July 2 – 8: Anchorage – Seward
Finally left Denali area on July 2, headed for Anchorage. En route, stopped at K’esugi Ken Campground. An Alaska State CG, it was a bit unusual, as there was power at the site. Up a winding road from the main Seward highway to the CG itself, and then a big loop with mostly back-in sites off it. All well-separated, and each very attractive. There was an excellent interpretive center, with lots of info boards. The one below we found most interesting – lots of tall tales about the first climbers to reach the top of Mt McKinley, now renamed Denali.
The campgrounds in Anchorage proper were not very well regarded, so we decided to stay in Palmer, about 45 minutes north of the city. Palmer is a bustling small town, and a close neighbor of Wasilla, of Sarah Palin fame. Both towns provide local services, but we had some chores that required a bigger city, so we spent a full day in Anchorage, washing The Benz, (RV washing places are few and far between!), having a new pair of Garry’s jeans hemmed, and of course, visiting Costco.
Our campground in Palmer, The Springer, was small but well managed, easy to get in and out of, and had good services, including laundry. We had wanted to stay 3 days, but could only get a reservation for 1. And the missing days included July 4th! But the manager, Mara, was extremely helpful, and when a cancellation happened, we were in for the extra 2 days. In the end, we decided to stay another 2 days, mainly because the parks on the way to Seward were mostly full, and Springer could accommodate.
Finally left Springer on the 8th, and had a beautiful drive down Seward Highway to the coastal town of Seward. A couple of the scenes from the way down.
