Seeing Denali area with Sarah and Jason

On Saturday we went of two hikes in Denali National Park.  Weather remains beautiful and in the low 80's.  On a hike near the Savage River, Sarah was almost run over by a bull Caribou while soaking her feet in the stream.

Sunday saw Sarah, Jason, and Joy hiking the Mt. Healy Overlook while Don stayed at the RV getting it ready to move down to Talkeetna on Tuesday.  Jason made it to the top (see pictures) as Sarah and Joy were content to make it up to the tree-line for a look around.

Monday found the four of us on an ATV tour (a first for Joy and I).  It was great fun as we traveled the back country.

Tuesday we moved south to Willow, AK about 13 miles from Talkeetna.  Sarah and Jason went by Jeep touring while Don and Joy took the RV down the Parks Highway and setting up in a new location.

RV Report:  The Parks Highway was mostly smooth driving, with minor construction underway.
Diesel fuel was $ 4.54 gallon in Healy, and $4.16 gallon in Talkeetna today.  Gasoline was $4.24 gallon in Healy and $ 3.93 here in Talkeetna.

Fireweed is quite beautiful here

Jason touring down a "Jeep Trail"

Sarah enjoying the view with the Jeep tops off

Panorama view from Mt. Healy

Sarah steers clear on a runaway Caribou

Jason reaches the top of Mt. Healy

Jason bravely lets Sarah drive

On the trail

The four of us survive the trip!

Sarah and Jason arrive in Denali

On Friday, Sarah and Jason arrived to visit us at Denali National Park via the Alaska Railroad.  On Saturday the four of us were off to see Denali.  We hiked two trails under beautiful weather and enjoyed a picnic lunch.

At 4 PM we went to the Park Headquarters to see a demonstration of sled dogs.  These dogs are active teams utilized during the winter months to carry Park Rangers throughout the Park on inspection tours in all kinds of weather down to -50 F.  In the summer they are on "vacation" but are adopted by Rangers to exercise them each day.  Each Ranger has a harness around their waist and a hookup for the dog to maintain their leg muscles "pulling" the Rangers.  They also train, bring new dogs into service, and retire older dogs who are available for adoption on the NPS website.

Another hike is planned for today followed by a barbecue.  Monday's schedule includes ATV trail rides for Jason, Sarah, Joy, and me (our first).  Tuesday we will be moving down the Parks Highway about 150 miles to Willow, AK just south of the Talkeetna area.

Right on Time!

Sarah and Jason are here

Next Morning we are at Denali

Don is happy he and Joy made it to the trail summit

Sarah still missed Jack - her Alaskan Husky but hugs another friend

Sarah can't resist trying out the sled

Joy also happy Don (and her) made around the Savage River trail

Mt. McKinley

After two days of cool, rainy weather yesterday dawned with beautiful sunshine.  A day made to go out and see Denali National Park and Mt. McKinley.

But first, I have to tell you that Joy set a world record for the longest trip to the grocery store - 125 miles each way!  At home she will drive for miles to save 2 cents on gas.  Today we drove about 125 miles from Healy to Talkeetna, AK to go to a "real" grocery store - IGA.  Life is a bit different up here for us city folks.

Anyway, getting back to yesterday.  We have seen some of the best of Gods' creation up here in Alaska and yesterday was no exception.  I am told that only about 30% of Denali visitors get a clear view of the mountain.  We have seen it twice this week!  I let the views speak for themselves.  First views are from the Parks Highway southbound, then views from Trapper Creek cut-off along a 4-wheels drive road, and finally from Talkeetna, AK.

First views along Parks highway

South Peak on left, North Peak on right

Higher South Peak at 20,320 feet

The "Great One" indeed

Inside Denali National Park

Friday we went to Denali for some historical perspective.  My dad had been here in 1943-44 when the US Army Recreation Camp was here.  During WWII the military had taken over most everything in Canada and Alaska Territory.  I talked with Park Rangers who pointed out locations of the “Million Dollar Hotel” and ski slopes used by our military men and women on leave.

On Saturday we signed up for a 12-hour Park bus trip on the 92-mile road through Denali National Park.  This is the only road in the park that ends at Kantishna.  Stopping about every hour at rest stops (and for wildlife along the way) our driver guided us on a wonderful journey and provided several places to photograph and view Mt. McKinley (Denali, if you prefer).

Will keep you updated this week as we look forward to Sarah and Jason’s arrival Friday.  While have not purchased fuel here at Denali it is available at $ 4.54/gallon.

Teklanika River Overlook

Park Road winds over mountains

South and North Peak of Denali

Eilson Visitors Center at Mile 66

Hiking Trail above Eilson faces Mt McKinley

The Park Bus

Rare Arctic Ground Squirrel 

Polychrome Pass

Denali National Park

We departed Fairbanks mid-day after some laundry and washing of the motorhome.  As we traveled the Parks Highway south we encountered some delay due to a fire that started June 25th about 40 miles south of Fairbanks and burned near the highway and bringing smoke over the weekend in Fairbanks.

The highway climbs leaving Fairbanks then descending into a broad valley passing Nenana before climbing again as we approached Healy, Alaska (where we are the next two weeks).  We are located at the McKinley RV Park along with our friends, the Relyea's.

We went out this morning to look around and get the lay of the land spending most of the early afternoon in Denali National Park and taking a hike along the Savage River trail about 14 miles inside the park.  We plan to visit Denali State Park tomorrow about 80 miles south of here.

Traffic along the Parks Highway fire

Moose on the loose

Another National Park on Joy's bucket list

Savage River in Denali

On the trail.......

Alaska Railroad Bridge approaching Denali Station

Fairbanks - Last Day

6/30/13

After a quiet day yesterday (Friday) we set out to see the Dalton Highway (The Haul Road) that runs from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay.  We drove up the road to get a sense of travel on a gravel road that is 450 miles long.  Since we just returned from flying to Prudhoe and Barrow we had no desire to travel its entire length.

Today (Sunday) we enjoyed an afternoon on the Chena River on the sternwheeler Discovery III.  This evening we are preparing to break camp.

On Monday plans are to travel some 125 miles south (finally) to Denali National Park.  We will be at McKinley RV Park in Healy, AK until July 15^th.  We look forward to some of our family joining us over the next several weeks.  We will update this blog as internet connections at Denali permit.

Joy finds the Alaska Pipeline

A moose on the loose

Just before the mosquitos attacked

Northbound on the Dalton

Curious sign

Don actually is on the trip with Joy!

A better section of the Dalton Highway