Destinations

As I mentioned earlier this spring, I landed here in Wasilla because it was basically the only place available. When I first moved here I looked at areas like Kenai and Soldotna, but didn't like them much. I love Homer and Seward, but couldn't find a place to live I could afford. I lived in Talkeetna in 2007, and while I still love that little town, I don't know I could live there during the winter. So this spring the choices came down to Anchorage and Wasilla.

As I read a story about Lance Armstrong working on his comeback in Italy this morning, I'm reminded of the bicycle riders I used to see in Alaska and Canada. Back in May of 2007 I'd be driving down some rural road, see a couple of bike riders, wave as I passed them by, and then anywhere between 1-5 minutes later I'd see a bear on the side of the road. I always wondered what became of those bike riders? Did they really become "Meals on wheels" for the bears, or did they just wave and ride on by?

Fog hung around until almost 11 a.m. today, and after that I just walked around downtown Anchorage for a while this morning. There are lots of cool sites if you happen to be a first time tourist, or even a seasoned tourist spending his last day in Anchorage this year.

Hmm, let's start with the fog:

Here are two quick snapshots off the iPhone from today's trip from Anchorage up to Talkeetna and back again. First, you can see fall is in full bloom up here. Trees are significantly more orange here than they were in Seward and Homer:

Time is running out on this trip, and I'm not going to stay at the Hatcher Pass Lodge this week as I had hoped to. However, having driven Hatcher Pass nearly 10 times last summer -- and seeing these cabins every time I drove by -- I can guarantee that if you ever visit the lodge you'll see some incredible scenery.

The lodge is in an area near Independence Mine -- and unlike Hatcher Pass itself -- the road that leads from Wasilla, Alaska up to the lodge is entirely paved, so there's no problem taking a rental car to get there. And once you're at the lodge, you'll be at least half way up the side of a mountain range, and hiking in this area is incredible, and all the scenery, including the river, the mine, and everything in the mountains, is incredible. All that, and you're also only about 30-40 minutes from Wasilla, home of grocery stores, restaurants, and (yuk) civilization.

As I took the long drive out of Homer yesterday, I realized for the fourth time what a beat-down that drive is. The first couple times I thought it was just me, but man, that drive wears me out. So instead of driving on to Talkeetna yesterday as planned, I decided to just take a break and stop here in Anchorage.

I think there are several reasons for the beat-down. First, it's roughly a four-hour drive, so it's not something you want to do too often anyway. Second, it's a narrow, two-lane road almost the entire way, and the traffic is heavier on this road than almost any other road I've been on in rural Alaska. That's not to say that's it's heavy, but there is always someone else nearby, so the chances of spotting wildlife are remote. Third, though you could easily drive faster in most spots, the speed limit is 55 MPH most of the way.

Okay, I'm not a fisherman, but if I ever do start fishing, the first place I'd go is Cooper River in Alaska. Every time I drive past Cooper River (on the way to Homer) I'm impressed by the green water, the small town that's been built along the sides of the roads, and most importantly all the fishermen either standing in the river or on the banks of the river. For me, it's pretty amazing -- I've never seen anything like it.

I guess if you come to Alaska to go fishing and you also want a private, secluded spot, Cooper River might not be the place for you. But if you want an entire community that seems built up for nothing else but to support fishing and the fisherman, Cooper River is your place.