I realize I have not updated since the 12th of June. We have had quite a bit of rain so we stayed in for a couple of days. I finally got a chance to get a new book to read. I downloaded from our library the new Nelson DeMille novel The Cuban Affair. The book fell right into the genre I love similar to the writers I read: William Kent Krueger, Randy Wayne White, Lee Child, and of course the late great Tom Clancy.
While it rained I read.
We went up to the Alaska Transportation Museum when the rain let up a little. We had not done this in previous years. It was OK, but I only took a couple photos.
Also before we left to go up to Denali, we did get to enjoy one of the few Potlucks they do a couple times a year at Big Bear. They cooked for us fresh salmon. Everyone was asked to bring a side dish or even a supplemental main dish. It was an awesome time. We brought with us Chris' famous Pasta Salad, and even some fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.
Our final day before heading up to Denali, the rain let up a little more so we hiked the Plumley/Maud trail near Palmer. It was really a wheeler trail, but was pretty fun but muddy. We planned for an out an back, but when we reach a 10th of a mile from Plumley Road (about 3 miles into the hike), we ran into some flooding. It was calf deep so we decided to turn around rather than getting our feet wet. We found the remains of a dead moose (I think). On the return we came around a corner and ran into a live moose! She startled us, but she ran off as we approached.
On the 18th we headed north for three days up to Denali. We stayed again at the Denali RV Park & Lodge (same as 2016). Not a bad place to stay other than it is 8 miles north of the park entrance.
The trip up was really tough as we had downpours and really windy conditions. The weather service was issuing high vehicle warnings with winds of 70MPH south of Anchorage. Also, there was a 5 mile section of construction that required a pilot, which was all dirt and mud while it rained. There goes that $35.00 wash we did in Tok!! No big deal. We will be washing again some time.
We made it up without any issues. Luckily, we saw quite a few moose, but no new bears.
After setting up camp, the tirst thing we did was go to the wilderness center to make our reservations to take the bus up to the Eielson Visitors Center which is at mile 66. The best day looked like the 20th; lighter wind, and plenty of sun forecasted.
On the 19th we drove up the 15 miles you can drive with a POV. We hiked up the Denali Road about two miles in search of wildlife. Unfortunately, we only found some "chickens" Ptarmigan.
I probably said this in 2014 and 2016, but I must say it again. I really feel that the NPS is becoming elitist. This park is a classic example. It is really difficult for the "Owners", the citizens, of the USA to visit. I see this more and more in some of the National Parks. Zion earlier this year is another example.
I realize they need to control high volumes of individuals at some of the parks, but Denali does not have that many visitors but they really restrict our abilities to see the park.
We have visited nearly 60 of the major national parks over the last 35 years; from backpacking Isle Royale to snorkeling Ft. Jefferson (Dry Tortugas). I am feeling it is becoming more difficult to visit the Parks that We Own.
Well, tomorrow we will take the bus with the others, and hopefully get some really good wildlife photos.
Alaska Transportation Museum:
Potluck at Big Bear RV Park
Plumley/Maud Rd. Trail
Rejected by a flooded creek.
Denali National Park
Moose have been eating here
Just one of the small wildlife we saw
Nice view of Mt. McKinley.
Lunchtime view from Denali Savage River
Near Riley Creek
Rafts ready to go on the Nenana
Grand Denali Lodge
Pedestrian bridge at Nenana River
View from the Antler Creek Trail near our campground
Near the Denali Park Entrance
