Talkeetna 8/9/2019

near Hatcher Pass

After a long combination of flights, (and 11 hours), first to Salt Lake City, and then onward to Anchorage, we arrived about 40 minutes late due to a weather delay in Salt Lake City. We checked into our hotel near the airport at about 1:00 am. All was good there,  quiet, clean and comfortable. After a great breakfast, we got on the move. First to AAA to get road maps, then to Walmart to get some snacks. Our next stop was the Eagle River Nature Center,at the Chugach State Park not far from Anchorage. We lucked into mid 70s to almost 80 degree temperatures and gorgeous sunny skies, and took a hike there. While we didn't spot any moose or bear, we did see a spruce grouse on the trail right ahead of us and took in the fantastic views of mountains and the river. From there we headed up Hatcher Pass to enjoy expansive views of the mountains and valleys. We drove up to the pass with the intention of taking an adjacent road over to Talkeetna where we will stay tonight. But when we got there, we noted the "primitive road" sign at the head of the gravel road, and opted instead to retrace our route a bit and take paved roads only. That route took us through Wasilla and a few other towns.

On our drive up to Talkeetna, we noted that the birches and aspens are yellowing and browning. Warmer than normal weather and lack of rain are doing damage here. Another thing we noted was that there are paths on both sides of both Route 3 (the main road north from Anchorage up to Fairbanks) and the road going in to Talkeetna. One path is paved, the other is not. The paved path is maintained year round for walkers and bicyclists. The dirt path is for 4 wheelers in the summer, and snow-mobilers in the winter.

We are staying in a rural small B & B with cabins as well. We are staying in one of the B & B rooms where we share a bath with the other room. The owners live upstairs. It's quaint, quiet, and clean, and we sat outside on the deck in the evening after dinner, and enjoyed the silence and the forest around us.

Photos are here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ms9bWpWKxyUU8WLh6