Alaska 22. Road Warriors July 31

The weather held and the morning is beautiful! Looking good for our flightseeing tour of Denali at 11 am. We planned to take showers up at the registration building for $5 each, walked up there, but it was locked. We searched hard for a bathroom but could only find what I believe cannot possibly be the actual outhouses for this huge campground. I’ve spotted only three and each of them look like they would fall down if you pushed on the sides. Your foot would fall through the floor. The door is hanging open, askew — I doubt if it would close. I was going nowhere NEAR any of them. I remembered seeing an ACTUAL outhouse near the boat landing and headed that direction. 

We killed time until 9 when we hoped the building would open. It did. No pictures, but it wasn’t pretty. It DID, however have AMAZING water pressure. So I just closed my eyes and enjoyed it. 

I sucked 7% of noisy, generator-gained battery blow drying my hair and we were off to Zee Plane! Zee Plane! (Remember Fantasy Island?)

The flight was spectacular. Truly a treat. We had the best conditions possible. The plane circled Denali and eventually landed on a glacier and we got to get out and walk around. We plied the pilot with questions. We had heard it was a once-in-lifetime experience and it really was. Prepare for photo dump:

We planned to go to the Hatcher Pass area next. The road follows Willow Creek, reportedly one of the better trout streams in Alaska which also has great views and hikes. It’s an area that is very-much hyped in all the guide books. The pilot told us about his favorite hike there and generally agreed with all we had read, so that was good.

It was only a couple hours away. But it was lunchtime and we were going to going right by the MAIN Denali brewing facility where they do wood fire pizzas that are supposed to be really good.

We sat outside IN THE SUN, shared a mid-day beer (I am going to need to detox when I get home) and each had our own pizza (I am going to need to fast when I get home). It was DELIGHTFUL. We had cell service, made some check-in calls with friends and family… Verrra verrra nice. 

Hatcher Pass…

…Was an ATV Mecca. No offense to the ATV crowd. I mean… we are a Polaris family, after all! …But with all the rain in Alaska, the trails are pure mud. And in Alaska, the ATVS don’t seem to stick to the trails. The campsites are very tramped down. There is a lot of garbage left behind. It’s just kind of sad. 

We were very wishy-washy about where to camp: up high/alpine? Down low near creek…? We drove up. We walked a bit. We drove back down. We drove back up. Jennie was pushing back on Dave’s “Let’s keep driving and find something better” tendency — and only our KIDS will truly understand the veracity of this statement. Back and forth we went. We settled on going back to a spot we had seen — and didn’t love — so we could fish a few areas we liked on the creek. Then move to the higher up the following day. Moving every night is just not that of big deal with the pod

Willow Creek is GORGEOUS. We fished.

And we fished. And we fished. 

We didn’t SEE a fish. We didn’t CATCH a fish. There must be NO FISH.

We had delicious beer. We had delicious food.

I’m not sure what to call it, so I am calling it a Mexican Torte. A tortilla sandwich. Not a tostada, because it had a lid. Canned Chicken (much better than it sounds and the only way I bring chicken camping anymore. But I insist on the Kirkland brand. It’s better.) with Amy’s refried beans (again: these are the only ones I will eat) and melted cheese. Then a fresh salsa on top made with tomato, onion, pepper, lime and cilantro. 

Aside from my own cooking prowess, I am most proud of my ability to not have LEFTOVERS. I fear that I am starving my husband in the process. But still. 

Ok. This has to be documented. Back on Alaska 7 I posted a shot of us having the same hand in cribbage. IT HAPPENED AGAIN!

The only difference is: this time I won. Finally.