More Tales from Alaska

It's been a while since we posted - we continue to work and to sightsee up here.

Last week we went on a ranger led hike in the park. It was a beautiful day - we got to see Denali several times on the ride out. Quite a hike too - we went out one stream bed, crossed over the end of a small mountain and back up towards the road on another stream bed. Wet feet and aching muscles at the end - a success. Sally got a good close look at a ptarmigan. It's a male; you can tell by the red eyebrow.



Bus ride out to hike

Hiking up stream

Ptarmigan

Last Sunday we went up to Fairbanks to see the Red Green Regatta. It's a float down the Chena River in craft that are built and/or decorated by the participants to reflect the theme of the Red Green show and Red's favorite handyman's helper - duct tape. It looked like so much fun that we wished we had entered a boat ourselves. The weather was warm and the water didn't look like it was too cold (though Sally would have probably turned blue). We saw everything from Santa to the Loch Ness monster to 3 Men in a Tub. The course was only a couple of miles, but there is no telling how long it would take to float or how many of the craft actually made it. Many of them didn't appear to be under control at the starting line.

Santa in the Red Green Regatta

Finally we took a ride on the Alaska Railroad down to a little town called Talkeetna. It was supposedly the inspiration for Northern Exposure. A very interesting place - it has 800 year round residents. There are about 10 flight-seeing companies in town and a bunch of gift stores featuring crafts made by the residents. It looked like they must spend the whole winter knitting, painting and making jelly. It has spectacular views of Denali and lots of old historical buildings. We enjoyed our stay in a local lodge and a great breakfast in the Roadhouse - sourdough berry pancakes withe fireweed jam. Yum!

All Aboard

Coming round the bend

Talkeetna store and visitor center

A different view of Denali from the south

We'll sign off for now - only a few more weeks before we have to head towards southern Alaska for more of the great adventure.