Louise Lake

Matanuska Glacier Ice Field

Sunshine and warm weather followed us from Homer.  We stopped at the Matanuska Glacier and photographed the ice field.  From there, we traveled to Louise Lake, a former Army camp that boasted having President Eisenhower as one of its visitors.

Although the road to Louise Lake was paved, we could barely travel 25 miles an hour because of all the heaves and dips in the road. A plaque at the lake explained that it was one of the first roads built by the Army.  It took engineers a few tries to realize that they couldn’t build roads like they did in the Lower 48.  They would shave the topsoil off, exposing permafrost, then lay the road on top.  When the permafrost would melt, the road would heave, dip, and become a mudhole.  Obviously, the road to Louise Lake was the original roadbed.

Point Lodge on Louise Lake

 We strolled up to Point Lodge from our campsite.  Roxanne, of course, couldn’t resist a dip.  The lake was lovely and dotted with tiny islands, all privately owned. 

Louise Lake, Alaska

We thought about staying another day, but Valdez beckons, along with hope of photographing animals.  So we pack up and head south on the Richardson Highway.