Matanuska Glacier

[upnut]

My daughter had a good friend fly in for a visit, and one of their day trips took them out of Anchorage and up the Matanuska Valley as far as the Glacier. The highway looks like it follows pretty close to the river:

She took many photos, any one of which I'm tempted to use as a screen saver...I liked this one:

Here's a shot of the Matanuska Glacier:

And here's a pic driving back towards Anchorage:

I would imagine the driving day trips will be winding down as winter approaches, but nothing should surprise me at this point! It's been fun following their adventures in the Atlas and Gazetteer that's getting a little dog-eared...
Scott B.

[Dand]

Yes the Glenn Highway leaves Palmer and runs up the Matanuska R. valley - with spectacular views.  Some of the mountains just south and across the river are quite high, 5,000 to 7,000 feet I think - very scenic.  I never get tired of that section of road but it can be hairy when its icy. When I was in high school we'd go up in that area in the winter to hunt rabbits and camp - on good winter days its very beautiful as well.  There are some nice B&B's toward the upper end of the valley that I've stayed at.  Good X-C skiing in the winter, early spring.  The road has been widened, straightened and a little flattened from the bad old days - used to be a very hairy hill at Hicks Creek and also Caribou Creek but those are better now, tho much less scenic I think.


 But hey if your daughter is up here you need to quit reading the maps and come see it for yourself.   

[bulletstuffer]

For those of you that have not been to Alaska put it on the top of your bucket list.  It is one of the most breath taking places on earth!  You will feel like your head is on a swivel as each place you look at seems more beautiful than the last.


Wishing you all good luck,


Bulletstuffer

[Drilling Man]

  I've been through there many times, tell your daughter to drive to Seward, and also Valdez and Homer too.  They are worth the time it takes to drive to those places. 
 
  DM

[upnut]

Thanks for the kind remarks and suggestions guys, and the invitation is really, well, inviting! The kids up there are all hard working, but they get out of town at every opportunity. They were in Seward for the Mt. Marathon hillclimb/run, daughter texted when the Seaveys (dog-sled family) went by in the parade. They camped out and visited Homer as well:

Daughter is a budding amateur photographer, so we have lots of pics exploring Turnagain Arm and environs. I like this pic of McHugh Creek:

We have had some of her photos made into poster-sized wall hangers, Alaska is truly a beautiful place!
Enjoy!
Scott B.
 

[Sourdough]

there is so much to see and do it would take a lifetime to do it all.  Tell her she has to go to Eagle at least once, and plan on staying up the Taylor Highway a week.