The Kenai Peninsula – Moose, Glaciers and Fireweed galore!

After we left Denali National Park we drove to the town of Talkeetna and visited the Denali Mountaineering Center. This is where all climbers must go who want to attempt to summit Mt. Denali. We found a few interesting facts: only about half the climbers are able to summit because the weather can be very bad (-60 below and winds of 100 mph). Also, almost all climbers use the same route and to aid in sanitation all solid human waste is now brought off the mountain (they call it a Mountain Can). One more reason I won’t be climbing Denali anytime soon!

In the town of Wasilla we had the pleasure to be hosted by Macy Drier’s parents Brad and Barbara. They greeted us with open arms even though they were in the midst of putting their home up for sale. They treated us like visiting family and we felt right at home as we caught up on laundry, phone calls, and all the other things we can’t do at campsites. We also were able to attend church with them and see how much they are loved and will be missed. Additionally, we enjoyed the benefit of an indoor toilet after nearly six weeks without. Since we went back to camping immediately after our visit it was more like a novelty :).

Our next area to explore was the Kenai Peninsula. The views were absolutely gorgeous (see pictures), the weather was a bit less so (our ever present companion – rain). Even so, we loved hiking to glaciers, camping on the beach at Anchor Point, and our many wildlife encounters (especially the UP CLOSE moose)!!!

In Soldotna we visited the Homesteaders Museum. We arrived only a few minutes before it was closing, but as we began apologizing the elderly lady helping us interrupted and said with a big smile, “It doesn’t matter honey, we are all volunteers, stay as long as you like!” The tour we received gave us great insight to one of the last places to be homesteaded in the United States. And because it was more recent, some of the volunteers are spouses or children to the original homestead men! Our other favorite comment was that many of the wives in the community were very excited when the Museum was looking for exhibits and were more than happy to donate their husband’s mounted animal trophies to get them out of the house.

We had read that the people of Alaska are different from others and in many ways that is true, but our observations have also seen similarities as well. But, since differences are more interesting to relate here is a quick story that happened at a gas pump. While I was filling up our motorcycles with gas an Alaskan pulled up in his truck and started to fill up his tank. I noticed he had a lit cigarette in his other hand and just assumed he had forgot to put it out. When I brought it to his attention he told me, “Don’t worry, it’s so cold here the gas doesn’t have vapors to ignite”. I could think of no appropriate response to this (especially since it was only 55 degrees out at the time), but he must have seen the incredulity in my eyes since he extinguished the cigarette. You can’t buy that kind of experience on any tour.

We are both healthy (and have been so since we left), Both of our migraine headaches are better than usual (less frequent). We are especially grateful for how well Sharon’s head has done on the 100s of miles of dirt roads filled with potholes (they will be in the next update). The motorcycles have been running very well with zero major problems in the 7,000 miles traveled so far. Thank you Lord! We definitely attribute our safety, health, and continued happy marriage to your thoughts and prayers. Thank you!

Until next time,
Chris & Sharon

p.s. – Routes covered in post will continue to be posted at the bottom of each blog