Housekeeping

Wasilla/Palmer area (outside of Anchorage)
June 25, 2016

Staying in an interesting place between Palmer and Wasilla (Sarah Palin's hometown!).  Nothing to write home about, actually more of a culture shock.  So many people and cars and shops and a real city!  We are NOT used to this but have to do some "housekeeping".  Have been on the road now for over 5000 miles.  Laundry, groceries, oil change, just a general "clean up" is needed for a couple of days before we head off to the Kenai peninsula for 10 days.

From Denali we stopped at Talkeetna.  Little, charming town with both touristy vibe and local Alaska vibe.

most of us going into Talkeetna

This is the take-off spot for all the climbers hoping to summit Denali.  They fly in on ski type planes and land at base camp at 7200 ft.  Lots of action with the planes, climbers and all their gear. This year 1100 permits were given out for climbers, 50% have made it so far and the season is almost over.  Good Luck to them.

So we are not so excited about this “city” living.  They do have quite the scenic backdrop from Wasilla/Palmer area.  This stop did what we needed…major “housekeeping.”  Now we are off to the Chugach Mountains and the Glaciated Area of the Kenai Peninsula.  Looking forward to less people again and lots of hiking, hopefully without too many bear issues?  

We have our Salmon Charter reserved out of Soldotna and Halibut charter set up for Homer.  Pretty excited about having lots of good fish sent home.  

Seward Highway out of Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula!

National Scenic Highway - that’s an understatement

As we left Anchorage we left that part of Alaska behind us.  Back to the Alaska we have grown to love - the wild frontier with endless scenery and wildlife beyond belief.  The Seward Highway begins as soon as you leave Anchorage and go South to the Kenai. Really epic drive with wall of waterfalls, glaciers, large mountains and water.  The Alaska train runs parallel to the highway (my next bucket list - take the Alaska Train).

Our first stop was in Girdwood.  This is the ski resort for Alaska and where most people come from Anchorage to get away.  It is a beautiful, beautiful ski area and summer resort.  We ate at The Bake Shop, located at the base of Chair 3. Yummy.   

Now we are heading into the Chugach National Forest to the Portage Glacier Valley.  I found a FS campground that sounds amazing and boy is it!  Greatest FS campground we have ever stayed at.  Actually, the Churgach Forest is all that too.  The Visitor Center alone is up to par with most National Parks Visitor Centers.  Our campground sits at the base of a glaciated valley.  The Portage Glacier being the biggest of the 6 glaciers around us.  From our campsite we can see Middle Glacier.  There is a beautiful hiking trail, Trail of Blue Ice, that travels all around the outside of this valley.  We hiked with Bodie for a few hours today, went to the Visitor Center and took the 1 hour Glacier cruise up close to the Portage Glacier.  Was really cool.  Rainy, cloudy and cool day, but still great photo’s.  I will be sad to leave this campground (again, no need for reservations….just pull right in and choose your spot! and all for $18!) FYI - If I were in the FS, I would request this FOREST for sure - 2x’s the size of the Los Padres.