Dear Diary,
we awoke and went to the hotel restaurant and had a complimentary breakfast. We went to Ship Creek for Chuck to try to catch a king salmon at the end of high tide. They are in, a light run but the creek sides are full of fishermen and women. It's cool at 50 degrees and partly sunny threatening rain. Chuck tries for his fish for about an hour and no luck. No one around him was having luck either. The tide was rushing out so the chances reduced with the tide. As we returned to the car a young man came to the fishing center and presented a 31 pound king salmon. Quite a large fish. So, they really are in there, just have to find a good spot. Brenna and friends are late rising and going to brunch. Even though there are low clouds and it's raining we take off for Eagle River Visitor Center. We pass our campground from last week and start climbing along the Eagle River's edge. We are in a higher elevation and moving away from the ocean influence. It's about 10 degrees warmer the sun is trying. A moose is eating by the side of the road. We decide to take the walk with the naturalist. We are with a group of twitchers, bird watchers, who are filming every bird and flower. Some of the spring flowers have started but there are more to come. We view a large salmon spawning habitat, no one can fish this far up the river. They get all 3 kinds of salmon and they are wild runs. This is old beaver habitat and it's good for the salmon. We fall behind the group and come upon a large bear scat. There is a female black bear and cubs in the area. We speed up our walking to catch up. We have begun a new path and the others return to the center. We decide to go on by ourselves. It's pretty clear there are active bears by the sign on the trail. Of course, we don't have spray or whistle or bell so we have to sing, clap our hands etc. We circle around by the river and walk right into an area with a moose cow browsing. Luckily we were so loud she knew we were coming and as long as we kept moving she kept on eating. We could have thrown a stone and hit her. More bear sign. We walk onto the gravel bar of the glacial river and can see moose and bear prints. Take a few pics and return to the trail making a lot of noise. We walk into an area where a bull moose with his new antlers is eating . He knows we're there and his hackles are raised but he keeps on eating. We go ahead walking and he stays his ground. Again, we could have thrown a stone and hit him, that close. The path is through a lot of dense forest with limited visibility. It's also very muddy in places due to beaver activity and the springs in the area. We make it back to the vis. center and sit at the picnic table with a view high up looking down the valley. Eagle Point at over 6000 feet is not completely out but we do have some blue sky. Buy a few things at the vis center, a very wonderful staff and exhibits. Driving out of the valley our thermometer dropped 10 degrees and we are in rain. Talked with Seth and he made a good stab at the United Way Bikeathon, finishing 43 miles. It's warm and humid there with more storms on the way. Seth says Medina, Ohio, about 30 miles from our house has had a 2.7 earthquake. No damage, but our houses are not build for earthquake, it's a good think it was not a big one. Brenna, Zach, Laura and Dave come to the Marriott Club for happy hour. We have a lovely panoramic view of the city, the inlet and surrounding mountains. We all go over to Simon and Seaforts for a very light dinner and have great food. The views from there are also some of the best in town. We are in full sun now. At last we must bid a fond farewell as Laura and Dave head back to Tennessee tomorrow. It's been a wonderful opportunity to spend a little time with them during their visit in Alaska. It's late. We've fished, hiked, dodged bears and moose and spent time with friends and Brenna. It's been an awesome day once again. The time is flying, we cherish every day that we're here. From our 18th floor we see it's nearly 11PM and the sun is still high in the northwest. An incredible pink sunset near Mt Susitna. It outlines the mountain and it is clear why they call it Sleeping Lady. We watch tugs pulling barges and little boats fishing for salmon in the silver waters of the inlet. Pictures or words can't capture the view. Putting in the memory bank. Night.
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