28 July 2013

Road Trip

We decided to go for a drive this morning, despite the grey overcast.

Looking southeast from Palmer, AK

The clouds were low and gloomy here, but this state can generate more isolated pockets of completely different weather than anywhere else I've been. As the photo above shows, the overcast was much higher by the time we'd traveled as far as Palmer, some 30 miles north of Anchorage.

Within another 10 miles we had to break out the sunglasses, just in time to turn west on Fishhook Road.

We've driven past that turnoff (along the road to Hatcher Pass, for any of you who've been this way) any number of times, but never checked it out. Turns out it's paved (darn it), lots of twists and turns (yay), and a speed limit of 45 which seemed 5 or 10 mph too fast. Granted, we were in a small SUV rather than a sedan.
The view looking west along Fishhook Road, in early winter with Pioneer Peak on the horizon.

The road's much more civilized, and much flatter, than I had hoped. Next weekend, I'm definitely getting off-asphalt. All this civilization is getting harder to tolerate for an old country boy.

Don't seem right if'n I cain't take and get m' tahrs on some gravel, dang it! [/Missouri Ozarks drawl]

Oh, and Fishhook Road? It's technically Willow-Fishhook Road from the east end, and Wasilla-Fishhook Road from the west end. With Wasilla and Palmer forming the two ends of the base of a lline, the small community of Fishhook is the apex of a shallow triangle. I'm sure it was a stand-alone community at one time, perhaps even just a few years ago ... but now it's the northeast corner of the residential/small-business growth spreading that direction from Wasilla.

6 comments:

Stephen said...

Awful shame how quickly civilization moves in and spoils our views, isn't it. I can remember when this state was wild, covered in lakes and orange groves and cattle pastures. Now, its one big Disneyland...full of weirdos and democrats.

Rev. Paul said...

It is, Stephen, but growth is inevitable, I suppose.

Regarding the population, here's what we tell female friend & relatives who ask if there are eligible men up here:
"The odds are good ... but the goods are odd."

Chickenmom said...

I would never, ever get tired of looking at those mountains! Truly God's country...

Rev. Paul said...

Chickenmom, we never tire of the mountains, either. They dominate the view in nearly every direction here, and there are six mountain ranges visible from Anchorage (weather permitting), with none more than 125 miles away. The Chugach Mtns form the east side of town, of course.

Old NFO said...

LOL, obviously WAY to populated now, when anything other than the ALCAN is paved... :-)

Rev. Paul said...

NFO, I can remember the time before the Alcan was paved, too. Okay, when parts of it weren't paved...