Willow Talkeetna Denali and Fairbanks

I just realized it is going to be August! We will have some visitors in August. My friend Kathy (BFF) who has never flown will be coming up on July 31 for a week! Its so funny hearing all her excitement about flying and which camera to bring. I say BRING IT ALL!  I cannot wait to see her. It will be a fun filled week of talking, driving, picture taking and trying to give her a great time! Then we will get to have Korin, Brian and GAVIN for a week. SO EXCITING! Anyway when I realized it was almost August I thought I better get blogging. I have not even added pictures from my last blog. WIFI is a big issue in the camping life in the 49th state. Just sayin

It has been a busy few weeks in July. After Joanne left we drove up to Willow and camped in a very nice older campground. It was called the Mat-Su. It was run by a very nice woman a bit older than us and her son. Her son lives in Florida but comes up every summer to help her run the place! I would recommend it to anyone! Very quiet.

We drove down to Hatcher pass and drove that gravel road almost to the other end. There were some old mines, beautiful views, creeks, and NO wildlife. Oh I guess we did see a Marmot. the little river that ran along was the Willow creek and there were a lot of claims and no trespassing no mining signs along the way. We also drove in to the area of Willow that had a huge fire earlier this summer. It was devastating to see the burned area. You could still smell all the charred trees, yet the fire weed was in full bloom. I think over 50 structures were lost. A lot the the people were mushers. They were already working on rebuilding the houses.

We also drove to Talkeetna a cute little Alaskan "tourist trap" But it was a very nice afternoon we spent there and got some great views of the Alaska Railroad Trains! We spent some time out on a gravel sand bar along a river. We worried a little as Chuck (our cat) had some kind of episode and we were concerned for Kristin as she is taking care of him. But he seemed to come around the next day and seems to be doing better!

We drove to Cantwell for our next campground and all I can say is UGH! not a great place to stay..but you win some you lose some. We only stayed one night. Our next day drive was rough literally and figuratively as we made our way to Fairbanks ( actually North Pole) and stayed there for several days. They say that Alaska has 2 seasons Winter is 8 months and construction is 4 months long! They know what they are talking about! We did all the North Pole things like going and mailing post cards. We saw Santa Claus House and the reindeer. Santa was not in but he did promise to write a letter to Gavin now and in December. We drove up to the Dalton and actually drove a mile on it but it was total mud! And scary the truckers drive extremely fast.

On Wednesday we went to Gary and Sarah's for dinner! A wonderful home cooked meal and then we went out for ice-cream and a tour! Many many thanks to them for their hospitality!  . We stayed in Fairbanks area until Sunday , we went to the botanical garden and Chena Hot Springs . Saw a few moose on the way to and from the hot springs.

On Sunday we drove back to Denali National Park. We camped inside the park at Riley Creek.  Sophie was in her glory so many squirrels so little time. We loved it there. When we arrived there were no campground spaces Except for those with a reservation! I had the confirmation on my phone and it was a good thing because the system was down and they could not look up anything so if you didn't  have it on paper or in email TOUGH LUCK!The next day we took the bus tour to Eielson Visitor Center which is 66 miles out on the Denali road. We saw lots of bears 2 coyotes some caribou . But McKinley was in the clouds and not visible. However, the next day we drove out the 15 miles and were able to see her in all her splendor! I promise I will post pictures! All in all I was very glad we spent a few days there! It is just awesome and UNTOUCHED for the most part. We were able to see the Alaska railroad there as well. I would go back if the opportunity arises ...someday.

We drove back to North Pole on Wednesday and spent a few more days there. We went to Big Daddy's BBQ the most northern southern BBQ. It was pretty good. We also went on the river cruise and saw the float plane demo, sled dog demo by Susan Butchers daughter and an Athabaskan village . It was very educational and a lovely day on the river!

Sunday the 26th we left Fairbanks area. More on that drive later! with pics of Valdez and Wrangell St Elias National Park.

For now I am tired and we just had a small earthquake here.....

Joanne comes to Alaska

I'm a bit behind on blogging! I can't lie its just pure laziness on my part. July has been flying by. On July 3-7 Joanne came to visit! We stopped at earthquake park before we picked her up and we were rewarded with seeing a momma moose and 2 babies. We took Joanne there after and they were gone! No pics sorry! Having Joanne visit was awesome! We all felt blessed to be seeing all the sights in Alaska.

On the morning of the 4th of July we drove up toward Wasilla and went on a pretty good hike to a Waterfall. Thunderbird Falls. Then we went to see where Sarah Palin lives, saw loons on the lake. After a while we found the dog sledding demonstration and ride! And what a ride it was! it was only about 3-5 minutes but very fast. There were 16 dogs harnessed to a rolling sled as there is no snow. Joanne and I were up front and Dave behind us. He was really hanging on to us so we would not fall out. About halfway through the ride i decided to be a "musher " and started saying mush mush. Dave leaned over and reminded me there was a guy standing in the back giving directions. I had forgotten that and the whole ride I cackled and laughed like a kid! Joanne and I got dirt and bugs in our mouths but it was sooooooooo worth it! We then go to pet the baby sled dogs and of course go shopping! It was a great day.

We stopped at Reflection Lake on the way back and took another walk. All in all we had a great holiday. Returned to RV and had some of the halibut that Dave caught. Not a traditional 4th of July but we loved it. Fireworks were banned due to fires and besides you would have to wait til about 1 AM to see them! #nevergetsdark

The next morning we dropped Sophie at a Kennel and headed toward Seward. We stopped many places on the way including Potter Marsh where we saw 2 arctic terns! Turnigan pass was awesome again and I know Joanne enjoyed it. We saw Dall Sheep on the mountain across from Beluga lookout!

We continued into Seward and had late lunch at Chinooks on the docks. We walked the docks checked out where we needed to be the next day and checked in to the hotel! We drove out to exit glacier and took another hike out to see the glacier which was awesome! Went to bed pretty early as we had an early date with a boat!

July 6th. Rain fog oh no! We went to check in at Kenai Cruise and we hear that they are offering full refunds due to a weather alert. High seas and foggy conditions. We were deciding what to do and they lifted the warning! So off we went! Joanne had at least 6 layers on and I had a few too. It was pretty raw out on the deck but fairly comfortable inside. We went out of Resurrection Bay and it appeared to clear some. We got to see a whale, some porpoises otters, sea lions and seals. The best part was seeing Aialik Glacier! It was so blue! Our crew indicated it is more blue on cloudy days. The sight was awesome and we all felt like we had experienced something much greater than us. God created all of this beauty! The ride back was good but we were all sleepy after lunch but the captain had to blow the fog horn every 2 minutes so really we never slept!

We had to go back to Anchorage as Joanne was flying out the next day! A dinner at Olive Garden (thanks Joanne)! early to bed then off to the Airport! Until September Joanne.

Our next couple days were spent picking up Sophie, getting mail making calls etc.
More next time about Willow, Talkeetna and Fairbanks!
 Here are some pics of Joannes visit!
 I will try again tomorrow for the pics, Slow internet

A visit from family, some new friends and lots of beauty!

Well well well, It has been a busy couple of weeks. First Cindy came with Gary and Sarah. The first night they just came over for some fish caught and cooked by master chef Dave. We walked down to the dock to see where Sarah's sister and brother in laws boat was docked as we were invited to go out the next day! A little ice cream and we called it a night.

The next morning was a bit cloudy and rainy but around noon we headed out on a very nice boat after meeting Lucy and Bill ( the admiral and the captain) What a nice smooth ride with narration by one of the two. We went to Tutka Cove and cindy and Gary did some kayaking. We could have gone but the transition from boat to kayak did not look like I would have a smooth and graceful transition so we chose not to go. It started raining  anyway and we headed back. Oh I failed to mention that Lucy had made us a Dutch Baby pancake for lunch! never had one and it was so good!
the next two days we all met for coffee or lunch and really got to know a few of the locals. We went shopping in the galleries and also had some delicious seafood chowder with Gary, Sarah and Cindy at the cabin they rented. I made a peach crisp for dessert ( the last of my peaches from last years harvest)                                                                                                                                  It was great to see Cindy and spend time with all!

We left Homer, our home for the month of June, on July 1.

Bittersweet .... we loved it there , but I know we have to move on as Joanne will be here in a few days! The above flower pic is from up on the bluff looking down on Homer!
Sarah on Bishops beach! I can't find a picture of Gary!

It was a long drive to Anchorage with a bit of construction and some awesome views. We went to a large park 200+ sites but quite clean! I will post later this week about our visit with Joanne!

Thats all for now!