Tuesday, March 18th
2014
(Tok, AK –
Anchorage, AK : 332 miles)
WE ARE IN ALASKA!!!
Cold and dark morning. The cabin was great and
comfortable but we were up quite early. That gave us easy morning. We
learned from the previous day and pumped gas last night. So we did
not have to return to the town in the morning. There was a small
coffee maker with several packages of coffee – we could have our
two morning cups plus travel cup. We left at 7:15 am, got on the Tok
Cutoff highway and were heading to Anchorage (distance of about 325
miles). No wild animals. Our main goal was to get to the city by two
o'clock and get into our apartment. The sun was slowly coming up
(behind the mountains) and it was really nice. The scenery was the
real “Alaskan” one. Snow covered mountains everywhere. Those were
some incredible views. Few stops – really, really cold. Other than
that: driving and driving. Speed limit: 55 miles per hour. Few icy or
snowy spots on the road, otherwise great road. About 150 miles with
goofy speed limit, few houses, snow, nice road – intersection –
down to Valdez or Anchorage. Quick stop - “gift shop” - gas
station. Sunny. Breezy (cold). Driving and driving. Amazing views. At
one of the rest stops we finally saw a lonely moose. So far the first
one. Other than that: driving and driving, some houses, more
civilization, Palmer (town) and than Anchorage. Relatively easy to
find the apartment. Drive by hospital. Way too much snow in the city.
Apparently it snowed few days ago, otherwise it was incredibly warm
and mild winter. Meet our landlord, finish paperwork, get keys. Move
in (less than 15 minutes). Costco – groceries (at least some of
them). Gasoline price: 3.74 (March 18th 2014). Costco
slightly more expansive. Back in the apartment. Take it easy, unpack,
relax. WE ARE IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA. Still kind of surreal.
