Had a good breakfast then checked out of the Windsong Lodge and boarded our buses for a scenic trip to Anchorage.
First stop was the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center near Girdwood. They do rescue work, selective breeding and manage animals to support the species.
The northern edge of the sanctuary borders Turnagain Arm, so named after the entry Capt Cook made in his journal while searching for the Northwest Passage. After sailing into numerous promising bodies of water only to be frustrated, this time he wrote, "turn again, turn again" as he went out to continue his search.
Today there was an especially high tide of 37.5 feet so parts of the road were flooded. Margo dropped us off at the visitors center so we could walk around as desired. I walked out to Turnagain Arm. This is one of several places in the world that have a bore tide where a tidal bore comes roaring up the channel under the right conditions.
On the way back, I admired the various animals then got back to the bus in time.
Alongside the highway I could identify scrub birch, alder, willow and mountain ash. Also, there were lots of medium sized cottonwood. Spruce trees are medium size down low, small higher up. Hillsides above timberline were red from blueberry and fireweed leaves sporting their fall colors.
I've seen scrub willow around home but it was different to see the mature scrub alder and mountain ash bearing cones and orange berries while only six to seven feet tall.
After dinner I watched the sunset after another good weather day.
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