Anchorage is Alaska's largest city. It takes in nearly 2,000 square miles (larger than the state of Rhode Island) and has 40 percent of the state's population. But in addition to people, it is also home to some 300 bear and 1,000 moose. We toured the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, dedicated to preserving Alaska's wildlife, where we took a picture of these moose.

From Homer to Anchorage we stopped in Anchor Point, which bills itself as having the most westerly highway in North America.  It has a spectacular view of Mt. Iliamna across from Cook Inlet.	Clam Gulch, another coastal town, had an impressive shoreline for clamming and a picturesque view of Mt. Redoubt located in Lake Clark National Park.
In addition to having the largest sea life refuge in the world, Alaska's Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is the largest wildlife refuge in the world.	The headquarters of the National Kenai Wildlife Refuge is located near the town of Soldotna and has an awesome museum featuring the wildlife they protect.
Finding great places to hike was not difficult, in that so much of Alaska is made up of wilderness with trails like this one.	We took in a farmers' market and a concert in the park in the town of Soldotna. We met a guy from Boise who attended the welding program at Boise State where Larry worked.
The Kenai River flows through Soldotna, where they have these elevated walkways along the river. It makes it easy for fisherman to access the river.	This young couple from Alberta converted their car into a motorhome with a rooftop tent. They enjoy fishing and had so much, that they gave us two pounds of salmon.
We toured Alaska's oldest Russian Orthodox Church in the town of Kenai. It was built in 1894 and has regular services.	Father Peter was our tour guide and shared some of the differences between it and the Roman Catholic church. The church is on the Register of National Historic Landmark.
Glorine has never spent a night in jail, so she was excited to have her mug-shot taken.	The city created a heritage park with a half dozen log cabins that replicated pioneer life in Alaska.
The Kenai River is Alaska's best fishing river, with king, coho, sockeye, pink salmon, and rainbow trout.	The Wildlife Center is home to Musk Ox, brought to Alaska from Greenland in the 1930s.
These animals, in this 200 acre Center, were either injured or orphaned and now have special enclosures that will be their home for life.	These cow elk are separated from the bull elk.  There are about a dozen different species of animals, including bison, foxes, reindeer, wolves, etc. that are  being cared for at the Center.
Unlike the lower 48 and Canada, there are no 'reservations' in Alaska, largely because foreign settlement came at a much later time. Also, natives to Alaska were never referred to as Indians.	Tribal lands are held as either a village or regional corporation and are self-governed, many speaking their native language and practicing traditional customs.
The Alaskan Native Heritage Center is designed to preserve traditions, language and art work. We got to watch these young Alaskan natives sing and dance to traditional music.	This native replica home has a long tunnel-type entry to keeps out animals and the cold.  Along the tunnel route, are separate rooms such as a kitchen, bathroom, room to store food and even additional living quarters.
This clan house is more typical of the natives living along the inland passageway near Juneau.	Large totem poles were used as part of the structure, along with spruce beams to hold up the roof.
After leaving the city of Anchorage (at 100' above sea level), we drove to Denali and took the scenic byway through Hatcher Pass.	Hatcher Pass is a gravel road that leads to an alpine paradise with stunning mountain views, waterfalls and hiking trails.
The RV became a work horse to get us up the steep grade to the top, but views were well worth the effort.	Here we are at the summit, nearly 4,000' above sea level. Off in the distance we got our first 'clear' view of Mt. Denali.

Valdez	Seward	Homer	Denali	Fairbanks