as bad as yesterday.  The rain was on and off and gave us a chance to dry out in between down pours.

This is what we practically saw the entire way to Seward unfortunately.  Too bad for us and the update.

Good news is that we stayed warm last night in Homer with temperatures dipping down to 38 degree F or 4 degrees C.  The Mutha Hubba tent we have really kept it together with all the wind that blew up over night and we actually felt insulated for the first time.  Could be that the bikes helped as we positioned the tent strategically. 

I tried to get some shots in but to be honest the mood was low so taking more pictures was not really on my mind during the ride.

The lightened sky in the above picture is actually towards Seward and we were thinking how cool would it be if it dried out by the time we got there and could camp?  We hate setting up camp in the rain.

Sure enough we arrive in Seward, light drizzle only and then clears up with some thick clouds around the mountains.  Good enough for us.  Got a bite to eat and off to a $10 tent site on the water. 

Cute town Seward is, there is sort of a town by where the cruise ships come in and then the older part of town by where we are camping.

We thought about staying at this famous historic hotel but the “discounted” rate was $149 US.  $10 for our camp site much better.

Greek pizza for dinner.  Not bad, almost like NY pizza.  We should have only ordered one but at least now we have breakfast.

I think this is the same hip we saw in Homer last night.  Leaving port here in Seward as we got in.

Here’s our water view site although we do have close neighbours like the Spit.

Shows you how much we do not research where we are going.  I was surprised to see this sign.  Who knew?  I bet many readers of this post knew! But then I found out that this was the original mile “0” and now they start just north of Anchorage.

Had to run to the store to get firewood.  $6 for wood that Cheryl could not really get going and it was dry too.

I knew the top box was meant for something

Our view

Not bad for $10

We have such style when traveling it kills us.

This woman has been living out of her Toyota Sienna for over a month here and is just traveling around by herself.  Nice enough lady.  Kept Cheryl company with some Rye while tending to the fire and I am doing my homework, the update.

While sitting here check out what has popped out of the clouds.  Not to dwell on what we are not seeing while riding on these amazing roads but when you see this you know we are missing something spectacular.  We need everyone to send good weather vibes again!

This glacier is right across the water way from our tent.  Amazing isn’t it?  That makes me happy!  So far no wind tonight but getting cold again.  Expected lows to be high 30’s F or 4 or 5 C.  We are sooooooooooooo prepared now.  No more cold feet or hands.  Socks for the hands and PJ’s and our riding underwear for the legs.  Covered from head to toe.

Tomorrow we think we will go Whittier and try to catch a ferry to Valdez.  We have no reservation for the ferry and we think it leaves at 1445.  We will find out when we get there.  We did not get a phone package for the US and we are too cheap to call using the roaming feature.  We will take our chances and see if what we read when we had WIFI was correct info.

July 26th 2011 in the morning

I woke up to hearing Bald Eagles trilling and some juvies crying out for food.  The seagulls and Ravens were going nuts towards the Harbor off I went.  Not only to see what all the fuss was about about but in search for my morning real coffee.

Good morning Seward as the sun did actually rise.  It’s about low 40’s now and there are clouds but you can also see some blue sky.

Forgot to change the setting on my camera but here are the eagles I was hearing.

No matter how many times I see these raptors, still feels new to me.  Not so much Cheryl but for me every Bald Eagle sighting is a pleasure and privilege.

On my way to town there were tons of visitors heading to the boats for their fishing tours.  Cheryl and I thought about going out but what would we do if we caught the fish?  Cheryl sort of eats fish but I don’t. 

Here is why the gulls and Ravens were making such a ruckus.  They were having breakfast from all the left over guts and heads of the fish caught later in the day.  There is a cleaning station right about this feeding orgy. 

It’s was only 0600 and the harbor was full of life.

Just amazing how a day can make in what we get to see.  Such a beautiful tranquil harbour surrounded by snowy mountains.  This range is called the Chugach Mountains.

Fishing here as in many Alaskan ports is a must for not only food for the fisherman but for the economy.  The signs says commercial fishing up here is the largest privately owned industry.  I did not know that it was privately owned.

How about this next picture and a bit of Trivia.

I have noticed what seems to be hundreds of miles of bike and pedestrian pathways running all over the place since Fairbanks.  I do not think they all link together but they sure seem to have an extensive system for people to use other than roads. No matter where you are every once in awhile you see this info plaques.

Got my coffee by the way.  Really good when it is cool out and the sun is almost shining.  Cheryl is sleeping because I was really annoying her with my snoring last night.  Weird how when she lovingly taps me I feel like I am not even sleeping, so I must NOT be snoring right?

Can still hear those juvie eagles calling out.  Now that is an awesome way to end this post.