2011 Alaska Talkeetna Cuteness

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One word for Talkeetna, AK....inviting!  It was (and still is to a limited extent) a railroad town.  It was isolated from the road system for many years. A spur from the highway directly to Talkeetna opened it up.  It's a rough and ready type town that developed from  a supply center for the old-time miners and trappers.  The only rail lines are to and from Talkeetna to Denali, and Anchorage.  It has a mix of handhewn log cabins and historic railroad buildings.  In the 1920s the idea that Talkeetna would ever be a hub for visitors looking for Alaskan "characters" would have been ridiculous!  This was indeed a working town full of guys.  The German bachelors, trappers and railroad workers who built Talkeetna made it into the rustic town it is today.

There are numerous outdoor eateries and benches for just sitting around.  Of course the stop wouldn't be complete until we had sampled the "fare" of the town.  "Mile High" had yummy pizza.  The "Talkeetna Roadhouse" served excellent pasties and pastries.  The other roadhouse, "Frank Lee Roadhouse and Barn" had an ambiance all its own.  Live music doors and windows wide open.  Dogs wandering in an out.  People wandering in and out photographing the dogs!  There must have been the world's greatest collection of souvenirs and gifts everywhere.  Remember, the actual census of the town is only 150 people (not counting the dogs), 

We dropped anchor in a campground within walking range of the village.  there aren't many places like Talkeetna.  Most of the town is on the National Register of Historic Places.  It's full of cabins and railroad buildings.  With a storied history, Talkeetna is still very much alive and active.  Many Talkeetna residents claim to be expert log cabin builders.  Talkeetna is McKinley's mountain town.  The est professional climbers come to Talkeetna to use it as their jumping off point.  Their influence on the town is everywhere, on the streets, and in the National Park visitor center.  Talkeetna is surprisingly down home!

We just had a terrific time in Talkeetna and didn't want to leave.  But leave we did because the really big attraction was coming up next....Denali National Park and Reserve.

from the MABarry - over and out!



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