Talkeetna Day 2

It's the second Sunday of our Alaskan Adventure.   Sheila is still under the weather, but much better.  Kent seems better.  Eric is fine so far.  Janie has a runny nose and chest hack.  Jeff is similar to Janie.  Quite the group of old folks that powering through a fantastic two-week vacation!

Sheila and Kent left at 8:30 am for Church service in Talkeetna and were back by 10.  Sheila cooked the sausage and eggs so we all could enjoy a hot breakfast.

Janie got on the phone and arranged a white water rapid excursion up by Denali.  The plan is to go to Talkeetna and explore and enjoy a late lunch.

The gun range just up the highway has been pretty active.  We assume one reason there are no Moose or Bear in the area.

Jeff took a morning walk around the property and found where they had a sawmill set up to cut all the wood for the buildings.  Eric and Kent went to the gun range to shoot.  As Jeff, and the ladies were about to head out Kent and Eric returned.  The range was an all-day fee, so for only a few minutes didn't make sense. The drive to Talkeetna was on.  Unfortunately, Jeff missed the turn thinking there would be an obvious sign.  15 miles too far adding 45 minutes to the drive.  We did get a lot of great views of Denali.

Finally, in Talkeetna, we grabbed a late lunch at Shirley's Burger Barn.  Awesome burgers and fries.  Kent had a Turkey Burger; Shella a Chicken Burger; Eric had a Salmon Burger; Janie Cheeseburger and Jeff the Shirley Burger (bacon and cheese). 

Burgers and Fries

Eric grabbed some sun after lunch

Clemow clan do you remember this sign from our cruise trip 12 years ago.

Then we took a quick slow drive through the town.  People everywhere.  The town looks like it did 12 years ago when the Clemow family took an Alaskan cruise.  Small town and cruise ship focused.

It quickly became time to head north to Denali National Park around 3:30.  We had a reservation for a 6:30 rafting trip of 3 hours, which was still a 2.5-hour drive.

More views of Denali including a stop at the south view point in Denali State Park.  There is a state and national park surrounding Denali.

As we got closer to our destination the roads became more like an amusement park ride.  We came across the lodge where the Clemow family ate lunch on the trip 12 years ago.  Also, the location they spent the night before Denali and Rafting's trip.  Everything looked pretty much the same.

We arrived just a few minutes before 6:30 and quickly checked in.  After the porta potty breaks, we waited for our dry suit gear and instructions.  Then life vests, helmets, and paddles.  The groups were divided between Wilderness (scenic tour) and Canyons (white water).  The bus ride was only a few minutes and we hiked down to the water's edge for launch.  The Nenana river canyon was our river.  It is fed by the Nenana Glacier.

We met Drew our guide, but our boat had a leak.  A quick decision was made to send a backup.  We all had to wait 20 minutes for the new one to be delivered.   We played a game of up/down while waiting.  Then Drew gave us paddling lessons and figured out our alignment in the boat.  Eric and I had the bow as lead rowers.

Our new boat arrived and we loaded up and started our trip.  The water was flowing about 12k CF and being glacier water cold and silty.  No fish or wildlife along this part of the river.  Also, the water is heavier with the silt, so while the rapids may not be quite as rough, the impacts will be.

Nobody had their phone for pictures, but the Canon ride was full of class 3 and 4 rapids with a few just relaxing and taking in the fact we were on the water at 9:00 p.m. like later afternoon.  Yes, we got drenched many times.  Eric was upfront right side with Kent as the second paddle on the right.  Eric was knocked off his perch a couple of times.  Jeff was pushed back into the guy behind who was a similar-sized dude.  The waves carried a wallop!!

After we beached a couple of times due to underwater rocks as we came into our take-out point, we all turned in our gear to the bus driver and loaded up the bus.  It was about a 15 min bus ride back.  Back at the office you turn in gear, tip and say goodbye to your guide (Drew), find Janie's phone, and grab PB&J sandwiches.  As we departed we stopped for gas and drinks.  Then 2 and a half hour drive back to Airbnb.

Eric got the itch to make the last 2-hour drive to Anchorage even though it was about 1 a.m.  Everyone else quickly crashed for the night.

Another day logged in Alaska!!