Friday, February 20, 2009

Valentine's Day Road Trip













When I heard that my mom and aunt were going on a road trip, my little ears perked right up. You see, I am a FOOL for a good long road trip. I don't know what it is, but I feel so energized to hit the open road, see new country and eagerly anticipate adventures and mishaps. Its a sickness of mine. But truly a passion!




I love being with my mom. She is just kind of a hoot. And my aunt, her sister, is a blast too. So we spent lots of time in the car, simply cracking up. Sometimes over nothing. Okay, usually over nothing! Just sisterchickin.


See this room? This is a nice room. This is not Talkeetna.



We drove the first night to Talkeetna, and spent the night there. It was a great place to stay, especially if you don't care about sleep. Or roasting to death because our room was over a bar and they kept the bar nice and toasty. Or if you love the sound of trains, which seem to be running right through your room. Or if you want to be kept awake all night from snowmachines and drunks, or drunks on snowmachines.
But as I mentioned, I love adventure and mishaps, so I happen to love Talkeetna.


The room above is in Cantwell, where we stayed on the way home, for one night.


All of these scenery pictures were snapped from the car as we drove along. Luckily I was not driving, so I had 14 hours each way to relax, eat almonds and Pringles, and snap pics.




The country is so vast, so isolated, so hard to describe. The pictures do little to show it.







We went to visit my mom's dear friend along the way, in a town called Cantwell. (pretty much the middle of nowhere..population around 60) Here is Violet's house. She lives alone, is in her 70s, hunts her own caribou, and was thrilled to see us. Visitors are rare and unexpected. She showed us all the beadwork she has been doing, and boots she made.





I had a blast in Fairbanks with all my friends. I used to live there, and teach school there, and the place is still rooted deep in my heart. I really love it.
I wish it were not so faaaaaaaaaaaar away.
But then again, I love a good road trip.






5 comments:

Mere said...

Enjoy Oliver! It'll be so much fun for y'all! Musicals are a blast!! GORGEOUS pics too! It's always nice to getaway and spend quality time with those we love!

Love, Mere

Kim said...

Sisterchickin! Hee!

Great pictures! I have a special place in my heart for Fairbanks—I went to UAF and then we lived there the first 2 years of our marriage.

Denise K. said...

Hi there! Wow what beautiful terrain you passed through, and what a fun adventure! I'm so glad you got a chance to spend some quality time with your mom and aunt, and that you made such awesome memories! :-)

twinmamabee said...

Just beautiful! And I am way impressed by Violet and the fact that she hunts her own caribou - wow!

Kerilou said...

I love all your photos! Sounds like such a nice trip! Thanks for sharing it all!
Kerilou
(very ready for spring!!)