bee_46
Jarrettsville, Md
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Having just returned from a three month trip to Alaska this summer, DH is planning on returning to Homer this winter to photograph the eagles that winter there. Is it better to fly from Anchorage to Homer or are the roads on the Kenai usually passable in the winter for driving from Anchorage? Also we hope to time our visit to Homer with the start of the Iditarod in Anchorage. Does anyone know how difficult is it to get hotel reservations for that weekend or how far in advance I need to make those reservations? We will not know until after Thanksgiving the exact week we will be going to Homer. Any input would be appreciated.
Bobbie
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rv2go
Somewhere between Knoxville, TN and the coast.
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Can't help with the roads issue, but I assume that you are going to Homer to see Eagles that Jean Keene feeds. Hope you have a good trip. I think her feeding permit ends in 2010. I just wonder what is going to happen to the eagles then. Will they stick around and starve or will the instinct to migrate south take hold.
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bee_46
Jarrettsville, Md
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We are, indeed, planning to see Jean Keene and her eagles. I hope after 2010 the eagles' instincts take over and they continue to feed themselve. We spent 5 days in Homer this summer enjoying the eagles that spend the summer there, but the chance to see the large numbers in the winter is compelling and that opportunity will not exist much longer. We fell in love with these majestic birds on our trip to Alaska in 2005.
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garyhaupt
Kitimat, BC, Canada, Mile '0' of Alaska HiWay #37
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Or you can come to the dump at Kitimat from Nov-April and see thousands of eagles. Not real pretty, for sure, but they must find it to their liking.
Gary Haupt
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rv2go
Somewhere between Knoxville, TN and the coast.
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garyhaupt wrote:Or you can come to the dump at Kitimat from Nov-April and see thousands of eagles. Not real pretty, for sure, but they must find it to their liking.
Gary Haupt
Gary, since you ar close by, do you know if you can see the eagles at the dump at Prince Rupert. When we were there last, It was a major tourist attraction. There was even a "guide" there.
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PA12DRVR
Katy, Texas
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Joined: 09/17/2003
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The roads between Anchorage and Homer are not particularly onerous in the winter: there will be slick spots and if there was a big dump of snow, you'll probably have to drive South AFTER AKDOT/PF has plowed and there may be avalanches, but the roads are certainly do-able.
I never understood the hoopla surrounding Iditarod, but the effects are undeniable: I think you'll need to make hotel reservations ASAP. That being said, unless you really want to participate in Idiotrod stuff, you can probably get a motel in Indian or Girdwood without the difficulties that you'd have in Anchorage.
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bee_46
Jarrettsville, Md
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There is something about photographing eagles at a dump that I find less than appealing although I know dumps are eagle "hangouts". "Fishing" in the dump is less work then fishing in a river. Cloning out the garbage in a picturentakes a lot of time. When we were in Prince Rupert, we happened upon the gentleman who feeds the eagles by the old docks and had quite an afternoon of photography. I believe someone mentioned the dump when we were there. We didn't go there.
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bee_46
Jarrettsville, Md
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PA12DRVR:
Thanks for the road information. We have to weigh the cost of plane tickets and the cost of a rental car. If the roads are usually passable, I will persue the costs. As for the Iditarod, I would really prefer to be at the finish line rather then the start, but since that will never happen I will take what I can get. I admire the dogs that race that distance. Not so much interested in the hoopla as seeing the dogs in action.
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campalaska
Girdwood, Alaska
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Iditarod, I'm not sure about but there's a lot of people. id stay in Girdwood (40 minutes from anchorage)there's 2 main places,the "Hotel Alyeska" and Alyeska Accommodations. Google for web pages. roads should be OK, just watch out for black ice and whiteout conditions and be careful the road between anchorage and Girdwood can be deadly for someone not paying attention. quite a few die a year. If you've been here before you probably remember this curve, dangerous (mainly in winter) and very scenic road. if your in a RV other than a class b or a truck camper i wouldn't recommend this stretch of road unless your a local and you know the roads by heart. Also, if your in Girdwood GO SKIING. they just finished putting in brand new beginner lift.
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loggenrock
New Hampshire
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You could always just come to Laconia, NH (a lot closer to MD!) for the World Champion Sleddog Races usually held in February each year. It's not 1000 miles, but do have daily races around 30 to 50 miles (they consider them "sprints"). 16 dog teams are very impressive!!! ST
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