Talkeetna, Alaska

July 1,  Pulled out of campground around 10 am, after it rained during the night, water everywhere.  We had driven about 150 miles, stopping at pullouts to be able to see a different view of Denali, and stopped at the Alaska Veteran Memorial, very well done, enjoyed it very much.  Pulled into Talkeetna, staying at the ADF&G concessionaire-operated public boat launch, not too far from downtown.  Drove out to see the Kahiltna Birchworks, where they tap birch trees in April for the sap and make birch syrup.  Birch syrup in Alaska is concentrated from the sap of the birch tree, same way maple syrup is produced, but more difficult.  It takes an average of 110 gallons of birch sap to make 1 gallon of birch syrup.  Birch syrup is versatile, and comes in three runs.  It can be used as a pancake topping or an ingredient, as a sweetener for baking or savory dishes, or a dietary supplement.  We had tried some of their birch ice cream, very good.  We had driven into town, which is very small, with old houses which are used as commercial businesses.  We had sat dinner at a roadside business, Shirley’s burgers, not cheap, $13 for a burger and $12 for fish and chips, not worth the money.  Came back to trailer for the night, sat outside for a while before retiring for the night.