Alaska 2020-Day 8

We started our day with a hike to and around Horseshoe Lake. It was such a lovely hike and we (again) felt like we were the only people on earth. Thomas shimmied up rocky hill sides and the girls skipped rocks.  I know that is super-exciting to read about! 

This would probably be an appropriate time to begin discussions on the mosquito situation. I’ve seen the Mosquito Death Squadron of 2020 and friends, it’s coming right for us and we’re all gonna die! I thought I’d seen the worst Mosquitos of my life in Glacier NP a few summers ago. But those did not swarm around your head and then try to fly off with it. Maybe that’s the downside to being some the only folks in the park. These jokers are conditioned to feast on hordes of tourists and with fewer travelers, they are blood thirsty, desperate little ne’re-do-wells. They are not deterred by campfire smoke, or pants, or long sleeves. Those jokers feasted like they were at the Golden Corral THROUGH MY PANTS and the pants and shirts of my travel companions. Except for John. “Mosquitoes don’t really bother me”, he boasted. While the rest of us were flapping and swatting our arms about our heads like we were in the throes of some sort of conniption. Insect repellent did curb their blood lust, but some of us don’t like repellent because “ew, it makes me smell like camp and I haven’t the opportunity to shower on the hour and half hour”. The range of personal hygiene in this family is staggering. After our hike, we headed our home down the highway towards Talkeetna.  What a little diamond in the rough! 

spied this thing....

This Igloo was built to be a hotel in the '70s and never opened. I totally would've slept in an igloo gas station if only given the chance.....

And, if you don't believe me about the mosquitoes....

Those are parents wearing mosquito-net bedecked bebes. 

Talkeetna was hopping with lots of Alaskans and a few tourists. We ate at the Denali Brewery while we people watched. Our RV park is one of the best yet and a very short walk to the cute downtown. This is a great place to spend our last few days.

If there is a chance to poke our head through a funny hole, we're going to do it every time like it is our job. 

Vroom!

Peonies the size of my head

Beer flight for Mr. Bullingon, wine for me!

What is this mystery contraption?

Fort Building Friends

Thomas and his pop-up Posse

 This trip has flown by, so much so that the wee ones are already discussing seat configurations for the long overnight flight home. The popular sister vote is that they don’t want to sleep next to Thomas because he “toots”. Thomas got his back up about it at dinner and loudly retorted, “I don’t even want to sit with you, I’m FINE WITH SLEEPING WITH STRANGERS!”. The lady at the table next to us blew Pepsi out her nose and others just stared. We should probably just start to wrap things up and head home.