Talkeetna, where rivers meet

Talkeetna, Alaska, is a village of 900 that lies on a spur road off the Parks Highway on the way to Denali, also known as Mt. McKinley. 


Mountain climbers use Talkeetna as a base camp. They share the town with an array of characters. One officially important resident is sometimes under the influence of catnip. The elected mayor of Alaska is a cat. Stubbs, the mayor, resides at Nagley's General Store. We were not privileged to have an audience with him. But we did encounter his food and water dishes on the counter. 

For those who remember television's Emmy award winner Northern Exposure, Talkeetna is known as its inspiration. 

Who could resist fountain soft drinks and ammo?

The Talkeetna museum displays items my own mother
 and grandmother used daily. Wow. 

The Talkeetna Roadhouse remains a true roadhouse,
with bunk rooms, showers "down the hall,"
a cozy common room with wireless internet, and a dining
room where diners share tables and conversation