Alaska & Pacific Northwest

In May Allison and I took the longest of our series of trips, visiting Alaska, Washington and Oregon over the course of a month.  In Alaska we explored the interior, Kenai Peninsula, panhandle and Inside Passage.  After returning to the “lower 48” in Bellingham, Washington, we spent time in the San Juan Islands, Seattle, the wine country around Yakima, the Columbia River Valley, Mount Hood and Portland, Oregon.

The Ruth Glacier in Denali National Park

Our trip to Alaska was a first for Allison, and a fond return for me after my 2003 ascent of Mount McKinley.  We flew to Anchorage and spent a day there before heading north; Anchorage was also a transit point so we returned there several times during our trip.  In the interior we explored huge and spectacular Denali National Park both by car, and also on a “flightseeing” excursion among the mountains and glaciers in a bush plane.  We also drove to remote and isolated Fairbanks, America’s northernmost city.

Homer, Alaska

After visiting Alaska’s interior we toured the beautiful Kenai Peninsula, located south of Anchorage between Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet.  There we spent a day in Homer angling for Allison’s favorite fish: halibut.  We also explored a number of coastal communities such as historic Seward, where we hiked among the area’s glacial fjords.  Traveling on the Kenai Peninsula is a scenic endeavor in itself; our drives on the Seward Highway took us through mountains and passes and by pristine lakes.  On the Kenai Peninsula we stayed at the Alyeska Resort – Alaska’s largest ski area – in the Chugach Mountains.

The Inland Passage on board the M/V Columbia

From central Alaska we then flew to Juneau and boarded an Alaska state ferry to travel down the panhandle and Inside Passage.  This part of our trip was both a journey and a destination; we stopped in several small ports on our way to Washington.  The coastal region of Alaska’s panhandle and British Columbia is characterized by lush mountains and temperate rainforest, so we enjoyed a scenic and memorable three days on the ferry.

Roche Harbor on San Juan Island

Our ferry passage terminated at Bellingham, Washington.  In nearby Blaine we accomplished another goal of our trip, visiting America’s northwest corner at the international Peace Arch Park straddling the U.S./Canadian border.  After touring the park and Bellingham, we continued south to Anacortes, Washington where we boarded a Washington state ferry to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.  Our visit to San Juan Island was a highlight of our trip; the island is dotted with lovely coves and harbors, small tidy farms, beaches, lighthouses and other scenic views around nearly every corner.

Seattle's Experience Music Project,
 Monorail and Space Needle

After San Juan Island, we traveled to Seattle – always a favorite city of ours.  From our hotel in the Queen Anne district, we ventured out to popular tourist attractions such as the Space Needle, the Experience Music Project and Pike’s Place Market.  We also took the opportunity to participate in the Seattle International Film Festival, viewing the entry Stuck in Love which we enjoyed very much.

The Bonair Winery in Zillah, Washington

From Seattle we crossed the Cascades at Snoqualmie Pass and entered a very different part of Washington: the heavily agricultural Yakima Valley.  There we toured a number of excellent vineyards and wineries, tasting wines from the many grape varietals which are grown in this region.  In addition to wineries, the Yakima area also has numerous orchards growing cherries, pears, apples and other fruit.  After sampling our fill of the area’s fine produce, we drove south through uncounted acres of wheat to the Columbia River Valley and then across the river into Oregon.

Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood

Our first stop in Oregon was at Mount Hood.  There, we spent a night at the scenic and historic Timberline Lodge.  Although it was now Memorial Day weekend, heavy snow fell on the mountain overnight and I could not resist skiing the following day!  We then finished our trip with a day in Portland, walking throughout the downtown, along the Willamette River’s shore and among restaurants and nightspots in the vibrant Nob Hill district.

Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square

Our travels in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest took us to both new and familiar places over the course of four busy weeks.  Allison and I immensely enjoyed this exploration, thoroughly savoring many of these regions’ charms.  But after such a wonderful and extended feast, we were ready to return home and digest all that we had seen and done!