Otter (?), continued

The otter (?) eventually returned to another submerged log for a short time before swimming away.

Swimming away/i]



end of Oregon, California wildlife

Elwa Beach, 6-11-11. About 15 miles east of Port Angeles, Wash., off Highway 112 to Place Road. Road dead ends, and about a 1-mile roundtrip walk to the beach. Click all photos to enlarge.

Gravel trail to beach

Mt. Baker in Cascade Mountains to the east

Olympic Mountains to the south

Elwa, continued

Mist rising from Elwa River

Elwa Beach

Seaweed makes for slippery rocks

Elwa, continued

Wildflowers near beach


Two F-18s flew over heading east to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

Elwa, continued

Harlequin ducks in the surf and riding a wave

Harlequins, continued




This ends Elwa Beach hike

Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Anchorage, Alaska, 7-6-12. Anchorage was the halfway point of our recent Alaskan cruise. This is a paved trail that runs 11 miles and starts near 2nd Ave. West in downtown area. Trail follows Anchorage’s coastline with good views of Knik Arm and Cook Inlet. It’s an easy hike, and you’ll be sharing the trail with cyclists, joggers and families out for a stroll. In other words, it can be crowded in spots. The trail is level, and you can rent a bike if you want to explore the entire trail. I gave myself three hours on the trail, turning around and returning to downtown after 90 minutes.


Trail view near downtown Anchorage