Possibly one of the best adventure destinations on the planet, this small town just a couple of hours north of Anchorage was the town that helped to inspire the television series, Northern Exposure. While it is a world apart from the actual show, the charm of the place is like no other and the residents of the town are one of its greatest assets.
A man named Steve Mahay trekked up to Alaska many years ago. In those days homesteading land was still a viable option for an escape from the typical. Back in the 70s Steve realized that that was the way to go. Like many of the Alaskans we encountered in the north, Steve is a true legend with his jet boat operation in Talkeetna. Back when he started the company he was armed with only a 16 foot, 20 hp boat living in a hand built cabin in
A small town called Nenana lies south of Fairbanks with a large Native population. Up the river from there Craig scheduled for us to meet with Robert Charlie, the director from the Cultural Heritage and Education Institute. While Robert Charlie turned out to be a bit of a swindler and general let down as he rushed us through our meeting at the village to make $100 for a boat ride, our arrival at Old Minto was a memorable one.
Fairbanks is the second largest city in Alaska. It has amazing weather and in the summer time it does not get dark, so you can jet ski and boat and walk down the river it bright sun at 2 am. The river passes through the center of town and allows for decks and patios to eat dinners and have drinks while enjoying the Alaskan summer.
