Moved here in March (Anchorage, Kenai: hotels, houses, purchase)

[alaskarain]

I moved here in March of last year and I love it here, drovem here from Alabama
I would be more the happy to help anyone who has questions.
My name is Bridgette
Here is some of the wonderful creatures we have here

[tammy63]

Alaskarain.. GREAT PHOTOS! Did you take them? Did you move to Anchorage for a new experience or work related? My husband and I will be building in Clam Gulch in the next year or two.. can't wait! We are coming May 28th to check things out and to bring my parents for their first Alaskan adventure. We will have one full day in Anchorage before we travel to Clam Gulch area. How can we "show off" Anchorage to our parents in one day? Are there any particular "don't misses" we need to know about?
Thanks!
Tammy

[alaskarain]

Hi Tammy, Yes I took the photos. Im a free lance photographer.
Wow Clam Gulch huh, small place, but none the less still amazing. Crazy during salmon season though. Spent a great deal of time there and at ninilchik, and anchor point, all up and down the coast. The American and Bald Eagles Nest all up and down the cliffs, its a sight to behold to see eagle swarm like they do there. Makes for amazing photogaphy.

Ninilchik is a nice place to explore there is the Russian Orthodox Church which is amazing to see, the old houses, post office.
Driving along you will see Mt Redoubt and Mt Augustine, some times you can see them steaming. There is Volcano Observatory to pull off of and enjoy the view, its on the way into Homer and let me tell you, its one of the most beautiful things I have seen here.

Homer is less then a hour away and its so worth the drive. You must visit the Ocean and Islands Visitor Center, touring the Pratt Museum, strolling along the Homer Spit beach. Otters and Sea Lions just swarm the coat there at times, and once again. Eagles everywhere. Its beyond words!

[ltdontcare]

How long was the drive? Miles and time.

Thanks

[Dusty Rhodes]

Nice shots, so much of Alaska is a postcard photo waiting to be taken, I truly envy the scenery yall have as everyday fare. Most of you have the good sense to know how lucky you are. Have I ever mentioned I'm almost jealous.

[DannyL]

well good afternoon there alaskarain, you definitley have a talent there.
please, share any info you can with the new folks.

[alaskarain]

Thank You Danny, I will do my best

Itdont care...


I didn't keep track of the mileage.
I left out February 2nd with my 6 and 12 year old sons.
I drove during the day and we slept at night in hotels.
I figured I would never again get a chance like this to show my sons first hand so much history, so as we decided which states we wanted to go through, we picked what major towns we wanted to see, the museums, the zoos, historical landmarks, rockies, yellowstone, grand teton, the coast of oregon which was breath taking, and so on we went until we got to Bellingham WA, spend 5 days at Sedro-Woolley WA because we actually arrived a bit early for our ferry.
Once it was time to board, we was on The Columbia 4 days and 3 nights. When we got into Haines we hit a major snow storm. Me and pretty much everyone on the ship was stuck in Haines until roads got opened and Alcan was cleared. I stayed at Thunderbird Hotel in Haines, My car was totally covered with snow. The people there was amaizing, the VFW did a spagetti dinner for us and help dig my car out. Then once we went through the canada boarder it was pretty isolated, nothing on the radio, my GPS got no signals and gas stations and stores was far in between, just about all the roads seemed like one lines cause they wasn't cleared very often, but I think it 2 or 3 more days before I got into Eagle River on March 10th, which was perfect I wanted to be here by my B-day, the 12th.
So it was just a bit over a month. By the time it was over all 3 of us didn't want nothing to do with any resturant for months..lol

Dusty, stop being jealious and come for a visit. You might want to stay!

The 1st picture is my car, being dug out after the big snow storm in Haines.

[tammy63]

Originally Posted by alaskarain

Hi Tammy, Yes I took the photos. Im a free lance photographer.
Wow Clam Gulch huh, small place, but none the less still amazing. Crazy during salmon season though. Spent a great deal of time there and at ninilchik, and anchor point, all up and down the coast. The American and Bald Eagles Nest all up and down the cliffs, its a sight to behold to see eagle swarm like they do there. Makes for amazing photogaphy.

Ninilchik is a nice place to explore there is the Russian Orthodox Church which is amazing to see, the old houses, post office.
Driving along you will see Mt Redoubt and Mt Augustine, some times you can see them steaming. There is Volcano Observatory to pull off of and enjoy the view, its on the way into Homer and let me tell you, its one of the most beautiful things I have seen here.

Homer is less then a hour away and its so worth the drive. You must visit the Ocean and Islands Visitor Center, touring the Pratt Museum, strolling along the Homer Spit beach. Otters and Sea Lions just swarm the coat there at times, and once again. Eagles everywhere. Its beyond words!

Well, my friend, I appreciate all of the info! We have only been to Alaska once I loved the Kenai Pennisula and knew that is where we want to be. As for Clam Gulch.. the conditions were right for the purchase of the parcel which has a view of the inlet and Mount Redoubt I believe. Our property is on the west side of Sterling highway and close to a mile from the inlet. I hope it was a good choice.. we will know for sure when we arrive in May. Your words do sound somewhat encouraging to us though. Thanks!

[Dusty Rhodes]

Well Alaskarain, I have been there for a visit, as the plane taxi-ed down the runway leaving Anchorage, my wife and I knew, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that leaving was a big mistake, we've been conniving ways and means to return for the last several years. Yeah, ... I'm jealous!

[McCallister]

Hi alaskarian.

First off, I envy you for being able to move to such a great place and also make a living off photography. That is pretty much exactly what I have been thinking about for a long time. Congrats to you!

I was wondering if you could give a little feedback on your overall impression so far of you're living there(pro's, con's, unexpected expenses, etc...).

Do you have a website established?