From Denali we drove south to Trapper Creek, a stop on the way to Anchorage. We stayed at the Trapper Creek Inn, a combination Hotel, CG, gas station, and general store. Actually this combination set up is not at all uncommon in Alaska. Trapper Creek is a small, little town, but a great stop. We decided to reconnoiter the local fishing and were directed to Peter’s Creek in Petersville, a really small town way off the beaten track. Took a local road which soon turned into a dirt road out into some beautiful country (picture above from same road). Stopped at a country store to get some local info – OMG you should have seen this place. The old boy had a little bit of everything but sure didn’t turn his inventory – nor clean it – which is how I came to the no turn deduction.
Note Christmas decorations still up in July. Then here are a couple of shots down the road from Rich’s truck.
I loved this sign (little blurry, went by pretty fast).
The other thing to note about this sign is the bullet holes! Virtually every sign in Alaska is shot up, usually a bunch.
After about 20 miles we reached the river and found a community of local campers, tents or RVs – nothing newer than 15 years old. We could feel the eyeballs on us – kind of eerie. We were clearly outsiders (something that apparently doesn’t happen much here). When we came back the next day and spent some time with these folks we were quickly adopted and became “neighbors”!
This is the one lane bridge if we had wished to continue further on the road, except it was supposed to be very rough and for high clearance 4 wheel vehicles only. Sure was pretty though.
This is part of the river we will be fishing. We did come back the next day and fish the river. We were fishing for Grayling or Rainbow – which we did not catch, but both Rich and Jeff hooked into king salmons. Unfortunately the river was closed to kings and we did not have a stamp – still pretty exciting.
That evening at camped I noticed a guy with an ukulele. I approached him and we ended up playing together for his friends. Interesting group of kids. They graduate college and then this company hires them for the summer to go to Alaska and work/travel. They get minimum pay, do things like pull weeds, work on trails, etc. and in return get to travel all over Alaska. Pretty interesting to try and find music appealing to 20 year olds and this old 65 year old fart. Worked really well though and we all had great fun.
Next off to the BIG city of Anchorage. Rich and Joan wanted to stay in the city, the rest of us, partly due to poor reviews of in city sites, chose to stay at a beautiful state park on Eagle River. The CG was about 20 minutes out of Anchorage but seemed miles away from any city. Beautiful forested setting, with access to the mighty glacial Eagle River.
And some rafters enjoyed shooting the rapids and continued on downstream.
All along the river was this great path, augmented with wooden trails where it was marshy.
We took a trip to near by Thunderbird Falls, located in a very lush forest.
Something that we saw a lot of were several varieties of mushrooms (indicating, of course, a very wet area). Here is one interesting stand along our hike.
Thunderbird Falls.
The lushness of this forest was everywhere.
But lushness comes at a price, here is part of the trail showing how all that lushness came to be.
When we returned to camp, just before we entered the camp ground, who should greet us but the ever lovely Ms. Moose, dining at her “high tea time”.
Somewhere in this journal I have to enter mention of “Duck Farts”. Duck Farts played an interesting and celebratory part of our trip. Our good friends, the Wises, introduced us to Duck Farts, a drink invented in Seward, Alaska at the Yukon Bar (more on this interesting place when we get to Seward). We introduced same to the Walters and found many occasions to partake of this Alaskan concoction. The drink is made by floating Kahlua, then Bailey’s Irish Cream and then a nice Bourbon of your choice on top. When properly made it looks something like this:
Other things in Anchorage. Our first, and so far only, tragic moment happened July 4th in the CG. We were celebrating the 4th with a BBQ dinner, etc., when Susan tripped and fell and broke her hip. We called 911 and she was rushed to the hospital and ended up needing a hip replacement. Lucky we were near a big city and a great hospital. Eventually Susan had to fly home to get care and Jeff rejoined us later.
We took a walk in Anchorage’s park along the bay, great park and walk, saw eagles and great shots of the city.
And the Anchorage skyline.
Also while in Anchorage we visited many local haunts, some fabulous meals and I had the opportunity to visit one of my previous business partners, a customer way up on my favorite customer list (for those that might know, Hasco – Mike Conniker and Rich Prasil – great folks – we talked business, Honeywell, politics, and fishing – very great time!). And finally, Anchorage has more float planes per capita than I think any other place in the world, so here is some fellow off, I’m hoping, to a favorite fish spot!
Next post will be Seward and Homer – great spots, stay tuned.
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