Another Adventure in Alaska

 

On Tuesday, June 22,  we met up  with our good friend and totally excellent tour guide, Donna, and this time we headed out toward Palmer, AK………..

Our destination, eventually, was the home of her friends, Larry and Terry, for dinner………but first a little sight-seeing along the way!!!

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A view of the Matanuska River from an overlook on the Glen Highway.

 

Further up the Glen Hwy. we turned off and headed up into the mountains to Hatcher Pass………….off in the distance is Palmer and Wasilla.

Soon we were up in the clouds…………

                              then we were above the clouds!!!!

 

Up on Hatcher Pass is the old Independence Gold mine, long ago abandoned, and is now an AK State Park.

A shot of the old mine up on the mountain………

              

On the way back down we ran across this young black bear just sitting by the road watching the cars go by………….

   

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We arrived at Larry and Terry’s home and were warmly greeted by 3 poodles, 1 cat, and an “adopted” dog of mixed ‘heritage’! Larry and Terry have built this beautiful home on a cliff overlooking the Matanuska River………..fabulous views from their living room!!!

 

While dinner was cooking we all climbed aboard the ATV’s and headed down to the river. With ‘Lugnut’ in the lead we crossed streams and followed trails through the woods that were absolutely pristine………….and the fresh smell of the woods was great!!!

 

Terry rode in the rear seat with 2 of the poodles and Bill rode the other ATV………….a bit of heaven for him!!!!

 

We took a break at Moose Creek and Larry told us the history of the area. He has lived here most of his life along with his siblings, and is very knowledgeable of everything that grows and lives here.

                             Bill, Larry, Donna and Terry

 

                  Off again with Terry holding 2 of the poodles………

…….Taz thinks he’s sled dog and has to be out in front along with Lugnut! 

Bill stopping to shoot some of the scenery along the way…..

 

…..as well as this shot of the 6-wheeler and trailer.

That’s me in the middle with Larry driving, Donna on the right and Terry in the rumble seat!!!

Finally down at the Matanuska River………a view of Larry and Terry’s house from the river!!!

Terry has a rock garden, so with every trip to the river a few more rocks find their way back to the house!!!

 

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Just a note of interest about the dogs……..Taz the poodle is 16 years old and acts like a pup! Lugnut wandered onto the property one day in February and was spotted eating the cats food. He was so thin his ribs were showing  and his collar was way too tight. It took some time for Larry to even get close enough to cut the collar off . With time and a lot of food, Lugnut , filled out  but continues to be very cautious around people.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He appears to be part wolf, part  Husky, who knows what else  and has white eyes.

He has finally found a safe home.

 

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Down on the river gravel there are all colors and sizes of flowers that I have never seen before.

This one is only about 6” tall and is wound-up in this little spiral…..

                     ……then it blossoms out into this puff-ball!!

Another plant I have no name for………………

 

This is silverberry and has the most delicious scent, very strong and very sweet!

 

This is Tundra Cotton, grows on a stalk about 8 inches tall with a white ball on top, then bursts into tufts of cotton that float away in the wind.

We had a great visit with Larry and Terry as well as a fantastic dinner of fresh halibut, fresh salmon, potatoes and all the trimmings.  Terry made the most wonderful salmon dip (yay….I have the recipe!) and Donna cooked most of the dinner and wowed us with our favorite dessert, rhubarb crisp!!!

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We finally bid farewell to Larry and Terry…. and dropped Donna in Wasilla then headed for home (Fort Richardson) at about 11:00 PM. Just before we got to the main gate of the Elmendorf AFB we spotted this moose and her calves in the parking lot of Lowe’s!!!!

Note how light is still is at 11:30 PM …….only in Alaska!!!!!!

Just us kids………….