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May 19, 2021 09:42:08   #
We are planning to go to Alaska early July. Rental cars are scarce as hens teeth! We have a hold on a 24' RV till the end of this week and trying to make that decision asap. We are used to pulling a large rig (24' trailer + 3/4 ton pickup), so I don't think driving it will be an issue. We will fly into Anchorage and visit southern coastal areas - Seward, Homer, etc. Anyone with experience driving a small RV in that area? Pros and cons of doing this?
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May 8, 2021 23:00:15   #
Robertl594 wrote:
Adak is a pretty special place. Half way to Russia, farthest western point of the USA. Hard to get there. Only 2 flights per week from Anchorage, at least there used to be. I was there a few years ago on business. Incredible place. Here are some photos. Definitely not for everybody however. https://pbase.com/robertl594/adak


Thank you for sharing. We're getting some great ideas for our trip.
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May 8, 2021 22:55:52   #
DougS wrote:
Since you asked about June, the salmon will probably not be 'running'. That being said, there is a King Salmon run in June. We were invited to go 'early run' King Salmon fishing with our B&B hosts out of Wrangell, on the 30th of May. We also saw some being harvested inland, south of Tok, about a week later.
We saw a 'barn door' halibut leaving the marina at Glacier Bay. Most (virtually all?) of the small communities have charter fishing up and down the coast. We saw 'weigh-ins' while visiting the docks at Valdez and Seward. The Halibut were in the 20-30lb range, with some Rockfish, and possibly Lingcod. These were during the first 2 weeks in June.
Don't sell the Marine Highway short, it is spectacular scenery all the way! I spent most of my time on the outside decks, fore and aft! The only one that is overnight is between Wrangell and Juneau (ignoring Washington to Ketchikan, which is 2 nights), and the sunset over Petersburg is spectacular! I asked to visit the bridge, via the purser, and got permission! It is quite interesting! Much better than flying over all that scenery. Check it out!
If you need to use the Marine Highway, keep in mind they are subject to changing their schedule, they are supposed to notify you if you have a reservation, of any changes. They didn't notify me, but I checked in advance and made arrangements to fly from Juneau to Glacier Bay, with no issues.
We saw our 1st black bear along the Stikine River, several along Tracy Arm, 3 more after disembarking at Auk Bay (turned the opposite way from Juneau, as we were early).
Along the Inside Passage, you will probably have the 'tourist' area's of the towns to yourselves, since there will not be any large cruise ships in port (usually 3 or 4 everyday, with multiple thousands each!).

Approx. # Picts I took at each local, and time spent there (I actually spent more days at each location, but the major areas, and not travel time, are what I am counting here)(since I drove, these were actually over about 20 days): Misty Fjords/Ketchikan 500+; Wrangell and/ferry to Juneau 900 (2days); Tracy Arm 1200+(approx. 6 hours); Glacier Bay 850+ (1 day); Haines 300+ (3 days); Skagway 250+ (1 day); Seward/Kenai Fjords 750+ (2 days); Katmai NP 800+ (approx 6 hours)(guide also tried to find the wolves, just got a fresh footprint)(at least a dozen brown bears); Kenai Peninsula 450+ (2 days).
Since you asked about June, the salmon will probab... (show quote)


Sounds like we need to just spend the summer there! (I wish). Thanks for your help.
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May 8, 2021 22:55:04   #
SteveR wrote:
Consider an Alaskan Railroad Tour, there are several. The Denali tour is supposed to be a good one.

https://www.alaskarailroad.com/


Thank you!
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May 8, 2021 22:54:26   #
TheShoe wrote:
The best bear watching I have done was during a week with a chartered boat out of Kodiak. We spent a week around the five islands of the Kodiak Archipelago that are home to the Kodiak subspecies, the largest land predator on Earth, each with its own personality.


That would be amazing. I'll check it out. I imagine it will be too pricey, but I'll take a look. Thank you.
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May 8, 2021 22:53:12   #
DougS wrote:
Since you asked about June, the salmon will probably not be 'running'. That being said, there is a King Salmon run in June. We were invited to go 'early run' King Salmon fishing with our B&B hosts out of Wrangell, on the 30th of May. We also saw some being harvested inland, south of Tok, about a week later.
We saw a 'barn door' halibut leaving the marina at Glacier Bay. Most (virtually all?) of the small communities have charter fishing up and down the coast. We saw 'weigh-ins' while visiting the docks at Valdez and Seward. The Halibut were in the 20-30lb range, with some Rockfish, and possibly Lingcod. These were during the first 2 weeks in June.
Don't sell the Marine Highway short, it is spectacular scenery all the way! I spent most of my time on the outside decks, fore and aft! The only one that is overnight is between Wrangell and Juneau (ignoring Washington to Ketchikan, which is 2 nights), and the sunset over Petersburg is spectacular! I asked to visit the bridge, via the purser, and got permission! It is quite interesting! Much better than flying over all that scenery. Check it out!
If you need to use the Marine Highway, keep in mind they are subject to changing their schedule, they are supposed to notify you if you have a reservation, of any changes. They didn't notify me, but I checked in advance and made arrangements to fly from Juneau to Glacier Bay, with no issues.
We saw our 1st black bear along the Stikine River, several along Tracy Arm, 3 more after disembarking at Auk Bay (turned the opposite way from Juneau, as we were early).
Along the Inside Passage, you will probably have the 'tourist' area's of the towns to yourselves, since there will not be any large cruise ships in port (usually 3 or 4 everyday, with multiple thousands each!).

Approx. # Picts I took at each local, and time spent there (I actually spent more days at each location, but the major areas, and not travel time, are what I am counting here)(since I drove, these were actually over about 20 days): Misty Fjords/Ketchikan 500+; Wrangell and/ferry to Juneau 900 (2days); Tracy Arm 1200+(approx. 6 hours); Glacier Bay 850+ (1 day); Haines 300+ (3 days); Skagway 250+ (1 day); Seward/Kenai Fjords 750+ (2 days); Katmai NP 800+ (approx 6 hours)(guide also tried to find the wolves, just got a fresh footprint)(at least a dozen brown bears); Kenai Peninsula 450+ (2 days).
Since you asked about June, the salmon will probab... (show quote)


Thank you so much for sharing your information. It is very helpful! We just need more than 10 days or so. We're trying to narrow our options down to something do-able.
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May 8, 2021 22:49:19   #
cahale wrote:
I assume Juneau as your starting point, since you mentioned southern coast and the inside passage. Mendenhall Glacier is worth the effort, which actually isn't much (effort). Further south, there are side roads to minor waterfalls and streams. If you have time, after you take the 6+ hours inside passage to Skagway, travel up into Yukon and across the southern part to the highway going to Muncho Lake, BC. Lots of streams, waterfalls, and mountains. I captured pictures of red foxes, lynx, buffalo, bears, 3 types of sheep, and reindeer (caribou). If you have sufficient time, it will be well worth it. There is a place on Muncho Lake (Double G Services) that I like. The accommodations are rudimentary but comfortable, and the food there is excellent. Photo of Whirlpool Canyon on the Laird River attached. Enjoy.
I assume Juneau as your starting point, since you ... (show quote)


Great information! Thank you.
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May 8, 2021 13:58:04   #
Great suggestions! Exactly the kind of info we're looking for. Thank you so much.
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May 8, 2021 13:57:24   #
Wingpilot wrote:
Homer is a great place to visit. It’s a small, artsy/craftsy community with a lot to offer. Halibut charters are available, but a bit expensive, but the reward is the best white fish you’ll ever eat. And yes, salmon fishing is more fun because they fight.

Consider driving to Seward and taking a cruise down Resurrection Bay to view sealife and whales, as well as glaciers. We like Major Marine, but Kenai Fjord Cruises is good, also. Another fun location is Whittier. You have to drive through a long tunnel to get there, and it costs $20.00, but the scenery is worth is, and you can go on fishing charters there, as well.

More inland, in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, a visit to the Hatcher Pass recreation area is a great thing to do. Fabulous scenery, hiking trails, and you can tour the old Independence Mine. You can also visit the musk ox farm just outside Palmer and the reindeer far several miles outside Palmer along the Old Glenn Hwy. For an interesting side trip, you can drive to the end of the Knik River Road to the Knik River Lodge. If they’re still doing it, you can take a helicopter tour of the Knik Glacier. Not only do they fly over it, they also land on it allowing you a short time to walk around on the glacier. Very interesting. Understand that due to Covid 19 they may not be doing this, although things have loosened up a bit up here.

I’d love to go to the Mc Neil River or Katmai to view the bears, but it’s very expensive. If you can afford it, it’s well worth the time and money for the experience. Take a long lens or long zoom. The best times to go are during the peak of the salmon runs in late June and July. That’s also the best time for good weather.

Just a few suggestions.
Homer is a great place to visit. It’s a small, ar... (show quote)
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May 8, 2021 11:18:24   #
[quote=RonM12]
sb wrote:
The Homer area is famous for halibut fishing, with nearby salmon fishing. There are also day-trips via float plane to Katmai National Park, where you can see countless Alaska Brown Bears (grizzlies). Timing is everything - plan the trip to match the salmon run, and the bears will all be congregated along the rivers.

My wife and I will be in Homer next month. We booked a day bear trip with Emerald Air for a one day trip to Katmai. Looking forward to it.


Do you expect to see bears when you go in June?
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May 8, 2021 11:11:17   #
SteveR wrote:
One of our members, blacks2, has posted outstanding Alsaka photos for years. You might want to try to pull them up.


Ok, I will. Thank you!
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May 8, 2021 09:31:47   #
ShelbyDave wrote:
I'm not sure if this would be for you, but if he likes to fish Homer Spit is interesting. Not just for fishing. South of the little town of Homer is the "Spit", a two mile long finger of land that juts out into the bay. At the end is a small cluster of businesses (I admit, a little touristy) many of who cater to fishing (Halibut) and flight seeing. The scenery in incredible as you are two miles into the bay, so you are surrounded by water and mountains. Absolutely gorgeous.


Thank you! This is the kind of info I'm looking for.
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May 7, 2021 22:13:39   #
I have searched, but I haven't found many recent Alaska travel/photography topics. We have visited twice before and have toured Denali and points from Anchorage to Fairbanks. We are interested in the southern coastal areas. Hubby would like to do a little fishing. I am interested in photographing wildlife (particularly bears, of course) and beautiful scenery. We would also love to do the inside passage. What we did on previous trips was fly in, rent a vehicle and explore on our own. We like being able to move about independently at our own pace. We prefer to stay away from tourist traps. We also don't want to spend huge amounts of money for totally guided tours. With all that said, I would love to have suggestions about not-to-miss locations, local guide services for short tours, and venues to stay away from. Short guided trips for photographers would be a wonderful. We have looked at the Alaska Ferry, but don't want to do only that. We are somewhat limited on time--probably 10 days at most.
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Dec 18, 2020 18:35:27   #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Extension tubes exist to give the attached lens the ability to focus closer, not further away. This is a macro ability, not a telescope. When adding a tube of any length of any lens, the camera / lens ability to focus to infinity is removed.


Ok! I get it now. Thank you so much for clearing that up for me. I haven't worked much with extension tubes and then only with some macro shots. I didn't understand the physics of it. I appreciate your help.
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Dec 18, 2020 10:58:46   #
I've been experimenting taking some moon and planet photos the last night or so with my Canon 7D MK ii and 100-400 IS II lens. That has worked pretty well, but not enough reach for Saturn (plus my lack of experience). In the night I wondered whether I could add my set of 3 Kenko extension tubes to that combine. When I tried that this morning, I could not get it to focus, either manually or autofocus. I tried mounting the tubes to the camera, then to the TC and lens. When that didn't work, I tried mounting the TC to the camera, then the tubes, then the lens. My mind tells me that should work, but I failed to accomplish this. Am I doing something wrong, or is that just not possible?
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