A visit south for more sled dogs and Talkeetna pancakes
Iditarod Headquarters
2100 S Knik-Goose Bay Rd, Wasilla, AK
This is a beautiful spot. Watched a film that had a lot of Jeff King in it. :) Browsed through all the memorabilia, snuggled some puppies, and took a cart ride with some very happy, friendly huskies. Best of all, I met musher Raymie Redington.
Of dogs and brothers: Another generation of Redingtons inducted into Musher’s Hall of Fame
I went to another presentation at Pioneer Village. Visitors to the 1967 Alaska Centennial Expo were treated to this triumph of old-school technology, and the show is presented exactly the same as it was then. For the forty-minute show, audience rotates/spins around to view each of 15 fascinating oil paintings by artist Rusty Heurlin. The narration about the history of Fairbanks and interior Alaska is provided by Alaska’s late poet laureate Ruben Gaines. (I sat through it twice. It was fascinating.
Hurricane Gultch: There are over 40 bridges to cross while driving the Parks highway. Hurricane Gulch Bridge, at mile 174.3 is a breathtaking 254 feet above the white water of Hurricane Creek. Pedestrians aren’t allowed to walk on the bridge. It’s spectacular from any vantage point.
Talkeetna began in 1916 when the area was chosen as a district headquarters for the Alaska Railroad. It has a cool, relaxed vibe. The residents of Talkeetna once elected a cat mayor. It’s also the main hub for anyone attempting to summit Denali. Every climber has to pass through the Talkeetna NPS ranger station.
Almost every day since I arrived at least one person has said to me, “You have to go to Talkeetna.” I finally made it there, and had the famous pancakes at the Talkeetna Roadhouse - or rather, pancake. The pancake- blueberry, banana - shown in the photo above is a half order.
These are some of the views from the places I’ve camped the last two weeks. I’m loving van life.
Those birds are made out of nails! They are in front of the Fairbanks Visitors Center where I watched a movie about the Aurora.I’m hoping to get to see the lights in September. (Now, it’s daylight 24 hours!) The bear is resting in front of the Denali National Park Visitors Center - where they have a Starbucks! ;)
I had some delicious pie and soaked in the view on the deck of the McKinley View Lodge. Homesteaded by the late Mary Carey in 1962, McKinley view lodge is now owned and run by her daughter, author Jean Carey Richardson. I bought three books and had Jean sign all three!
Finally, on the way home, I stopped at Non Stop Dogwear again, and this time got to meet Kale. Watching Kale’s videos and livestreams provided a lot of the inspiration for me to come here this summer. I’m so glad I got the chance to meet him in person. Check out his livestream page here: https://www.facebook.com/kalecaseylive