Right now, it is the end of our fourth full day in Alaska.  We are camped behind the Glennallen town library, which miraculously has WiFi accessible from the tent.  It has been a phenomenal ride along the Glenn Highway from Anchorage.  The weather has been stunning, with clear skies to see the sweeping panoramas of mountains, glaciers, and rivers.

Because there is so much to say, I’m going to split the last four days into two posts.

May 11: Anchorage to Eagle River – 23.5 Miles

Small mileage day – but big on errands.  We finally got everything we needed (Jason needed new shoes!), and packed it up outside the REI.  It looked like an REI sidewalk sale, but it was just us! Some guy stood and chatted with us almost the entire time, which hurried us along sufficiently.   We also bought food and started out of town on the bike paths.  These bike paths were great, but contributed to our two mishaps of the day.  You see, Jason had strapped our newly-bought oatmeal to the back of his bike… and then hit a big bump that dislodged it.  Crash!  Oatmeal everywhere, but luckily there was enough remaining for one breakfast worth.

Later, the bike paths kept splitting and curving and we got pretty confused.  Jason hit one of those poles that exist in bike paths to keep cars out, which was mishap #2.  Don’t worry, he was fine.  Oops!  We are still getting used to how wide our bikes are.

 

Outside of town the bike path continued alongside the busy highway, and it was remarkable just how many people were actively using it.  At one point, Jason saw a moose crossing sign, and then immediately realized he actually saw a moose!  The first wildlife sighting of the trip.

We got in to camp quite early and had a relaxing evening in a lovely riverside campsite.  Dinner was quite good; thanks for the dehydrated beans Mom!  They are actually delicious.  It was more than passing strange to go to bed at 9:30 with the sun still bright in the sky.  Actually, as I write this, it is nearly 10pm and full daylight.  Crazy!

May 12: Eagle River to King Mountain – 70 miles

Finally, the scenery arrived in full force today.  Now, we felt like we were riding through Alaska.  The morning was cold and foggy, but the sky was clear by the time we left behind the more populated areas.  On the way out of town, I (Daisy) got a double shot of espresso and was immediately very  excited about everything.  In particular, about the amazing bike path next to the road.  There was a complete tunnel / curly-cue just to get us up a hill!  It was wild.  Eventually we did have to ride on the shoulder of the main highway, but it was wide and free of debris.

We took a quieter road to Palmer, which is actually Alaska’s only town that was founded as an agricultural community.  Apparently they are famous for giant vegetables, including a record 100+ pound cabbage.  We stopped for lunch on the incredibly wide river delta with the mountains looming down on us.  Across the river we could see horseback riders, folks in giant RV buses, and a  backpacker all running around on the silty sand.

In Palmer we were tired.  Really really tired, and we debated calling it a day.  Then we had ice cream cones, and started up the hill towards the mountains!  The scenery just got better and better, and there was only one slight mishap of a dropped glove that was quickly recovered.

 

We camped in the distinctive shadow of King Mountain, pumping water from an old-fashioned well and sterilizing it with our fancy UV pen.  It was so cool to finally use our gear!  We also decided to prep for the morning – by preparing a fire in the kitchen shelter next to our site.  The piles of moose poop all over the campground inspired us, and we used about twenty moose-turds as starter.  In the morning it was so easy to light and have instant warmth.