#306-A. Nomad Diary. 29 August - 2 September 2026. Weekend in Kenai Penninsula. Two Nights in Anchorage. Wednesday Begin 7 Night Cruise on Coral Princess. Whittier to Vancouver, BC.

 

The Holland Family Airstrip near Soldatna, Alaska

Inside Barb's Newly Purchased RV. She's Driving Us for an Ice Cream Celebration. Caleb is in the Bunk

Getting Ice Cream in Sterling, Alaska with Barb and Her Mom, Pat. Behind Pat is Her Brother, Tom.

Caleb and Kiara (pronounced Keera) Smiling Big with Their Big Ice Cream

Barb's Husband, Jeff Ordering His Ice Cream

Jackie and Brian Holland. Our Friends and Hosts at Their Airbnb.

Saturday. 29. In mid-morning, Darrell and I went to a local coffee shop in an old tourist railcar. It was really enjoyable and very comfy vintage seats.  In the evening we walked the neighbors 3 big dogs with Kiara. Between the 3 of us, we could each have one dog. That was pretty fun!

Sunday. 30. Morning worship at Funny River church of Christ. Caleb, who we are staying with, is the preacher. He gave an excellent sermon and then a Bible class as well. I gave many of the people we’d visited with notes of thanks. Several of us went over to the Holland’s for lunch. Barb grilled cornish hens for a crowd. She also brought corn and salad. Jackie, Pat, Kiara and I brought sides too and we all feasted and enjoyed visiting. Later in the evening Barb came around in her newly purchased (used) RV, and picked us all up for an ice cream party at a local shop. We enjoyed some more time together. 



First Snow is High in the Mountains in the Kenai Peninsula in August

Driving from Sterling to Anchorage. Picture Stop. 

Turnagin Arm Water and Mountains Driving North to Anchorage.

Flowers at Our Anchorage Hotel

Us at the Anchorage Zoo

Anchorage Zoo Path

Huge Grizzly Sleeping at the Zoo

Black Bear Cubs Delaying Naptime


Owl at Zoo

Musk Ox. They Make Unusual Groaning Noise

Monday. 31. Our moving day, and saying goodbye to our friends who we have loved here. We got up around 6am, and did our morning routine. We weren’t in any hurry to get to Anchorage and our 4pm check-in time. We did leave by 10:30 even with Darrell making a big batch of pancakes, visiting with Caleb and Kiara over breakfast, washing our sheets and towels, remaking the bed, and cleaning our bathroom! We were packed up and ready to go give hugs to Jackie at the house across the runway, and then down the drive and across the street to her sister-in-law, Barb and husband Jeff. We said goodbye with hugs and thank-you’s. They gifted us with such kindness, a bunch of shared meals and also times of worship together at the church building. I needed a bit of a cry! On our drive to Anchorage, we took our time. We stopped for gas and then for lunch in Cooper Landing. We ate some amazing smoked salmon chowder at Gwin’s Lodge Roadhouse. We stopped a couple of times for scenic pictures. The mountains had a first dusting of the cold season’s snow. We also stopped at the turn to Girdwood for a restroom. We pulled out to look at the water and mountains and decided to take a nap in our car. The wind was blowing hard and the outside temperature was about 50 degrees, a full 10 degrees colder than most days last week. We got to our Anchorage mid-town hotel about 3:45 pm. We checked in and moved into our room easily. Darrell got an email with an offer from our overbooked cruise to volunteer to give up our room. We decided to consider this option by looking at the cash incentives that were offered along with all of our adjacent reservations that we would have to change to make a different travel plan. We decided that we would keep our cruise as is. For dinner we walked to a Vietnamese Restaurant and it was delicious!

Tuesday. 1. Walk to a breakfast restaurant. 10 am online Bible class. Go by Goodwill with final items for donation. Go to Anchorage Zoo that focuses on cold weather animals from Alaska and other places. Turn in rental car.  



On Our Shuttle to Whittier

Drive to Whittier is Scenic

Picture Stop on the Way to Whittier

Picture Stop on the Way to Whittier

On the Coral Princess

View of Whittier from the Ship

Our Balcony Room on the Coral Princess.

Sweet Picture of Grandson, Owen

Call with Esther and Owen in Alabama

Wednesday. 2. Get to the cruise ship, Coral Princess, in Whittier by way of small van transport. Cruise ship leaves Whittier today.

Nomad Notes. 

I’m typing on this diary on Sept 21st. It’s been a long time since I’ve wanted to type anything on my pc! We’ve had a lot of travel days. I’m posting cruise pictures for Thursday and Friday, Sept 3-4 in a separate post labeled #306-B.


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