My room mate, Willow invited me to go with her and her sister Melissa to the quaint town of Telkeetna, Alaska about an hour away from Denali and right outside of Wasilla. If you haven't heard of Talkeetna you probably have heard of Wasilla because they are famous for their Sara Palin export. Anyway... Telkeetna... Here, we explored the local flora and fauna while braving the anticipated white water in the mouth of Devils canyon. It was pretty intense via jet boat! Jet boats can skip across the water with little worry about hitting train shrapnel or rocks. It is kind of the best choice for getting around in the shallow waters in Alaska. It was particularly exciting because there was a camera crew here that was filming the experience for the travel channel. It is to air in October sometime and the camera man lingered around us for quite some time, so I must say I am kind of expecting to be famous. I have about three more months before I will be bombarded with paparazzi...back on the jet boat there were multiple bald eagle spottings by our lovely guides and a nest that was over 30 years old! WOW. Practically an antique! Well, speaking of old and antiques, today was not only a special day because of the adventures Willow and savored but a friend of mine had a birthday today also, Kyle Kendal is almost a senior citizen. Now if that isn't something to celebrate I don't know what is.
We went to kill some time at the brewery and I had probably the BEST thai curry (*that wasn't made by me-cuz we all know it's there's nothing better... :) We were all pleasently surprised by the culinary sensations presented before us. I never knew that artichokes could be so delicious! Rolled in a hearty beer batter and then deep fried to perfection-a tender, buttery flavor that just melts in your mouth... Although I didn't partake Willow and Melissa were delighted by the six 'flights' (beers) they had hand chosen. Talkeetna was interesting to me because guests would always ask if it was an included stop on tours, which, it wasn't and now I know why... BECAUSE guests just love them some gift shops! It is actually a cute little town, but if you haven't any money there isn't really much to do. There was even a chance we could get on a flight that very day with a glacier landing and all--or a swirling plane adventure around the mount mcKinley summit. HOWEVER, there was only something at 6:30 which was far too late for our expense. It is a two ish hour drive back to Anchorage and these busy women have things to do. I had such a LONG, wonderful day. I took a video of the raging white water-- AND got some pretty sweet pics to boot. Our driver had plenty of experience 11 years! It was so crazy the donuts he did in the water and because we are extra special, and by me, I mean of course the camera crew.... we got to go into devils canyon not once... but twice! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!
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| I think it's love.... |
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| Mr. Whiskerson wants more sweet lovin. |
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| Where are jet boat adventure started! |
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| The devils' canyon white water explosions... |
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| One of our sensational zombie killing hiking | guides! |
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| travel channel camera crew. |
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| poisonous alaskan flora! Gives you a nasty rash when exposed to sunlight from oils secreted by the tiny hairs covering this plant. |
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| ok so I didn't actually TAKE this picture, BUT bluebells are an edible flower and they are actually quite delicious. I highly recommend next time you are stranded in the wilderness to feast on a handful of these palate friendly doosies. Also, wild roses are suposedly edible too. I haven't tried them but when i do I will post the crap out of them. Wild roses are used for lots of other culinary confections that we enjoy every day. (like jam and muffins!) |
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edible alaskan flora: fiddlers fern! considered a delicacy in some circles.. (not in mine)
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