Talkeetna, Alaska
It's been over a year since I've touched my blogging and I'm not sure I'm too sorry, but I just feel like I've missed sharing so many great places this last year. This might all seem somewhat out of order, but if I start with Alaska I feel like I have to start at the beginning of the trip which started with Talkeetna, Alaska!
The next morning when we woke up we knew we were going to head North towards Denali National Park, but there wasn't a set plan. I was also given some bear spray from a man at the RV place when I told him we might head to Talkeetna, he said there was a bear just yesterday that hung out in the bushes while they fished...if you know me I have a serious fear of bears and I snatched the spray and it never left my side the whole trip. (Which I'd been planning on buying anyway, but this worked out perfect!)
The RV was finally ready to go and our first take off was hilarious as we quickly learned you can't just take off without...yah know...securing a few things. We soon had developed a countdown for take off before the trip was over. Before heading out of Anchorage I suggest getting any groceries or last minute items at the Fred Meyers in town, not only an awesome grocery store, but a mix of a Dick's Sporting Goods and Target - SERIOUSLY!
After a few hours we were on the road! I was already dying over the misting skies and mountains in the distance, I couldn't believe I was FINALLY in Alaska!
GEAR // OUTFIT
This was our one of our few blue sky days and my Bixton Ranger Hat was perfect for keeping out of the sun. Lowepro Sport is my favorite lightweight adventure backpack option. Pants and jacket are also quick drying hiking options that wick moisture and let you dance your pants off without losing any flexibility! Can't forget your bear spray...hooked on perfectly to my waist strap of my Lowepro bag.
Our first couple days we keep forgetting we were on the Alaskan Summer time clock where the sun is up from 5:30-10:30pm, allowing for long adventurous days. So the first day even after several hours of hiking we still had time to explore the fun little downtown of Talkeetna where we all bought our fishing licenses, had homemade ice cream and listened to some bluegrass music.
After exploring the little downtown Talkeetna town we headed back to where we had stopped at a campsite earlier that day to see if they had sites available. (No, we did not plan this stuff ahead of time...like ever.)
On our way back to the campsite we stopped at the top of a hill with a park bench and were lucky to see Mount Denali through the clouds - a rare thing to see when it's usually too cloudy. It's so tall for a second I couldn't tell I was seeing the top because it was covered in snow and blended with the clouds.
Okay, back to the campsite. Did I mention we were driving around a 30' RV trailer? We were able to park our RV right along the Talkeetna River where we set up a simple camp and used a bunch of wood that had been left there. We then fly fished till dark (which was past 11pm before it was fully dark).
Now when I said we fly fished...this was my very first attempt at trying to cast and I was horrible! After a while though I felt like a champ and later in the trip I caught a whopper salmon and a beautiful Dollie Trout. I don't think I will ever want to switch back to your basic Midwest fishing skills after this, which includes drink in one hand and pole chillin' in the other.
Overall, Talkeetna was unique and full of good fishing, but after exploring more of what the Southern Kenai Peninsula had to offer it wasn't at the top of my list! It was still a great start to Alaska - a long day, but a wonderful one.
My brothers and sister-in-law slept outside that night in their hammocks and I had an entire bed to myself in the RV, (the only time the entire trip.) The river sounds right by my bed and my window open - it was perfect.
Next up...Hatchers Pass!
-Tara
Thank you for taking the time to read this photo journal from my time in Talkeetna, Alaska.
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TARA SHUPE
Tara Shupe is a Humanitarian Photographer and Video Storyteller, constantly traveling with a camera attached to the hip and a notebook in her pocket. With over 10 years of experience in the field, Tara approaches each story intimately with a hope for inspiring others to think beyond their comfort zone.
The Captain of our military escort was very into selfies, so I had promised him a photo with my camera, which of course led to most of the unit, but it gave me a chance to play with my newest lens: The Petzval 55 Mark II