~~Snow Day Ruminations~~

The weatherman on television keeps reminding me the Anchorage has not had this much snow in the last five years combined.  How can that make me feel better?  It doesn't, so he can quit now.

I am amazed that people are amazed that I took a trip to Alaska, all alone, for two weeks...in February. Now that I write that, I get it.  It does sound "outrageous."

But really, what is so outrageous about chasing a dream?  To me, it is more outrageous NOT to.

Yes, I planned. I researched. I wrote copious note about how to photograph the Northern Lights (Automatic focus, ISO 800, 30 second shutter.... tripod, trigger, etc.)  I'd be lying if I said that I am not disappointed that the Anchorage atmosphere didn't give me even one lousy clear night. I am.

There are life lessons in every experience.  I love that.  One of the greatest life lessons is that you can plan for events, but you need to let life surprise you.  If you plan too much, life can be disappointing. I choose to be surprised!


I didn't plan for this....but I was happily surprised....

So.......

~~Moose~~

As I left Talkneeta, I noticed movement in the woods on my left.  Maybe it was a horse.  I went on. But then I thought, "Why would a horse be in the woods?" I whipped around the snowy road and went back.

As I couldn't see through the snowy woods, I got out to get closer.  I was thrilled that she stayed until I could make her portrait!

~~Trek to Talkeetna~~

When I left Anchorage at 4:30am, it was really cold outside, around 20 degrees.  Of course, it was pitch black, but it was not snowing, only cloudy.  Just before I got to Wasilla, I saw my first aurora. It was cloudy, so there was a lot of noise in the view. But it was there...green, pink and then white.

Then, the snow came...more like a blizzard really.  Seeing the road was dangerously difficult, as the only guide I had was the snow plow drifts from the day before.  A scary, cold 4 hours later, I arrived in Talkeetna.

Talkeetna, a quirky village in Matanuska Borough, is wildly popular in the summer months. It houses a fabulous lodge that is only open a few weeks in March for Aurora viewings.  It opens again from mid-May to Mid-September.

Interestingly, on a clear day, one the best places to view Denali is from Talkeetna.

Denali, on a clear day.
Only 20% of visitors get to see it because it creates it's own atmosphere of clouds.

Talkeetna in the winter is still buzzing with a few visitors and locals.  Speaking of locals, fewer then 900 people call Talkeetna "home."

Train house...

Mostly Moose Gift Shop

Breakfast, Lunch, Showers and Rooms to Rent

The Salted Pickle

Silverbear Sundries