ALASKA - WRANGELL

ALASKA - Wrangell, August 28

 

Early Tuesday morning, we packed up again and took a short 30-minute flight from Ketchikan to Wrangell. We were met at the airport by the Wrangell Elks and transported to the Sourdough Lodge, well-known accommodations for folks who are here for fishing vacations. We were given a beautiful suite with a bathroom big enough for a high school dance, not to mention a heated tile floor.  (I think that might be important in Alaska.)  As we looked out our windows, we were treated to a view of the beautifully landscaped grounds in full bloom.  

 

After we literally dropped our bags, we boarded a boat for an hour and a half ride to the AnAn Bear Observatory. As we approached the cove during high tide, we saw harbor seals and so many bald eagles that it appeared someone had exploded a bag of popcorn in the trees.

Since a mama grizzly and her triplet cubs were blocking the walkway bridge that we would have normally taken to the observation area, the boat dropped us off partway along the boardwalk path.

Noting that our guides were both carrying bear rifles, we paid close attention to their warnings and instructions regarding our outing.  When we arrived at the observation platform, we were treated to over a dozen bears fishing the river. We saw not only the grizzlies, but several of the smaller black bears as well.  One opportunistic black bear simply waited for his compatriot to catch a salmon and then calmly walked over and stole it. It was a fascinating glimpse into nature which we were talking about for days.

 
That evening, we went to the Wrangell Lodge for dinner. Exalted Ruler Chris Stewart gave us a tour of the Lodge, including their two-lane bowling alley!  Apparently they have quite a few active bowlers among their membership and the lanes are well used. Among the members at dinner that evening was Alaska State Senator, Bert Stedman. We enjoyed talking with him on what was actually Election Day in Alaska.  After a wonderful dinner with the members, we were presented with a framed watercolor done on a navigation chart as a remembrance of our time in Wrangell.  This was certainly a stop we will not soon forget.