970 June 29, 2023 Talkeetna

It was cloudy but not raining when I got up.  I was able to walk this morning without getting wet.  These tiny and dainty flowers are ground ivy.

This new house sat on property adjacent to the campground.  I love it!

Coffee at Lead Dog Espresso on our way out.

We drove just 40 miles today to the town of Talkeetna.

We had no reservation but got the last campsite at Talkeetna Camper Park.

We walked the half mile to town, taking our umbrellas; which was a good thing!

There were lots of people walking around.  It looks like cruise ships bring busloads here to enjoy the town.  This is a quirky little place.  There are lots of gift shops with all things Alaska.  Lots of art and craft items and lots of Native American things as well.  It was fun to browse.

Lots of shops had furs for sale. This was a caribou hide.

This Jeep was so souped up that it didn’t have many original Jeep parts on it!

We walked down to the confluence of the Talkeetna, Susitna and Chulitna Rivers.  On a clear day, you can see Mount Foraker, Mount Hunter, and Mount Denali.  Today was overcast and there were no mountains to see!

Cow parsnip can cause a skin irritation if you touch it!

We walked in a restaurant and we each had a midday beverage.

By the time we got back to the RV, it was naptime.

This evening, we went back into town.  We ate smoked salmon cheese crunch at Talkeetna Tako. 

We went to the Denali Brewpub and I had a berry cider and Tim had stout with an appetizer of smoked salmon spread. 

We sat at the bar and there we met a wonderful couple, Suzie and Steve from California.  Their children bought them plane tickets to Alaska for their birthday gifts.  They have rented a tiny house on a lake near here.  They had wonderful energy and we enjoyed chatting and sharing our stories.  They also love travel and being grandparents.  Sometimes, you meet people and you click!  Travel blessings to you both as you finish this adventure and plan for the next!

WE walked back to the water and we could see a little bit of mountain poking through…maybe tomorrow before we leave the mountains will appear!

My grandmother grew columbine in her beautiful gardens.