You know you're from Talkeetna when ...

I learned last week that I have a Facebook account, so out of curiosity I logged in (after having the password changed so I could log in), and then poked around. After a little while I started doing searches on Talkeetna, and then I found a wonderful post by my ex-landlord (Mike -- the landlord who I actually never met -- and his wife, Mindy) titled "You know you're from Talkeetna when ..."

I don't want to plagiarize his writing, but for those of you who live in Talkeetna or have maybe visited Talkeetna, I would like to share several items that really stood out for me.

So, you know you’re from Talkeetna when ...

• You know our job options are with the lodge, air taxis, or river guides
• You know that Moose dropping is a festival, and you save your money, and get dressed up for it
• You’ve given driving directions to Wasilla when someone asked you where the nearest McDonalds was (that's 70 miles ... and one turn)
• You’ve nearly hit people in front of Nagley’s more times than you can count, because of someone trying to take a picture of our store
• The only traffic you’ve been in outside of Anchorage was during a basketball game or during graduation
• You’ve missed school because your snowmachine won’t start
• Town social functions usually have something to do with KTNA
• You own a "Quaint little drinking town with a climbing problem" bumper sticker
• You were excited about a paved bike path
• You’ve driven the 14 miles to the "Y" for munchies at 3 am
• You recognize people by their dogs
• You know there’s nothing better than a hot Roadhouse cinnamon roll
• You slow down to 50 mph when passing the trooper station
• You get up to 80 while on the straight stretch on mile 2, no matter the road conditions
• You laughed when they put the bank in the same building as the trooper station
• You know both Steve’s and have asked both to plow your driveway
• You laughed at the "2 year" bump sign on mainstreet
• You look at a clean car and know they're from Anchorage
• The Free Box is your favorite store
• You describe perfection as summers in Talkeetna :)

I remember when I first moved to the area and heard it had a "Y". Like most people in the Lower 48, I assumed this meant there was a YMCA nearby, and I was looking forward to having a place where I could work out on the bad weather days, or maybe swimming in a pool. Boy, was I mistaken. :)

For the rest of the list, you'll have to get yourself a Facebook account, log in, and look for this list. If you're from the area, the whole list is great.