A Wet and Rainy Drive to Denali

Last week we took a little mini vacation holiday up the highway to Denali National Park. And it rained.

And rained.

And rained.

And rained.

And then it rained some more.

Just running from the truck to the best bathrooms at the Talkeetna Y got us absolutely soaked. Like drowned rat soaked. And Birkenstocks were definitely not the vibe. According to my teenager I am never the vibe, so that tracks,

Remember that tip: the best bathrooms after leaving Wasilla on the way north are at the Talkeetna Y. Either the gas station OR at Subway. You might need to buy a soda or a coffee as a token purchase but by and large they’re not that strict about it.

Another hour up the road is Mary Carey’s Lodge. And while it does have nice bathrooms you can use it’s better if you stop, get some pie or a hamburger and just relax for a bit. It’s full of photos, memorabilia and more from Mary Carey.

If you don’t know who Mary Carey is, buy her book “Alaska, Not For A Woman.” It’s such a great read about the gutsy woman who drove to Alaska in the 60s. ALONE. Up the Alcan.

She was contracted to be a teacher up at Talkeetna and somehow befriended Alaskan Bush Pilot Don Sheldon. She flew with him and captured breathtaking photos of Denali and Alaska. She teaches and is a reporter for newspapers. Later, she bought land up the highway and built her lodge. It’s still there!

You can stop there on the way North up the Glenn Highway, which she, incidentally, shamed the Governor of Alaska into finally finishing after years of stalled work.

Anyway, the lodge is full of history and good food. And, of course, clean bathrooms.

At the bare minimum, stop in and grab one of her books; they’re good reads. But it’s better if you stop for pie and coffee and relax for a minute.

Gotta run—I’ll post photos of our adventures ASAP!