As I was writing the last update, I left you in Anchorage without still knowing where VivaLaVida would then head as I wrote the last article.
After some cleaning and laundry tasks, a small weather window seemed to open up to Eastern Alaska where I had spotted a few places to discover. So I took the road again but first stopped not far away from Anchorage, in the Knik Valley, hoping to reach the glacier of the same name. The end of the road has been privatized by a Lodge, so I couldn’t access the trail to the glacier. I thus opted to climb one of the mountains along the west side of the valley to get a view on the glacier…
 
 
1. It’s gray and cold when I leave VLV. I finally get some view on the long Knik Glacier ice tongue after two hours of steep ascent. Above, I’ll even get two snow showers and the stormy wind will ping my face. Hello winter! 😀
 

 
 
2. I continue the climb and from this plunging point of view, the Knik River reveals beautiful designs.
 

 
 
3. While I go back down in late afternoon, a few light holes below reveals fall colors.
 

 
 
4. The light becomes more generous…
 

 
 
5. Natural graphics…
 

 
 
6. The other side of the valley is only swamps…
 

 
 
7. Looking North, towards the Hatcher Pass.
 

 
 
I followed the journey driving the Glenn Highway again to reach the Nabesna Valley on an old mining road which provides access to this remote place.
 
 
8. Fall colors are now everywhere.
 

 
 
9. I’m on the edge of bad weather that creates a charged atmosphere over volcanoes of the area.
 

 
 
10. The snow is still present in altitude.
 

 
 
11. VLV sneaks up on the long and remote Nabesna Road…
 

 
 
12. Since the road was washed away by some past flood, I will walk the last 6 miles to reach the site of the mine.
 

 
 
13. On a side trail, I discovered an authentic log cabin from early last century.
 

 
 
14. A well-colored indigenous cemetery along the road to Mentasta.
 

 
 
15. Vivalavida then follows the Alaska Highway heading to Canada. Quantities of small lakes and marshes bordering the main road.
 

 
 
16. I stoped at Deadman Lake and had a nice kayak trip on a completely smooth lake…
 

 
 
17. A female duck…
 

 
 
18. … and a little grebe in late afternoon light.
 

 
 
19. The light was awesome when I got the kayak out of the water…
 

 
 
20. … the sun sometimes playing with clouds.
 

 
 
21. Last sun rays on this idyllic lake.
 

 
 
The next day, VivaLaVida left Alaska after more than three months of enchanting discoveries … More from her journey coming soon. 😉