Alaska with Robert & Anna, part 2: Talkeetna, Flat Top and Coastal Trail

On our way back from Denali National Park we stopped at a little po-dunk yet popular town known as Talkeetna. All the Alaska locals have told us that we need to visit Talkeetna at least once.

This is pretty much what all of Talkeetna looks like

One if Talkeetna's claims to fame is being the home of the West Rib Pub & Grill, because it was featured one Man vs. Food for it's monstrous burger named after the state of Alaska's first nick name, "Seward's Folly." 

Robert and I throw rocks at Talkeetna river bank

William H. Seward, former Secretary of State under presidents A. Lincoln and A. Jackson, was the man most responsible for arranging the purchase of Alaska from Russia (under president Jackson), which at the time was seen as a huge mistake and was deemed Seward's Folly. 

Talkeetna ended up being a neat little eclectic town so small you could walk anywhere from "the parking area." We had lunch at a recommended restaurant/bakery/B&B before leaving town. 

Girls accompanied us to the parking lot overlook 

Another day, while the girls were hanging together, Robert and I went hiking up Anchorage's most popular mountain, Flat Top. We first tried ascending the 'old Flat Top trail,' which was a mistake due to our lack of good footwear and the trail's steep gravel-y terrain.

Robert on side of mountain

But no matter, we went around and went up the main trail. It was a beautiful day for hiking and the guys had a fun time doing some good ol' fashion male-bonding.

Ready to hit the trail

The next day the four of us went biking on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail--an 11-mile serpentine trail following the western shore of Anchorage all the way into downtown.

View from Coastal Trail parking area

 We parked at about the half-way point in the trail, rode to the north end (in downtown) and then back, totaling about 10 miles.

View of downtown from the trail at top of a cliff

And finally, on our way back we got a good view of this moose by the side of the road. This was Robert and Anna's second moose sighting, something we try to promise all our visitors.

Anna and Robert, we had so much fun with you guys, and we can't wait until you visit again!