You will always remember your first Moose

Today was a transfer day from Portland to Anchorage. Early start and a relatively easy experience with Alaska Airlines had us arriving in Anchorage at lunch time. A brisk zero degrees which was apparently the high for the day but beautiful weather.

On arriving at the hotel we were greeted with a welcome pack from the Anchorage tourism people as part of the prize we won. Very cool people who couldn’t have been more friendly. You know it’s cold here when one of the gifts is a “wine parka” to keep red wine warm!

After settling in we set off with Ben on our first trip. Janet and I were the only people on the tour so we had everything tailored to our interests. This tour was looking at the local wildlife and Glacier parks just out of Anchorage finishing at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre where they look after rescued animals.

We started exploring the local coastline and first up were a pair of young American eagles. Stunning sitting watching them in their nest – not hard to see why the country chose it as their national animal.

Next up was our first moose. These things are huge and are regarded by locals as the top of the food chain but dumb as rock. You spend a fair bit of time trying to avoid them on roads because they make a real mess (think possums in NZ).

We then started to work our way down Turnagain Sound, so named by Captain Cook after he entered it thinking he was sailing around an island before he had to turn back. The sound is the outlet for all the glacier run off and at this time of year is full of ice chunks. A 35 foot tide means really fast moving water both ways and this is where the surfers can catch a wave on the turning tide that takes them three miles up the Sound.

The next part of the tour was wandering in the national park where the glaciers are. Very majestic.

The final stop was at the conservation centre. Animals at the centre include wolves, bears, moose, foxes, elk, wood bison, porcupines and reindeer. Most of the animals are cared for in large natural habitats, including enclosures designed for the display of multiple species. Our highlights were the brown bears, a baby black bear up a tree, the wolves and getting up close with some moose. All these animals have been hurt or are threatened and this is a full on conservation effort.

When then worked our way back to Anchorage for a relaxed dinner and a good sleep. First impressions of Alaska are very positive.