We are anchored in Anchorage.
A delightful breakfast and some picture fun in and around our little cabin gave us an enjoyable start to the day. Weather report: cloudy with a glimpse of sun.
The Trapper Creek Trading Post disappeared in the rear views as we roared down the highway. With the mountains in the distance, we crossed rivers swollen with rain carrying huge pieces of debris. There were flash flood warnings for the back country, but we rode high and dry.
In Willow we stopped to check out some sea planes. They floated poised to take off and provide taxi service to the many areas not serviced by roads. Ducks paddled serenely nearby, also waiting for flight. The amount of air traffic has increased tremendously as we near more populated areas and we are in awe at how easily Alaskans travel by wing.
A stop at a random gas station gave us some excellent information. An old timer (probably my age) filled us in on hunting and fishing rules in Alaska as we wondered about a huge net on the side of a van. Called a dip-net, it can be used at designated fisheries for "personal use fishing". The net is held in the rushing water until fish are felt in it, then retrieved. The head of household is allowed 25 salmon and each addition member of the family is permitted ten. A hunter may take 3 black bears a year, but only one grizzly every three years. Other game also has liberal limits for personal use. The idea is to put food on the table year round. Jules asked our "teacher" how much the black bear weigh and he told us about 500 lbs. When we inquired how much the browns weigh, he answered, "I'd hate to have to weigh one, but they go 10' tall". This gave me chills.
As we neared Wasilla, the tempo of humanity quickened. Surrounded by snow capped mountains, the beauty of the location is marred by intense traffic and urban sprawl. A super highway connected us to Anchorage, where we crawled through traffic to the Harley dealer. Here Rascal got new oil, a tune up, and a bath, while we cooled our heels in our motel for the night. With time on my hands, I did a much needed wash. Tomorrow we all ride clean!
We are in the biggest city we have seen in weeks. Sirens wail outside our window and the constant drone of vehicles and air traffic provides the ambient noise. Countrified and rural by nature, we prefer the rustic to the urbane, so we are at sea here in Anchorage. Tomorrow we will head down the coast away from the crowds and toward the intimacy that we crave and have grown to love.
Cabin breakfast
Rain suits and Remy
Boots and booze
Swollen rivers
Dual purpose road
Taxi service Alaska style
Waiting for flight
Dip-net
The Willow jail
Mountains surrounding Wasilla
Heading into Anchorage
The Eagle River
Just my speed
Look who Jules met - you betcha!
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