June 13: We flew from Anchorage to Nome on Alaska 151. We were able to upgrade on both flights to and from Nome. We did arrive an hour later than expected but since the sun does not go down, or at least for very long it really doesn't matter! We had to show our Vaccination cards to board the plane to Nome. The only way to get to Nome is by boat or plane, no roads to Nome...
Our weather changed as we had rain all day.. No problem as the birds are actually easier to see as they do not fly as much when it is raining.. So it is easier to see and ID them on the ground.
Airport in Anchorage, look who we ran into!
Oh yes it is raining...
Our hotel in Nome.. Dredge Number 7, we were all in different buildings but the same hotel. We were on the first floor. the rooms were very nicely decorated with a gathering room on the second floor, where we met for breakfast with the gang.
We went Council road, safety sound, Nome river bridge and Nome river mouth.
June 14: Nome, We drove Teller Road along with Council road and Safety sound. 4 Life and 5 year! Rain began around 1:30..
We had dinner in town at the same place all 3 nights. The food was very good and a different selection each night. Korean, Italian and seafood. the service was impeccable and the host was so gracious.
June 15, Nome, Kugarat Road to mile 73 and Council road to Derby creek. We got 4 more Life birds, 6 year birds and #650 for our United States life birds! We had overcast skies until about 12:30 then partly sunny and 52 deg.
June 16, Nome, to Anchorage and Seward. We went to Teller Road to Mile 34 before heading to the airport, Flight 152 to Anchorage. 2 Life birds!
June 17 Seward, After breakfast we walked across the street to take an all day boat ride to the Kenai Fjords, Chiswell Island and Aialik Glaicer.
Seward is a much more touristy town than Nome. They do get cruise ships docking here, Nome was more of a working mans town.
What a great day on the water. The water was calm, the sun was out and the temp was warm. We ended up with 3 new life birds and 6 year birds.
June 18. Seward to Anchorage
We stopped at the Alaska Sea Life center that was very interesting then walked the area finding these gems.
We stopped here for lunch a few times
at each hotel when the TV came on for the first time it gave us a welcome!
June 19, Anchorage then flight to Barrow etc...
We birded a few places before going to the airport for our flight to Barrow. Lake Hood and Westchester Lagoon. We could not get upgraded as the flight was totally booked as yesterdays flight was not able to land in Barrow because of Sea Fog. The landing strip is right next to the water.
We both ended up in middle seats, I was 2 rows from the back, Eric was about 7 rows from the back. Our flight took off on time, tried to land twice but the fog hindered our pilots visibility.
Barrow from the sky
Unfortunately we were not able to get to Barrow. Our guides spent every moment possible securing our hotel rooms and vans in Anchorage. Although we ended up spending 6 hours on the plane it was not really too bad. Once we got off the planes we headed out to bird some more around Anchorage. Eric and I walked back to our hotel from the last birding spot. It was just under a mile. We ended up staying at the Marriott downtown for 2 nights. Anchorage was packed with tourists, all restaurants and bars were packed.
June 20, Anchorage, we went to Hatcher Pass to look for the White Tailed Ptargian and we found it! one new life bird bringing our total to 656, that was 26 Life birds for the trip! and 73 year birds for the trip brings us to 444 year birds!
June 21, was our final day in Anchorage we went back to the Coast by the airport after birding around Anchorage. No new birds today but a great way to spend our final day in Alaska.
June 22 our flight home was at 11:30 so we were able to enjoy a quiet breakfast and walk around before heading to the airport.
Good bye to Alaska....
This was the trip in a lifetime. We really enjoyed our time in Alaska and even enjoyed the tour. We are not quite tour people but we managed to get some time alone for peaceful birding.. Our guides were so thoughtful and concerned about our health, food intake and made sure everyone seen the birds.
Here is a link to a video our Guides Tom and Doug put together from our trip.
The rest of June we took it easy and tried to get back to normal. Lots of sleep was on our schedule. As we only go 5-6 hours at night and very very few naps!
We did go to the local "brewery" for a local beer. these guys were trying their hand at Hammerslough.
I was practicing my hatchet throw for the competition in South Carolina in August! Not really, it was just a photo op
Well we did have a tree come down by the lake. Luckily we had moved the boat lift before the tree came down. We had been wondering for years where and when that tree would fall. Minimum damage.
this big buck has been visiting our yard this spring
We seen this fisher while on our morning walk
Great month, great trip, great birds! great to be back home...
After seeing your pictures and thinking of our own adventure, I broke out all of my scrap books again. Thanks for your story, I loved it.
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