SEP 29, 21 .. THE DRIVE .. ANCHORAGE, ALASKA NORTH TO FAIRBANKS, ALASKA

Yesterday, Wednesday, September the 29th, 2021, Patti and I began a trip North from Anchorage, Alaska, to our Cabin in Manley Hot Springs (Manley), Alaska.

Because the total trip is approximately 520 miles, and because the most challenging part of the trip is the 160 mile leg from Fairbanks to Manley, we break our trip into two days. First we drive from Anchorage North to Fairbanks about 360 miles. We then stay overnight in Fairbanks. 

The second day, before going to Manley, we shop for groceries and other necessities that we cannot purchase in Manley. Then in the afternoon we head for Manley.

Because it is past midnight, and I am very tired, this Post will only show our beginning in Anchorage and part of the drive to Fairbanks. 

The reason I am going to this effort as tired as I am, is because for the next week or so we will be totally off line with no internet service. And a beginning is better than nothing.

Here we go. Leaving Anchorage.

What I hope you will notice in the next photos below, is the beauty of the mountains in the distance. Daily we enjoy seeing them.

The tall, slender building to the right in the below photo is the Merrill Field Airport Control Tower.

Even in bumper to bumper traffic, the beauty of our surrounding mountains is magnificent.

Now we are getting away from the city and heading North.

When I am on a long drive, I try to stop every hour and take a break. However, on this drive, I drive 100 miles (two hours) until I get to the Talkeetna, Alaska, truck stop. 

Often, in fact usually, I will get a tuna footlong Subway sandwich. Not today however, but Patti and I did stop for about 20 minutes after the two hour drive to this point.

North we continue.

Well Hello! What on this good earth do we have here?

Is it a junk yard in our beautiful Alaska?

No, it only looks like a junk yard. 

What we have here is the World Famous Wal*Mike's (a play on Walmart) in Trapper Creek, Alaksa, on the Parks Highway. 

Check out Mike by clicking onto the below link.

https://www.frontiersman.com/business/go-to-wal-mikes-longtime-trapper-creek-shop-owner-reflects-on-decades-invested-into-the/article_4728c352-e6a2-11ea-93d4-dfdf1543554b.html

Wal*Mike's, Trapper Creek,  Alaska, at Milepost 115 on the Parks Highway. Yes! We two often stop here and take a break.

The clock now shows it is 1:30AM and I am out of gas. So Patti and I will leave you here at Wal*Mikes.

Oh! By the way! When we return in a few weeks, the following photos will show you some real Alaskan scenery that we will show in our next Post.

Till we meet again!

Cap and Patti

Oh. Before we really sign off, Patti and I enjoyed a plate of Singapore Rice Noodles for dinner here in Fairbanks tonight.

Enough Captain ! 

Notice below that this was published at 2:35am (0235 hours). No wonder I'm tired. Up at 5am to start packing out. Then the drive.

SEP 26, 21 .. A BEAUTIFUL AUTUMN SUNDAY IN ALASKA .. PART 2

 Sunday, the 26th of September 2021.

For this small victory to mean something, please keep in mind that today began the third week of the National Football League (NFL) 2021 football season. We had a full slate of games coming up on television. Our Seattle Seahawks were playing the Minnesota Vikings on the road in Minneapolis.

What to do? Watch the game! A no brainer!

Once in awhile, at least in my own mind, from time to time that is, I get it right.

Patti and I had just finished a noontime zoom meeting. We two were settling in to watch the Seahawks game.

Outside, in the green strip behind our Condo, it was a stunning Autumn afternoon.

Do the above words seem like you have read them before? Well you have to some degree, because in Part 1 last Sunday the 19th I began that post identically.

"Patti My Dear One, let's do it again, go for a nice Sunday drive and skip the football game."

"Cap I am on!"

So out and off we two went heading South down the Seward Highway for McHugh Creek about 15 miles from our Condo.

Now we are heading South out of Anchorage and driving down the Seward Highway. The below photos show just a small part of the road along the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet. It is considered as one of the most beautiful roads in the United States

 

We have arrived at McHugh Creek Trailhead.

"Wow Patti!"

"This sure was better than sitting at home, in the Condo, watching the Seattle Seahawks lose their football game to the Minnesota Vikings 30-17!"

"Cap you made the right call today!"

Smiles .. Cap and Patti