Tok Thai Food truck – Glennallen, Alaska

Quick review on the Tok Thai Food truck in Glennallen, Alaska (Ya, that's right- it is not in Tok - it is in Glennallen - maybe it was born in Tok???).  I have heard about this from quite a few people who have loved it.  On a drive (with M Bob) from the Canadian border to Anchorage, we looked for a “purple truck” in Glennallen and found it, in a semi-permanent location, right next to “The Hub” in Glennallen.  When we walked up to the truck there were three Ukrainian tourists taking photos of the truck and waiting for their food.  I quickly spotted yellow curry chicken on the menu and placed an order – M Bob ordered the fresh spring rolls.  I have been on a quest, around the country, for the perfect Thai yellow curry for years.  The closest I have found is at Ray’s Place in Anchorage, AK – until today.  By the time our food was ready there was a lunch-time line of about 20 people with cars parked haphazard all around the truck - and more coming out of the woodwork.

Cutting to the chase here – the yellow curry was great. – just the right amount of coconut milk, curry, chicken, and potatoes.  The chicken was cooked perfectly (one of the faults of many of the previous attempts in my quest).  The fresh tofu spring rolls were also very tasty.  It seems strange that food served in the middle of Alaska can taste so fresh.  If you have any stickers, there is still room to strategically place them on the truck.

It is almost worth the drive… to Glennallen - not Tok.

If you have been there - leave a comment below.

The Good

• Great Thai food
• Quick service
• Scenic drive to Glennallen
• Display your sticker!

The So-So

• Cold weather dining?
• Expensive gas at The Hub

The Not-Good

• Anticipating the food during the drive if you don't live in Glennallen - "no snacking"
• The line - if you are late

Country Tavern BBQ - Kilgore, Texas

Country Tavern BBQ - Kilgore, Texas

Restaurant Review

I have been on a quest for good BBQ brisket and I just had a new entry in the top three.  The best BBQ brisket I have ever had – so far, has been at Speedy Pig BBQ and Restaurant in Russellville, Alabama.   Speedy Pig’s motto for their mobile smoker is “You croak ‘em, we smoke ‘em.”  Second is Honey Bears BBQ in Phoenix, Arizona (on Van Buren) where their motto is “You don’t need no teeth to eat our meat.”  Coming in at number three is a BBQ that I recently visited – Country Tavern in Kilgore, Texas (could not find a website).  I am a non-Texan but heard this place was “famous” and it was good to give it a try.

Country Tavern does not have a printed menu.  Your server will recite “brisket, ribs, turkey, and sausage” as main entrées.  I am a big brisket fan but after seeing the ribs and turkey I wish I had more room to try them.  Sides include the usual “tater salad, potato smash, cole slaw,” etc.  The restraint is a large hall with a bar at the end making it somewhat noisy.  It was almost full with large groups and families at some tables.  Arrived at Country Tavern at 7 PM, hungry and thirsty, after a long day logging in the woods in 105-degree temperatures.

Food

Brisket was moist and smoked to perfection.  The serving was large – large enough that I was not able to finish.  If I were not living out of a suitcase, I would have taken some home.  We had four people in our party - everyone ordered brisket but one, who ordered ribs.  The ribs looked awesome.  Coleslaw was very good but the “tater salad” was somewhat bland.  I doubt there was any salt on it and probably not much else for spice.  Only one BBQ sauce was available which was vinegar based, very good, and tangy.

Service

Staff was very friendly (of course – we are in Texas).  I seemed like staff were very busy at tables spending extra time with the larger groups.

The Good

• Moist, flavorful brisket
• Ribs! (second hand report)
• Coleslaw
• Pleasant staff

The So-So

• Menu?
• Slightly more expensive than most BBQ
• Crowded

The Not-Good

• Noisy – sometimes difficult to carry on a conversation
• “Tater salad”

Backpacking Lost Lake Alaska

Adventure Review

Lost Lake Trail

From:  Kenai Lake (Primrose trail), Alaska

To: Seward, Alaska (Lost Lake trail)

Length: 17 miles

Date: July 2013

 

Primrose trailhead

As an Alaska resident it seems fairly frequent that you hear someone mention the Lost Lake trail and how beautiful it is.  Many people saying it is one of the most scenic trails in Alaska.  In July 2013 I had the opportunity to experience this trail first hand.

Preparing for this trip was fairly easy.  We were spending only one night hiking from the south end of Kenai Lake up the Primrose trail to Lost Lake then to Seward spending the night at Lost Lake.  Hiking 17 miles in two days is not a problem for most people.  Even though there is a considerable elevation gain it seems gradual with only a few short steep areas.

The trail is maintained very well being well defined and includes well-built drainages to prevent trail erosion.

About two miles north of Lost Lake

Things to keep in mind:

You can do this hike one-way form Kenai Lake to Seward without shuttling a car.  There are quite a few taxi companies in Seward that will pick you up at the end of the trail (either side) and take you back to your car.  This should cost $30 to $40, plus tip.  Other options are to hike form either trailhead, to the lake, and back.  Or, bring two cars and shuttle.

Camping, near the lake, is in established backpacker campgrounds only.  There seems to be about a dozen campgrounds near or at the lake.  There are “bear proof” cabinets to store food at most of the campgrounds so no need for bear proof barrels or bear bags of you stay in an established campground.

Campsite on small lake located on outlet of Lost Lake

At the time of our trip there was a fire ban and no fires were allowed.  All cooking had to be done with a stove.  We did not see any established fire rings to have fires at any of the campgrounds.

Mountain bikers share this trail.  Don’t be surprised to see bikes quickly come up behind you or around corners.

Runners frequently use this trail many completing a one-way trip in four hours or less.  There is an organized race for trail runners in August of each year.

A camera is a must.

Early morning fog

The Good

• Scenery
• Forest, alpine, scenery
• Food lockers to keep bears away
• More scenery
• Photo opportunities a plenty
• Well maintained trail
• Bonus waterfall on Primrose trail
• Awesome views of Resurrection Bay and Kenai Lake (did I say scenery?)

The So-So

• Fairly busy trail
• Campsites at Lost Lake can fill quickly
• Ridge hiking may be windy
• Fog
• Trail covered in snow in early season

Links

• Running race link - Lost Lake Run
• AK State Info

Contour HD Video Camera

Product Review

This is not a lengthy review – This review contains highlights from my experience with the Contour HD camera.  Feel free to leave comments with your experience.

I enjoy editing video and making movies as a hobby since I was very young.  In the early 70’s I taped a 8mm movie camera (not Super 8) to the top bar of my bike for a POV shot of going off a jump in a local church parking lot.  When I landed, the tape broke and the camera fell off my bike and tumbled to the ground to be slowed before impact by the last length of tape, inches above the asphalt.  It was all recorded on film.  That was 40 years ago.  The recent invention of the new smaller “helmet cams” makes action videos is much more practical.

About three years ago (Spring 2010) I started hearing about, and seeing video from new small high definition (HD) video cameras. I imagined making some amazing HD video shots if I could get my hands on one of these small, rugged, lightweight, mount anywhere, video cameras.  At that time, two main brands were becoming popular GoPro and Contour.  In May of 2010 I purchased a Contour HD and in this review I will tell you why.

As of this posting, the Contour HD camera is still available for purchase even though newer models, with updated features, have been introduced over the last few years.  Why did I choose a Contour HD camera over the GoPro?  I chose the Contour over the GoPro for a few different reasons – the main reason being the shape of the camera.  The 2010 model GoPro was big and boxy (the newer versions are slightly smaller).  The Contour HD was smaller and was more streamlined.  Both cameras had plenty of mounting options and these options have even increased further over the last few years.  The Contour HD had an optional Picatinny rail mount.  At the time I could not find one for the GoPro.  Picatinny mounts are commonly found on firearms (used for lights, lasers, grips, etc.) but Picatinny rails can be mounted firmly on almost any solid object making it a good universal mounting system.  Buy a rail for a few dollars, screw or bolt it on to something, then slide the camera with the Picatinny mount onto the rail.  It is a solid strong mount.  The Contour camera also had an option of a rubber strap mount that can be wrapped around poles, sticks, or anything tubular 1 to 8 inches in diameter opening up even more possibilities for mounting.  These are the two main reasons why I went with the Contour HD.

The Contour HD is capable of both 720 and 1080 high definition.  Most small cameras available prior to the Contour HD were standard definition and fairly affordable ($270.00 USD) at the time.  With my Contour HD camera I have mounted it to dogsleds, motorcycle forks, rifle, pistol, wagon wheels, helmets,

The Good

• HD video
• Plenty of mounting options
• Streamlined shape
• Battery and video can last for many hours of continuous shooting (4 hours at 720p with 16GB memory card).
• Laser lens alignment
• Water resistant – waterproof case available. Camera can be mounted at almost any angle (on its view axis) and compensated by rotating the lens in the camera.  Two lasers help to make sure lens is aligned with horizon.

The So-So

• No viewfinder – has lasers for alignment.
• No video monitor.  Need to connect to computer to preview any video footage.

The Not-Good

• No on camera adjustments for sound levels or exposure. You can adjust exposure and audio recording levels while connected to a computer, using Contour’s software (comes with camera).
• Uses MicroSD memory cards.  Small, but not as common.
• No plug for external microphone.
• Rolling shutter “jelly” effect when camera is experience heavy vibration (e.g. biking rough trail or mounted on motorcycle frame).

Links

Contour web site

YouTube review

Tundra Bob

Wolfman Explorer Lite Tank Bag Install

Tundra Bob likes his Kawasaki KLR 650 motorcycle for chasing zombies and riding on and off road in Alaska.  Having a convenient way to carry small items is helpful.  I recently purchased a Wolfman Explorer Lite tank bag for the motorcycle and had a difficult time visualizing how it installs to the motorcycle.  Here is a video showing how it is installed.

The Good

• Easy to install once you can visualize what needs to be done
• Carry extra Stuff
• Expands to hold larger stuff

The So-So

• Printed instructions, included with the bag, are difficult to follow

The Not-Good

• Covers fuel filler but easy to uncover undoing oneclip