Alaska 2025 - Part 2
I'm actually waiting for my flight back to Denver just now. It is 8:30 in the evening in Anchorage; flight boards around 10:40, arrives at 5:30 Denver time so I have some quality writing time.
Quality means that Theresa, Ron and I had another great meal at 49th State Brewing in downtown Anchorage; stuff it's hard to get anywhere else. Theresa's Cheesy Crabby grilled sandwich, though, was the best. In fact, we have had nothing but great meals this whole trip. Ron attributes it to ingredient cost being stout .. so most places use very good stuff. Home made sauerkraut with local cabbage and kale on a very find Ruben last night in Palmer. Food trailer folks who made them also bring the same greatness to the AK State Fair ... just about 6 stalls down from T and R. Not their first Ruben up here!
Breakfast yesterday morning in Copper Center, Ak (population including moose 380) at the Old Town Restaurant (one of just two active businesses). A very prominent sign on their door says "Best Ruben in Alaska .. and maybe anywhere". Didn't take up the dare, but we did 3 orders of the Corn Beef Hash breakfasts ... and all three of us agrees it it the best we have ever eaten.
We actually applauded the "chef/cook" when he stepped out of the kitchen. And he took a bow. Turns out he makes his own corned beef. He does a heck of a job.
Only 6 tables in this well decorated and very clean little place. There was a table of 7 or 8 local "gents' coffee-ing up. Those of you who know son Ron know he is a pretty stout guy ... stout meaning a couple of sizes above XL. There were, including our host/cook/beef corn-er, only two guys smaller than Ron. I was one. These guys were their own pro football team if there was an old guys league. You might call them the stereotypical Alaskan Male (but wouldn't do it to their faces).
And if all this wasn't enough, Ron fixed a shrimp, sausage and rice (with smoked gouda) skillet for us about 2 this afternoon. That, too, was classic Ron M; not fancy but very classy and extremely tasty.
Just a few days earlier while van camping at Moose Creek and catching (well ... "flossing" a/k/a legal foul hooking) pink and chum salmon, I breakfasted on flame toasted local sourdough and fresh wild raspberries.
I'll quit about the food, but there were several other super eats. Nothing here is cheap; food right up at the top of the list. However, lots of fresh local produce out of the Matanuska Valley; goodly amount of local fruit as well. Seafood, of course (oh .. the squid appetizer tonight ... no reason to mince words or call it something schmancy ... was excellent. Crisp, still a hit of the salt sea and no odor except the jalapeno fire. There are so many local sea foods past salmon; no need for fish oil pills ever here.
OK ... flight time so will continue probably one more on Alaska ..... once I get back to the reality of the rest of my world. As always, thanks for checking in on me/us here. Best wishes always
Cecil
PS. I'm usually pretty good at sleeping on planes ... so I nodded off right after takeoff - woke just in time for the first round of coffee which was warm and quite good. Back to Z's ... and the next thing I heard was "Welcome to Denver". That was a first!! 5 plus hours of shut-eye .... and not one time did anyone nudge me to tell me I was snoring!!!