be sure to stop in Wassila if you haven't seen a strip mall. Sprawl is pretty rare in Alaska.
I am writing this reply from Wasilla. It truly looks like the Lower 48 here: strip malls, big box stores like Guitar Center, and fast food from all over including Sonic, Red Robin, Smashburger, Panda Express, and more. There is even a Wal-Mart. For many of these businesses, I imagine this is their furthest north location. I can't find a Wal-Mart north of Wasilla, I just looked on Google Maps.
But the Best Western Wasilla is a remarkable, romantic property located on the shores of a pristine mountain lake. I have to imagine this is the best Best Western in the entire USA. I kid you not, this is far better than the Hilton in Anchorage was.
