Day 16/17...Talkeetna to Anchorage...Paul and Hunter Arrive

I left Talkeetna around 10:00AM heading to Anchorage to meet up with Paul's sister, brother-in-law and niece.
I really enjoyed my time in Talkeetna...it has an "eclectic" mix of people...long-time locals primarily in the flying business (pilots, mechanics, etc.), 1960's-era "flower children" (aka "hippies"), bikers, younger "new-age" vegans, etc. I met a few locals who suggested the "Tee-Pee", a spot for locals, as a good place for cocktails...it was. I met more than a few "interesting" people that night. One observation...I have asked almost everyone that I met about drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve (Anwr) and, without exception, everyone up here is in favor of drilling.
The drive to Anchorage was scenic...more mountains, a few more moose. I stopped for gas about 40 miles south of Talkeetna, and the nice lady ther pumped my gas and washed my windows...also, free coffee. I got to Anchorage around 1:00pm, grabbed a quick lunch, and headed to the local REI store to buy a couple of sweatshirts and the all-important bear spray (a combination of pepper spray and tear gas)...shoots a twelve-foot wide pattern thirty feet. I also stopped off at the New Sagaya Market to check out their selection of gourmet foods...in preparation for our trip tomorrow down to the town of Ninilchik...for "clamming"!
I met up with Paul's sister and his niece's boyfriend for a great dinner at the "Moose's Tooth"...absolutely fantastic pizza. Paul and Hunter got in around 10:30PM. We sat around and talked for an hour or two before getting to bed...everybody was pretty tired.
Today, we've got a lot of work to do. We're unloading and repacking the Escape to make room for two extra passengers, we've got to get the Escape washed (it's absolutely filthy!), we've got shopping to do at New Sagaya and Costco...then it's off to Ninilchik where we have rented a "rustic cabin". Friday morning, we'll be up early to catch the right tide at the beach and get our razor clams...hopefully, we'll be enjoying linguine with clam sauce Friday night in the town of Homer, where we'll be camping on the Homer "Spit".

More later...