Talkeetna

On Monday morning my first order of business was to get blood drawn at the Alaska Regional Hospital with the results to be sent to my doctor in Soldotna. Then Mary and I went our separate ways to finish chores. My quest was to get the Winnebago oil changed and a lube job. Mary went to Costco to get my prescriptions filled. We ended up in the same area as the Jiffy Lube that could do the job was right next to Costco.

Then we pointed the Winnebago north to Talkeetna. The little town of Talkeetna is the base for the majority of the teams climbing Mt Mckinley and a major tourist stop. They come via train and bus by the hundreds (we counted 8 tour buses in the 14 mile stretch from Talkeetna to the Parks highway).

Mary with Talkeetna Sign

Talkeetna Roadhouse

We camped in a very basic (no hookups) RV park right on the Talkeetna River in a very serene campsite. I wiled away some time making photographs of the wild flowers in the area. Unfortunately the wild flower book we purchased in Whitehorse has proved to be less than adequate in identifying the flowers we are seeing. If anyone knows the names of the flowers not identified please send me a comment.

Bunchberry

Wild Rose

Mountain Buttercup

Around 10:00 PM I noticed that the sky was clearing so we jumped in the Jeep and drove to the overlook just outside Talkeetna. We were rewarded with our first great view of Mt. McKinley.

Mt McKinley at 10:00 PM

It was another great day and I am feeling fine.