How to turn

garage-saling into scenic adventures

Story by Bonnie Quill, Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau

It's that time of year again when you see signs on lamp posts at nearly every corner directing drivers to the nearest garage sale. Or, the opening of greenhouses, luring customers in to get an early start on planting hanging baskets.

Get out your map and local newspaper and navigate to areas of the Valley you are not familiar with, and find some bargains in the process. It is a great time to explore our neighborhoods and all they have to offer, while on a springtime mission.

For instance, when driving south on the Old Glenn Highway toward the Butte, you may take a turn on Bodenburg Loop Road and discover some of the beautiful, historic farm tracks, including Pyrah's Pioneer Peak U-Pick farm. It is not time to harvest yet, but now you have logged in your memory the location when picking time comes around. You will also pass by the Reindeer Farm, an attraction to which many locals bring their visiting guests to hand-feed the domestic herd. In your search for the weekend roadside sales, you may end up on the Knik River Road. This is the area airboat operators depart from with passengers to the remote Knik Glacier. Also, take note of the trailhead at Mile 3.6 for the Pioneer Ridge Trail. This 4.5-mile trail takes hikers to the main ridge southeast of Pioneer Peak. You may not be in shape for the climb today, but think about coming back later in the summer to accomplish this scenic hike.

I am certain you will find numerous signs along the Palmer-Wasilla Highway directing you into various subdivisions. Pay attention and you may find the trailhead to Crevasse Moraine Trail off Loma Prieta Drive (Mile 1.9 Palmer-Wasilla Highway). With no sign located on the main highway, residents pass this trail system that connects all the way to Kepler-Bradley Lakes, without ever realizing the recreation opportunity exists. Take the time to check out the trailhead and make a mental note of returning soon.

Palmer-Fishhook and Wasilla-Fishhook roads meet near the base of Hatcher Pass. This is "Sunday drive" territory. Perhaps you will find a posted yard sale, but most inviting are the rolling hills that provide scenic views of the Talkeetna Mountains looming ahead. If you take the journey from Wasilla, return by taking a right turn at Trunk Road and follow across the Palmer-Wasilla Highway to the Wilderness Nursery, one of the many Valley nurseries to which gardeners travel from as far away as Anchorage to purchase their quality starts.

Many of you may be reading this thinking you are familiar with all of these areas. But take a detour from your normal route. Soon our highways will be heavier with traffic, the salmon will be running and our gardens and lawns will need tending. Take the time now to get out and explore our Valley. Buy a map of the borough and highlight areas you want to visit and check out. And, if you take the time to do some driving this weekend, you may end up with a garage-sale bargain or a flat of pansies.