A journey to fill my soul

In my previous post I shared an image (above) of Mount McKinley taken from within Denali National Park that I thought was quite beautiful. At the time I took that image we were on a tour bus deeper into the park than visitors are able to venture other than driven by your own two legs. The tour bus operator made a comment to those that did see it, and more so to those who were able to photograph the wonder, it was a very long distance out and hard for most cameras to capture, that we were part of the 30% crowd. I thought that an odd statement, can it be possible that only 30% of visitors to Alaska actually get to see the wonder? It is true it was a very wet day on that particular day and the idea that we would be able to see it was truly a long stroke. But it happened….It wasn’t to be the last.

Talkeetna, Alaska

Talkeetna, Alaska is one of those tourist towns you really need to visit. When we rolled in the tour busses were lined up, the place was hopping. The tour groups even go as far as having the Alaska Railroad on hand to give short rides on their deluxe passenger cabins. Quit the scene.

But after the crowds die down, the buses and train leave, you have this very idealistic example of a small town making the best of the beauty within. With the crowds out, the town people seem to take a deep breath realizing they survived another big one and now they can just be themselves. As my gal travelers made their way through the many stores, I stopped at the quiet ones and talked with the locals, my favorite part. Two of them spoke freely of the craziness but openly how this is how they survive. They get to live the small-town life that so many of us admire. They talked of the quiet evenings, and the winter beauty they experience. One talked of high times and low times as the economy takes breathes in and out through the years. That was my one of my favorite parts of that city. But the best part almost seems to be hidden behind the walls of the zaniness. Take a short walk down a quiet street, past the stores, past the tiny park, walk into an area where logs are piled up and some cars are parked and you can almost hear the harp strings call out.

There it was again but in full display. Part of the 30% crowd? This was crazy, we were blessed with an ideal weather day, very few clouds, pleasant temperatures, no wind, and right in front of me is what I’ve read, something less than 30% get to see. To be able to see the three amigos, all three mountains standing proudly side by side was amazing. Putting up with the crowds was all worth it, I walked where most on the tour busses fail to realize is hiding behind the city. I’ll keep this one closer to the front in my memory bank.

And a little fun while in Talkeetna…

Seward, Alaska

So we have to keep this week rolling. Lots to do, lots to see. On down to the seashore of Seward, Alaska we go.

So Jim has to put up with the ridiculously tight RV/campground locations for a few more days. I really can’t believe some people, I’m a real estate type guys, you have this property that you claim and it should be yours to enjoy, not have some clown roll in with his oversized lodge on wheels and park two feet from your side just so he can set his entertainment center out his side door. And then the putz that needs to run his generator all night long. If he wasn’t so cheap he could get a site in the powered section of the camp. Ok, Jim is done….In one week I can go back to my dispersed camping with no neighbors and no noise other than nature.

Seward really did not disappoint. The weather was not the best, but we were sea side, cold, damp, wet should be expected.

We had a camp site right on the shoreline. Due to fog, rain and big seas, taking pictures was a bit challenging, but for me the images have been stored in my mind.

Ocean Excursion

As I said, the weather wasn’t the best, and to go out in fog, rain and 12-14 waves it took a bit deeper thought as to if it was a good idea. But as they say, when in Rome….

The excursion was amazing, with only 5 passengers, our clan and a couple that came in at 6-am off a cruise ship, it was very nice. There are much larger vessels giving tours, but I know they did not go into the small bays and inlets we were offered.

As previously said, the images and memories are etched in my mind.

The Iditarod

When I was in Fairbanks they had several displays for the Iditarod trail passing through that city. I do believe I shared an image of the park and setup from the trails path through that city. I’ve heard, and maybe followed a bit, on this race, but until you’re here and understand the enormity of this race you just can’t understand. All I’ll say is, amazing.

Gotta keep moving…On to Homer.

It is a bit of a drive between these two destinations, so you must have stops on the way.

Not far outside Talkeetna is the Kenai Fjords National Park. The park system has done an incredible job detailing the recession of the glacier. Along the road are markers calling out the years marking the location of the glacier. Once in the park a short hike takes you up to the edge of the glacier. Amazing, that’s all I can say. I’m not sure all visitors understand that the rushing water below is runoff from the glacier melt. Grateful I was able to stand at that point to see and fully understand what was happening.

Homer, Alaska

From a guy standpoint, when you drive into Homer you get the same vibe you have in Talkeetna, kinda a chick place. You know what I’m saying, lots of shopping opportunities for the gals in the crowd. But keep driving and the guy stuff becomes very apparent.

If a person had any thoughts about fishing out in the Pacific this is the place. The marina is divided in two, half is commercial fishing, while the other half is stacked with private charter fishing boats. You need to drive over a causeway to reach the marina, the ocean smell is strong, in a good way. I’ve traveled to cities along the Atlantic and gulf in the lower 48, this place is on steroids. Around the marina is a small city of fire-hazard bars and shopping units meant to keep everyone busy, woman and men. I say fire hazard for the very reason that this is not a city built by any code I’ve ever seen, these are trailers and cargo containers of all sizes converted into trinket shacks for both men and women located so close together that if there was a fire in any one, my opinion is run fast for the road leading out. It appears the routine is to go fishing, come back with your catch, let the cleaning crew handle the meat- making portion of this while the men pumped up on steroids drink and let their story-telling adventures grow in size. You know, the 10” fish is suddenly 20”…. That kind of story. Good time all around.

Check this craziness out…

Bar scene

After a meal of what else would you have, sea food, it was to the bars. The Salty Dawg was the place to be. Don’t smoke in this place, the paper money, hanging everywhere, will ignite real fast. Funny thing is, people could not hang their dollars fast enough. Located everywhere were cans with magic markers and thumb tacks. No, Jim picks pennies off the ground, I don’t hang dollar bills from, well, everywhere. The people inside were from all over the world. There were two big dudes from Ukraine, and then the guys Sara talked to, only Sara, from Switzerland. They asked where she was from and in broken English they said, oh, New Glarus? Not sure but seems they passed through Chicago on the way and drove to New Glarus we think for the beer, but not sure. Good night of fun.

Last day here and then north to Anchorage where Sara has a flight out Monday night. I’ll spend a couple nights in some remote camp site on my drive back up to Fairbanks.

Long winded today, but I said in a previous post that we will be busy. Great time, but many more to come.

Thanks for hanging in there for this long one. Thank you for all the likes and comments. Time to move on, guess we need to visit the rest of the fire traps here before I call it a day, but not until we have one more fishy dinner. Till next time…Peace.