Chapter 8 18 July 2015
Everybody that goes to Alaska has to see Mt Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. We are no exception, so we make our reservation to ride the bus all the way to the end of the road, 92 miles, to a place called Katishna. Our bus, the economy shuttle, costs $52.50 each and goes the same place as the tour bus. It's a bright sunny day and we get there early, because 3 years ago when we rode the bus, we were last on and got the seat in the rear. Not going to do that again, because there was a lot of up and down movement and we're not suited for that travel anymore. Yes Sir, here we are, second in line with our lunch cooler holding down our place in line. Other people came and held their spaces accordingly. Then comes this older couple, and HE places his lunch cooler in the very front and into the street. Everyone looks at him and whispers to one another. Guess who puts on her mom voice and says, "You need to put your cooler and stuff in the back like everyone else". To avoid a scene, which I sure would have happened, he picks up his stuff and puts them in the back of the line. Soon we load up and here we are in the second seat, by choice, because we didn't want to sit behind the driver. It was a good trip, got to see grizzly bear, moose, sheep and lots of caribou. But the biggest and most important was the views of Mt Denali. There were a few clouds in the morning but by noon it was an unobstructed view. We were fortunate we went that day because the next week was overcast and drizzly so we spent the next couple of days day tripping and seeing the local area, along with some moose.
On to Palmer then Anchorage, as many locals call it, North Seattle. Seems like a lot more people and traffic than we had remembered it. We did important things there like laundry, washing the truck and trailer and eating out. We did take a trip up Hatcher Pass near Palmer which went to an old gold mine. There were nice views from the top and a brook with lots of falls, running beside the road on the way up. The forest fire was out in the Willow area but burn areas next to the road and I hear they lost 53 houses.
We spent 4 days at a National Forest Campground near Whittier. It was dry camping, that means no elec, water or sewer, but a nice place. It did rain all one day, which kept us inside but they needed the rain badly. On one of our walks there, we spotted a pair of Dippers. Those little guys walk into the water over their head and search for bugs and insects in the gravel bottom. Another life bird for us.
We are now in Soldotna, along with a million other people. Must be 99% of all Alaskan residents are here fishing for salmon. Only in this area of the Kenai river, residents are allowed to dip net the salmon for a couple of weeks. The limit is still 3 fish, but it gives the locals a greater chance of getting a bunch of fish to fill the freezer and reduce their grocery bills. All the campgrounds are full and parking lots too. We found a spot for one night, don't know what we will do for tonight, maybe be in a parking lot too, unless this place gets a cancellation again. Just got back from office, we got two more nights. Yea!
Cow caribou and calf in the roadway.
Old Glory next to Mt Denali
Large bull moose in pond, if they would have let us out of the bus, I could have a better picture.
Twin calves on a day trip.
Grizzly on road into Denali
The edge of road in Denali Park showing guardrails and large boulders to keep you from falling off.
Looking straight down from bus, sometimes you can't see the edge of the road. Ellen is on the outside.
Another shot of Mount Denali, with bus route
