Danali to Anchorage

Tuesday 26th june  Yesterday we rode from Danali to anchorage, approx. 320km. The weather was cool, perhaps 15C but felt much colder on the bike at 90kph. As we rode south the trees became much bigger and the road was never far from high, snow covered mountains, capped by light clouds blending into the dark sky above. The sun did not shine all day.  At the occasional stop the mosquitoes would appear as if on call , although they did not bother me that much but Mike seemed to be a magnet to them. As we are traveling early in the season they are nowhere near the problem they can be in August, even the Carabou are driven crazy by them. As we approached Wasilla, of Sara Palin fame, the traffic increased and the road divided into three lanes each way, all speeding home after work at 65mph, and the rain came pouring down. With a population of 380,000, the road system, within the suburban limits, seems to be over the top. perhaps they are planning ahead?  We checked into the Howard Johnson Motel, tiered and wet but glad to be off the bike.

Today, Tuesday,  I needed a new tyre and oil change for the bike so made contact with a Honda shop and booked the bike immediately. Through rain and unknown roads I made it, left the bike and popped over to the Peanut Farm Bar for a spot of breakfast and coffee. Ten TV screens entertained the many patrons while I just enjoyed the creek running a banker outside the picture window. It helped pass the time while waiting for the bike, then back into Anchorage to meet up with Mike.

Downtown Anchorage

 The afternoon brought the sun out and we went gift hunting in the middle of town and also visited a museum display on the 1964 Alaskan earthquake which devastated much of Anchorage mad much of the surrounding area.

The Visitor Centre, Anchorage

 Another small museum was dedicated to Alaska's part in WW1 which included the construction of the Alaskan Highway and an attack by the Japanese. And yet another was dedicated to the history of the Alaskan Police who have been closely allied to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for all of their history

The oldest building in Anchorage. Many were destroyed in the 1964 earthquake.