Incredible Drive!

I see I am a bit behind in postings...if nothing is posted it was a "get stuff done" kinda day! But today was a SPECTACULAR drive across the Glenn Highway (1) east toward Glennallen and eventually south toValdez. We left Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula behind and traveled into what Alaskans call the Mat-Su Valley. Oh my gosh, the word stunning does not do it justice! We left behind farm country, the Chugash National Forest and entered the Matanuska Range and glaciers. I really don't know what pictures to post nor what I should delete from the memory card. It was a breathtaking drive-the best so far!

We settled for the night in a beautiful campsite (would love to stay longer), Tolsona Wilderness CG. Pictures reveal the stream behind our campsite and the tall trees surrounding us. But wilderness it is not, in that we have electricity and water-always a nicety when "roughing" it!

We drove past the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer(starts today), through fall color, snow in the shrubs near the road, and snow covered mountains in the high country. As we reached the end of our drive for the day, in front of us, in the distance, loomed the Wrangle Mountains and Mr. Douglas.  This is the largest National Park in the USA holding nine of the 16 tallest parks in America. Pinch me, please! I love the National Parks, but this is one that we will only barely enter. It is a 60 mile gravel and dirt road to get to a spot where you then hike in the rest of the way. There is an historic mine to tour and a small, historic town. We are going to skip the gravel road and see what we can do from pavement. For adventurers and hikers, it offers outstanding opportunities.