We all have been beyond fortunate on this expedition by being able to meet incredible people, see unbelievable sights and enjoy adventurous activities graciously accommodated by great companies, so it was really nice to be able to give back a little when we road into Anchorage, Alaska.
Category Archives: Countries
Alaska Backpackers Inn
July 31, 2009 – 12:01 am
We drove to Anchorage shortly after our early morning unsuccessful fishing trip. Somehow, whenever I arrive in a big city lately I get nervous. Anchorage is not that large of a city, but in comparison to the other towns we have been in it seems overbearing! Somehow I get consumed by the amount of street lights and availability of stores! But for the next three days we are nestling in at the Alaska Backpackers Inn.
Nels & Craig, Before & After Photos
July 29, 2009 – 12:01 am
“The road” takes it’s toll on everyone and in a lot of different ways. For us boys hygiene is often an afterthought, due to the extra effort required in grooming. So, we embrace our unshaven faces and unkept hair and try to look the part of the rugged wanderer. The following photographs reveal the physical results of the last 6-7 months of constant movement. Proceed with caution.
Valdez, Pronounced Valdeez
July 27, 2009 – 12:01 am
The Richardson Highway that we took down to Valdez, Alaska is one long, meandering curve after another. Barely a stretch of straight road created awe-inspiring vistas that seemed to just spring-up of nowhere. One second we were driving along the road with tall trees and colorful wildflowers by our sides, the next second our eyes were popping out of our heads trying to comprehend the magnificence of a stunning sight of sun beams bathing massive, jagged snow-covered peaks that somehow just appeared in front of us. That stretch of highway was made for the gods, I do believe.
Life in Talkeetna
July 24, 2009 – 12:01 am
A little part of each of our hearts now lies in Talkeetna, Alaska, a quaint little town about 2 driving-hours north of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. The word “Talkeetna” is loosely translated as “river of plenty,” or, more elaborately, as “place where food is stored near the river”. To most residents today, however, it simply means “where three rivers meet” because the town is located at the confluence of three major rivers–the Susitna, Chulitna and Talkeetna—an area deemed “the Big Susitna drainage”.
A Day on the Water (Part 3)
July 22, 2009 – 12:01 am
Seward, Alaska is on the famous Kenai Peninsula, a destination for all sorts of outdoor activities like salt water fishing for halibut, river fishing for different types of salmon, sea kayaking, and rafting. It’s impossible to do it all, so we decided to take our chances going after King Salmon on the Kenai River. Based near Soldotna, our host for the day was Chugach Backcountry Fishing, owned by Cory Hetrick.
A Day on the Water (Part 2)
July 20, 2009 – 12:01 am
There really is nothing like a day on the water. Boating, fishing, swimming, it’s all good to me. So when we got the chance to spend a day kayaking first on a lake, then on a river, and throw in some fly fishing for trout, I was more than excited. Our host for the day was Denali Southside River Guides, owned by Craig & Shelis Jorgensen. We would spend the day on Byers Lake, located inside the Denali State Forest, about an hour’s drive north on the Parks Highway from where we were staying in Talkeetna, Alaska. From there we’d head down the river flowing through the lake.
Mile High Music Festival, July 18-19, 2009
July 16, 2009 – 4:29 pm
The sun is shining, the grass is green, and the birds are singing. It must mean summer festival season in Colorado, and the first one that comes to mind is the Mile High Music Festival. It’s the second year of the festival, and it appears that everyone involved is doing everything needed to be done to make this year’s festival even better than last year’s great couple of days. The festival, just like last year, is being held at Dick’s Sporting Good Park (click here for directions), which is located in Commerce City, Colorado, and is home to the Colorado Rapids professional soccer team. The 18 practice fields surrounding the stadium turn into the festival area, which make it spacious enough for the 5 stages, vendors, and services. The doors to the festival open at 11 a.m., with the parking lots opening their gates at 9 a.m, and tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
A Day on the Water (Part 1)
July 15, 2009 – 12:01 am
“Can’t beat a day on the water,†said Nels. I’m not sure which one of us was the first to say it, but it has become a common occurrence due to our many water based adventures lately. Recently, during our visit to Talkeetna, we had two such opportunities. The first was jet boating the Susitna River with Mahay’s Riverboat Service.
Photo of the Week: Itchy Buffalo
July 14, 2009 – 12:01 am
We saw a lot of buffalo while driving towards Montana through Canada. This fella was using a road sign to scratch an itch.
