Camping in Willow, AK

Last weekend - I know, I'm a bit behind - we went out to the property that Julie & Ryan own in Willow, Alaska. It's about a 2 hour drive from Anchorage. They call it The Connex as they have a freight trailer set up and with Ryan's welding experience, they've added bunk beds in the back, a bunch of shelves, and a wood stove. We met up with some friends of theirs, Brian and Tara and had a fun weekend in the woods mainly drinkin' and eatin'. We did get some of their trees cut down and hauled wood to build some monster-size fires. Ryan did get a couple of sage hens with his shot gun and we ate some which was very tasty.

Thanks to Julie, Ryan, Tara & Brian for a great time that weekend. Good food & good times with good friends!!! Here are some pics of that weekend. I also got some pictures of the puppies that Julie's dog, Aggie, had (3 months old) and they looked just like Bailey. It was good they were already "called for" because I'm guessing we would've swiped one if not. They were so fun to play with and watch out there. The larger dogs are Duke and Aggie.

Matanuska Glacier & Hiking Over Anchorage

I have a little bit of time before the gang wakes up...

On August 20th, we drove from Glenallen, AK (where we stayed in a nice campground right on the Tolson Creek) and decided to head to Anchorage. We passed the Matanuska Glacier and got some good pictures of that.
















We spent August 20th & 21st in Anchorage at Julie & Ryan's. During that time, Julie and I hiked up Flat Top Mountain with her 2 dogs, plus one of her friends. We loved it, but didn't get to see much of Anchorage as it was pretty foggy. We saw bear poo so didn't venture too much in the woods, but had a little picnic and then went shopping! HA!!! Had to get stuff for the weekend trip to Willow, AK where they have property. Here are some pictures of our hike & YES the pine cones & flowers were really purple!

Top of the World - REALLY!

Hi all!
It's 6:30 am and we're in Denali National Park with our friends, Julie & Ryan. We arrived last night and met up here (them from Anchorage and us from Fairbanks) and ate a delicious meal up at a lodge overlooking the Denali Park. We're up early - not to get the morning chill - but to get on the bus to take us into the park as no cars are allowed. We hope to see all sorts of animals and scenery and I'll be able to update blog this next weekend.


I'm a bit behind, but as promised here are pictures of the Top of the World Highway. Here are pictures from that fabulous drive up & down and up & down along mainly unpaved roads. A bit bumpy but we made it. The Fall colors are all around us - reds, yellows, oranges - making it SO breath-taking along this road. Chicken, AK is the first Alaskan city we came to so we had to stop to use their outhouse, perfectly called the Chicken Poop. Hmmmmm.... when you're the only city for miles, you need to be creative to keep the sanity, I s'pose.


I still owe you pictures of camping in Willow, Fairbanks, and Denali National Park too. That you'll have to wait for.
Off on another adventure!!!

Building the Alaska Highway

I am only updating quickly and will do so with pictures soon, but my friend Nicki sent me this information on the Alaska Highway and thought I'd share. Great pictures on this site (http://www.scribd.com/doc/277490/Construction-of-the-Alcan-Highway-1942) along with information on the men/women & dogs who built the road in a record time of 8 months & 11 days. Many of you chose 10 years, which sounds like it would be more reasonable, however it is AMAZING what they did back then with little machinery, un-trained men/women, and the horrible weather conditions they had to work in. Check it out if interested.

We made it to Anchorage and are staying with our friends, Julie & Ryan while here. Tomorrow we head out to their cabin in Willow, AK and will be back on Sunday when I'll update the blog with pictures from the Top of the World Highway and our weekend ventures.

We've rented a cabin to stay at next Tuesday-Thursday just outside of Denali National Park where we will be taking the bus (only way into the park itself) so we're bound to see a lot of wildlife and beauty. More to come later....

NO TOE for HOLLY-O

• Well, I was totally bummed because I didn't get to drink a Sourtoe Drink (YES! An actual HUMAN TOE is placed in the bottom of the glass - check it out http://www.sourtoecocktailclub.com/), but I missed out! Matt and I were tired from a long day of driving so after we walked around town, saw the Mud Bog Truck Competition, and ate, we went in to the Eldorado Hotel and went to sleep early. The next morning we got up and I found out that the Sourdough Saloon opens at 11:30 so we were there right when it opened and guess what??? They don't take out the toes until 9pm. Boy, was I unhappy. I told her that I was unsure of when I'd be back to this city, if ever, and she didn't budge. BUMMER!!! Well, I had a Whiskey Sour (without the Sour "toe") and that just didn't do the trick.

• The town of Dawson City, Yukon is very cute and touristy, however many locals attended the Mud Bog Competition to cheer on their fellow locals. Monday, August 18th was a holiday (Discovery Day) so many of the locals were hanging out around downtown. It's an old mining town and they've kept up the look and feel of it with dirt (or mud when it rains) streets and wooden plank sidewalks.

• Leaving Dawson City, we got on a free ferry to cross the river and that is where we started the Top of the World Highway. We were very glad to be rain-free that day as much of the highway is unpaved. I'll save that for the next post.

Who will go to Dawson City with me next time and drink that TOE??? ANYONE??? Come on!

Signs & Buffalo Everywhere!

We drove through Watson Lake, Yukon and saw the SignPostForest (first picture above). SO many thousands of people have left their city/address signs on these posts and it's pretty fun to see! We may think of making a sign so on the way back down we can place one here as well.Black bear on side of road. Also MANY buffalo just hanging out in the dirt either by themselves or with their family of 20, all huge and buff looking!

After Liard Springs we drove to Teslin, Yukon where the bridge is one of the famous bridges (2nd largest, I believe) along Alaska Highway and it was very pretty. Especially on such a perfect day. We stopped at Mukluk Annie's per a recommendation from a couple we met at Liard Springs, rented a small cabin and had their Salmon Bake *YUM* and then Mukluk Captain Chuck took us out on Teslin Lake on his houseboat to feed the seagulls. It was a lot of fun and good to meet such nice people along the way.

We then decided we were going to hop on the Klondike Hwy and head around up to Dawson City and over the Top of the Mountain Hwy and then down into Chicken, Alaska. So we headed North after Whitehorse and headed up. There were literally only about 20-30 cars in 4 hours that we passed on that road. It is paved, but once we cross over this river from Dawson City, some of it will not be. FUN!!! ADVENTURE!

We made it to Tatchun Lake Campground which was the most remote we've been this trip I think. Way back off the road and into the wilderness. Great sight on a nice lake. It rained most of the night, but slept well in the back of the truck all cozy. Stayed one night there.