AK Adventure Day 71: Talkeetna & Denali

...needing a break from the chores....we decided to make the scenic drive to Willow through the Hatcher Pass...and then on to Talkeetna.

Lovely drive, with absolutely nary a soul on the road!!  Probably because it was a rainy day!!  On to Talkeetna for brunch at the Talkeetna Roadhouse.  

What a treasure Talkeetna is!!...quirky...artsy-fartsy...boutiquey...and FULL of tourist this rainy day!!

We walked over to the confluence of 3 rivers—the Talkeetna, Susitna, and Chulitna. Beautiful!!

We visited the Talkeetna Ranger Station...watched a chilling video about folks who climb up Mount Denali. Check out that cool little Port-a-loo...pack in/pack out...leave no trace...of any kind except footprints!!

Talkeetna’s version of the mural project....

We decided...what the heck!!...we are SO CLOSE to Denali Park and Refuge...let’s just GO!!...so...off we went...and we were so glad we did!! We opted to drive in the allowable 15 miles instead of to take a bus tour.

Beautiful scenery...went on a 2 mile hike...and saw a bull and cow moose, and several wild rabbits!!...SHUCKS...didn’t see a caribou...even though there were reported sightings of one near the park road.

Lovely evening drive back to Eagle River. Enough AK summer daylight at 11:15pm to still see Hurricane Gulch!!

On the way back we actually saw the peak of Denali...so...I suppose now I can qualify for just a tiny portion of 30% of people who actually SEE Mount Denali!!

...Eagle River arrival time...1:15AM!!...PHEW...whirlwind tourism!!...LOVE IT!!