Dr. Jim Kepler in Talkeetna, Alaska in August 2022.
Why Should I Visit Talkeetna, Alaska?
Talkeetna, Alaska is a small town located about 110 miles north of Anchorage. It’s known for its stunning scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities, and is a popular destination for travelers interested in hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Here are a few reasons why you should consider visiting Talkeetna:
Stunning scenery:
Talkeetna is located in the heart of the beautiful Alaskan wilderness, and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, forests, and rivers.
It’s a great place to go hiking, biking, or just enjoy the scenery.
Moose art in front of old cabin in Talkeetna, Alaska
Outdoor recreation:
Talkeetna is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with many opportunities for hiking, fishing, and other activities.
There are several nearby state parks and nature preserves to explore, as well as rivers and lakes for fishing.
Park adjacent to lake in Talkeetna, Alaska
Wildlife viewing:
Talkeetna is also a great place to see Alaskan wildlife.
The area is home to many different species of birds and animals, including bald eagles, moose, and bears.
Nagley’s Store and West Rib Pub & Cafe in Talkeetna, Alaska
Unique culture:
In addition to its natural beauty, Talkeetna also has a unique local culture.
The town is home to many artists and craftspeople, and there are several galleries and shops featuring their work.
Popular Culture:
The town of Cicely from the 1990 television series Northern Exposure has been said that it could be patterned after Talkeetna by a journalist, but it has not been confirmed by any cast member. Northern Exposure filming actually took place in Roslyn, Washington.
The town of Talkeetna was mentioned in Travel Channel’s Man v. Food. In season 2 episode 16, the host travels to the Roadhouse, a restaurant in Talkeetna, to sample their unique breakfast dishes. Also featured is West Rib Pub & Cafe.
Talkeetna features heavily in Railroad Alaska on Discovery Channel. The show has three seasons and deals with the lives of people who work the railway, and off-the-grid residents who depend on the railroad for supplies and access to medical facilities.
The town was most notably featured in the family classic Snow Dogs.
Alaska Railroad at terminal in Talkeetna, Alaska
Conclusion:
Overall, Talkeetna is a great destination for travelers interested in outdoor adventure and beautiful scenery.
It’s a unique and fascinating place to visit, and offers many opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Sources: My visit to Talkeetna, Alaska in August 2022 and from the section on popular culture was adapted from the section “In Popular Culture” from Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talkeetna,_Alaska. Photo Source: All photos and videos were taken by the author unless noted in the photo caption, unless otherwise credited. Disclosure: I am an Amazon affiliate. If you purchase using the links in the article I receive a small commission.
What To Do When Visiting Denali National Park Alaska in the Summer
In August of 2022 I visited Denali National Park in Alaska.
Denali National Park in Alaska can be accessed by several methods. Some people visit through private travel. Others arrive in Alaska by driving the 1,387 mile long Alaska Highway which starts in Dawson Creek, British Columbia in Canada and ends in Delta Junction, Alaska. Others fly into Fairbanks or Anchorage and drive or take the train. Many, like me, arrive via a cruise ship and then travel from the coast via the Alaska Railroad to Denali.
Denali National Park Princess Lodge is approximately 120 miles south of Fairbanks and 240 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska.
I stayed at the Denali Princess Lodge in Alaska. The Denali Princess Lodge is located in Denali National Park, which is known for its stunning natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Here are some ideas of things you can do while you’re staying at the Lodge:
I stayed on the ground floor of this building.
Take a Scenic Bus Tour Through the Park
Denali National Park is vast and remote, and the best way to explore it is by taking a guided bus tour. These tours offer breathtaking views of the park’s mountains, forests, and wildlife, and are a great way to learn about the history and ecology of the area.
I’m standing with Mount Denali hidden by clouds behind me. The area is all tundra.
Go Hiking or Backpacking
Denali National Park is a hiker’s paradise, with hundreds of miles of trails to explore. Whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging climb, there is a trail for you in Denali.
Visit the Park’s Visitor Center
The park’s Visitor Center is a great place to learn about the history, geology, and wildlife of Denali. It also offers a variety of educational programs and activities for visitors of all ages.
Look for Wildlife
Denali National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, caribou, and wolves. Keep an eye out for these animals as you explore the park, and be sure to follow the park’s safety guidelines to avoid any encounters.
Tour one of my tours we did not visit one area because of the sighting of a grizzly bear.
Go Rafting or Kayaking
The park’s rivers and streams are perfect for rafting and kayaking, and there are a variety of guided trips available to suit all levels of experience.
Visit the Kantishna Roadhouse
The Kantishna Roadhouse is a historic lodge located deep in the heart of the park. It offers a variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, and gold panning, and is a great place to relax and unwind after a day of exploring.
Enjoy the Night Sky
Denali National Park is known for its dark skies, and there are many opportunities to stargaze and admire the night sky. There are a variety of guided stargazing programs available, or you can simply lay on the ground and enjoy the view on your own.
Take a Scenic Flight Over the Park
If money isn’t an issue, you can take a scenic fight over the park. You’ll get spectacular views of the mountains and wildlife from above.
Visit the Murie Science and Learning Center
The Murie Science and Learning Center offers educational programs and exhibits about the park’s ecology and wildlife.
Denali National Park Museum
A visit to the Denali National Park Museum features displays on the park’s natural and cultural history.
See the Sled Dog Kennels
You can visit the sled dog kennels and learn about the role of sled dogs in the park’s history. The kennels also have a webcam which allows views from anywhere in the world.
Tour guides giving talk on dog sleds and sled patrols in winter months.
I recommend a visit to Denali National Park. Of all the places I’ve ever visited, Denali is my favorite destination.
Photo Source: All photos and videos were taken by the author unless noted in the photo caption, unless otherwise credited. Disclosure: I am an Amazon affiliate. If you purchase using the links in the article I receive a small commission.
Petroglyph National Monument – Photo by Dr. Jim Kepler
Planning a Visit to Petroglyph National Monument
A stop on a recent vacation included the Petroglyph National Monument. It stretches seventeen miles along Albuquerque, New Mexico’s West Mesa. It’s on a volcanic basalt escarpment that dominates the city’s western horizon. Authorized June 27, 1990, the National Park Service and the City of Albuquerque together manage the 7,236 acre monument.
Petroglyph National Monument features a variety of ancient petroglyphs carved into volcanic rocks by the Ancestral Pueblo people and other indigenous cultures.
You will want to check the park’s website for the latest information on hours of operation, fees, and any closures or restrictions because of COVID-19.
Decide which of the park’s three main areas you would like to visit: Boca Negra Canyon, Rinconada Canyon, or Piedras Marcadas Canyon. Each area has its own unique petroglyphs and hiking trails. I describe each later.
Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours at the park to allow enough time to explore the trails and view the petroglyphs. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. Some of the park’s trails are without pavement and are rocky, so if you have mobility issues, be sure to check trail condition in advance.
Please understand that the Petroglyph National Monument is a protected area. Be sure to stay on designated trails and do not touch or disturb any of the petroglyphs.
What is a petroglyph?
Before the visit, I couldn’t define a petroglyph. Perchance, like me, you can’t either.
A petroglyph is a type of rock art that is created by carving or engraving images or designs into a rock surface. Natural rock outcroppings, boulders, or cliffs makeup their canvass. Techniques used include a variety of techniques, such as pecking, grinding, or incising. The artform is in areas where rocks have soft surfaces. They’re carved on rocks, such as basalt, sandstone, or granite.
Petroglyph photo by Dr. Jim Kepler
Petroglyphs can depict a wide variety of subjects, including humans, animals, symbols, and abstract designs. Simple or complex describe the patterns. Size ranges from small individual figures to large panel compositions.
Petroglyph photo by Dr. Jim Kepler
Petroglyphs are often associated with prehistoric cultures. They provide an important source of information about the beliefs, customs, and daily life of ancient peoples.
Petroglyphs versus Pictographs
Petroglyphs differ from pictographs. Painting or drawing on rock surfaces creates pictographs. They used natural pigments such as ochre or charcoal as the paint.
Boca Negra Canyon, Rinconada Canyon, or Piedras Marcadas Canyon
Boca Negra Canyon
Boca Negra Canyon is one of the three main areas of the Petroglyph National Monument. We know it for its large concentration of ancient petroglyphs. The canyon is home to over one-hundred petroglyph panels, which feature a wide variety of designs and images, including animals, humans, and abstract symbols.
Boca Negra Canyon trails are an easy, self-guided hike, with about a one mile round trip. The trails are well-maintained and provide visitors with an opportunity to examine the petroglyphs up close. The trail features interpretive signs that provide information about the history and meaning of the petroglyphs.
Petroglyph photo by Dr. Jim Kepler
One of the salient features of the Boca Negra Canyon petroglyphs is the “Great Kiva,” which is a circular, subterranean chamber that was used for religious and ceremonial purposes. The Ancestral Pueblo people, who were the original inhabitants of the area, might have built the Great Kiva. We believe the Ancestral Pueblo people created the petroglyphs in the canyon. Other indigenous cultures who lived in the area created additional petroglyphs.
Boca Negra Canyon is home to the Boca Negra Dam, a historic structure built in the early 20th century to provide water for the nearby community. The Dam trail offers a panoramic view of the Petroglyph National Monument and the city of Albuquerque.
Boca Negra Canyon offers visitors an opportunity to witness a wide variety of ancient petroglyphs and learn about the history and culture of the area through interpretive signs, and also a short hike with a panoramic view of the Petroglyph National Monument.
Rinconada Canyon
Rinconada Canyon is another area of the Petroglyph National Monument and home to over six-hundred and fifty petroglyphs.
Visitors can look at the petroglyphs up close on the self-guided Rinconada Canyon trails. The trails are well-maintained and range from easy to moderate in difficulty. They feature interpretive signs that provide information about the history and meaning of the petroglyphs.
Petroglyph photo by Dr. Jim Kepler
One of the unique features of the Rinconada Canyon petroglyphs is the “Star Circles,” which are a group of petroglyphs that depict a series of concentric circles with radiating lines. Many people believe these petroglyphs to be astronomical and used as a calendar or to track the seasons.
The Rinconada Canyon also offers a trail that leads to a viewpoint where visitors can examine the entire canyon and the surrounding landscape.
Rinconada Canyon has a large concentration of petroglyphs, including unique “Star Circles” and it offers visitors an opportunity to observe a wide variety of ancient petroglyphs and learn about the history and culture of the area through interpretive signs and also a moderate hike with a viewpoint.
Piedras Marcadas Canyon
Piedras Marcadas Canyon is one of the main areas of the Petroglyph National Monument. Known for its concentration of ancient petroglyphs, the canyon is home to over one-hundred and fifty petroglyphs.
The Piedras Marcadas Canyon trails are self-guided and offer visitors an opportunity to see the petroglyphs up close. The trails are well-maintained and range from easy to moderate in difficulty, and feature interpretive signs that provide information about the history and meaning of the petroglyphs.
Petroglyph photo by Dr. Jim Kepler
One of the unique features of the Piedras Marcadas Canyon petroglyphs is the “Thunderbirds,” which are a group of petroglyphs that depict a large bird-like creature with a long tail and outspread wings. These petroglyphs were associated with the sky, thunder, and lightning, and may used in religious or ceremonial contexts.
Piedras Marcadas Canyon also offers a hiking trail that leads to a viewpoint where visitors can see the entire canyon and the surrounding landscape, including the Sandia Mountains.
We know Piedras Marcadas Canyon for its unique “Thunderbirds” petroglyphs and it offers visitors an opportunity to see a wide variety of ancient petroglyphs and learn about the history and culture of the area through interpretive signs and also a moderate hike with a viewpoint.
Conclusion
Petroglyph National Monument features a variety of ancient petroglyphs carved into volcanic rocks by the Ancestral Pueblo people and other indigenous cultures. Hiking opportunities abound. I couldn’t help but think the Pueblo people may have seven encountered a few unidentified flying objects from the rock carving.
Petroglyph photo by Dr. Jim Kepler
Photo Source: All photos were taken by the author unless noted in the photo caption. Disclosure: I am an Amazon affiliate. If you purchase using the links in the article I receive a small commission.
I was hiking
by the big creek
on a summer day
in the bright sun.
It was so hot
and I was all alone.
Lost in my thoughts
my foot struck the pathway
to the cadence
of the music
I was listening to
on my iPod.
By the big creek
there were people
reading signs saying keep right
and a concrete path
with city dwellers walking
to and fro.
Lovers hand in hand
and it all made sense
except for the litter
on the big creek’s banks
while across the way
was a broken down barbed-wired fence.
In the bright sun
not a cloud in the sky
there was sweat on my brow
running down my temples
as an old lady walked by
and she smiled at me showing her dimples.
It was so hot
I drank some water
lots of cool water
and the temperature
was 110 degrees
and that was in the shade.
Lost in my thoughts
my foot struck the pathway
to the cadence
of the music
I was listening to
on my iPod.
While I was hiking
by the big creek
on a summer day
in the bright sun
it was so hot
and I was all alone.
Most Saturdays I get up around 5:30 AM. I head to my favorite Starbucks arriving about 6:00 AM. I spend the next two hours writing. After I complete my morning writing, I drive to the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano, Texas. It is located in west Plano where the boarders of the cities of Plano, Carrollton, and The Colony meet.
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve Entrance
It is located on West parker Road, in Plano, Texas. The photo is of the entrance sign looking toward the east. In the background of the above picture is one of the City of Plano’s fire stations.
Parking Lot
As you drive into the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve you will find adequate parking. They have sidewalks were you don’t have t walk in the street.
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve welcome area
The Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is located on the western border of Plano, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a 200-acre park featuring vast areas of natural beauty for walking, jogging, hiking, orienteering, and other outdoor activity. The paved recreational trail is approximately 2.6 miles in length. There are also a natural unpaved trails for pedestrians only that is approximately 2.6 miles). There is a designated off-cycling trail of 2.8 miles. It also has a natural biofilter for cleaning surface run-off from the parking lot before it reenters the ground water tables as well as an observation tower, playground, restrooms and pavilion. I’m sharing many pictures I took during my walks.
The Arbor Hills Nature Preserve has three distinct areas.
It is located in the city of Plano.
Here is a map to help you explore and discover the preserve.
One of the areas of the preserve is the Upland Forest.
A second area is Blackland Prairie
A third area is Riparian Forest (that is forest along the creeks and streams).
Here are a few pictures of the pavilion area.
Another pavilion picture.
A third picture of the pavilion area.
The cornet in the pavilion area has some designs in them.
A few from the pavilion
One last pavilion picture.
From the pavilion you can see he playground.
Near the pavilion is the rest room. It is near the parking area as well.
As you leave the pavilion area you head south. The concrete walkway has a center yellow stripe. The ask that you keep right except to pass. A large number of people walk the trails and ride their bikes on the trails. The go and come in both directions.
Many people bring their dogs. The dog must be on a leash and you have to clean up after your four-legged friend.
Another view of the playground.
The grass along the trail is well maintained.
The are signs with instructions along the trail. There are off-road bicycle trails.
Trash cans and benches are along the trail.
The scenery is diverse.
Instruction signs greet you from time to time.
Here is a trail off the main trail that returns to the pavilion.
The views are amazing.
There is lots of Blackland Prairie.
Signs warn you to beware of critters.
A view from the main walking trail back up at the pavilion.
The trails go through many different settings. I tried to take pictures without people on the trail. Some folks get upset if they think you are photographing them.
As you walk you cross several bridges. There are creeks and streams throughout the preserve.
I took this picture from the bridge looking north.
More Blackland Prairie.
Along the concrete trail are off road trails. The one just ahead is the prairie trail.
Prairie Trail sign.
Continuing down the main trail. The scenery can change as you go around a bend on the trail.
You go down hill and into the Riparian Forest (that is forest along the creeks and streams).
I gives you a good mix of moving from sun to shade.
Some of the trees are tall.
Here is the entrance to the Outer Loop Trail.
Benches are found along the trail.
Parts of the trail are on flat ground.
It crosses the Blackland Prairie.
Another off road trail is ahead on the right.
The off-road trails are well marked and worn from use.
You find cedar trees in the preserve.
There are different types of trees.
Another tree.
The preserve takes erosion control seriously.
The are large hills to climb with major elevation changes along the walking trail.
Here is a view of the observation tower.
Looking down the hill onto the Blackland Prairie.
Another view of the observation tower. This is taken from the west side of the tower facing east.
Looking to the northwest. I live about six miles away in that direction.
This is a large mesquite tree with a bench in its shade. You are still walking uphill at a gentle slope.
Up the hill we go.
Interesting vegetation abounds.
As we near the top of the hill we start into the Upland Forest.
It is very pretty terrain.
My photos are in sequence of my 2.6 plus mile walk around the preserve.
Another trail heading off the concrete trail.
If you look close you can see cars in a parking lot in the background. This is at Austin Ranch in The Colony, Texas. Austin Ranch borders the preserve. This is at the highest point of elevation.
The Outer Trail comes close to the concrete trail.
As you start back down hill you come to the observation tower.
There is a side trail right before the observation tower.
This is a view of the last side trail from the observation tower.
Another view from the tower.
Still another view from the tower.
A view from the observation tower back to the main concrete trail.
Descending from the observation tower.
Along the concrete trail from time to time I found chalk art.
Another dirt trail off the main trail.
Another bridge over a creek.
A view from a bridge.
A view from the next bridge.
Almost back to the pavilion and parking lot.
Cars and the parking lot at the top of the hill. 2.6 miles in 45 minutes. I enjoy a leisurely walk. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano, Texas is an urban gem.
Do you seethe rabbit? I saw this one when first leaving the parking lot.
I think we scared each other when I looked to my right and saw this deer not ten feet away.
If you got off the concrete trails you saw more critters like the turtles.
