Journey to Alaska: Road Trip 2013: into the bush: pioneer alaska

September 19, 2013

Day: 18

Total mileage (car): 3427

Total mileage (with ferry): 4272.5

Into the bush. Did you know that Walmarts in Alaska advertise that you can order online and have supplies flown into the bush? After traveling to the nether regions of Alaska, that is truly awesome. And you can camp out in Walmart parking lots for free. Props to Walmart.

At the end of the Dalton, we headed due west on the Elliott Highway to roads end, Manley Hot Springs. The Milepost calls it "Pioneer Alaska". I felt like we were stepping back in time 80-100 years.

Pioneer Alaska.

Hunkering down. Luxury camping.

We started the morning with a relaxing soak in the hot springs, run by Gladys Dart. Gladys was the first school teacher in Manley back in the 1950s and the school has since been named for her. Apparently a remarkable educator, she also has quite the green thumb. We savored our hour in her greenhouse - the temperature inside was close to 70 degrees and outside, snow fell and the air lingered around 20 degrees. Heavenly.

Gladys Dart's greenhouse in the bush.

A thriving greenhouse- complete with grape vines and tropical plants.

Soakin'.

Thanks for the soak, Gladys!

With our limbs warmed up, we headed out on the town and took a stroll down the road to the Tanana River. The wind blew and snow fell around us. Winter is nearly upon Interior Alaska.

The Main Strip.

Some cool piece of farming equipment.

Local fire truck.

My boys strollin'.

Lunch break at Tanana River.

Checking out the local school.

The Roadhouse is a fixture in Manley Hot Springs - providing such luxuries as alcoholic beverages and a hot shower. We found some pretty old pieces of equipment scattered throughout the yard - and I'm pretty sure they were left where they lay whenever they stopped working. Adds to the charm of Manley. Oh! And it's for sale! Any takers?