Seward, Alaska to Tok, Alaska

We put some miles on today.

After dropping our hitchhiker at the Anchorage airport we turn east on the Glenn Highway. With Anchorage in the rearview mirror we head back towards Yukon Territory.

The mountains are out today, checking their reflections in the mirrored lakes at their feet.

The Matanuska Glacier is about two miles wide; at its terminus it’s four miles wide and drains into the Matanuska River. When this huge iceberg comes into view in the middle of a balmy sun-drenched day it seems incongruous, like the freezer fell open and spilled its contents.

The highway follows the Matanuska River which changes character over the miles. Here it’s wide, shallow and flat with many lazy channels braided among gravel bars, the bed too wide for its water. There it’s wild with rapids and river rafters are taking advantage. Eventually it will empty into Cook Inlet, a day’s drive away.

The road goes high, the river stays low. We come curving and winding down and splayed out in front of us is a complicated mix of greens and browns in the river valley, putting the scenic in this designated scenic highway. Grand and grander.

We cross the Copper River, which stays mostly out of sight. This is one of the sources of the much touted and much eaten Copper River Salmon.

Frost heaves and road construction make for tricky driving.

Sheep Mountain is worthy of a stop. It is a mix of unusual color caused by the presence of gypsum stained with iron oxide (rust).

Instead of a yellow sign with a moose pictured on it, we see a real moose... crossing. He’s not a first timer; he gets to the pavement and runs.

Wildlife count: 3 moose + 2 calves, bison herd, 1 sandhill crane, 3 swans, 2 Dall sheep

Airstreams: 2

Miles: 454

Gratitudes: PKB: friendship  JMB: the truck can handle it

Gin Score: J: 2330 P: 2305

Sheep Mountain