We've heard it. We bought into it. We really wanted to believe it - "Talkeetna is the cutest place!" "You're just going to love Talkeetna!" "Talkeetna is the most laid back, wonderfully quirky place in Alaska."
Nope.
Talkeetna is an exceptionally small village consisting of "fly-in fishing/visit Mt. McKinley" tour operations, three or four pub/ice cream shop/cinnamon bun eateries, and a very few (five or six) "historic" (read: semi-dilapidated) houses turned into gift shops which sell the same items at substantially increased prices that you can find in downtown Anchorage. We are not amused.
I think we've both heard so much about this place that we had painted different pictures in our heads before getting here. We expected an authentic little village that was unique and charming. What is actually here is a parade of enormous motor homes, buses, cruise ship tours, and gift shop vendors who are disinterested in the tourists' presence at best.
Tomorrow, we have faith, will be better. We head out for two days in Homer in the morning. Hopefully the sky will clear up by then as we understand that the drive down, in large part through a wildlife preserve, is supposed to be lovely.
8 comments:
Glad to see that all is well. I have been watching your progress everyday since you left and it has taken me this long to figure out how to work this #*#@ing blog thing. It has been raining here for the past 5 days but I have to admit it's nice to have a roof over your head. Glad to here that the bike is back on the road. It wouldn't be the same reading about you riding around in a nice new mustang with the heat on. I am surprised that you haven't run into bugs yet, don't wish for it to warm up to fast you don't want to get caught up in the hatch. yummmmm! Good luck on the rest of your journey and be safe.
John - Thanks for the post, Buddy! Actually, we have run into a few bugs, but as you said, it's been too cold for the big swarm. A guy who lives on a remote little island up here recommended that we use 100% DEET if it got too bad. We mentioned that to another group we ran into a little later in the trip and one of the guys there said he used it on his last run through AK, and when he oversprayed, it melted the vinyl window frame in his motel room! Carcinogenic AND able to melt man-made materials...but at least you won't have to put up with those pesky mosquitoes, right? ;)
Seriously, we're having a blast - even in the drizzle...fo'shizzle! HA!
See ya in August!
xox
L
It's great that you have seen wildlife, but I'm sure you didn't expect it outside your window. Norm and I just celebrated our 21st anniversary Friday. Ken and Julie's wedding looked wonderful. I am happy to hear that your brakes are fixed considering the rent-a-junk wasn't part of the plan. My family and I will be leaving the 3rd for up-north. I hope you both keep safe. Miss ya!
Kim - Happy Anniversary!! Where are you going up north? Will you be gone for a week? How's Nicole? We're still shooting for making it home around July 25. Let's get together soon after that, ok?
xoxo
L
Isn't Talkeetna where the Snow Dogs movie was filmed? LOL Glad your trip is going so awesome. You're reallt not missing any fabulous waether back here. Been kind of cool and rainy. Oh well...it's Michigan! Miss you guys and can't wait to go on a bike ride with you. Yeah, fat chance you're going to want to get back on that thing any time soon after getting home! Love you. Tim and Anne
Hello Jack & Laura
Rachelle and I are glad you and Laura arrive safely in Alaska. The trip looks exciting. Did you guys visit Mt.Rushmore? What is the price of gas there? Currently we are at $4.15 and rising. The gang at Peachtree wish you well. We have had thunderstorms every other day here. Talk to you soon Jackson!!!
Tony & Rachelle
Tim and Anne: I didn't see Snow Dogs - but considering the temperatures, I think it could be filmed here NOW :) We will be more than ready for another ride when we get home. This bike is WONDERFUL! However, Jack says that unless we ride to another state, it's hardlyh worth putting the kickstand up! heh...
Tony and Rachelle: So glad you wrote! Yes, we visited Rusmore a couple of weeks ago (check the previous posts on the blog for everything that's happened along our way since June 8.) It was very cool as was Crazy Horse. There is a slideshow on June 12 at the right with photos of that side trip. Say hey to the guys at Peachtree! We'll have a lot of photos to share when we get back - let's get together!
J
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