Talkeetna August 20, 2013

We set out for Talkeetna on a wet, Seward morning.  The trip wasn't a washout, but it did dribble much as the day.

Around Moose Pass, an hour north of Seward

Marsh swamps near Wasilla and Palmer, Alaska.

The trip north of Anchorage was not all that attractive.  I thought the northern route may be as spectacular as the drive the Seward, however that was not the case.  The mountains stayed with us some of the way, but then we sank down to the valley floor leading to Talkeena.  The land flattened out and became very marshy as a result of being at the upper-end of Turnagan Arm.  This area houses an immense bird refuge!  We did see quite a number of eagles on the way up.  As used to this magnificent bird as we are, they are still magnificent.  

We passed through the Wasilla area on Route 3 and that was not much to write home about.   But there are a lot of rivers in the area.  In fact, the town of Talkeetna is at the corner of 3 large rivers:  Chulitna, Susitna and Talkeetna Rivers.  They are marvelously turquoise in color.

Now, about Talkeetna - very hard to explain unless you see it.  Talkeetna is on the National Register of Historic Places and was an early-1900 old mining town.  In fact, most of the buildings, which have been turned into other things such as gift shops, remain from the days of mining.

Nagley's General store - around since about 1915!

Talkeetna is home to many talented artisans.  As we have spoken to many local Alaskans, artisans say they work all winter producing their products, just to sell all summer to tourists.  I overheard an artisan explaining to a customer that they have a "take back Talkeetna" party at the end of the season when the tourists go home.  Talkeetna is home to about 800 permanent residents.

This morning (August 21) we listened to a local radio show (community discussions and topics on the radio).  What was really cool, as we have only heard about such things, but this station puts out "echos" which are messages the locals send to on another as there is little cell coverage and many people don't have phones.  Here are some examples of what I heard this morning:

• Would the person who took my gas can out of the back of my truck at the Talkeetna river dock, return it to that spot, preferably full of gas, by this weekend.  No questions asked.
• Marge, not sure we can make it this weekend because it's been raining so heavy.
• Tell, "x" we are coming this weekend, so get the place ready.

This is kind of like our local "Front Porch Forum" but over the radio.  I will listen in again because it was really quite cool.

Now I must introduce you to the major of Talkeenta- Mayor Stubbs!!!  Yes, as you can see from this link, it's true.

Mayor Stubbs has the run of Talkeenta and on this day, was in a gift store on the couch!  Major Stubbs was actually elected by write in about 16 years go.  This Major was happy to be petted, but didn't even budge when I pet him.  Maybe he's stuffed?  No, he was breathing.

This morning as I was ready to pour my coffee, we saw a mother and baby moose on the front lawn of our cabin.

Baby Moose with mouth full of flowers.

Mother Moose.  She was about 15 feet away.

They didn't stay but a moment and walked out beside the van we have rented.  We held our breath because we thought they were doing to take off the mirror.  Now Mommy's back (not her head, but her back) was even with the roof of the van!  Yup, they raise them big here.  The baby's head was a bit higher than the roof of the van.  No way were we going to get between those two!

Dining area at our cabins.

There is supposed to be a view of Denali from here - at least all the photos around here show it.

Our cabin, with Denali ALMOST out.

Today is a very bleak and cool day in Talkeetna.  This is Alaska!  the weather says it will be like this until maybe Saturday - we can only hope!  We are lucky to have a lovely cabin that is warm.  Though we've heard the weather is spectacular in Vermont (good for you all there!!!) we are in Alaska which is still really cool.  That being said, if the rain Gods would lay off for a while, we'd be very, very happy with that, too. 

We stopped in to Barnes and Noble in Anchorage to buy a couple more books, because we heard the weather was going to be poor.    So how about a book review?  The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey - Eowyn is from Palmer and I picked up this book.  It was her first novel and a Pulitzer Prize Finalist.  This book was based on a fairy tale and captivated me.  Perhaps it did because I was picking up bits and pieces about Alaskan life along our little adventure, and could better relate to the characters and environment as it was written about Alaskan living in the early 1900s.  I found the characters were well developed, which is always (for me) important in a good book.  The ending may not have been what a lot of readers would have like, but in my view, it ended the way it should.  I enjoyed it and felt it would be a great book-club read providing a lot of good discussion.  I'm bringing it home so you are all welcome to borrow it.

Ira says he has read 4 books so far.  He has picked up a couple of books about Alaska, too.  The Floor of Heaven about the Yukon Gold Rush and connection to the wild, wild west.  And another book was Pilgrim's Wilderness about a family that moved into national forest land and their battle with the national forest.

Heading for Talkeetna now to listend to ranger program about Denali and later we are going to a play by the local arts council.  Indoor activities! And, we are going to try to spot more wildlife.  Later!