May 23, 2013 Thursday

We got up at 5:45 to get the luggage outside by 6:30 and be on the coach at 8:00 am.

Marcel coming back with cappuccinos and a large cinnamon bun to share for breakfast.

Gorgeous sunny morning again.  One last picture of the gorgeous view.
 I had time to finish blogging in the lobby before we left. 

The lodge in the distance as we drove away.

We stopped in Anchorage for 2 hours for lunch and shopping on our own.
When it was time to go and the bus pulled up,
 Marcel pulled up his pant leg and stuck out his thumb.
Granny Jo (as she calls herself) started pounding her heart and laughed.  She is quite the ham.  Great-Grandmother of 12.  Loved all her stories. 
Every time we boarded the bus, she gave us all a squirt of hand sanitizer. 

Following the Kenai Rriver.
So many different blues.  The clouds make for some awesome pictures.

Should have brought my blog book from our first trip to Alaska.  We couldn't remember anything about Anchorage.  But this Stewart Highway we did not forget.  Beautiful drive.  

We stopped at a wildlife sanctuary for hurt or neglected animals. They house large animals only  

This brown bear will never be returned to the wild.  They are used to humans now.

Love his little paws against the branches!

Grizzly Bear came out of the bushes long enough to snap a picture.

Silly me I brought my flower book from Alaska along.
 No flowers anywhere. No spring here.    

Every time Granny Jo saw a flying bird, she would say "there goes another mosquito".

We arrived at the lodge on the Kenai River at 4:20.  Great fishing here.
The largest King Salmon caught here was 96 lbs by a 13 year old young man.  

Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge.  Our home for 2 nights.
When we drove up, the staff was standing outside with a welcome wave. 

Outside every cabin is a supply of wood to use for the stoves inside every cabin. 

Spacious on the inside.

This was the first day the lodge was open, and at dinner time the staff couldn't do enough for us. Every time we took a sip from our water, someone would fill it up again. lol
They were pretty nervous. 

Scenery from the deck was magnificent.
We quickly went outside for our first nature walk. 

Marcel on our private deck.
We couldn't get the heater to work, and withing minutes 2 men were here,
flipped the re-set button and voila. 

A real fire and a pretend drink...what could be better!
Maybe a pretend fire and a real drink?
Till tomorrow, love to you all.