Return to Talkeetna

"I found an old piece of writing today. I had been searching for information about Escape From Mayberry, but instead I found someone I hadn't seen in a long time—myself."

Carpe Diem Talkeetna

Today as I left the solace of my wilderness paradise, I was met by a very large bull moose on my driveway, down by Bear-Creek.  I was excited that he allowed me to see him, but forgot to take a picture.  Singing and smiling all the way – I drove to the little, quaint and precious village of Talkeetna.  What a beautiful little wonderland … even a Neverland. 

I had lunch with a group of Church-lady friends.  So beautiful hearing their stories and meeting several widows who stayed in Alaska after losing their sweethearts.  My heroes, all of them.  For braving it here alone, proving again that being alone doesn’t mean that one is lonely.  Lonely is a choice.  And with all this beauty around and much to do for survival and losing oneself in the service of others … how can anyone be lonely here?  Besides, everyone has a dog.  Dogs don’t allow lonely. 

Before turning off Parks Highway onto Talkeetna Spur Road, you pass Montana Creek, the famous trout and salmon fishing spot.  It crosses my property.  The Battle Dawgs will have a blast fishing there.  Then there’s Cubby’s … the grocery store, fondly referred to as “Chubby’s.”  They are carrying more and more organics.  When I was living out here for 6 months at a time, there was no Cubby’s and I had to drive to Wasilla (75 minutes) once a week for supplies, or to Talkeetna town – Nagley’s which was one hour away.  Cubby’s is only a 20-minute drive.

While driving down Talkeetna Spur Road, twelve miles to a dead end in “town”, you find many wonderful stores, shops and bed and breakfasts along the road.  Most are in the homes of the owners and over the 25 plus years my family has visited Talkeetna, I’ve been to most of them.  Some are new and a few have closed down.  Each one of them is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends. 

One of my favorites’ is the VIDEO store.  I went to check out a video, but the owner said, “We aren’t open today.”  (It was Tuesday and I was IN the store.)  I asked when it would be open and he replied, “Not today.”  I never did get to rent a video from that store, because I’ve never learned when it’s open – just “not today.”  That story cracks up Derik, especially when he visited Talkeetna and saw what I mean.  You gotta see it to believe it.

Then there’s the Birch store … syrup tapped from local Birch trees, only in April, and made into ice cream, candy and even syrup for pancakes.  Derik asked me to bring him back some Birch-candy.  “That’s all I want,” he added.  So, I found some at a gift shop in Talkeetna, because the Birch store isn’t OPEN yet … or at least, NOT TODAY.

Next you see on the left – The Sunshine Clinic – “now open Saturdays.”  Once a week they have a dentist.  Great place to be able to go since the closest hospital is on the Anchorage side of Wasilla.  LONG drive if you are hurting or bleeding.

The Flying Squirrel Restaurant is next where you can purchase amazing baked goods, made fresh daily.  Organic foods and drinks; pizza from a brick oven, along with amazing salads and sandwiches.  PLUS, great conversations with the locals.  And they have flyers and brochures of all that is going on locally.  Even the Mountain Mama Contest and the Carhartt Ball.  Tales about how a whale or a bear bite could not break through the owner’s Carhartt’s.  I believe it, don’t you?

Wait until you see the new Library.  It’s spectacular.  I love the artwork outside.

Cowley’s fuel.  They deliver my diesel and propane for the backup generator and hot water.  They are going to try to get up the driveway next week, but I’m worried it is still too wet and muddy.  It was fun seeing Jackie again and catching up on our lives.  I think of Mayberry when I’m in Talkeetna. 

The Talkeetna Lodge – not yet open for the season, but getting ready.  Then around the corner from the Lodge … look who is smiling down on Talkeetna?  Denali in full bloom.  I pull over to a viewing area and take pictures along with a dozen other people who are blown away by the majesty of this mountain without any clouds hiding it.  Everyone is happy that they were able to witness it.  Many come here and never see her.  For the past week, she’s been seen every day. 

Pulling into town, turning right across the railroad tracks, you see the airport and K2 Airlines.  They fly up to Denali, land on it and the passengers get to walk around.  So much history everywhere you look … especially around Donald "Don" Edward Sheldon who was a famous Alaskan bush pilot who pioneered the technique of glacier landings on Denali during the 1950s and 1960s.  He died in 1975 and his wife, Roberta carried on his legacy until she passed away in 2014.  The museum at the old airport tells their story and how Talkeetna has grown over the years.  Air travel is imperative here in Alaska.  Train travel is also crucial – the railroad is a 500-mile regional railroad connecting Seward with Fairbanks, completed in 1923 and known as American’s only full-service railroad.  It’s the only train that will stop and pick up passengers (Flag stop) who are waving a white flag.  They make the difference between life and death for many people living off the grid. 

After leaving the airport, the first building on the right is the office for Mahay’s Jet Boat Adventures.  River (Steve) Mahay still works there with his bride, Sharon and The Legend of River Mahay can be purchased and autographed along with tons of other Alaska treasures and gifts.  Don’t miss their jet boat rides.  Our personal family favorite is the Devil’s Canyon tour:  “A 130 mile round trip river excursion through Denali State Park and into the nationally registered Wild River Park of ‘Devil’s Gorge’ and will offer a safe, dry and comfortable way to experience whitewater and where only a few have ventured.”  It literally ‘rocks.’  (See: http://mahaysriverboat.com/)

Then, TOWN.  You’ll see the little park where they hold “Moose Dropping Festival,” and Nagley’s Store, and the Fairview Inn where they say President McKinley slept and someone’s ghost haunts the building.  One main road full of shops, restaurants, stores, galleries, hotel, chocolate, moose burgers, beer battered halibut and the famous Roadhouse, with huge blueberry pancakes on Sunday.  I want everyone to experience Talkeetna … at least once.  Maybe you’ll be like us and never leave.

Around the corner you can visit the Ranger Station where everyone who wants to hike up Denali has to go and take a safety/introductory course.  If you keep going straight past the Chocolate store, you end up at the river.  I heard they have a Zipline down there somewhere, but I haven’t seen it yet.  Summertime. 

I ran into an old friend, Sandy, who had never seen my property and I invited her to come.  She said TODAY and I was elated.  Company!  Visitor!  I ran to Cubby’s to get some snacks.  Maybe she can spend the night?  Nope. But we had a great visit.  She asked: “You stay out here at night?”  Yep.  Told you it was scary.  She said I was braver than her and she has lived here all her life.  Wow.  Maybe I should rethink this?  But Battle Dawgs is here now and it’s all good.

Be Well.  Be Safe.  Be Happy.

It's a Jungle Out There

www.BattleDawgs.org