On the way to Denali

Roadside Pullout MM 259.3, 22 miles north of Denali NP – June 30 through July 1, 2014

We had been hearing reports of road construction between Fairbanks and Denali that was delaying traffic. We had also been hearing that the Riley campground at Denali was full and if you didn’t have a reservation you were out of luck. We had reservations, but we also knew that on the day we were due there would be at least 8 or 9 other big rigs vying for the perfect campsite that we were. Sites for Class A motorhomes are scarce and on a first come first get basis so the competition would be fierce.

As a result, Frank wanted to be on the way and be positioned to pounce early on July 2. So we split up and EJ went to the grocery store to stock up since it will be about a week and half before we are near a real grocery store again. Frank went to do the dump and fill thing and rinse the holding tanks real good.

At the Sourdough Fuel station there was a free sani dump. Unfortunately it was located right next to the propane fill tank. I guess this guy thought I was where he needed to be while he filled his portable 20# tank.

Finally we thought we had all of our stuff together and were headed out of town. EJ was making us a quick bite to eat and discovered a bag of carrots had gone bad. Luckily there was a Safeway just ahead and it had a Starbucks in it. So we killed two birds with one stone and got a free Cinnamon Dolce Latte and a fresh bag of carrots. Now we were really headed out of town.

We stopped in Nenana to see how it had fared since we were here three years ago.  Perhaps it is the location being too close to Fairbanks and an hour or so from Denali, but Nenana seems to be slowly fading away. The artisan shops right across from the visitor center are closed as well as several restaurants. The railroad museum was shuttered although they were working on getting it reopened. Right now the only thing keeping the town going are the tourist buses going to the Alfred Starr Cultural Center. Without any additional attractions the bus traffic may die also.

I talked to the proprietor at the cultural center about all the businesses that had closed over the last three years. His story was one we’ve heard over and over again across the US. When the younger generation gets out of school, most of them move to larger cities where there is “more to do”. That leaves the older generation to keep the local businesses going and as the older folks die off, so do the businesses. He said that right now, there are only 10 people that are keeping this town going, or in other words hiring people. As these 10 die, so will the jobs.

The little town has potential. It has a quaint visitor center. Notice the sod roof.

Some interesting building art on the main street.

It is home to the annual Nenana Ice Classic. Bets are placed as far as a year in advance as to when the ice will break up on the Tanana River.

For this event a tripod (I know, it has four legs) sits upon the ice in the river. When the ice breaks up, the tripod sinks and pulls the plug on the official clock ending the contest and marking the time. In 2014 the prize was a record $363,627.00

The cultural center had some interesting artwork for sale. EJ was desperately trying to figure out where she could hang this in the RV.

Walking back to the RV we passed an outdoor ice rink which we think is operational in the winter.

We debated spending the night in Nenana as we had found a good hiding spot for Big Guy behind one of the businesses that had closed up. Instead we drove on down the Parks Highway to get closer to Denali.

EJ got a real live moose picture. Of course we were whizzing by at 60MPH so it’s a little blurry, but she got it!

We pulled into a campground because they supposedly had a good gift shop, but they closed up just as we got there. But they did have this neat float/bush plane under cover.

 

Back on the highway the road suddenly got real smooth and deserted. This will be a quick trip if the rest of the road is like this.

Uhoh, this doesn’t look good.

Uhhh, which side of the road are we supposed to be on?

Here’s the problem.

We reached our spot where we would hang out for 2 nights. Just 22 miles to go to Denali. But here we had a little solitude and quiet so we should be able to concentrate on some mental/paper work that’s been backing up.

It had begun to drizzle, but not to be fazed we had the grille going, the chairs out, adult beverages in hand all protected by the awning. This Class “C” had pulled in and the driver had been over a couple of times just being friendly. The last time he came over, he brought us 2 lbs of fresh frozen halibut. Man, we can’t wait to try that.

On July 1, we drove the Element down to Denali to check out fuel prices. Halibut man told us Healy fuel prices were better than Denali. And he was right. While at Denali, we went ahead and checked in so we wouldn’t have that hanging over our heads in the morning.

We also took the opportunity to preselect 4 sites that would be appropriate for Big Guys solar panels for the next five days. That would also save time in the morning. Then it was back to Big Guy for the night.