Boondock–
Last night we drove to Thunderbird Falls trail head with the full intention of hiking to the falls even though it was late. Daylight, almost 24/7 makes you think you should be doing something even though you’re tired. Well, we pooped out. Just pulled over near the trail head and put off hiking until the morning. It seems you can just pull off most anywhere in Alaska and boondock (except on private property) and no one bothers you.
Later, an Alaskan couple came to our boondock site to chat. Turns out, they too own a Lazy Daze RV and rarely get to see another one around here. They’re transplants from California to Alaska for about the last five years and lived ten months in their Lazy Daze RV on their Alaska property while their house was being built.
We woke up at 4:00 am and realized it was too early to hike but looking out the window we saw a beautiful morning sky. So, in my PJ’s, I ran out to take some pictures of it. Couldn’t resist! It was so beautiful.
Thunderbird Falls Hike–
Out the RV door at 6:00 am and hiked to Thunderbird Falls along a very pretty and an easy, two mile trail. The hike takes you by a beautiful canyon with Thunderbird Creek running its length. Further up the trail is the picturesque Thunderbird Falls with an overlook viewing platform. This morning, we really sprayed ourselves well with deet as the mosquitoes last night, when we pulled into our boondock site, immediately swarmed us. Using the mosquito repellent seemed the wisest move. Oh, the mosquitoes still swarmed around but didn’t land on us.
Eklutna–
Stopped to visit the Athebascan town of Eklutna and it’s Historical Park. There’s an old Russian Orthodox Church (still in use) and a fairly elaborate group of “spirit houses” in the graveyard plus a lovely garden. (NPR just did a segment on Spirit Houses and we are seeing them throughout Alaska.) It was too early when we arrived this morning so they were not open yet but we were able to see well enough what we came to see.
Mat-Su Valley–
Since we were driving through the Mat-Su Valey, we stopped at the visitor center and got some tips of what to see. One of the women at the visitor center desk moved here in 1958, one year before Alaska became a state. She told lots of stories about her life here, leaving her family and her husbands family behind in the mid-west, raising her kids in Alaska and flying all over Alaska with her husband when he went out to a “job”. What an interesting and sometimes quite difficult life she had.
Palmer–
As was suggested, we went to Palmer. We were told they had an interesting museum in their visitor center, a cute little town, and that today was “Friday Fling” farmers market day. The museum was interesting and the town was quite cute. The best thing about our visit here was the “Friday Fling” farmers market. They did have the huge zucchini (they’re noted for BIG vegetables) but the tomatoes were not only bigger than we usually see them but were delicious. One young mother of three little girls under five was selling home made jam so we bought some to try. I did a taste test (someone has to make sure the delicious looking food isn’t poison!) of the jam…wonderful. She said her grandmother taught her how to make it. Good recipe, Grandma! There were the usual booths you see at a Farmers Market but they also had a band playing country music. Idyllic setting; a warm sunny day, grandpas and grand kids eating ice cream cones while sitting on a bench together and folks listening to the music and tapping their feet to the rhythm.
Mantanuska River–
Our Milepost book said there was a photo op of the Mantanuska River just north of Palmer on the Glenn Highway. Oh, yes! It is quite a photo op. There are scores of nesting swallows there so the mosquito population is quite reduced. The view of the river is nice but the views of the mountains are amazing.
Chatted with an Alaskan who was taking his family on a tour and he suggested we go up Hatcher Pass Road and see some of the gold mining history of this area.
The valley is beautiful. Nice that the transplanted locals are telling you their life stories. They are giving you a priceless link to them, the land, and “our” history. Priceless – as MC says! AND I love that you are having such a grand boon-docking time. woo hoo!
Hello Jane Rose, Yes it is beautiful here but I am always interested in the human experience. Where are you from? Why are you here? What has your experience been like? What is your favorite…? People don’t seem to mind my asking questions. They seem more than happy to tell their story. Be well, Ann and Jerry
HI Ann & Jerry: I live in central NY state & retired last year from teaching. For my “escape” I left for a 14,000 mile trip with a goal of being the most westerly place from here – Anchor Point – that I could get on a road. Also, got to Homer, touring and tent/car camping all around Alaska before returning to visit my daughter&SIL in Seattle. My longest stop was in Seward, where I made some good friends.
YOU two are on two sites I regularly visit – Escapees & RV Dreams – so I have seen many of your comments there. That is also where I always see the link to your blog. I have been reading Escapees for many years – from before the format changes from the original, but as I am a tent camper, I have rarely posted. RV wannabe; but still in a van & tent. My other fav blog is Technomadia, but I have browsed many folks links. I also follow a sailing family and a few photographers. But you travel & take pix, so
Every year, I’ve headed west & have now been to Alaska twice camping. This year was supposed to be the Alaskan biggie, but family health issues nixed that. However, my bro and I are headed west via Duluth, Banff, Seattle, Portland, etc. leaving next week returning him to Ann Arbor in a month. We are interested in shipping on the great lakes and will be noodling ship yards. Then, in Sept, I return to WA and Oregon for a ten day coastal photog tour. My usual camps are state & national parks.
My FAVORITE place on earth is Alaska, and I bought a new wide angle lens to use this year while there, so I am very disappointed to not have had the chance. Especially since my experience is also of endless beauty.
I commented the first time on your blog as you use WordPress, write well, and are doing what I want to be doing. Making the switch from iWeb was a bump in the blogging for me as I noodled on finding a theme. Then I saw your choice and was happy. So, I have been making the transition in anticipation of this summer’s trip. Since we have different audiences, I didn’t feel so much like a copycat!
Your trip inspires me because you are stopping in so many more places for longer times – something I plan to do, too. So, I am totally enjoying your narrative and inspiration.
Hello Jane Rose, Glad your plans include another return trip to Alaska. A third trip! That is a dream for us! We too love Escapees and joined before we even bought a motor home. Glad you like our blog. Be well and safe travels, Ann and Jerry PS Jerry is from New York as well.