So on our first full day in Fairbanks, we rode 5 hours round trip to Denali — a phenomenal experience.
Who knew that when Marshall Tucker Band recorded that song, they meant at the same TIME!
There were high speed times through deserted areas, but also slow crawls on very rough roads under repair, both punctuated by lightening in the distance, new fires set by that lightening, and eventually, sirens and firefighters responding. And the road repairs near Denali…. I have never before seen a sign that said, “Motorcycles Use Extreme Caution.” So that was our “lightening in the air.” Thankfully, no fires, skids or otherwise were set.
We had a great, fast, beautiful ride until a giant fist of rain had Charlie pulling us over and saying (2 hours in) “I am not going through THAAT!” So we pulled to the side, felt a gentle, refreshing cold wind waft by. We saw different Denali mountain reveals about every 5 seconds as the fist of rain moved leisurely to the east, and, over 10 minutes, seemingly opened our way to Healy, the town of the 49th State Brewery, 8 miles distant.
We saddled up, took off, covered soaked pavement with only a sprinkle or two and made our way to our target. Indoor and outdoor areas were prepared for a solstice celebration, the inside bar was packed, the US Open was on and the food and beer were fantastic. I had a Solstice IPA, with a 71 IBU that was truly world class. Off in the middle of very damned little but beauty, this craft brewery was stocked with locals and tourists honoring the solstice — probably the IPA, too. My favorite (sign) was the Dubbel On Tundra beer….
49th State was sort of meaningful for me, as Alaska is my 49th state, with only my Mom’s native tundra, North Dakota, awaiting. I hope to do that via a sporting event too, and UND hockey game in February, I hope. Why? Because it’s there. Some people climb Everest. I don’t.
Here is what I found:
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Ted Walsh – Horse Racing Commentator – “This is really a lovely
horse. I once rode her mother.” |
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Harry Carpenter at the Oxford-Cambridge boat race 1977 – “Ah, isn’t
that nice. The wife of the Cambridge President is kissing the Cox of the Oxford crew.” |
Here are the other double entendres that came up. (Soary.)
We left around 8 with only 16 oz of beer in us over 3 hours, saw some live music, and roared home in bright daylight to a stop at the empty Blue Loon, that would be PACKED for Lone Star on Sunday (and was where Reckless Kelly could have played had that all worked out.) We also stopped for a terrible customer experience at Lavelle’s. For whatever reason, the bartender Robin did not like the look of us and made that clear over one beer before we left, retiring back to the Fountainhead Wedgewood, which has been such a great location for us. “Whatever Reason” might be best explained by Lynn’s Facebook post:
And so it goes…
A Goods Life 