Anchorage Day 1

Well, the mosquitos drove us out of the wilderness (literally) at 7:30 without coffee and only a poptart to eat on the road. Phil was bit on the face and head several times returning from his shower, and even though I had on a thick hoodie, I got bit on the face, too, while trying to hook up the camper! We are told they will mostly be gone by July 4, so we will look forward to that!

Another pretty drive through an area called the "Majestic Valley." We stopped to see Matsanuka Glacier but also had views of others along the way. Half the trip was wide road surfaces with passing lanes, and half was narrow, twisting, curving, hanging on to the side of a mountain cliff. There was also road construction to wait through.

When we got near Anchorage, the shock of actual traffic was striking. We've been traveling 3 weeks now on mostly deserted roadways. Very few big rig trucks, although we have ben passed by a few gigantic camper rigs. Mostly, we toodle along at a top speed of 50 or 55 tops. Suddenly, the city life was around us again. We are in a 225 slot RV park in Anchorage where it feels safe enough to leave the camper when we fly to Katmai National Park in 2 days. We are across from Costco and near the Joint Army/Air Force base.

After getting our site, we had lunch and made a trip to the base to the Commissisary for some groceries and price comparisons. Commissisaries everywhere carry the same stuff and brands, but this one is very large and has lots more of the same stuff. We also went into the PX, and it was also very large and carried a lot more of the same stuff you see in every PX. A bonus is that this facility has a Popeye's Chicken and a Starbucks, which we both love, so I am sure we'll go back someday soon!

Finally, today, we went to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. We watched native dancing and listened to songs and drumming. We looked around at each of the traditional native homes of the six different Alaska peoples. Some beautiful craft work was also on display. Tomorrow, we will go to the Alaska Museum downtown to learn more.

I crafted some little curtains using hand towels and some curtain clips for the camper since the days are so long here. Dawn was at 3:30 am. today. Tomorrow is the longest day of the year.Read more