Juneau to Anchorage and Beyond

20th August

Left Juneau early this morning and had a spectacular flight through to Anchorage. Flying over some massive glaciers and mountains. We have now seen glaciers from the air, from the water and walking on them, giving us much more appreciation of their size.

(P- whilst flying Along the coast and viewing the Glaciers and checking co-ordinates I have added Bering Glacier to my to do list! The Icebergs floating out into the bay from there were huge- even from 30,000 feet up! Nearest town is Cordova (a land locked town near the mouth of the Copper River) might have to come back again sometime- will add it to my travel to do list!)

Back in Anchorage we picked up our camper and made a stop at the grocery store to stock up and then headed north to Palmer. The Alaska State Fair is on for the next week and we just can’t drive past without stopping for a while. It’s a lovely sunny day and there are crowds of people about. We have been to many State Fairs in the USA and this one is looking good. We are hardly into the grounds and Philip has spotted the smoked turkey drumsticks, (P- it has always been a must do to buy and enjoy an American County or State Fair Smoked, Slow cooked and BBQed Turkey Drumstick! It is now a tradition as I know Mark does the same. Of all the state and county fairs I have been to this would be up there with the best). I’ve spotted the funnel cakes. Lunch is sorted now we can check out everything else. Found a great exhibition hall with many fabulous quilts displayed and quilters working on projects. Had to walk through a couple of times to appreciate them all. Spoke to a couple of ladies about some of the quilts and how they were put together. One we particularly liked called “The Ranch” was laser cut appliqués. The background was only two fabrics but it was stunning.

Back outside we checked out the Bison Fibre store and purchased some hiking socks to try. There are a variety of stores from tacky souvenirs to leather products, pottery to portraits and everything in between. Food and alcohol to suit every taste bud around. We sat and watched a lumberjack show before purchasing some turkey legs and pork ribs and a couple of cream puffs with cream and berry sauce to take with us for dinner tonight. After spending the afternoon at the fair we headed off down the road, driving for a couple of hours before pulling up stumps at a rest stop on the Nelchina River. On the way we passed the Matanuska Glacier, but didn’t stop this time as we have been in before and we have seen other glaciers this trip.

(P-It’s dinner time and my favourite cruise waiters don’t appear! No Sous Chef, No Pastry chef, So I guess it’s me for the main course preparation! I suggested Judith could “up the game” and become Pastry Chef, – the response I got to that suggestion will remain unpublished! )