We are still in Talkeetna. It's a cute, small town (less than 1,000 people) to wander around in. Eldon is going fishing tomorrow afternoon with a guy we met who has a cottage at Drummond Island. They are going with a guide and will fish for trout and grayling. We saw several bald eagles yesterday when we went on a boat ride on the Talkeetna and Susitna rivers. Talkeetna is a happy, little town. In this area in the 1970's, homesteaders from the lower 48 came here. If you stayed for 5 years and paid the taxes, the property became yours. I think most of the people living here are descendants of those hippie homesteaders. They are a friendly, laid back bunch with no material worries. They have small houses and beat up cars but are a happy, artistic group. The shops only sell locally made items. (Chad, Carlynn & Missy, you are getting something from here) Little kids even sell things on the street. Tourist buses come through here on the way to Denali and that seems to provide most of their income.

Comments from Eldon: They say that this town and Homer were the basis for the TV show, Northern Exposure. I'm always expecting one of the characters from the show to come around the corner. Talkeetna has everything you need, including one of the best bakeries. The dogs are part of the town and wander where they want, even into the stores. I'm looking forward to fishing tomorrow. We are going on a raft to a creek to fish for grayling and rainbows.

Comments from Larry: I like Talkeetna too. I'm glad I'm not grounded anymore. I can do what I want again. I hear there are a lot of dogs down town, so I'm not going there.

We had a great time at Denali National Park for 3 days. We didn't have Internet access, so have a lot a catching up to do. Yesterday we did the 8 hour bus trip into the park to see Mt. McKinley. We could see most of the mountain (the top was covered by clouds), but we are counting it. They say only 30% of the people that come to see McKinley actually get to see it due to weather conditions. Along the way we saw our first grizzly bears (4), some moose, golden and bald eagles, and so many caribou we got tired of seeing them. Our bus driver was very good at spotting wildlife and always stopped. We also took advantage of other park sponsored events. During the ranger led hike to Horseshoe Lake, I learned the names of the wildflowers and trees and what moose and bear poop looks like. There are 2 things our tax dollars do well - libraries and national parks! I don't think I've mentioned weather. We have been in shorts & t-shirts many days. Friday it was warmer in Denali than it was in Michigan! The people are nice, the life style is laid back, and the scenery is beautiful - I can see why people move here. One guy I chatted with in the grocery told me 20 below is t-shirt weather - they seem proud to live here. In Denali, we met up again with a couple from Colorado Springs we had met in Jasper. It was almost like seeing old friends. Anyway, it was fun to catch up on our travels. Also saw another couple there we had visited with in Fairbanks. We are now in Talkeetna for 2 nights. A cute little town with views of Mt. McKinley.

Comments from Eldon: Denali is an exceptional wild life preserve. We saw everything but wolves. I actually got tired of seeing caribou. The animals act like they own the place - they ignore vehicles and humans. I was glad to see Mt. McKinley - what I could of it and I'm told we were lucky. I met a retired Texas ranger - this was his 2nd trip to Denali and he still hasn't seen McKinley. I think he just wants an excuse to come back again.

Comments from Larry: I got busted in Denali. I was wandering around the campsites, minding my own business, chasing a few red squirrels, when a wild life ranger spotted me. He tried to catch me but I wasn't born yesterday and ran under the truck. I guess the ranger didn't get much training in cat catching. But Cindy and Eldon got threatened with a ticket if I didn't stay in the camper; since I don't have any money of my own, they made me stay in the camper the rest of the time. I hate being grounded.

The plan to drive to the Arctic Circle today failed. We were about 80 miles into the 200 mile (one way) trip when the fog became so thick we could barely see where we were going. We couldn't see the point of going if we couldn't see where we were! So, we came back into Fairbanks and went to the Museum of the North. Interesting museum - we spent most of the afternoon there. Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy too, so we are giving up on the Arctic Circle. We will leave Fairbanks and head for Denali National Park for 2 or 3 days. The ball game was fun, but again it rained. The boat ride was a bit touristy, but also fun. The most interesting part was seeing Susan Butcher's sled dogs. She won the Iditarod 3 times. The dogs were all howling because they wanted to run. They put on a demonstration with an pulling an ATV instead of a sled.

Comments from Eldon: Yesterday was a great day for the river cruise. The fish camp was cool. I enjoyed seeing the salmon traps they use. The ball game was really minor league. The players work for companies in Fairbanks and basically play ball for their jobs. Boy, is Alaska fog dense. Disappointed we didn't go to the Arctic Circle, but if you can't see it, why blow a couple tires?

Comments from Larry: I went hunting yesterday while Eldon & Cindy went our their boat trip. I bagged my first Alaskan mouse. It was a buck. I'm so proud! I love Alaska.

In case you are wondering, it is the Alaska pipeline I am standing under.

Sorry to disappoint, but today we did absolutely nothing. We arrived in Fairbanks yesterday. We rode the scooter downtown last night to the Midnight Sun Festival. It is a street fair with live music. It was a fun time and we didn't have to worry about finding our way back to camp in the dark! We stopped at the North Pole yesterday (OK, it's a town outside Fairbanks). It rained all last night and most of today, so it's a good day to catch up on sleep, do laundry, etc. Eldon is grilling steak for supper. Tomorrow we go on a boat tour down the Chena River and 10:30 tomorrow night is the Midnight Sun baseball game. We saw the moose yesterday not far off the road between Delta Junction and Fairbanks. Pretty majestic guy. The sunset (or is it sunrise?) picture was taken at 3:30 a.m. We are adjusting to no dark, but it is weird. The locals are like bears and hibernate in the winter and keep long hours in the summer. The longest day possible (June 21) is 21 1/2 hours of daylight. The shortest day possible is (Dec. 21) and has 3 hours, 45 minutes of daylight. No daylight would be an even harder adjustment.
Comments from Eldon: Today was an Eldon day; didn't do anything but enjoyed reading & napping. The daylight has been wearing on me; I could use some darkness. Looking forward to the ball game tomorrow night.
Comments from Larry: I came in at 3:30 last night; it was still light. I got chewed out for staying out so late, but I am used to my curfew being at dark. Needless to say, I don't have a curfew - ha! When in Alaska, do as the Alaskan cats do.

We are in Delta Junction tonight - drove about 200 miles today on much improved highway from yesterday. It is good to be back in the U.S. - I never do very good converting kilometers in my head and prices are cheaper.

Comments from Eldon: We made it to the end of the Alaska Highway. It wasn't as bad as people had told us except for yesterday's drive. It was a remarkable experience. Two towns I've seen today (Tok & Delta Junction), remind me of U.P. towns. Tomorrow we are heading to Fairbanks for the Midnight Sun Festival that goes on all evening and Tuesday I plan to go to Midnight Sun Baseball Game that starts at 10:30 p.m. without any artificial lighting.

Comments from Larry: It's hot today - 80 degrees or more. The campground has a tabby cat who thinks he owns the place, so I've been hanging out on top of the spare tire. Eldon says watch out for eagles, Cindy says watch out for bears, but I have to watch out for tabby cats.

We are finally in Alaska!

We're here!!!! A long day on the road but once we got close, we wanted to go all the way. It took us over 3 hours to go 100 miles due to the permafrost damage to the road. It makes gigantic dips in the road - you almost have to come a complete stop at times. We are not sure of our exact plan right now, but are headed to Fairbanks.

Comments from Eldon: He is back at the camper, but said his only comment is WOOHOO!!!

Comments from Larry: He is back at the camper too, but I have to tell you the picture of him in the camper is truely at the border sign too!