Sunday, November 6, 2011

Caines Head

About two hours south of Anchorage is Seward, AK.  A town known mostly for its fishing (see earlier post about unsuccessful fishing), but also its incredible scenery and its propensity for rainfall.  Lowell Point State Recreation Area sits at the edge of town and about five miles in from there, by foot, is Caines Head.  The hike there is something incredible in itself.  There is a two mile section along the beach that can only be hiked at low tide - otherwise you're left trying to navigate some pretty steep cliffs.  A couple people have died over the years by not paying attention to the tide schedule. 

Once past the rocky stretch, travelers can go on to a separate secluded beach or hike to the top of the Head and tour Fort McGilvray, a remnant of Alaska's preparation for a Japanese invasion during World War II.  Although, the Japanese did invade, they never made it past the Aleutians, thus the massive turrets at Fort McGilvray never fired a shot in anger, nor did the men stationed there ever see combat.  The War in many ways, though, was harder on these soldiers than their compatriots in different theaters.  The isolation and unforgiving Alaskan climate made it an unenviable station.

Fortunately, for me and Arnie, we timed our trip to catch the last beautiful of weekend of sunshine.



Notice how Arnie does not care at all what I am doing.





Muscle Beach.


Mussel Beach.




Bunker.


Inside the abandoned fort.


View from the old turret placements.


Where the large guns used to sit and where Arnie thought about jumping into a pool of really dirty water.