Alaska Trip Day 8
Becky's Cabin
My first full day, last full day, only full day in Alaska begins with (of all things) a road trip
Just north of Talkeetna on the Border of Denali National Park we arrive at ERA Helicopter Tours
But we're not going on a 'tour' today - we're utilizing the helicopter in between tours for another purpose
The helicopter ride was a bit surreal. I mean, there was the music (theme song to Last of the Mohicans)
The stunning scenery passing below and Becky's three dogs looking out the window just like they were people...
Welcome to Alaska
Despite the beauty I was begining to appreciate the fact that we didn't have to hike the 9 minute helo ride out there
To really appreciate what you are about to see you need to take note of the COMPLETE lack of roads here
but of course there is a helo-pad and a nearby lake where one can land a floatplane
in Alaska - flying is a part of life for nearly everyone
The helicopter also serves another purpose - blowing all the bugs away and scaring off squatters
The Front Yard
Where it all began
Okay, I know they'll be back in a few hours but I still have that feeling that I'm really out in the bush now
The vegitation out here this time of year is crazy! Almost scary.
I was wondering what to do with myself. Becky said that a popular thing to do was take a nap - So I did
No traffic noise other than the occasional sound of a distant Beaver or 185 taking tourists up to Ruth Glacier
Later I strolled around the 'front yard' and quickly became aware of just what hiking through this territory really ment
Not an easy task
Great friggin' view though eh?
The big timbers were all made on the property. The finished lumber and all of the other ammenities like windows and doors
all had to be hauled in either by snowmobile, in the back seat of a helicopter or strapped onto the outside of
a floatplane. Alaska is the only place in the US where it's legal to strap moose carcasses and plywood sheets
to the exterior of your airplane - it's a matter of existence up here.
Well the ERA helo showed up on time and we headed back over the stunningly beautiful land
I'll have to admit - helicopters are way cool
I know they look like dots but there really are a couple of moose out there
Mt McKinley is out there too but I never saw her today
It's okay though, there was plenty of splendor to fill my cup
I'll see her next time
Had she chosen to show herself it might have looked like this
See what I mean? Dogs act just like people when they're flying
On the way back I insisted that we visit Talkeetna because I'm a big fan of the old Reeves and Sheldon era
This is the 'new' Talkeetna airport
This joint was packed but I suppose it's good to see somebody making a decent living
In 'downtown' Talkeetna I get to see the original Fairview Inn
But the place is the quintissential tourist trap
We can't figure it out
There can't be that many aspiring bush pilots or mountain climbers
It was nothing at all like I had expected
But the original airstrip is still there and still in use
and Sheldon's original Talkeetna Air Service hangar
It was worth the trip just to see this
E N D O F P A R T O N E