D64 - 07/01/24 TALKEETNA

Talkeetna is a very charming pioneer town in Alaska. Its located halfway between Anchorage to Denali and about 55 minutes south of our current location. There are many things to do there … shopping, great places to eat, zip lining, off roading, water adventures and of course as a mountaineering town it’s known as a basecamp of sorts to climb Denali. Talkeetna also has great views of Mt. Denali (it’s actually closer to the mountain than the Denali National Park entrance. 

Tim and I drove the 53 miles one way down to Talkeetna with plans on lunch. Saw an amazing view of a moose in a marshy lake eating along the way. He was on the other side of the road and we couldn’t stop in time. We arrived in town a little later than anticipated. Wow! Not what we expected. 

There was nowhere to park unless we parked out of town and paid a business to park there. That would have been fine however there were so many people there. Lines to get in most restaurants. Lines for the public bathrooms. Swarms of tourists in the street. We left. I’m glad the town is benefiting from all the visitors but not what we wanted today. We think all the tourists that could not go to Denali (due to the wildfire) or ride the trains between here and Fairbanks were dropped off by bus as an alternative activity. 

We had remembered passing Denali Brewing Company on the way not far down the road. That’s where we decided to stop hoping they also served food. Yes! It was meant for us to stop here. Just what we were looking for!! Salad, pizza and beer! Good food. Cold beer. Amazing atmosphere. Great place all around!! 

There were a few other stops we wanted to make on our return to basecamp. One was a floatplane company. Another was Wal*Mike’s! (wow … speechless). And lastly to get that photo of the moose in the lake. Unfortunately he wasn’t there!

When we returned to camp one of our South Carolina Airstream friends had arrived at our campground today. I was able to grab a 1st come 1st serve campsite for them early this morning. They were supposed to be checking into Denali today but with the closure of Denali National Park due to the wildfire their reservations had been canceled. All the RVers with Denali reservations were now looking for alternative places to stay. Tim and I spent happy hour over at their campsite. The other S.C. Airstream couple had found a place not far north of us. We parted ways this evening with ‘see ya down the road’.

Guess what? We saw Denali again! From the campground this evening while walking Jett. Didn’t expect it and it was only the highest peak peaking out of the high clouds. Even though it wasn’t all of it, I’m still saying we saw it today! (5th time) Guess the sunlight could have been better but this was at 9 pm. LOL

Travel day tomorrow! 

Meanwhile back at home I guess a peacock made himself at home! 

Sunset: 11:58 pm

Sunrise: 4:11 am

Wildlife viewings:

Swan

Eagles

Moose

D63 - 06/30/24 DENALI STATE PARK!!

Prior to completely departing this great National Park we had to make a pit stop at the dump station. The people ya meet at the dump station! Fellow Airstream’rs! Locals from Anchorage!! Thank you for all the great information. Nice meeting you both! 

Our travel today then took us about two hours south of the Denali National Park entrance. Guess what?? We saw it again. DENALI. From the south. This is the view every knows and where you can see more of the mountain. And the views that we saw today were crystal clear and stunning!! Definitely the centerpiece of the 700-mile-long Alaska Range. Denali now sits about forty-one miles from us in these photos. 

We have landed and set up our basecamp in Denali STATE Park at the K’esugi Ken Campground. Fancy! We have power here!! This is a super nice place. Rarely do you see a five star rating at a campground. The campsites are so neatly done with nicely manicured lawns at each site. 

The moment we arrived the campground host warned us of a moose cow hanging out here. She could have even said at our site. I had Jett. She was talking. Tim was on the walkie talking at the same time. Not five minutes later here the cow moose comes walking right down the middle of the road followed by an RV. 

Our main door was open, as the weather has been amazing, and the screen door was closed. I was still setting up. Tim stepped inside, closed the screen door back behind him about the time Jett saw her and started barking. This spooked the moose who started to run into the campsite across from us. That guy was outside and had his two big dogs on long cables. Those dogs were now fiercely barking at the moose while the guy was probably saying ’Oh sh$t!’. The dogs then scared the moose back onto the road and out of sight. The dog cables had been wrapped around items in his site so stuff was flying as the dogs were lunging at the moose. Pure chaos for about 30 seconds. And Jett had started it all from inside the Airstream. 

Afterwards both our South Carolina Airstream friends were texting to check on us as a wildfire had started south of Healy and just one mile north of the Denali National Park entrance. Local fire services responding include the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection, Tri-Valley Volunteer Fire Department and the McKinley Village Volunteer Fire Department. They have smokejumpers and aircraft responding. The fire is spreading and hopefully they can get it under control soon. We will continue to closely monitor this situation. 

Before the rain began we were able to get Jett out for a nice hike on a few of the trails. Nice that they allow dogs on trail here. But scary too! Most places we cannot walk her on trail (for safety) and have to stay within the campground. Tim walked ahead of Jett and I. Both of us with our heads on a swivel. Had to pick up the pace towards the end as the drops of rain began to fall. 

Tomorrow will be a day to explore some more trails here and maybe checkout a local town. 

Sunset: 12:00 am

Sunrise: 4:10 am

Elevation: 900’

Miles from home: 

4,791 miles

Miles driven: 

6,466.8 miles

Wildlife viewings:

Moose 🫎

Duck 🦆