Sylvia's RV Journey

​ My beautiful spot was perfect yet again with these dramatic views. This is definitely in my top 10. I reluctantly left, making a brief stop along the Chitina river and crossing the bridge where I didn’t see too many fishermen this early in the morning. I kept seeing signs for Chitina Grubstake…”flaked ice.” So even though his sandwich board sign was pointing in the opposite direction, I saw the building and talked to Matt. He laughed about the sign and admitted it was early morning when he placed it out there. I’m glad I could help. I decided that I needed a white chocolate raspberry Tillamook ice cream milkshake to just tide me over this morning. Mind you, really, I never have a milkshake at 10 o’clock in the morning ever. And it was damn good. I was enamored with this teeny tiny little food truck place, and I like to support the locals. I was able to find the spot that ranger Vickie suggested by the airport, which has several fish wheels in action, along the Chitina River. It’s not...

Well, I woke up yet again to the sound of rain. Maybe this is just a daily thing that I’m not used to. It was quite chilly and windy as I gathered things up and hit the road mentally wrapping my head around another 4 hour drive on a pothole washboard road. I stopped along the railroad trestle site as I blew past it on the way down. Finally the rain stopped, and I got some decent photos of the astonishing trestle bridge, and it was just amazing standing underneath it, looking straight up at the vest spans of this structure, and to think it went on for many miles. It’s a bit sad that the structure was allowed to decay, as I imagined train rides into McCarthy and Kennecott would be a major tourist attraction, but all good things seem to come to an end. I carried on with another sighting of two trumpeter swans, and as I stepped out to take photographs, I was engulfed with crazy mosquitoes. These, I feel, in particular were waiting for me to come, as I must’ve been a feast for their eyes. G...

​ I just had to write down details about true conversations while on my trip to McCarthy and Kennecott, AK ….Well, the man with the steel blue eyes, who lives in McCarthy during the summer and Mexico in the winter, shuttled us from Kennecott to McCarthy. Unfortunately, I didn’t get his name, but I’m going to call him Mac. I asked Mac how many times these vans have needed an overhaul regarding all the potholes. He said, “let’s just say, never buy a used car that drove around McCarthy.” I said, “I’ll bet you have all the potholes memorized.” He responded, “oh yes, and I’ve named them, and even though I’ve been around them all, I still try to figure out a new way around them.” I laughed and asked, “what was the name of that one just behind us?” and before I could even finish my sentence, he replied, “that was…Bertha.” I seriously laughed out loud, too funny, as these potholes are pretty jarring, and these vans look like they’ve been through a lot. On the day prior, on another shuttle, fro...

​ I woke up to the pitter patter of rain, and my ritual every morning includes raising my shades to admire the view. I could barely see the mountain this morning. So after the normal routine, walking Jo Jo with an umbrella, and preparing breakfast, I needed to figure out what I was planning to do today. Part of my plan included, leaving, driving four hours to get to the main highway. But I also had the desire to return to McCarthy and thought long and hard about the tour that I missed yesterday in Kennecott. Luckily, at about 10 AM the rain stopped and upon checking the forecast, it showed clouds for the afternoon with late day showers. I was able to call regarding the tour and they had an opening at 1:30, so I made the plan to take the two shuttles back up to Kennecott. I just missed the shuttle to McCarthy, so I decided to walk the 1 mile to the town. 1 mile isn’t far, but in the woods with these ravenous mosquitoes, it’s certainly gave me a reason to keep up the pace. I caught the s...