Snowy Alaska Roadside Grocery

This is a view of Howard & Hazel's Grocery & Lodge, at "Mile 99½ New Fairbanks Highway." Owners are listed as Howard & Hazel Kennerson.

At first, I couldn't figure out where this location is, because I was confused by the highway name. There is more than one highway to Fairbanks, and none are actually named Fairbanks Highway.

I discovered that the Kennersons owned land recorded at Talkeetna. Talkeetna is reached via George Parks Highway, originally known as the Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway — it is the main route between Anchorage and Fairbanks. This highway was completed in 1971, and was given its current name in 1975. Mileposts along the George Parks Highway indicate the distance from Anchorage.

Talkeetna is near Denali National Park and Mount McKinley. Directions for driving to Talkeetna are as follows: go North from Anchorage on Glenn Highway, take George Parks Highway to Wasilla (Governor Sarah Palin's hometown), then through Wasilla to Milepost 98.7 on George Parks Highway, and turn right onto the Talkeetna Spur Road.

How cold is it in Talkeetna? It's much warmer than Minnesota!

Talkeetna, Alaska weather January 15, 2009:
Max Temperature 36 °F
Min Temperature 33 °F

Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota weather January 15, 2009:
Max Temperature -7 °F
Min Temperature -20 °F

Summer might be a better time to visit Talkeetna, however. On July 11 and 12, 2009 the Talkeetna Historical Society will host the 37th Annual Moose Dropping Festival. "It's a family event you can not miss!"