Soldotna to Trapper Creek
June 29 - July 6, 2019
On Saturday, June 29 we drove from Soldotna to Cooper Landing and stayed at the Kenai Princess RV Park.
It wasn't exactly what we were expecting but it was full hookups. John cleaned the outside of the 5th wheel and the truck. You can see how smokey it was, and what a difference a day makes.
On Sunday, June 30 we did a day trip to Whittier. In order to get to Whittier you have to go through a tunnel, which is one way and also used by trains.
You can see the train tracks.
We went by the Buckner Building. It was an Army garrison and at the time was the largest building in Alaska. It was started in 1949 and ready for occupancy in early 1954. It was a city under one roof, cost six million dollars to build, and was mothballed in 1960 when the Whittier Army Port was closed. Even back then they wasted our tax dollars.
This is the town of Whittier from the hillside at the Buckner Building.
It's a cargo and fishing port now.
It was a pretty drive over and back.
On Monday, July 1, we drove through the smoke to Wasilla and stayed at the Big Bear Campground and RV Park. The sites were fairly large and had grass between them, which was nice.
The weather was really nice. I've been wearing jeans until this last Monday.
On Wednesday, July 3 we drove to Trapper Creek, not much more than a wide spot in the road. We are at the Trapper Creek Inn and RV Park.
Fortunately we have shaded sites because it is hot, especially for Alaska! It's been in the high 80s, which isn't bad in the shade, but you don't want to be in the sun for very long. On Thursday, July 4, Anchorage was 91 which broke the old record of 85. We were expecting cool rainy weather in Alaska, but the Lord has blessed us with sunny and beautiful weather!
On Friday, July 5 we took the Mahay's Jet Boat tour up the Susitna River out of Talkeetna. Here's an old steel bridge we went under after we left the dock.
The river with views of Denali mountain.
They say only 30% of people that come to Alaska get to see Denali. We are so blessed!
We docked up the river and walked to a replica of an Indian village and a trapper's cabin.
This was the Indian village.
And this was the trapper's cabin.
The trappers didn't live in these cabins and that's why they don't have windows. They would have trapping lines along a route and built these cabins about every 20 miles, as that's how far they could travel in one day. They only used the cabins for overnight. The little building on stilts with a ladder is a food cache, where they would put their food to keep it away from wildlife.
The Alaska railroad ran along the river.
On Saturday, July 6 we walked to the post office to mail some postcards and to Wal Mike's. The reviews say it's an overpriced junk/antique store run by a grumpy old man. The grumpy old man wasn't grumpy but there was a lot of junk! We didn't buy anything.
On Monday we'll move closer to Denali National Park, and then on Tuesday through Saturday to Teklanika Campground inside the national park. There is no cell service and no internet.
Roving on...
The heavens declare
the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. Psalm 19:1
Enjoyed reading and looking at your photos as usual!
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ReplyDeleteDid you take the glacier ride while you were in Whittier? They had an excellent buffet. We took the jet boat ride but it was very cloudy that day. Trapper Creek had a tiny place to eat that we enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteWe took a glacier ride out of Valdez. We are at the same place you stayed in Trapper Creek, with the gas station, convenience store and cafe in the blue building out front. Any suggestions for Denali or Fairbanks?
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