DON'T REDOUBT ME

Whew! We made it to the Kenai and back again with many beautiful views of Mt. Redoubt (the volcano that has been poised to erupt since a month before we arrived in Alaska) and no need to actually use our recommended “just in case” dust masks. At one point we were just 54 miles from it, and I’m amazed at how beautiful something so potentially treacherous can be.
Alaska’s geology is part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and earthquakes and volcanoes abound! And on that note – I have another new street sign for my not-in-NJ list: “Tsunami Evacuation Route”.

Our time on the Kenai was all-too-short, but still we saw so much! In the summer it is really bustling with tourism, cruises ships, etc. In many ways it reminded us of the Jersey Shore or the Hamptons when they are in “off season” mode...minus the sunrises and sunsets among glaciers in the backdrop, of course. Personally, I’m really glad that our introduction to the area was in its more organic and rugged time. It was great to see what goes on when catering to tourists isn’t particularly on the radar of the locals. We met some interesting people and had some great, informative conversations that just wouldn’t happen in the hoopla.

Homer, Alaska is very cool – in my view it’s the Woodstock, NY of the coastal northwest. Seward is spectacular, less artsy and more quaint, and adjacent to Fjords National Park…what else can you say?! Our pictures will hopefully tell the story.

Meanwhile back in Anchorage, Kim’s team had both of their vet checks (different examinations on two different days), and everybody got the green light to run the “Last Great Race”!