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The Blue Tarp — History
The Blue Tarp

The Blue Tarp covers the stories of the people and places of Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley, told by the people who lived them. From old-timers to newcomers, there’s room for everyone under our tarp.

Copyright: ℗ & © 2020 The Blue Tarp

Latest Episodes:

Season 5 Finale Jun 28, 2024

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. This will be our last episode for season five. As is often the case, we are going to close out the season with a few topics that we wanted to make sure we covered. Today, we’ll discuss solo winter climbing, changes on Denali, and advice for aspiring mountaineers from experts. Whether you’re an old timer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Episode 7: Close Calls on Denali Jun 09, 2024

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. So far this season, we’ve covered many aspects of climbing Denali, including how harrowing expeditions can be when they go wrong. Today, we’re going to hear from Alaskan climbers, most of whom have been on the mountain many times, about some of the scarier situations they’ve faced while on North America’s highest peak. We welcome you to join us as we hear about bad weather, rescues, and close calls. Whether you’re an old timer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Episode 6: Women on Denali Jun 06, 2024

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. This season, we’ve heard many stories about climbing Denali. Whether they were stories of triumph, tragedy, or something in between, one thing has been true about nearly all of them. They are stories of men on Denali. Today, we will change that. While mountaineering was, and to an extent still is, a male-dominated activity, plenty of women have made an impact in the Alaska Range. Today, we will hear from a few of them. Whether you’re an old-timer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Triumph and Tragedy in 1967 May 11, 2024

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. We are now past the halfway point in our season about mountaineering on Denali, North America’s tallest peak. Today, we’re jumping forward in time once again, but instead of covering an entire era of climbing in the Alaska Range as we have with previous episodes, we’re going focus on the year that saw the largest tragedy to date on the mountain as well as its first winter ascent. Whether you’re an oldtimer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Climbing Denali in the 1940s and 1950s Apr 28, 2024

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. Unlike previous seasons of this program, the episodes so far have been primarily a chronological history lesson of mountaineering on Denali. Today, we’ll continue to tell some of that history by looking at a period of innovation in routes to climb Denali in the 1940s and 50s. Some of those attempts were successful, while others resulted in tragedy. Whether you’re an old timer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Early Firsts on Denali Apr 13, 2024

In this episode, we’ve covered many firsts. The first team to summit, the first airplane used as part of an expedition, the first team to reach both summits, and, unfortunately, the first known fatalities on Denali. In our next episode, we’re going to move forward in history to a time when airplanes were much more common, and the discovery of a new route would change the course of mountaineering history in the Alaska Range.

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Early Attempts on Denali Mar 30, 2024

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as usually told by those who lived them. Today, most of our stories will not be first-hand, since we are delving into the early history of documented attempts to climb Denali. That said, they form an important chapter in the history of mountaineering and its ties to the area. Whether you’re an oldtimer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Climbing Denali Today Mar 16, 2024

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. Thank you for joining us as we kick off season five. This year, our theme is climbing Denali. North America’s highest mountain is a constant presence in the lives of the folks who live here, and most years more than a thousand people come here to attempt to reach the summit.

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Season 4, Episode 8: Growing Up Here Jun 26, 2023

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. This is the last episode of our fourth season, which we have dubbed Susitna Valley origin stories. Over the course of the season, we have explored a variety of reasons that led people to relocate to the area. To close out the season, we wanted to highlight those who didn’t choose to move here, but were either born in the Susitna Valley or moved here with their families as children. Some have been here ever since, and others have left and returned later. We invite you to join us as we hear their stories, because whether you’re an oldtimer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 4, Episode 7: Up the Tracks Jun 10, 2023

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. Today, we’ll hear stories from people for whom even Talkeetna was too crowded. Instead of the hustle and bustle of the booming metropolis of Talkeetna, they opted to live in the communities further north alongside the Alaska Railroad, or, as the locals call it, Up The Tracks. Whether you’re an oldtimer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 4, Episode 6: Homesteaders May 27, 2023

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. Today, we’ll hear about people who came to the area to live a remote lifestyle. Whether they came as part of the Homestead Act, other agricultural programs, or simply on their own, they have made the Susitna Valley their home. We invite you to join us as we hear their stories. Whether you’re an oldtimer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 4, Episode 5: Oldtimers May 15, 2023

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. So far in this season about arrivals in the Susitna Valley, we have covered the first people to arrive here, whose ancestors are still here, all the way up to people who have recently finished their first winter in the area. There have been many waves of immigration to Alaska, and today we want to take a look at some of the folks who we refer to when we use the term old-timers. Join us as we hear the stories of people who became Alaskans before Alaska became a state. Whether you’re an oldtimer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 4, Episode 4: Just Visiting Part 2 Apr 29, 2023

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. In this episode, we’re continuing our exploration of stories from locals who thought they were coming here temporarily, but ended up calling the Valley home. Whether you’re an oldtimer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 4, Episode 3: Just Visiting Part 1 Apr 15, 2023

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. As we focus in Season Four about how local residents found their way here, a common trend emerges fairly quickly. Many who call this area home didn’t intend for that to happen when they first arrived. In fact, that story is so common, that we’re going to need two episodes to really dive into it. Today we bring the first of this two-parter that we’re calling “Just Visiting.”

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Season 4, Episode 2: Newcomers Apr 01, 2023

This is The Blue Tarp, stories of Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. Our fourth season is focusing on Northern Valley origin stories, how people found themselves here at various points in history. In episode one, we heard about the first peoples to live in the area. For this episode, we’re switching things around and speaking to folks who moved here very recently and what their first winter here was like.

Whether you’re an old timer or a newcomer, there’s room under the Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 4, Episode 1: Susitna Valley Origins Mar 18, 2023

This is the Blue Tarp, stories from the Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them.
Our fourth season focuses on Susitna Valley origin stories. Everyone who lives here today got here, somehow. To begin this season, we hear about the people who lived here for centuries before the first person of European descent arrived.

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Season 3, Episode 8: The Present and the Future Jun 25, 2022

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. This will be our last episode for season three, which has focused on women in aviation. As we wind down this season, we want to take a look at the very recent past, as well as how women are shaping the future of flying in this part of Alaska. Whether you’re an oldtimer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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The Blue Tarp Season 3, Episode 7: Best Moments Jun 13, 2022

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. In our last episode, we heard stories about some of the scariest moments our interviewees experienced in their time within the aviation community. This time, we want to flip that around and hear about the good times–their proudest moments and favorite memories. Whether you’re an oldtimer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 3, Episode 6: Scariest Moments May 28, 2022

NOTE: This is an updated version of Episode 6. When initially published, we inadvertently left out part of Robin Spaulding's story. That section, which begins around 17:35, has now been included.
This is The Blue Tarp, stories of Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. This season has focused on women in aviation. Thus far, we’ve heard stories of triumph, adversity, and everything in between. Today, we’re going to hear about what happens when things go wrong in an airplane. Whether you’re an old timer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 3, Episode 5: Denali Base Camp May 14, 2022

This is The Blue Tarp, stories of Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. In this season, we’ve been focusing on women in aviation. For this episode, we’re going to focus on a job unique to the area, effectively running a small airport seven thousand feet up North America’s highest mountain. Whether you’re an old-timer or a newcomer, there’s room under the blue tarp for everyone.

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Season 3, Episode 4: Women Aviators May 02, 2022

This is The Blue Tarp, stories of Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. On this episode, we’re going to hear what it means to be a woman in a community that is often viewed as being rather male dominated. Whether you’re an old-timer or a newcomer, there's room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 3, Episode 3: Air Taxis in the Susitna Valley Apr 16, 2022

This is The Blue Tarp, stories of Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. On this episode, we’re going to begin our look at local air services and the various roles that women have played in making aviation in the area what it is today. Whether you’re an old-timer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 3, Episode 2: Flying in the Susitna Valley Apr 02, 2022

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. For this season, we’re focusing on aviation in the area, particularly the stories told by and about women in the field. The first episode of season three was less focused on the Susitna Valley than usual, but we felt it necessary to provide some context as to how a large influx of women got into aviation in the first half of the twentieth century. For this episode, we’re going to bring things back to the Northern Valley and talk about both the early days of aviation in the area and what it means to fly in this special place. As always, whether you’re an old-timer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 3, Episode 1: Women in Alaska Aviation History Mar 19, 2022

This is The Blue Tarp, stories of Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. Thank you for listening to this episode, which marks the beginning of our third season, which will focus on women in aviation.

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Season 2, Episode 8: Green Light Circus and Complexities of Love Jul 17, 2021

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. As we wrap up our second season focused on events in the Northern Susitna Valley, we are coming back to Talkeetna. Specifically to the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar just off Main Street to hear about when the circus comes to town and how complex love can be. Whether you’re an oldtimer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 2, Episode 7: Trapper Creek Festivals Jul 03, 2021

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. This season, we’ve been looking at events in the area, and today we’ll be focusing on two annual festivals across the river from Talkeetna in Trapper Creek. If you’re looking for summer fun, or if you want to cure winter cabin fever, these events have you covered. Whether you’re an old timer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 2, Episode 6: Susitna Valley Mushing May 28, 2021

This is The Blue Tarp, stories of Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. Today, we’ll hear about Alaska’s state sport, dog mushing, and how mushing events have played a role in life in the area. Mushing races can be as short as a few miles or as long as a thousand. We’ll cover the whole range in the next half hour. Whether you’re an old timer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 2, Episode 5: Oosik Classic May 15, 2021

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. This season has been focused on events unique to the area. Today, we’re looking at another annual gathering that brings hundreds of people to Talkeetna each March. In most years, it is a reminder that Spring is right around the corner, and in 2020, its cancelation served as one of the first indicators of how significant the COVID-19 pandemic would be for life in the area. Join us as we hear about the Oosik Classic Ski Race and Tour. Remember, whether you’re an oldtimer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 2, Episode 4: Miner's Day Apr 30, 2021

This is The Blue Tarp, stories of Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. Today, we’re exploring another festival from Talkeetna’s recent past, Miner’s Day. It’s another example of the sort of celebration that took place before large-scale tourism moved into the area, and just like Moose Dropping in Episode 3, elements of it continue through to today. Join us as we take a closer look at the Miner’s Day festival.

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Season 2, Episode 3: Moose Dropping Festival Apr 17, 2021

This is The Blue Tarp, stories of Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. Today, we’re looking at an event...or rather two events with very similar names and themes having to do with...moose excrement. Come along as we hear about the Moose Dropping Festival...not to be confused with the Moose Drop. Whether you’re an old-timer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 2, Episode 2: Talkeetna Bachelor Auction Apr 03, 2021

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska’s Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. In this episode, we’re taking a look at the event that has turned the darkest time of year into the biggest party for the last forty years, the Talkeetna Bachelor Auction. Whether you’re an old-timer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 2, Episode 1: Wilderness Woman Contest Mar 20, 2021

One of the more common questions visitors ask Talkeetna residents is what we do in the winter. We’re starting off our second season by answering part of that question. The first Saturday in December is typically bustling on Talkeetna’s Main Street for the Wilderness Woman Contest.

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Season 2 Teaser Mar 19, 2021

The Blue Tarp is back for season two! Our first episode is going up Saturday, March 20th, 2021. This time, we're covering events around the Susitna Valley both past and present. We do still have some sponsorship opportunities available for this season, so if you want to help us continue to make The Blue Tarp, you can head to KTNA.org.

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The Blue Tarp 2020 Christmas Special Dec 24, 2020

This episode of The Blue Tarp is our second seasonal special. The Editorial Board and KTNA staff have started working on season two of the show, which we will be bringing to you in 2021. For today, we’re taking a look at the holiday season in the Northern Susitna Valley. You’ll hear from folks that were featured in Season One of The Blue Tarp as well as some new voices and tape from KTNA’s archives.

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2020 Halloween Special Oct 31, 2020

This is The Blue Tarp, stories from Alaska's Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. Today, we have a special episode for you just in time for Halloween! In this episode, we hear a few ghost stories from around the Northern Susitna Valley. Some of the stories appeared in previous episodes, and some were exhumed from our archives.

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Season 1, Episode 8: Bucket of Blood and Belle Macdonald Sep 19, 2020

This is the Blue Tarp, stories of Alaska’s Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. Join us today as we wrap up our first season with two buildings that used to form part of daily life for many in Downtown Talkeetna, but today have been lost to time. Whether you’re an old timer or a newcomer, there’s room under the Blue Tarp for everyone.

Unlike last episode, where our journey back in time also took us west across the Susitna River, today we stay on Main Street in Talkeetna. The first location we’ll be visiting that’s no longer around would have been on your left as you walk down the street toward the river, near where B Street leads to the Walter Harper Talkeetna Ranger Station. Once, a place that locals referred to as “The Bucket of Blood” stood there.

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Season 1, Episode 7: Cabins Sep 05, 2020

Thus far in season one, we’ve been focusing on single places like iconic roadhouses, ghost towns, and the old school house. Today, we change things up a little bit and take a tour of some the humble yet vital cabins that sheltered miners and trappers in the area, many of which still stand today. Our tour won’t quite be a road trip, as some cabins aren’t on a road, but we’ll get there. Just remember that when you pass a cabin in the Northern Susitna Valley, there’s guaranteed to be a story inside.

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Season 1, Episode 6: The Forks Roadhouse Aug 22, 2020

Thus far, most of our stories have centered on historic places in Talkeetna. Today, we head across the river, past Trapper Creek, and toward the Petersville mining district, where we find the Forks Roadhouse miles away from any paved roads. Built in the early 1930s, the roadhouse has been a vital place to find shelter and supplies for those who mine and trap in the area. It has been home to pies made from bear fat, famous holiday gatherings, and has literally risen from the ashes in recent years. Most of our stories today will come from two siblings, Eric Poole and Ginger Jones. The Forks Roadhouse has played a major role in both of their lives since their childhood. Join us as we visit the Forks Roadhouse.

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Season 1, Episode 5: Curry Aug 08, 2020

Today, we’re headed to Curry, a place “up the tracks” from Talkeetna that has been the site of a luxury hotel, a thriving small town, and many homesteaders. Today, only the barest remains of its former glory poke through the forest along the tracks and the river. Join us as we head up the tracks and back in time. Whether you’re an old timer or a newcomer, there’s room under The Blue Tarp for everyone.

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Season 1, Episode 4: Nagley's General Store Mar 07, 2020

This is the Blue Tarp, sharing the stories of the Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. Whether you’re an old-timer or a newcomer, there’s room under the Blue Tarp for everyone. Today, we’re visiting one of the first buildings you see as you turn onto Talkeetna’s Main Street, Nagley’s General Store. Since it was built, the store has had two names, multiple owners, and at least a handful of cat residents.

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Season 1, Episode 3: The Talkeetna Roadhouse Feb 22, 2020

Since being built by Frank Lee around 1916 and later moved to its current location, the Talkeetna Roadhouse has been a staple of local life. Like many of the Northern Susitna Valley’s historic buildings, it has changed hands many times, and the feel of the Roadhouse has changed along with those who ran it. Today, we’re going to take a look at three eras of the Roadhouse through the eyes of Northern Susitna Valley locals.

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Season 1, Episode 2: The Fairview Inn Feb 07, 2020

The Fairview Inn is referred to by some as "Talkeetna's living room." On this episode of the Blue Tarp, we hear from people for whom the Fairview has been a major part of their life. We also hear about some brushes with fame, and even some brushes with the other side.

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Season 1, Episode 1: The Schoolhouse Jan 24, 2020

For more than eighty years, the territorial schoolhouse building has stood in Downtown Talkeetna, Alaska. Built to be essentially identical to other federally funded schools throughout Alaska in the territorial days, it has served many purposes over the decades beyond hosting classes. It has been a residence, a community gathering place, and, today, a museum to Talkeetna’s past. On this episode of the Blue Tarp, we hear from people who learned, lived, and labored inside one of Talkeetna’s most historic buildings.

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Coming Soon: The Blue Tarp Jan 23, 2020

In this teaser, you get a taste of KTNA's newest program (and first podcast), The Blue Tarp! The Blue Tarp covers the stories of the Northern Susitna Valley as told by those who lived them. In Season One, we'll be taking a look at some of the area's iconic and historic buildings, and hearing some of the stories that unfolded inside.
The Blue Tarp theme music was written and performed by Larry Zarella.

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