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North to Alaska By RV 2021
  • Two to Travel
  • Ahmet Erkun

North to Alaska By RV 2021

With the US-Canada border closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to ship our RV and toad to Anchorage and fly ourselves there to embark on a 14-week trip ... including the travel time required to get us to/from Tacoma. Læs mere
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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    Multnomah Falls in March 1983 — Oregon.
    Multnomah Falls ... today (May 2021) — Oregon.

    Reminiscing: Multnomah Falls

    8. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ⛅ 45 °F

    In March 1983, a little over a year after we made the permanent move to the USA, we relocated from Tacoma, Washington to Hill AFB (now Joint Base Hill) in Utah for Mui’s first USAF assignment.

    The drive to Utah took us through the Columbia Gorge for the first time. One of our favorite stops on that occasion was Multnomah Falls, where we got up close and personal with the thundering water.

    Today, we pulled into the parking area between the east- and westbound lanes of I-84 to see the falls. We were hoping to park the RV and walk through the underpass to visit the falls again. Unfortunately, there were no pull-through spots. Since we cannot back-up when the toad is hooked up, we had to make do with a distant photo op. At least I remembered to use the video feature.    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    Crossing the Columbia River into Washington State.
    The JBLM Travel Camp is set in woodlands — Lakewood, WA.The Tacoma skyline ... sure has grown a lot since we lived here in the 1980s.

    End the Day @ JBLM in Lakewood, WA

    8. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

    After our brief stop at Multnomah Falls, we didn’t dally much along the way. Just one stop for a quick bite to eat — ham & cheese sandwiches at the Touttle River Rest Area — and we kept going.

    The skies throughout our drive were overcast ... the temps chilly. But the wind died down once we crossed the Columbia River into Washington. Something to be grateful for.

    By 1:30p, we were settled into site 118 at JBLM [Joint Base Lewis-McChord] Travel Camp. Our 50A FHU site is at the end of a loop ... quite private, with trees and bushes on both sides. We have a nice grassy yard with a picnic table, grill, and fire ring. However, I don’t think the weather is going to allow us to use it during the few days we’re here. We’ll see.

    Once we were settled into our site, we went off to do a bit of recon. Our goal? To figure out where we will be going on Tuesday when it’s time to deliver the vehicles to Tote Maritime for their cruise to Alaska. Afterwards, back home for a quiet evening at home.

    We’ve got some sightseeing planned for tomorrow, but that’s a story for another footprint.    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    Peaceful morning scenery — Hood Canal near Lilliwaup, Washington.
    "We are at the Marina" selfie — Port Townsend, WA.1A most satisfying meal @ Doc's Marina Grill — Port Townsend, WA.Point Hudson — Port Townsend, WA.The Point Wilson Lighthouse (tower built in 1913) ... Fort Worden SP — Port Townsend, WA.Battery Kinzie ... last fortification built in the Puget Sound prior to WWII ... Fort Worden SP, WA.This is where we camped in our car in 1982 ... Fort Worden SP — Port Townsend, WA.The beach @ Fort Worden SP — Port Townsend, WA.An idyllic scene in Port Townsend, WA.The Tacoma Narrows Bridge of "Galloping Gertie" fame — connects Tacoma with the Kitsap Peninsula.

    Fun in Port Townsend

    9. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ 🌙 52 °F

    Since we made good time getting from Colorado Springs to Tacoma, we didn’t have to delve into the two “what-if” days we had added to our trip. So, we headed to Port Townsend for lunch today ... going up via the Olympic Peninsula and returning via the Kitsap Peninsula.

    Why make a 205-mile round-trip drive for food? Well, we like Port Townsend ... have fond memories of our very first camping trip there. Plus, the forecast called for the sun to put in an appearance up that way. And perhaps most importantly, we needed to near-deplete the CR-V’s fuel tank as we are only allowed a ¼ tank or less gas in each vehicle when we deliver them to Tote Maritime on Tuesday.

    We arrived in Port Townsend about ½-hour before our lunch reservation @ Doc’s Marina Grill. That gave us a bit of time to wander around and enjoy the blue skies and sunshine. We were glad we had our thick jackets with us since it was quite cold with a light breeze adding a chill factor. So glad we resisted the temptation to request a table outdoors for once.

    After lunch, we headed over to Fort Worden State Park. This is where, in June 1982, we had our very first camping experience ... in our car. We were penniless youngsters, newly emigrated to the US, and could afford little else. It’s a memory that we still talk about fondly. (Here’s a link to the story from 1982: https://2totravelblast.blogspot.com/1982/06/ric….)

    With my left foot in a “boot”, we weren’t able to do much more than drive through the park and snap a few photos. Too bad since the skies were a beautiful blue … with what I call character-clouds adding interest. And the temp had warmed up nicely so that it would have been a delight to go for a stroll on the beach.

    All in all, we had a lovely outing ... enjoyed reminiscing about old memories ... and making new ones to add to our memory banks.

    ———————————————-

    For those interested in what’s pictured in the “food porn” photo ...

    We started out by sharing a Crispy Fried Calamari, served with a pesto aioli. Then, we both ordered seafood dishes — for me … Salmon Aglio e Olio [a traditional Italian dish; grilled Northwest salmon on a bed of angel hair pasta, sautéed with garlic, chili flakes, and fresh herbs; topped with a baby arugula lemon salad]; for Mui ... the Saltwater Café Sauté [Manila clams, Penn Cove mussels, salmon, cod, and prawns; sautéed in white wine, butter, garlic, and herb broth ... with asparagus and Yukon gold smashed potatoes]. My beverage of choice was a pint of Manny’s Light Ale; Mui had a glass of the Montoya Vineyards Pinot Noir. We finished with the Legendary Big Fat Chocolate Cake …. which was moist, big, and rich … just like it was described on the menu. All in all a very satisfying meal.    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    Red-breasted sap sucker — JBLM Travel Camp ... Lakewood, WA.
    Red-breasted sap sucker — JBLM Travel Camp ... Lakewood, WA.Red-breasted sap sucker — JBLM Travel Camp ... Lakewood, WA.

    Red-Breasted Sap Suckers @ JBLM

    10. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F

    It was a rhythmic, metallic noise that sounded like a travel trailer cranking up its stabilizer legs that first caught my attention. Mui, who was coming back from the laundromat, said that the metallic tapping was actually a woodpecker pecking at a road sign.

    Turns out, it was a red-breasted sap sucker ... a type of woodpecker. The bird was perfectly OK with me approaching it to take a photo or two. Every once in a while it would peck at the sign again. A minute or so later, another sap sucker flew in and perched on a nearby tree. Then, the two of them flew off to their nest, in the tree across the road.

    What a neat experience to watch them.    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    American Lake at JBLM — Washington.
    American Lake at JBLM — Washington.American Lake at JBLM — Washington.Mallard pair at JBLM — Washington.

    Prep Day

    10. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F

    Today was set aside as prep day ... prepping the “cold weather” gear we will need in Alaska while we await the arrival of the Cruiser and CR-V ... prepping the vehicles for delivery to Tote Maritime.

    The latter means making sure we have no more than ¼ tank of gas in each vehicle ✔︎; securing and stowing any loose items in the vehicles ✔︎; removing anything we want to take with us when we fly out on Wednesday ✔︎.

    Chores done, it was time for a bit of R&R. Although I’m still wearing “the boot” while my Achilles tendon heals, I am supposed to walk around a bit. So we took a short walk over to American Lake. We’re on the far side of the Shoreside Beach Park, with nice views of the lake. The brilliant yellow bushes of Scotch Broom added a pop of color. We were entertained by a couple of mallards that flew in to see if we had any handouts. We didn’t, so they quickly turned their backs on us.

    Except for a tiny bit of rain last night, today was a dry day. With the sun peeking out from behind patchy clouds, it was pleasant enough to sit on the patio for a while. I did not expect that we’d be able to do that at all during our short stay, so it was a pleasant change of pace ... and nice to just chill for a bit before we head up to the 49th State.    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    The 21st Street Bridge ... en route to the Port of Tacoma, Washington.
    1Mt Rainier ... hazy and distant ... but majestic — Tacoma, WA.The Blue shed is the Tote Vehicle Department — Port of Tacoma, WA.4Time to weigh the RV @ Tote Maritime — Port of Tacoma, WA.The length of the RV determines the shipping cost — Tote Maritime, Port of Tacoma, WA.One of the hummingbirds entertaining us @ Tote — Port of Tacoma, WA.

    Delivery Day!

    11. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☀️ 52 °F

    Today was the big day … an important milestone in our Alaska RV trip … the day we were going to deliver the Cruiser and the CR-V to Tote Maritime for tomorrow’s departure of the North Star.

    My plan was to leave JBLM around 10:00a for the 14-mile drive to the Port of Tacoma. As it turns out, we had so little to do this morning that we were on the road by 8:45a … the sky blue … the sun shining ... a light breeze adding a chill to the morning temperature of 52F. Even the infamous I-5 traffic cooperated by flowing smoothly for a change.

    Having done our recon drive a few days ago, we knew exactly where we were going. When we pulled up to the North Gate at the Port of Tacoma, the guard at the door took down Mui’s name, gave us directions, and verified that the Uber we were planning to call for the ride to the hotel would be directed to the Tote offices.

    Once we arrived at the “Vehicle Department” — a small shed situated next to a scale — we were directed to unhook the toad and get each vehicle weighed individually. Next, they measured the length and width of each vehicle. Though they did not include the tow bar in the length measurement of the RV, it was suggested that we remove it if possible … so it would not be accidentally damaged. We had practiced removing it, so it was easy peasy to do so.

    The paperwork took just a few minutes. And then I paid the shipping charges. While I was doing that, Mui ordered an Uber … which took about 15 minutes to arrive. No matter, the weather was nice and hummingbirds were visiting the feeders … nice entertainment.

    It feels odd to be on an RV trip with no RV and toad. We’ll just have to be patient until the vehicles finish their cruise and meet us in Anchorage on 17 May.    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    Studio Suite @ Crowne Plaza @ SeaTac — Seattle, WA.
    A very spacious en suite ... you can see the shower in the full length mirror.Mount Rainier ... so glad she showed herself today — SeaTac, WA.A truly yummy lunch ... the tables on the left are blocked for social-distancing.

    Wrapping Up COS to TAC

    11. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ 🌙 61 °F

    The Uber that picked us up from the Tote Maritime office at the Port of Tacoma dropped us off at the Crowne Plaza Seattle Airport. It wasn’t even 11:00a when we walked into the lobby ... well before the 3:00p check-in time. No worries ... I’d already received a notification that our room had been assigned and was ready for us!

    We’re in a room overlooking the Park n’ Fly, but that’s not a bad thing as beyond the lot is Mount Rainier ... out in its full majesty ... if a little hazy! The room is categorized as a studio suite. Plenty spacious, with all the amenities one might need for an overnight stay.

    We thought about taking the light rail into Seattle for lunch, but decided the 50 minutes each way was more time than we wanted to spend riding public transportation.

    So, we dined at the Reflections Bar & Grill on the premises. Tables properly social-distanced ... not that it really mattered since we were the only ones there except for one other diner at the other end of the room. Excellent food ... halibut fish & chips for Mui; avocado caprese sandwich for me; triple chocolate mousse cake to share. All very yummy.

    (Mui said that the Asian chicken salad he had for dinner was also good ... and so was the Margherita pizza he brought back to the room for me.)

    We spent the afternoon relaxing ... and working on the return trip back home. That’s not until August, so why work on the logistics now? Well, I doubt I’ll have time to do so in Alaska ... we’ll be too busy exploring and having fun. Also, we decided to jiggle our plans a bit and take a different route back. This new route will allow us to see friends both here in Washington before we leave the area as well as in Colorado before the final leg home ... that’s a good thing.

    Our flight tomorrow is not until 11:45a ... so no early wake up call for us!    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    Mount Rainier from our hotel room @ SeaTac — Washington.

    A Good Day to Start Phase II

    12. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F

    A good night’s rest ... quiet despite being in a hotel across the road from the airport. A good breakfast this morning ... huge portions ... tasty.

    Now, we’re ready to check out from the Crowne Plaza and take the hotel shuttle to SeaTac for our flight to Anchorage.

    No rain here ... no rain in Anchorage. A beautiful view of Mount Rainier to see us off. A good day to fly.    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    Somewhere over Alaska as we descend into Anchorage International Airport.
    Somewhere over Alaska as we descend into Anchorage International Airport.The iPhone location stamped this photo as Girdwood, Alaska.1The iPhone location-stamped this as near Lake Fork Knik River, Alaska.Flying over Point MacKenzie; Chugach Mtns & Anchorage on the far side of Cook Inlet — Alaska.

    First Glimpses of Alaska

    12. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F

    As we began to descend into Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage, we caught glimpses of the beautiful mountains through the clouds.

    Welcome to Alaska!

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    "Dinner Selfie" @ Humpy's — Anchorage, Alaska.
    Sleeping Lady (Mt Susitna) slumbering in what passes for sunset this time of the year — Anchorage.

    End the Day in Anchorage, Alaska

    12. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F

    An uneventful flight brought us from the lower 48 to Alaska ... the 49th State ... to begin the next phase of our road trip ... waiting to be reunited with the RV & CR-V, both of which should be at sea even as I write this.

    The downtown Avis Office was due to close at 4:00p. Since, rentals during this pandemic seem to be especially difficult to come by, we didn’t want to risk losing our reservation. So, Mui and I hopped in an Uber for the short drive into the city. Good timing ... with no one ahead of us, we completed the paperwork in record time and were soon driving back to the airport to pick up my brother, Deniz, who was scheduled to land a little after we did.

    We tend to rent a place if we’re going to be in one spot for more than a day or two ... usually from AirB&B or VRBO or similar. We’ve never been disappointed in our choice of property ... until now. Sure, I was expecting the “charming historic cottage” to be old. But I wasn’t expecting it to be rundown. There is a definite disconnect between the pictures on the two websites and reality. The place is just sad.

    No sense dwelling on what we can’t change, so moving on.

    After settling in, Mui and Deniz went shopping for provisions. When they got back, we went to dinner. Our favorite restaurant — Orso — is apparently still closed due to the pandemic. Our second favorite — The Brewhouse — had no tables available. Our third favorite — Sacks Café — is apparently closed permanently. So, we ended up going to the iconic “Humpy’s,” an ale house. We each ordered a halibut dish ... a burger (Mui); tacos (Deniz); fish & chips (me). I remember I wasn’t that impressed with Humpy’s when we ate there in 2001. Twenty years later, my impression has not changed.

    After dinner, we took advantage of the nice, clear evening to go to Resolution Park to check out the views. We found Mount Susitna — aka Sleeping Lady — napping peacefully. And we even managed to glimpse the tip of the Great One ... Denali. Now, that’s a good way to end our day.    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    Along Turnagain Arm — Alaska.
    Along Turnagain Arm — Alaska.Along Turnagain Arm — Alaska.Mui & Deniz find a Beluga whale ... along Turnagain Arm — Alaska.1A u-shaped valley carved by a glacier ... along Turnagain Arm — Alaska.Along Turnagain Arm — Alaska.

    Turnagain Arm

    13. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☀️ 46 °F

    If today is anything to go by, we’re going to be so busy exploring that my “footprints” are going to have very few words.

    So, here’s part I of today’s story ... along Turnagain Arm (aka the Seward Highway). We had an amazing day weather wise ... plenty of blue skies and sunshine ... and quite warm most of the time, though a light jacket did not go amiss as there was a light breeze.

    The scenery ... mountains covered with plenty of snow ... Turnagain Arm going from having plenty of water, to being little more than a mud pit, to having water rush back in at the end of the day. No moose or other big wildlife ... but there were birds aplenty ... even eagles flying about and sitting on the mud flats, but alas, too far to photograph.    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    On the way to the Alyeska Resort — Girdwood, AK.
    The grounds at the Alyeska Resort — Girdwood, AK.Deniz finds a moose ... too bad it's just a statue — Alyeska Resort, Girdwood, AK.Oh my what big teeth you have ... Polar Bear @ the Alyeska Resort — Girdwood, AK.A cozy fire in one of the lounge areas @ the Alyeska Resort — Girdwood, AK.Artwork in the lounge @ the Alyeska Resort — Girdwood, AK.1Cozy fire outside the resort entrance ... Alyeska Resort — Girdwood, AK.

    Alyeska Resort

    13. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ⛅ 43 °F

    Part II of our day took us off Turnagain Arm for a bit ... just long enough to visit the Alyeska Resort. What we really wanted to do was to take the tram up the mountain to visit the small museum and perhaps have lunch at the restaurant.

    Normally that plan would have worked out. Except that maintenance work was underway and the tram was not operational. Darn.

    Nonetheless, we took some time to check out the grounds and the public areas of the lodge. Nice place ... pricey, but nice.    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    Plenty of snow at this rec area on the way to Hope — Alaska.
    I just love these snow-covered mountain scenes on Kenai Peninsula — on the way to Hope, AK.Lunch with a view ... as my photography mentor would describe this blurred background image.On the way to Hope, AK.One of the many snow-melt waterfalls we saw today ... on the way to Hope, AK.Canyon Creek viewpoint ... on the way to Hope, AK.Mud flats on the way to Hope, AK.Hope ... Alaska.

    Detour to Hope

    13. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F

    Part III ... At one point, we considered driving all the way to Seward, but then decided it was too long of a drive. So, when we saw the junction for Hope, a small community on the Kenai Peninsula, we decided to check it out.

    Unfortunately, the community had not quite awakened from its winter slumber, so we made do with a quick wander down to the river before getting back on the road. Was the 30-mile R/T detour worth it? I’d say that no, it wasn’t ... at least not today.

    This side trip still yielded some beautiful views, and we found a lovely view spot for lunch ... which we ate standing since any picnic tables that might be at that rec area were still under several feet of snow.    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    A barely 24-hour old musk ox calf — AWCC in Portage, AK.
    Adult musk oxen lazing about — AWCC in Portage, AK.I'd think twice about petting wildlife — AWCC in Portage, AK.Brown Bear — AWCC in Portage, AK.Black Bear — AWCC in Portage, AK.Grizzly Bear — AWCC in Portage, AK.Bull elk in the "rut pen" being kept separate from the females — AWCC in Portage, AK.A member of the Wolf Pack — AWCC in Portage, AK.

    End the Day @ the AWCC

    13. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F

    Actually, the day did not end at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage. We still had to make our way back to Anchorage from there. But this is the last post for today, so I will consider it the end of the day.

    The AWCC, which cares for orphaned and injured animals, is one of our favorite places to visit when we come to this part of Alaska. Over the 20 years since our first time here, the admission has gone up from $5 to $15 (military and 65+) ... worth it IMHO. The place has also grown considerably. Visitors can drive a loop, but we opted to walk since we’d been in the car all day ... our one attempt to do a short hike foiled by snow blocking the trail.

    Today, we found the animals that call this sanctuary home a little listless. Speaking to one of the caretakers, he explained that many of the animals are still shedding their winter coats so the temperature was a bit high for them to be active yet. Bummer.

    But we did have a special sighting ... a barely 24-hour old musk ox calf was quite close to the fence line. Turns out we’re amongst the few people to witness the animal’s first steps. So special.    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    Our first glimpse of Denali was in Willow, AK.
    Denali in its full majesty ... with its Alaska Range Cohorts — Denali State Park, AK.1A closer look at Denali from the Southview Overlook at the Denali State Park, AK.Jagged peaks indicate that the mountains of the Alaska Range are young ... geologically speaking."Making memories" — Denali from the Denali State Park, AK.

    The Great One Uncloaked

    14. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ 🌙 43 °F

    When we first visited Alaska in 2001, our Princess CruiseTour took us to Denali by train. So today we had our first taste of the Parks Highway ... as far as the Denali State Park.

    Unlike Turnagain Arm, this highway is not very scenic. Trees on both sides veil the scenery from curious eyes. But the highway has one BIG thing going for it. If you’re lucky, you get to see Mount Denali (the name was officially changed from Mount McKinley in 2015). We were lucky in 2001. Twenty years later, we were lucky again.

    At over 20,000 feet, Denali is majestic. I know ... that’s an overused word, but it describes perfectly the mountain that the indigenous people of Alaska knew as the “Great One.” The mountain presented itself to us many times throughout the day. But our best views were from the South Viewpoint at Denali State Park.    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021

    Alaska Veterans Memorial @ Denali SP

    14. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F

    We were hoping to have a picnic lunch at Byers Lake in Denali State Park today, but the road down to the campground was closed to visitors ... as were many other roads. I guess it’s just too early in the season. From what I was able to glimpse through the tress, the lake was still frozen over so it would have been a scenic spot for sure.

    Instead, we found picnic tables at the Alaska Veterans Memorial in the upper loop just off Parks Highway. The mosquitoes were out, but they weren’t biting so I’m guessing the males have emerged before the females as the latter are the ones that bite ... they need blood for their eggs.

    The memorial was erected as a “... remembrance of the veterans of Alaska who served their country at home and throughout the world. ...” It consists of five upright panels, each dedicated to a branch of the Armed Services, with a brief description of the history of that service in Alaska.

    Of particular importance was the statue dedicated to the Alaska National Guard. The panel read: “When the young Alaska National Guard was mobilized and sent to the States in 1941, the Alaska Territorial Guard was formed. It served at home with honor and distinction and without pay throughout the war. ...”    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    Deniz enjoying his fireweed ice cream ... Talkeetna, AK.
    Our moose sighting was quite a "different" animal ... Talkeetna, AK.Talkeetna in the foreground; Susitna in the background ... where they wed — Talkeetna, AK.The bridge carries the Alaska Railroad over the Talkeetna River — Talkeetna, AK.No moose, alas ... but picturesque nonetheless — Talkeetna Spur, AK.

    End the Day in Talkeetna

    14. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

    Part III of today’s story. Which didn’t really end in Talkeetna as we needed to get back home to Anchorage from there. But that was a boring drive, with considerable traffic in the Palmer/Wasilla area. Nothing exciting about that portion of our day ... except that we were grateful not to be heading north as the traffic in that direction was horrendous.

    Heading south from Denali State Park, we took the spur road to Talkeetna. Some of you may know it as the town on which the 90s TV show “Northern Exposures” was based.

    After parking the car, we stopped at the ice cream shop for a sweet treat. Fireweed ice cream — yes, made from the edible flowers of the iconic Alaskan plant — was quite tasty. Afterwards, we strolled around the town ... which, unlike many places we’ve been to so far, seems to have opened up for the tourist season already. I’m not one to take photos of shops and such unless there is something of real interest, so no images of the town to accompany this footprint.

    Down by the river, the Susitna was flowing fast and furious, carrying along small chunks of ice. Talkeetna means “where the rivers meet.” An appropriate name as the Chulitna and Talkeetna Rivers merge here with the Susitna. The demarcation line where the Talkeetna “weds” with the heavily-silted Susitna was quite obvious and interesting to see once again. In the far distance Denali and the Alaska Range added interest to the scenery.

    We drove some 324 miles today ... much of it not very exciting. But just seeing Denali uncloaked ... well that was priceless and well worth the miles.    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    Looking across Lake Tiluana — ANHC in Anchorage, AK.
    The Unangax and Alutiiq Village — ANHC in Anchorage, AK.Mui taking a load off at the Athabascan Village — ANHC in Anchorage, AK.Mui making music at the Yup'ik & Cup'ik Village — ANHC in Anchorage, AK.This traditional entrance into an Inupiaq house makes me wish I was shorter than I am — ANHC.Gate made with the jawbones of a grey whale — ANHC in Anchorage, AK.A musher is born ... all he needs is a team of dogs — ANHC in Anchorage, AK.Tlingit House Post ... Respect for Self — ANHC in Anchorage, AK.Mask worn during seal hunting to fake it out and make it think the hunter is a bird — ANHC.Ceremonial bib worn over Tlingit regalia ... with beaded Shark Clan design — ANHC.

    Alaska Native Heritage Center

    15. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

    Our run of blue skies turned overcast today ... though there were some sunny moments ... it just depended on which direction you looked. We even had a brief rain shower around 7:00a ... just as forecasted. No matter ... we were at home. We even made time to Zoom with the family this morning.

    This was our stick-around-Anchorage day. Mostly because today was market day. Alas, as with so many things this early in May, the farmer’s market was not yet operating in full gear. The guys — Deniz and Mui — learned that the hard way while I stayed home to take care of some catch-up stuff. Just because we’re on “vacation” doesn’t mean that life’s boring chores don’t get to intrude.

    After a quick lunch of leftovers, it was time to head out for some fun. First stop ... the ANHC. The organization’s website describes itself as “... a living cultural center located in Anchorage, Alaska that promotes active observance of Alaska Native culture and traditions. ...”

    We arrived in time to watch a bit of the cultural performance in progress. Then we went out to explore the life-sized village sites of the various native cultures. The “villages” are situated around Lake Tiulana, named after the man who was instrumental in the vision of the ANHC. With the sun out, it was a pleasant wander ... even better because we were amongst the handful of people visiting this afternoon.    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    A pop of red on a blue sky with character-clouds kind of day — Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Anchorage.
    Sleeping Lady under the protective wing of this floatplane — Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Anchorage.We've got the floats, but where is the plane? — Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Anchorage.Floatplanes rimming the lake — Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Anchorage.2Floatplane taxiing back to its parking spot — Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Anchorage.Ha, Ha, Ha ... they are not kidding! — Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Anchorage.

    Lake Hood Seaplane Base

    15. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F

    When Mui and I were in Anchorage in 2001, we visited Lake Hood, which was a-buzz with floatplanes taking off and landing. It is, after all, the world’s busiest seaplane base, handling nearly 200 floatplane flights per day. Not so much today … too early in the season ... pandemic-related cutbacks in service? The two or three floatplanes that landed while we were there all did so at a distance from us, so all we could do was watch them taxi to their “parking spots.”

    Nonetheless, our timing was good to enjoy Lake Hood under blue skies and plenty of sunshine … as long as we didn’t turn around and look towards the Chugach Mountains.

    We drove around in search of landing floatplanes. And in the process, came across a huge field of small planes … many sporting tundra tires. Obviously they do brisk business taking goods and flying people to all those Alaska communities that are off the road systems. It was funny to see signs that said airplanes had the right of way over vehicles and pedestrians.    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    A yummy meal at one of our favorite restaurants ... Glacier Brewhouse — Anchorage, AK.

    Day 13 Ends @ the Glacier BrewHouse

    15. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ 🌧 48 °F

    This time, our day really did end where the footprint title says it did ... except for a short walk back home from the restaurant.

    In 2001 and 2010, we ate at several restaurants in downtown Anchorage that quickly became favorites. We were looking forward to patronizing them again this year. Alas … Orso is still closed due to the pandemic … Sack’s Café is closed permanently. The Glacier Brewhouse has been impossible to get into … at least during our preferred 6:00-7:00p slot. So, we made do by eating at Humpy’s one night ... at Flattop Pizza & Pool another night ... and even settled for Qdoba one evening.

    Yesterday, we finally managed to get a table at the Glacier Brewhouse for tonight. At 5:15p. Early, but beggars can’t be choosers.

    We enjoyed the same brewhouse ambiance that we remembered from 2001 and 2010. Except for the social-distanced tables … the booth behind us, for example, was closed for service. And, of course, patrons walked in with masks on. The service was good, too ... efficient without hurrying us through our meal.

    We’ve got reservations to go back on Tuesday, for one last meal in Anchorage before Deniz flies back home and we take off in our RV.

    ——————————————————

    For those interested in such things ... here’s what’s depicted in the collage from tonight’s “food porn” photos.

    Drinks: Deniz … Pomegranate Caipirinha … Cachaça, pomegranate liqueur, ruby red grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, simple syrup // Me … Raspberry Wheat … a GB flagship beer … loaded with Northwest red raspberries … tart and fruity // Mui … a glass of merlot.

    Appetizer: calamari to share … buttermilk battered … rustic cut … with jalapeño lime aioli and jalapeño chips. (Not pictured ... it was so good that we didn’t remember to take a photo until after the calamari plate was wiped clean.)

    Main Courses: Deniz … Mixed Seafood Grill … wild all natural scallops, Pacific white prawns, Alaska sockeye, lemon garlic vermouth butter, avocado basil lime verde, Brussels sprouts, baby carrots // Me … Herb Crusted Alaska Halibut … coated with basil pesto & spent grain bread crumbs, served with mashed potatoes and roasted tomato vinaigrette tossed greens // Mui … Alaska Snow Crab Stuffed Roasted Cod … with braised spinach, Parmesan, artichokes, mashed potatoes, chive beurre blanc.

    Dessert: Deniz … World Famous Bread Pudding … vanilla custard, apples, currents, caramelized pecans, Yukon Jack sauce … he brought half of it home // Mui & Me: Chocolate Overload Cake … with Tillamook vanilla ice cream and Ghirardelli chocolate sauce … there were no leftovers to bring home.    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    Deniz playing along the Little Susitna River ... Palmer, AK.
    iPhone long exposure of the Little Susitna River — Palmer, AK.Looking back from the road going up to Independence Mine SHP — Palmer, AK.Memorial to DAWG ... US Marine Corps — Palmer, AK.Road to Independence Mine ... snowbound, and too slushy to walk on.Long-lens capture of some of the buildings of the Independence Mine.Minutes ago there were mountains back there! Hatcher Pass Cabins near Independence Mine.Selfie at the Hatcher Pass Cabins near Independence Mine.Snow covered mountain scenery ... near Independence Mine.How quickly the clouds come down from the mountains! — Independence Mine SHP.

    Independence Mine State Historical Park

    16. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ☁️ 32 °F

    We started our day with a weather-forecast jiggle to our plans, which in hindsight, worked against us. But most of the day was good, so it all worked out.

    After a quick recon drive to the Port of Anchorage — we pick up our vehicles tomorrow — and a check of the campground where we plan to stay the night before we deliver our RV & toad to Tote Maritime for the southbound cruise, we began the sightseeing portion of our day.

    First stop ... the ruins of the Independence Gold Mine ... with a drive up towards Hatcher Pass ... at least as far as the paved section of the road would take us since the car rental agency does not allow driving on gravel roads. We didn’t get to even turn on to the road, however, as it was still snowbound.

    Instead, we played along the Little Susitna River and went straight to the mine. Ooops, even though the website says that the mine, which dates back to the early 20th century, was open ... the road was not. The sign on the barrier said pedestrians were welcome to visit; but no cars on the as yet unplowed road.

    Unfortunately, we found the thick, mushy snow too soft to walk on, and even sunk up to our knees a time or two. Cross-country skiers found the going just as tough and gave up quickly. Oh well ... too early in the season. So, we played around in the parking lot, taking photos from a distance.

    At least Mui and I had visited in 2010 and had photos to share with Deniz. If you’d like to see what we didn’t get to see this time, follow this link ... http://2totravel.blogspot.com/2010/08/independe….    Læs mere

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  • North to Alaska By RV 2021
    In 2001 we hot-footed this trail to escape the mosquitoes; today we do a leisurely stroll.

    We Conquer Thunderbird Falls

    16. maj 2021, Forenede Stater ⋅ ⛅ 48 °F

    In 2001, we visited Thunderbird Falls, near Palmer.

    We had grand plans then to have a picnic at the falls. Yeah, right! The mosquitoes had other plans and wanted to make a meal out of us! So we ate in the car, then hot-footed it up the one-mile long trail to the falls overlook, stayed about 10 second to take a photo, and hot-footed it back to the car. Even at speed, Mui got bit many times ... the darn bugs managed to get under his hat!

    Taking courage from so far encountering just some “male” mosquitoes, which don’t bite, we decided to try for Thunderbird Falls again today. We succeeded. I think we saw no more than two pests buzzing about. Since we had other plans, however, we opted to just go as far as the falls overlook instead of hiking down to the base of the falls.

    We even managed to have a picnic lunch at the falls this time! No tables ... but the benches did the trick so we didn’t have to eat our sandwiches standing up.    Læs mere

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