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

Southwestern Kenai Peninsula drive

On a recent weekend, we set out from Anchorage to Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula. We anticipated rainy weather and were surprised when, as we traveled toward the water, the clouds parted and the sun came out in full force. We pressed on toward Homer, stopping to view the sights along the way. 

View of a Russian Orthodox church near Ninilchik

Near Ninilchik, a Russian Orthodox church circa 1895 

Volcanoes including Mount Redoubt and Mt. Iliamna
are part of the "ring of fire" in the Alaskan range

Homer is land's end on the southwestern Kenai Peninsula

Alaska wildlife sightings on a summer afternoon

Wood bison calves. 
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center provides a home for orphaned or injured animals. The center provides education and an opportunity for visitors to wildlife up close.

The moose appear content.Wildlife sightings are common in and around Anchorage.
A 2011 count by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game 
estimated roughly 1,540 moose living in Anchorage.  

Wood bison can exceed plains bison in size

Meeting a brown bear up close feels better
when there is an enclosure barrier

Byron Glacier near Portage, AK is easy to view...

...from a number of angles

Cruise to glaciers

An Alaska Railroad trip from Anchorage to Whittier gave us time
to enjoy the ride south along the Turnagain Arm. A five hour journey
would take us to see glaciers.  

Otters at perfectly at home on the ice. 

Icebergs groan around the boat. 

A glacier is about to calve.

Icebergs form unusual sculptured shapes. 

Factoids:
Only a small segment of land keeps the Kenai Peninsula from being an island.


Virtually everyone who lives in Whittier lives in one single building.


If you miss the last train or scheduled opportunity to drive though the tunnel in the evening, you become a POW, a prisoner of Whittier. you can leave in the morning when the tunnel opens.

A day at Denali

Within 48 hours of our arrival in Anchorage, we were off to Denali...

Mt. McKinley aka Denali on a clear day

Denali in early May 2012 with plenty more snow
to follow in just a few days

Bob enjoying the Alaska sun



Looking away from Denali to the river below

The view changes as the day progresses into late afternoon

Kenai Peninsula to Seward

May 14, 2012 near the beginning of the Kenai Peninsula
south of Anchorage, AK

Resurrection Bay, Seward, AK

Seward, AK small boat harbor and cruise ship harbor

Summer in Alaska

Alaska Highway Mile Zero and Northward

Dawson Creek, where the Milepost marks Mile 0, begins the Alaska Highway.  Vehicles sport a heavy layer of mud.



Milepost Zero, with Bob, Mary and Zoe



The Alaska Hotel, Dawson Creek



Black bear north of Liard Hot Springs,
making tracks toward the truck.




Historic murals in downtown Dawson, Creek