OK, we’ve had a change in plans.
I’m not backpacking tonight. I left Haines this morning in a steady rain. When I got to the trailhead in the Kluane National Forest it was still raining, and 45 degrees. Suddenly, backpacking and camping didn’t seem like so much fun. So I made an executive decision, and kept on trucking down the road.
In fact, I put in 542 miles today and ended up in Glenallen, Alaska. If you look on the map, you’ll see that Glenallen is nowhere near any place that’s on my itinerary. I’m thinking that, since I was a day ahead of my plan leaving Haines, and now I’m essentially two days ahead after driving all day today, that I can add something new to the itinerary. From here in Glenallen I can either head down to the Kenai peninsula to Seward or Homer. Or, I can cut over to Mt. McKinley National Park and try to see Denali. I’ll be working through the travel guide stuff tonight and decide which. I’ll let you all know.
A couple of hours after I left the trailhead, it cleared up a bit and it was another beautiful drive. Big, snow covered mountains off to the west most of the way, the Wrangell and St. Elias ranges. Some of the peaks in these ranges are over 18,000 ft., including Mt.Logan, the highest point in Canada.
BTW – when I left Haines this morning I was in Alaska. During the day I went back into British Columbia for a short ways, then through the Yukon, then back into Alaska.
I saw another bear by the road today, but didn’t get a picture. Got another moose, picture above. And I’m pretty sure I saw an eagle. But I didn’t get a picture so I expect Sandy won’t let me count it.
While the country I went through today was beautiful, the little towns weren’t. The small towns in this part of Alaska are pretty basic. The feeling of these towns is less one of a thriving community and more of a place struggling to exist. Glenallen is one of those little towns. Not much here, except the Caribou Hotel. Folks here are nice, but the Caribou will have to go some before it gets it’s first star in a AAA book. The part of the building I’m in looks like a big modular unit that was intended as a bunk house in the oil fields, but got dropped off here in Glenallen. But there’s not much choice in Glenallen. And the folks are nice. And it’s cheap.
Thing is, some cowboy a couple of rooms over just started strumming his guitar and humming. And it’s not like the walls are making any difference. Wonder if this is going to be a problem. Maybe I should be backpacking in the rain after all.
Another thing about the Caribou is that it does have Wi-fi, but barely. Could be the metal walls in the hallway are causing a problem. In any case, it looks like I can post this, but there's not enough bandwidth to upload images. So, I'll edit this post the next time I get a decent signal and add some pictures, including the moose.
BTW - I think the cowboy has strummed and hummed himself to sleep.
I’m not backpacking tonight. I left Haines this morning in a steady rain. When I got to the trailhead in the Kluane National Forest it was still raining, and 45 degrees. Suddenly, backpacking and camping didn’t seem like so much fun. So I made an executive decision, and kept on trucking down the road.
In fact, I put in 542 miles today and ended up in Glenallen, Alaska. If you look on the map, you’ll see that Glenallen is nowhere near any place that’s on my itinerary. I’m thinking that, since I was a day ahead of my plan leaving Haines, and now I’m essentially two days ahead after driving all day today, that I can add something new to the itinerary. From here in Glenallen I can either head down to the Kenai peninsula to Seward or Homer. Or, I can cut over to Mt. McKinley National Park and try to see Denali. I’ll be working through the travel guide stuff tonight and decide which. I’ll let you all know.
A couple of hours after I left the trailhead, it cleared up a bit and it was another beautiful drive. Big, snow covered mountains off to the west most of the way, the Wrangell and St. Elias ranges. Some of the peaks in these ranges are over 18,000 ft., including Mt.Logan, the highest point in Canada.
BTW – when I left Haines this morning I was in Alaska. During the day I went back into British Columbia for a short ways, then through the Yukon, then back into Alaska.
I saw another bear by the road today, but didn’t get a picture. Got another moose, picture above. And I’m pretty sure I saw an eagle. But I didn’t get a picture so I expect Sandy won’t let me count it.
While the country I went through today was beautiful, the little towns weren’t. The small towns in this part of Alaska are pretty basic. The feeling of these towns is less one of a thriving community and more of a place struggling to exist. Glenallen is one of those little towns. Not much here, except the Caribou Hotel. Folks here are nice, but the Caribou will have to go some before it gets it’s first star in a AAA book. The part of the building I’m in looks like a big modular unit that was intended as a bunk house in the oil fields, but got dropped off here in Glenallen. But there’s not much choice in Glenallen. And the folks are nice. And it’s cheap.
Thing is, some cowboy a couple of rooms over just started strumming his guitar and humming. And it’s not like the walls are making any difference. Wonder if this is going to be a problem. Maybe I should be backpacking in the rain after all.
Another thing about the Caribou is that it does have Wi-fi, but barely. Could be the metal walls in the hallway are causing a problem. In any case, it looks like I can post this, but there's not enough bandwidth to upload images. So, I'll edit this post the next time I get a decent signal and add some pictures, including the moose.
BTW - I think the cowboy has strummed and hummed himself to sleep.
5 comments:
Good call dad. Camping in the rain wouldnt be the best experience! LOL, Love your stories about the motel in Glenallen.
Do you feel like a rebel, now that youve changed your schedule?!
Hey, hope you are enjoying your weather...theres a MAJOR heat wave in charlotte. The high temp for saturday is 100!
Love ya bunches! Doobie is doing great..silly as ever!
Jo
Love ya bunches-
Alan
Yea, I was never a big fan of camping in the rain so I agree with Jo good call. I looked up Glennallen on Mapquest. You went a long way today.
I got this off the internet
Caribou Hotel
Two story Lodge with Alaskan decor, custom furnishings, modern amenities, restaurant; located in the downtown area.
Average price: $119
I also found this Alan on another Hotel.
Lake Louise Lodge: Traveler Reviews
Glenallen itself is quite boring and since we wanted to go in direction of Anchorage I wanted to find something on the Glenn Highway. Someone at the Hub gasstation in Glenallen advised us the Lake Louise Lodge, about a 25-30 minute drive from the big intersection [-]. I believe it's not mentioned in the main travel books, but it's certainly worth considering, particularly as the best accommodation in Glenallen is "overpriced" according to the Lonely Planet. The rooms in the lodge are nice and authentic. It's a clean place and very nicely situated on the lake. The bar is very cosy and they serve pretty good food! There is a tv area and you can pop in one of the many available dvd's and video's free of charge. There is a also pool table. Staff is friendly and the rates are very decent (85 for a triple room). I'm glad that we came here and it is for sure worth it to drive a few extra miles passed Glenallen if you're heading towards Anchorage anyway!
I vote for Denali.
Talk to you later
John
Alan
Mapquest said it is only 156 miles and on some unpaved roads.
Glennallen, AK to Denali, AK
Estimated Time: 5.0 hours 3 minutes Estimated Distance: 156.48 miles Denali, AK
Alan
I found a great place to stay near Denali.
“Simple cabins away from the corporate mass hotels”
The Perch Resort
Mile 224, Parks Hwy.
Denali National Park and Preserve, AK 99755
May 28, 2008 Review
This is a nice getaway about a 10 minute drive from the big box corporate tourism big sell experience at Denali National Park's entrance. The place is run by a long established Alaskan family, who really made me feel at home here. They offered free wi-fi, which is becoming very handy. I stayed in the private bath cabins, which can sleep three to four (if two share a bed). No phone, no tv- GREAT! A very good breakfast is included at the restaurant at the top of the hill- a nice walk of maybe 150 yards to start the day. The cabin was clean, although a bit small, but then no one comes to Denali to stay indoors anyway. My first night I had dinner at the fine dining restaurant- I hear it is the best in the area, and my experience suggested this to be true. The homemade salad dressings were so good I asked to keep a sampler to dip my homemade bread in (they do the bread baking for most of the restaurants in the area). Also a very good selection of Alaska beers on tap! Right next door is Panorama Pizza- perhaps the best pizza in the state! Also with a great variety of Alaska beers on tap. I will stay here again.
John
Yes, your correct, no counting the eagles unless you get a photo! Remember eagles start getting their white heads around 5-7 yrs of age so keep an (eagle) eye out for dark head 'juvies' as well...
Way to live on the edge and change those plans - who says your stuck in your ways.... hiking & camping in the rain is only for those who don't know better...
Lovin' the blog!
Post a Comment