We had our latest start this morning yet.  We didn’t get out of our tent until 9:30. That meant after touring around the tiny, but quaint town of Talkeetna we didn’t hit The Parks Highway until 11:45.  Talkeetna was the town the television show Northern Exposure was based on.  It wasn’t filmed there, but it was based on the town.  I really never watched the show, so I couldn’t make any exciting connections.  We visited the National Park Visitors Center where mountaineers must have a briefing prior to climbing Mt. McKinley.

After Brooke’s rock climb a week ago she is determined to climb Mt. McKinley now.  Although she likes to call the majestic mountain Denali.  We found out that the personal gear will probably cost around $10,000, the permit to climb the mountain will cost $200, and she should plan on $6,000 for air transport, a guide and other logistics for the  mountain.  It’s a good thing she has some time to save.

The last picture is of a family we passed on the Parks Highway.  And I thought we couldn’t bike pack with kids…  They have a website, we think it is: www.pedouins.org/

We went out for a family celebration of our wedding anniversary from the 14th.  Denny’s was the spot.  The kids were well behaved, the food was delicious (I could eat breakfast food for every meal), and the price didn’t break the bank.  Denny’s was often the spot where we would eat after Scott’s late night hockey  games when we were dating, so it was fun to reminisce.  Cody had fun flirting with the waitress.  He couldn’t eat because he had to wave to her every time she passed by.  It was rather adorable.

We our camping at the city campground.  We had showers for the first time in almost a week. Yippee!!!