the wandering chick
A Road Trip to Alaska
Well, we finally made it into Alaska. Our first destination was Talkeetna. We had lousy weather along the way which didn't let up until after we left.
But friends of mine who live just outside of Talkeetna helped us took care of us and helped us forget the lousy weather. They had us over for breakfast our first morning in town and then dinner that same night. Between the two fabulous meals, we went shopping.
Our original plan was to take a float trip on one of the three rivers that merge at Talkeetna. The weather, however, did not cooperate, so when plans fail, go shopping. The shops, and there were many lining both sides of the main street, contained mostly local art, which added to the artsy flavor of the town. Talkeetna, the community, is what one would imagine small-town Alaska to be - kinda quirky in a good way.
At the end of the main street is the confluence of the three rivers: the Talkeetna, the Susitna and the Chulitna. On a clear day, one can look across the rivers to see Mt. McKinley/Denali.
One of the most scenic drives in the interior of Alaska is the Glenn Highway which led us in to Talkeetna. Even in dreary, rainy weather it was a magnificent drive.
Alaska - Talkeetna to Seward
Tetlin Lake was our first stop upon crossing the border into Alaska. It's located near the Alaskan town of Tok.
A pretty pond scene despite the cloudy weather
The Glenn Highway is one of the prettiest drives in the interior of Alaska, offering such views as the Matanuska Glacier and this mountain scene, Sheep Mountain.
We got a glimpse of the Matanuska Glacier as we traveled to Talkeetna on the Glenn Highway. But the weather was lousy, and we knew we'd be back this way, so we kept going, hoping for photos on a prettier day.
Walking into Nagley's General Store was like walking back in time to a century ago. It opened in 1921 and seems to have faced several obstacles over the years such as being relocated from a location down closer to the river, a buyout in the mid-1940's and another in the mid 1980's and a fire on New Year's Day of 1997. The store offers general supplies as well as coffee, ice cream, sandwiches and today's other typical snacks. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This scene is at the end of Main Street in Talkeetna and it's the general location of the confluence of the Susitna, Talkeetna and Chulitna rivers.
Leaving Talkeetna to head south to Seward we saw these two moose calves with their mother. Mom was close enough to us that we could hear her sloshing in the water.
We scooted through Anchorage, but stopped long enough to grab a brunch here at the Moose's Tooth Pub and Pizzeria, a favorite hangout in the city.
A beautiful calm and sunny day offered this perfect reflection of the mountains on the lake. On Highway One north of Seward
Near here, on the Glenn Highway, is the confluence of the Matanuska and Chickaloon rivers.
The Matanuska Glacier, as seen here from the Glenn Highway, is 27 miles long and 4 miles wide. It's accessible by car by taking a guided tour, and no one is allowed on the glacier without a guide.
The Wrangell Mountains as seen from the Glenn Highway. The entire range is considered volcanic, but the name comes from the largest and the only currently active in the range. They are located on the east side of the state, bordering The Yukon.
-ak-tetlin lake on the AK2.jpg)
-ak-Summit Lake, Hiway 1 leaving Seward.jpg)
-ak-near the Chickaloon-Matanuska River confluence.jpg)
-ak-near the Chickaloon-Matanuska River confluence.jpg)
-ak-near the Chickaloon-Matanuska River confluence.jpg)
-ak-Matanuska Glacier, Glenn Highway.jpg)
-ak-Wrangell Mountains from Glenn Hiway.jpg)
-ak-Wrangell Mountains from Glenn Hiway.jpg)