Tuesday, June 15th…..
We met up with Donna at her house in Wasilla and rode along with her as she had some “syrup” business to take care of near Talkeetna about an hour north.
First we stopped at the “ birch syrup factory” in Wasilla (which is in a building next to their house) and got a tour of the plant. The company was started many years ago by Michael and Dulce and it has grown by leaps and bounds. They now ship the “Alaska grown” sweet products all over the world!
(Note: remember to click on the pictures to enlarge them for easier viewing.)
The “kitchen” is very small, as you can see, but they produce the most yummy candies, flavored syrups and jams you will ever taste.
Industrial size mixer for candy!
When we arrived the crew had just finished making a huge batch of candies which were set aside to cool before cutting and wrapping into individual pieces.
There was also a batch of syrups in all sizes cooling before labeling.
Dulce Ben-East, with Bill and Donna.
Some of the crew taking a break after bottling syrup……..
……and of course, the clean-up!! Really sticky stuff!!!
Dulce’s husband, Michael East, at their soon to be completed Talkeetna location. Here will be a sap evaporation machine as well as a retail shop. They are hoping to make it a stop on the ‘tour bus’ route as there are a lot of tour bus companies all over Alaska. I’m not sure if there will be a kitchen here or not, I think it is still a ‘work in progress’.
They have already installed the new evaporator which removes all the water from the raw sap and purifies it before becoming syrup as well a number of other goodies.
Check them out at www.alaskabirchsyrup.com
We wish them luck as they have a great product and they are really good folks.
From there we drove on into Talkeetna………….hmmm, what do I say about Talkeetna!!!! There is one way into town and you backtrack the same way to get out of town! It is a ‘funky’ little town inhabited by equally as ‘funky’ residents!! Everything is very eclectic and fun!
Interesting artwork…..
Hmm….think that’s Bill and Kay?
Jes’ sittin’ and watchin’ the tourists go by…..
At the same time????
We had lunch at the Latitude 52 Restaurant and Bar, good food and lots to look at on the walls.
A quaint old bar………..
…..complete with fireplace for those long dark winter days and nights.
Found this news clipping posted among the other pictures………
We had another really fun day thanks to Donna, she is a great Alaska “tour guide”!
Just us kids roaming around Alaska……
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