Denali Can Bring Both Happiness and Sadness (Day 37)

No need to use the GPS to find your way to Denali Park...there's only one road to get there. We just read that another mountain climber died, the 5th this season.  The climbing season only goes from late April to early July.  Later, the snow gets too soft and crevasses become very dangerous.  The man that passed away the other day reached the summit of Mount McKinley; went to sleep and stopped breathing.  They attempted to revive him.  He was only 52 and I'm sure he was elated he made it to the top. It's sad but...I guess it was his time and he was in a place he must have loved. They say  about 1,200 people attempt to reach the summit each  year; but only 52% of them make it to the top.  I can't imagine what it must feel like standing on top of the tallest mountain in North America.

Now that's a lodge with a view!

River rafting looked fun.  I'm assuming that black thing on the left is where they pull the rafts out of the water; but I'm wondering about the people in the rafts?  We'll save rafting for another time. :-) 

I would like to see one of those rafts go down this river.  However...in one of the ponds by the road,  we did see a moose walking through the water...

like you see on a National Geographic program.

Our campsite is in Healy, outside the park.  Tomorrow we go in and will be there until Thursday.  No wi-fi for awhile.  Looking forward to seeing lots of wildlife on our 6-8 hours bus ride up the mountain.  We have been told that people have reported seeing a mother grizzly bear and her cub.  Hope we are lucky enough and I have a lot of exciting things to tell. 

A Day of Oddities (Day 36)

Went for a drink at this restaurant next to our campground.  We were told to sit anywhere by the waitress and never saw her again.  After sitting there for 15 minutes and looking at the prices of drinks, we decided we could have a beer in our motor home for a lot cheaper...we left.  Next morning we decided to go to the same restaurant to have breakfast.  Not busy and we got waited on within minutes.  But then we waited and waited and waited... Bill read the whole newspaper, I read all the  things posted on the walls and still no breakfast.  About 30 minutes later the waitress came and apologized for the delay because their cook never showed up for work.  She said he partied too hard last night and they had to call another cook to come in to make our breakfast.  Crazy........

she didn't know that the cook was missing when she took our order? 

Have to put this event in my list of "Oddities." :-)

     

Check out the angle of the sun in Talkeetna, Alaska at 10:30 last night when I was suppose to go to bed! 

(This also has been added to my list of "Oddities!") 

An igloo "FOR SALE?"  Another "Oddity?"

     We went for a walk to the river by our new campsite in Cantwell.  Bill pointed out this little plant breaking it's way through the asphalt.  Now that's "Odd!" or... is it just "determination?"  If "so...I'm "determined" not to have any more "Oddities" today! 

"Oddities" happen...but it is completely odd how... rocks, water, greenery, and sky can be arranged in an order that is so beautiful! 



Denali National Park from the Friendly Skies (Day 35)

Our pilot John taking Bill and I on a tour of  the western end of Denali Park. What we saw today leaves me speechless!  Flying above the clouds and seeing the three highest peaks:  Mt. McKinley, Mt. Foraker, and Mt. Hunter, almost gave a majestic feeling along with such peacefulness.  I think the pilot understood the silence in the plane because he knows how overwhelmed people are of Denali's beauty.  I couldn't snap pictures fast enough to catch all the memories I wanted to take home with me and, of course,  put on my blog.  Here are a few that will stay in my head long after we leave

 Denali Park in Alaska.

A "Summer Version" of a Dog Sled Ride (Day 34)

The Iditarod Trail had it's beginning as a mail and suppy route years ago from Seward to interior Alaska and then to Nome.  In 1925, part of the Iditarod Trail became a life saving highway in delivering serum for epedemic-stricken Nome.  The weather prohibited planes from flying in and the Bering Strait was already frozen so the necessary serum could not reach the small town. 18 teams of volunteer mushers risked their lives to take the serum 674 miles, weather 40-50 below zero.  The winds came up while the last musher was nearing his destination.  The sled turned over and the medicine was thrown into the snow.  The driver dug through the snow with his bare hand and found the serum which saved the town.  Today,  the Iditarod Trail is a National Historical Trail. The race itself is in commemoration to the loyalty and courage of the sled dog, along with the trail's colorful past.  Next March they will be celebrating the 40th year of the race.  It is an 1,150 mile race,  running from Anchorage to Nome in 9 to 17 days. 

The traditional sled construction use to be wood, bone, senew, and rawhide.  Later, materials used for sled making were aluminum and plastics followed today by Kelvar and carbon fiber.

Not quite sure what breed or breeds these dogs are that are being raised to be sled dogs.  They definitely are not Siberian Huskys that  have distinct markings, along with thick fur and upright, triangular ears.  Huskys were originally brought from Siberia during the gold rush in Alaska because of their strength and endurance to

subzero weather. 

This is the "Summer Version" of a dog sled ride.

Mush, Mush! (am I suppose to have reins?)

"Goodbye to My Parking Lot People" (Day 33)

"Help....I'm Back in the Dentist Parking Lot!"

This is where we would have parked; but these cars took our place.  We didn't have to get there early in the morning so my "People Watching" view changed location.  Another thing...everyone was already in their little cubicles in the buildings and I had no one to watch!  Then I realized...it was almost noon and maybe it would be interesting to see who came out and I would try to guess what vehicles they would go into.  I waited and waited and hardly anyone came out and it was a beautiful sunny day!  Then I had to change my plan to keep myself amused for two hours while Bill was being "root canalled."  How about... if I pick a vehicle and make up a scenario as to why they didn't come "out" for lunch.  For instance...the "Mercedes Benz Guy" put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on his office door and had lunch with his personal secretary.  The "Van Mommy" is in the bathroom stall trying get a few winks because she was up with a sick child half the night.  The "Jeep dude" is Googling sites where he can go off-roading this weekend.  The "Mustang Missy" is texting girlfriends to find out where the parties are Friday night.  Oh...I could go on; but I'll spare you.  However, I do want to point out that the Corvette and the Truck with the canoe on it... those guys "DID" come out but I don't think it was for lunch

..... because they never came back! :-)  

   Finally the "Dentist Parking Lot" was behind us (picture taken out of back window of motor home)  No more stories of my "Parking Lot People".  Wonder if there are interesting tales to tell of the people we will encounter in Denali Park in the campground and on the 6- hour bus ride on switchback roads......hummmm :-) 

The Root Canal was a total success!  If I could have gotten a shot of the other side of Bill's head...you would see that he is very happy that this "tooth stuff" is all over and done with!  Off to the Iditarod tomorrow.  Wasilla is the headquarters.

 

"Trains," "Planes," and "Automobiles" (Day 32)

Hey...a vacation can't be "all play!"  :-)  Actually it made me feel like I was at home because we have a Ford tractor, similar to this one, sitting in our shed at home.   

We came across this "Transportation Museum" outside of Wasilla, Alaska.  It was interesting to see all the different means of getting around in Alaska throughout the years. 

There were "Trains," "Planes," & "Automobiles."  

Ummm...wasn't that a movie?

One part that we found was interesting were the old, old Arctic Cat Snowmobiles because we have been "Cat Lovers" for 40 years!  Hard to imagine that our snowmobiles evolved from these.  I would assume that most homes in Wasilla, with an average snowfall of 50",  have a snowmobile sitting in the garage,

along with their vehicle. 

Not interested in snowmobiles? 

How about Alaskan Jeeps? 

"Jeep Gone Fire Truck?"

 Jeep Gone Mail Carrier?"

Having had to spend extra days in Wasilla allowed us to see some beautiful sites that we didn't know existed.  We went up Hatcher's Pass that  had a grade of more than 10%.  The view was wonderful; but we had to turn around because the road over the pass was not open yet, due to snow.

My Parking Lot People

Got up at 4:30 in the morning to go to the dentist in Anchorage to find a parking space for a 28 foot motor home.  Surprise....no one was in the parking lot at 5 in the morning :-)  However, I'm glad we got there early because from 7 to 9, cars poured in constantly.  I stayed in the motor home while Bill went and got his root drilled out (yuck for him!) 

Our windows are tinted so people can't see in;  but I can see out.  It was fun to watch their reactions to a big motor home in their parking lot.  One lady took out her phone and took a picture of our motor home.  I wondered what her thoughts were.  My idea was that she was thinking to herself...."Who in the #&%* is in my parking spot and I'm reporting you to security!" 

It was fun to watch these "Parking Lot People."...Some people park as close as they can so they don't have to walk very far, while others park as far as they can (I'm assuming it's their morning workout?). 

Some people have backpacks, while others have their fancy briefcases (Maybe they make more money?). 

Some park their vehicles forward, while others back up into their space (They just got there and they already look anxious to leave?). 

Some walk slowly across the parking lot, while other have a fast pace going (Either late for work or time for their morning constitution?) 

Some of these people are young, while many of them are older (Stocks not doing well or can't afford health care?).

Some people are smiling, while others have on their serious faces (Fear of being fired?)  

Then one of the "Parking Lot People" looked familiar...it was Bill and he was walking fast and had on one of those serious faces.  (walking fast?...means... in a hurry to get out of there!  Serious face?...means...not all went well as planned!)

 Glad I'm not totally correct on reading people because Bill was walking fast because it was starting to rain and the serious face had a lot to do with all the Novocaine that was injected in his mouth. :-)  Bill's tooth is better; but he does have to go back on Thursday for the dentist to finish the procedure.  I tried to get a picture of Bill's tooth so I would have at least one picture for this blog today, no such luck.  I should have taken pictures of my "Parking Lot People :-)  Heading back to Wasilla for a few days to see the local sites and then return to Anchorage on Thursday.