Homestead along the river
We started the day with a real B&B Breakfast. It was really nice to have everything done for us, while not having to drive to a restaurant. I know that Emma was pleased to have capital-b Breakfast.
First on the agenda was a visit to the Birch Syrup factory. We arrived right at opening time, and probably rushed the lone staff there to open the place. He started the tour video while making his morning coffee. After the brief video, he talked us through the process. It is much more intensive than Maple Syrup production, though the basic process is the same. It just takes way more gallons of sap to produce birch syrup. We got to taste the different grades of syrup, and purchased some for us, and some gifts to bring back.
From there we drove into Talkeetna to check in for our jet boat adventure. We did the shorter, 2-hour tour, but they have several longer ones as well. Our guide grew up in Talkeetna, and even talked us through the history of homesteading in Alaska. His parents had come there in the early 70s to homestead, and only moved into town when his mom was pregnant with him. Up until the early 80s, anyone could move here and get 5 acres, if you lived on the land and paid your property taxes. It is amazing that there is so recent a connection with that frontier experience.
On the way back to the dock, we saw a mama moose and her 2 calves in the river. Carrie was ecstatic, and got some great pics. The day had started out rainy and cold, and by then the sun had come out, and made the pictures perfect.
Back in Talkeetna, we drove over to the main area of town to put our name on the list for lunch. While we waited, we perused the shops, and found some more goodies. We had a great lunch, then came back to the B&B to relax, play some games, and work on the documentating of the day.
