June 6, 2011 and June 7, 2011

June 6, 2011 and June 7, 2011, Monday was a catch up day.  Dave took the truck to the Dodge dealer and they replaced the steering wheel.  When the service man told him that the steering wheel had arrived, he said, “Bring the truck in on any day at 7:00a.m and we’ll get you fixed up.”  David arrived Monday at 6:50a.m.  The guy said, “I can’t believe you’re here on a Monday morning.  I didn’t mean Monday any day but Monday!”  David said, “Well, here I am and I remind you, you said any day!!!”  Needless to say, the steering wheel was installed and they picked him up in less than two hours.  We left and did our errands and Dave cooked all afternoon and we have our food ready to eat for the next 10 days.  Dave even has Jerry cooking.  Do you hear that Chris, April, Julie and Tom.  Jerry really liked to cook the chicken and wants to do it again.  Wait until you visit them in Florida, he’ll be cooking up a storm!!!!!  Bet you can’t wait. J

It’s starting to sprinkle and we’re calling it a night./Marilyn

June 7, 2011 – We woke up to a fine rain.  We finished packing, hooked up the trailer and off we go.  We’re leaving Anchorage for the second time heading for Wasilla which is 45 miles north of Anchorage.  Over the past several years, it has been one of America’s fastest growing cities, with a present population around 7000.  It’s the fifth largest city in the state.  Guess who lives here!!!  You’re so smart!  Sarah Palin was Wasilla’s mayor before her election as Governor of Alaska.  She was chosen by John McCain as his vice-presidential running mate in 2008 which gained Wasilla international attention.  Wasilla is also the headquarters for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, which is now a national historical trail.  We stopped and took pictures of Sarah’s house and moved onto Talkeetna.

We’re spending the night in Talkeetna at the what else; Talkeetna Camper Park!!

Talkeetna was established as a mining town and trading post before Wasilla or Anchorage existed.  The Talkeetna and Chulitna Rivers join the Susitna River here and the town takes its name from an Indian word meaning, “Where the rivers join.”  Mountain climbers from all over the world come to Talkeetna to challenge Mount McKinley.  Most of the climbers fly to the Kahiltna Glacier Base Camp, located at an elevation of 7,200 feet.   It’s a great little town and I’m glad we seen it.  Behind us is the train station, passenger and freight trains go by often and not quietly. Great fun!  Oh by the way, we also have a busy airport with many take off and landings.  We can hear it all! J