Trying on a traditional hunting visor in a re-created Unangax dwelling.
The Alaska Native Heritage Center was certainly a highlight of our stay in Anchorage. As was viewing the extensive collection of native Alaskan art at the Native Alaskan Medical Center. Never would have thought to go there looking for art (and a great lunch!) if a fellow camper hadn’t clued us in. Definitely worth a visit.
Our next stop was just a few miles up the road in Big Lake, where Boondockers Welcome host Jeannie took very good care of us. She even let us use her kayaks. Thank you!
We camped at the house in the background above and paddled around the lake the next morning.
The airstrip in Big Lake has several abandoned aircraft in various states of neglect. We just had to stop and take some photos.
Don’t believe any of these will be flying again anytime soon.
Ruby, Alaska is truly the middle of nowhere. If you’re curious, Google it to see!
The weeds have definitely gotten the better of these two relics.
Heading further up the Parks Highway we took a slight detour to visit the fun and funky town of Talkeetna. There aren’t many places in Alaska like Talkeetna. Most of the town is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is full of old log cabins and railroad buildings.
A railroad town that was isolated from the road system until 1964, Talkeetna has served as a staging area for Denali (Mt. McKinley) climbers for decades. These visitors bring a surprising international influence to an otherwise down-home atmosphere. With a storied history, Talkeetna is still very much alive, active, and authentically Alaskan.
We found the town, and the characters who live here, quite captivating.
Beautiful Downtown Talkeetna is classified as a National Historic Site.
Many of the shops are housed in original log cabins.
Interested in relocating? Here’s a business opportunity for you on one of the busiest corners in town.
This grass airstrip runs, quite literally, right through the center of town.
The Talkeetna Historical Society has a nice little museum as well as many restored properties around town.
Historic circa-1917 stopover with rustic rooms bakery & cafe.
Gotta love a store where you can buy alcohol and ammunition!
Historic Nagley’s truly is Talkeetna’s super store.
Wake and Shake really does churn ice cream the old-fashion way with a John Deere tractor motor no less!
No luxury condos in Talkeetna. This is actually one of the nicer homes we saw. Many others were even more basic, but everyone seemed to be OK with whatever they lived in.
Let’s go – I’m ready!
Talkeetna is situated on the confluence of three glacially fed rivers; the Susitna, the Chulitna and the Talkeetna. On a clear day there is (supposedly) a stunning view of Mt. McKinley here, but we did not get to see it.
Travels with haRVy 
