Wed. Aug.6 The sun was out sparkling on the water and we were able to see the mountains clearly for the first time since we arrived in Seward. Too bad we have to leave today. We packed up the Jeep again. We spent a little time in town shopping and mailing and finding an ATM. Money goes very quickly up here in the north land. We hit the road north to Talkeetna. A short stop in Whitney area for a great view of another glacier.Back through Anchorage and on north. http://www.talkeetnachamber.org/photogallery.html Our arrival at the Talkeetna Roadhouse was under a sunny sky. The Roadhouse http://www.talkeetnaroadhouse.com/ is literally an old roadhouse in a charming 
little town that has been overrun by tourists. A few little gift shops, a bead shop, several restaurants, a plethora of fishing and flying concessions. Kipp and Shep talked to several of the flight agents and we debated when to schedule our flight.Since it was such gorgeous weather right then(about 8pm) while we were trying to second guess tomorrow’s weather, Jeanne and I made the executive decision that now was the perfect time to fly especially since it does not get dark until almost midnight. After a brief run to the Roadhouse for jackets we returned to the airfield ready to roll.
little town that has been overrun by tourists. A few little gift shops, a bead shop, several restaurants, a plethora of fishing and flying concessions. Kipp and Shep talked to several of the flight agents and we debated when to schedule our flight.Since it was such gorgeous weather right then(about 8pm) while we were trying to second guess tomorrow’s weather, Jeanne and I made the executive decision that now was the perfect time to fly especially since it does not get dark until almost midnight. After a brief run to the Roadhouse for jackets we returned to the airfield ready to roll.http://www.hudsonair.com/ Shep
jammed
jammedhimself in the back seat, Jeanne and I next and Kipp rode co-pilot. It was a tight squeeze but everyone could see and take pictures. What an incredible experience!! Our pilot, Jacques, (I think he made that up!) was a very low key, calm guy who flew very well. It was a very smooth take off and flight. We were at bout 8,000 ft flying among the mountains. Clouds had come in so we really did not get to see the peaks but we got awesome views of so much. Jacques gave us a lot of information about the area and the geology. After Jacques lowered the skis, we landed on Pika Glacier. It was an uphill landing, but it was perfect. We got out to hike around on the glacier. Jeanne and I did a little yoga
before we got back in the plane for the downhill take off. What a once in a lifetime experience!! After a perfect landing we were really pretty excited, calling for drinks and some food. Notice in the last picture on this post in the middle bottom, the plane that is taking off from the glacier where we landed!!
Thursday Aug 7. Since we had all the excitement last night today was a laid back day. Breakfast at the Roadhouse is a very filling affair. The half orders are enough to make your clothes tight. We did take a little walk along the railroad tracks. The foliage and ferns are really
tall and thick. We visited all the little shops (maybe 12 or so) including the bead shop. The afternoon was spent soaking in the tub and napping (Jeanne) photographing (Kipp) reading in the sun (Shep) and reading and relaxing (me). Dinner at the West Rib Grille http://www.flickr.com/photos/janinef71/2708960001/ involved oysters on the half
shell, snow crab and halibut tacos. Another belly buster that necessitated a stroll along the river as well as a visit to the local cemetery which has a memorial to all the climbers that have died on the mountains, Denali, McKinley, and Hunter.
Fri. Aug 8. Another great breakfast to the Roadhouse with cookies for the road, was followed by a visit to the local museum. http://www.talkeetnahistoricalsociety.org/museum.php There are small buildings that have been restored to house the museum, the little red schoolhouse, the railroad depot, the miner’s cabin. Very neat displays from the early mining, railroad, mushing, aviation and daily survival. Then we were moving on down the road to Denali. The closer we got to the mountains the less we could see; the clouds and rain moved in. It was pretty thick and dense cloud cover with a down-pouring rain. This meant a trip to the liquor store so that we could survive the afternoon in our little cabins http://www.denalirivercabins.com/contact.htm overlooking the river. The 2002 Big Moose Red is mighty tasty. At least we were not among the poor schmucks who had already signed up and paid for the river rafting trip this afternoon. What a cold, wet miserable trip that would be today!
before we got back in the plane for the downhill take off. What a once in a lifetime experience!! After a perfect landing we were really pretty excited, calling for drinks and some food. Notice in the last picture on this post in the middle bottom, the plane that is taking off from the glacier where we landed!!Thursday Aug 7. Since we had all the excitement last night today was a laid back day. Breakfast at the Roadhouse is a very filling affair. The half orders are enough to make your clothes tight. We did take a little walk along the railroad tracks. The foliage and ferns are really
tall and thick. We visited all the little shops (maybe 12 or so) including the bead shop. The afternoon was spent soaking in the tub and napping (Jeanne) photographing (Kipp) reading in the sun (Shep) and reading and relaxing (me). Dinner at the West Rib Grille http://www.flickr.com/photos/janinef71/2708960001/ involved oysters on the half
shell, snow crab and halibut tacos. Another belly buster that necessitated a stroll along the river as well as a visit to the local cemetery which has a memorial to all the climbers that have died on the mountains, Denali, McKinley, and Hunter.Fri. Aug 8. Another great breakfast to the Roadhouse with cookies for the road, was followed by a visit to the local museum. http://www.talkeetnahistoricalsociety.org/museum.php There are small buildings that have been restored to house the museum, the little red schoolhouse, the railroad depot, the miner’s cabin. Very neat displays from the early mining, railroad, mushing, aviation and daily survival. Then we were moving on down the road to Denali. The closer we got to the mountains the less we could see; the clouds and rain moved in. It was pretty thick and dense cloud cover with a down-pouring rain. This meant a trip to the liquor store so that we could survive the afternoon in our little cabins http://www.denalirivercabins.com/contact.htm overlooking the river. The 2002 Big Moose Red is mighty tasty. At least we were not among the poor schmucks who had already signed up and paid for the river rafting trip this afternoon. What a cold, wet miserable trip that would be today!
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