Alaska - glaciers - day 2

Anchorage has the design of many an American small city, very wide streets planned in a neat grid system with low squat buildings flanking either side, unlike what one sees in Europe. It is very clean and neat, if a little lacking in character. The people we have met who live here are all very positive about Alaska, they love the outdoor lifestyle it offers from hiking, fishing, kayaking, boating and skiing in the winter. At the peak of summer they get 20 hours of sunshine but likewise in the middle of winter they only get 4 hours, which must be difficult. Sadly there were quite a few homeless people downtown, all looking empty of nourishment but full of other substances, a problem common to many cities around the world. Anchorage has one of the highest, if not the highest, rate of drug and alcohol abuse of all American cities - one report I read said that 9 out of 10 deaths here is linked to substance abuse. The people are all so friendly and we have had some excellent fish dinners.

This morning it was a very early start, we had to meet at 6.45am (after eating breakfast) to be taken to Lake Hood which is where the small plane airport is located. It has the largest number of float planes in the world, and is a very busy airport. On a quiet day there are at least 1000 planes taking off and landing! In summer many planes are float planes and the floats get switched to skis for the winter, as they fly all year round. In Alaska one can get a private pilot licence from the age of fourteen, and up to 70% of Alaskans hold a PPL. We met our pilot who took us to the plane - it was just the two of us with him in a 6 seater plane, from which the one back seat had been removed.It was small and cosy! I am used to flying in small planes so was not nervous, and he quickly made me realise what a skilled pilot he was, he kept it as smooth as possible. Flying here is like a taxi service - he told us how he  flies to the glaciers to go skiing, he flies school kids to sports matches, and flies people to their fishing cabins on the lakes, its a way of life here to fly to get to places.

We took off and flew south west of Anchorage, flying right over hundreds of glaciers, a volcano and all the mountain peaks of Lake Clark National Park - it was the most awesome flight I have ever done, seeing glaciers from above is so spectacular.My blip today was taken through the plane window of some of the glaciers. Our destination was Chinitna Bay, adjacent to Lake Clarke National Park, which is one of the best areas for seeing the bears. Our pilot told us it was 50/50 whether we would be landing as the weather reports were not promising, but as the flight was about 1 hour and 15 minutes he would get weather updates as we flew. Luckily when we reached the area, he was cleared to land, and we landed on a narrow beach. We were then taken in a high vehicle along the beach to find bears - by now we were joined by four other guests, (who had arrived in another small plane) they retired policemen from Ohio who had some interesting tories to tell. We did see three bald eagles and five bears, but the sightings were disappointing as they were not close. The bears were at least half a mile away feeding in the bay and the photos were not great - see extra. Apparently the best time to see them is June (we had been told August!) and in June the park ranger said he saw up to 50 bears feeding in the meadows. It's all down to luck as yesterday a large brown bear walked right in front of the plane when it had landed. 

After spending about 3 hours on the beach looking for and watching the bears, we went back and got back in the plane to fly back to Anchorage. This time our pilot returned along the shore of the bay, and from above we saw quite a few more bears, one with a cub. We also saw a sea otter swimming, and many Beluga whales from above. It was such a great experience.

We had a short walk around the city and now are getting ready to go for an early supper. We are still very tired from not sleeping properly due to jet lag. The boys and partners arrive late tonight, and tomorrow we board the train to do the scenic journey from Anchorage to Seward where we embark on the cruise. 

We have had terrible wifi here at the hotel, so because of that and lack of time I have been unable to keep up with journals. I try to look at them when I can. Thank you so much for all the hearts I received on yesterday's image of the bears.