Adventure 975: Alaska Anniversary Trip/H

We woke up to a cold drizzle and counted ourselves lucky to experience the more typical Alaska weather. Our train back to Anchorage didn't leave Denali until 12:30 so we took the opportunity to tour the Visitor Center which has some very well done exhibits. We watched two park inspired movies that not only capture the history of the park, but also the character of those who believe in the preservation of the wilderness. One of the movies chronicles the life and times of the sled dogs, their breeding, their passion, and their continued use in the park. As one of the rangers said, "Snow machines can be hard to start at forty below zero, but give the dogs a bit of food and they're ready to go." Also, because much of the mission of the park's preservation mantra, is to do as little damage to the environment as possible, the dogs are invaluable and most often the best tool for the job. For example, a suspension bridge in the park recently needed significant repair. In order for modern machinery to do the job, many trees would have had to be cleared. Because of the sled dog's narrow footprint and their capacity for toting heavy loads, the dogs and their mushers ferried the necessary materials to the job site. And last year, during the peak months of winter, a communication camera failed in the outback. The snow machines wouldn't start, but a team of dogs made it to the camera and the servicemen were able to restore the camera to a functioning state. We finished our visit with a trip to the kennels where the sled dogs are bred, housed, and trained. Despite the drizzle, which didn't seem to bother the dogs, it was a nice way to end our visit to Denali, and it made us realize just how good life is, especially today.

Looks like we're nearing the end of the season.

Many of the newest pups were born last May.

This little guy was especially loving and quite a bit squirmy.

Judy got a quick kiss.

The older dogs, like this one, realize they're on summer vacation. They weren't as excited as the young ones.

This is THRONE, a six year old lead dog and the biggest in the kennel at a 100 pounds. He seems calm here, but when he was hooked up to the training sled for the demonstration, he became as eager as any newlywed.

The training sled.

It was dark in the sled room, but this old sled made of birch and strung together tightly with sinew was magnificently crafted.

My Bunny braving the weather.

Ranger Skyler, a recent graduate of Purdue University shared her knowledge and her her passion.

After the demonstration team pulled the training sled around the compound, the dogs were given immediate chew treats and water.

The train ride back to Anchorage from Denali took about six hours. Our Alaska adventure was well worth the time.

 

Adventure 974: Alaska Anniversary Trip/G

Yet another blue sky day and on we trekked to the Denali Tundra. We boarded the 1:30 P.M. bus with fifty or so of our newest friends. They didn't cramp our style, but the child sized seats in the old Blue Bird bus did, especially after seven hours of windy wash boards. In all, we saw almost 30,000 acres of the park, or .05 percent of the 6 million. Nonetheless, we ventured as far as we could, and it was fabulous. We saw several ground squirrels, a gaggle of Rock Ptarmigans, all of Santa's Reindeer (except Rudolph) and many of their cousins ( At least 14 Caribou), a family of Dall sheep, and one large brown bear leaving purple scat behind as he/she trundled up the mountainside. Philip, the oldest driver in the park, was knowledgeable, patient, competent, and he had a very melodious voice. He gladly stopped the bus anytime anyone yelled, "Caribou, three o'clock." He'd back the bus or move it forward, take out the bus's camera, and then flashed whatever was sighted onto screens that dropped down for viewing. It was pretty cool. Today marked our seventh day in Alaska. We've been blessed with magnificent weather each of those days. Even today, the bus stopped to view Denali from several good angles, but we were so jaded from our experience in Talkeetna that we barely looked up. Upon our return to the Denali Cabins, we had a nice dinner, after which I spent some time soaking in the hot tub. Needless to say, life is good, especially today.

We shared a short stack of blueberry buckwheat pancakes with birch bark syrup and two eggs over easy for breakfast.  Yummy.

Art shot of the day: A plethora of spruce cones covered the ground under every tree.

Selfie of the day: Let the sun shine in.

Our conveyance for the day-not built for a guy my size. That's what I get for flunking sixth grade.

In five or six weeks this area will be covered in snow.

At the official entrance to the park, Ranger Jessica, gave us a hearty welcome.

Interestingly, the Dall sheep have their own crossing lane, which according to Phillip, they've come to use frequently. On the hour vehicles stop and wait for ten minutes.

We crossed four rivers, each of which have these braided streams which move back and forth as the current changes.

This could be Dancer or Prancer; it was hard to tell from the bus.

My camera couldn't catch up with this big brown bear, but with the naked eye we could see very well, if only briefly as the bear made steady headway up the mountainside.

These Dall sheep were so far up the mountainside they almost look like silhouettes. Pretty cool sight, though.

Adventure 973: Alaska Anniversary Trip/F

The locals say only thirty percent of those visiting Denali get to see the mountain range clearly. Most of the time, it's shrouded by grey clouds. Today we woke up to azure blue sky, not a cloud in it, ever changing by the minute as the sun rose carving sharp shadows midst the bright white snow. MAGNIFICENT I took several million photos, none capturing anything as real as the naked eye experience. After a leisurely breakfast (Salmon Benedict) and another photo, we hopped the shuttle, sidled onto down to the train and enjoyed what seemed like a slow crawl toward Denali National Preserve. We arrived a little after 4 P.M. hopped another shuttle which took us and others to our lodging for the next two nights (Denali Cabins). The cabins are cute, warm and snuggly. We had dinner on the property: Venison meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and roasted Brussel sprouts. As comfort food, it fit the bill nicely because the temperature in this area is at least ten degrees cooler than what we've been experiencing. After dinner, I enjoyed a pleasing soak in the property's hot tub, glancing often at the narrow profile of the spruce trees which surround the place. There are thirty-six cabins on the property. We're housed in #35, and of course, we're delighted to report that life is good, especially today.

6 A.M.

Close up.

Eight o'clock selfie.

A nice twist. The poached egg and hollandaise sauce covered a pan fried salmon cake.

Nine thirty  photo.

Not noticing the clouds. That's because there weren't any.

Some history somewhere along the route to the Denali Preserve.

An hour out from our destination, still no clouds.

Two o'clock photo taken through the train window.

Thousand foot trestle.

Official entrance to the Denali National Park and Preserve, which covers 6,045,153 acres.

Because of the glacier melt most of the rivers in the area are silt filled and milky blue.

The scourge of the spruce beetle is steadily killing trees. No solution in sight.

As we descended off the plateau we left the blue sky behind. Notice the traces of white snow, first of the year. The locals call the snow "termination dust" because it's the first sign that the summer tourist season is about to end.

We watched this bush plane land on what appeared to be a sand bar. Amazing.

Our home away from home for the next two nights.

Cute, well appointed, and cozy.

 Those who know me can easily see me in the tub: rub-a-dub-dub.

Adventure 972: Alaska Anniversary Trip/E

A short but wonderful overnight stay at the downtown Sheraton in Anchorage. Up at 5:45 for breakfast and an Uber to the train station for the short train ride to Talkneeta. We were graced to live among the fortunate thirty percent who get to see Denali in its full glory. In 1975, the state of Alaska petitioned to rename Mt. McKinley to its ancestral name Denali. Obama made it official during his presidency. Trump recently changed it back to Mt. McKinley. Regardless of respect or insult, the majesty remains the same. We feel fortunate to get a view. We were early for check in at the Talkneeta Lodge so we meandered around downtown Talkneeta along with a full parade of other gawkers, most of whom were on their way North like us to the Denali tundra. We had a disappointing lunch, (poor service, cold food) but were otherwise nonplussed. Dinner, on the other hand was exceptional in every way, including the price. We sat with a back lit view of the mountain range, with Denali demurely shrouded by cloud cover. Nonetheless, dinner was a three course feast, well prepared, well served by a young woman from Macedonia (Maria) who has spent three seasons in the far reaches of Alaska earning enough to pay for her college degree in economics. She, like others, spends most of her time working, and as I asked her a personal question, she said she earns over thirty thousand in a season. She also mentioned that the current American administration is the first to deny visas in her three years as a working student. Sad. Before dinner, I had a drink in the bar while Judy rested. I overheard another seasonal worker say, "I work three jobs; I've worked nine straight days, three shifts per day; I'm worried that if I have a day off, I'll lose my work ethic." I thought,  "This is the kind of shiftless ne'er do well we don't want in America." Again, sad. I'm fortunate not to have these concerns. Rather, I enjoyed a wonderful dinner with a wonderful gal in a wonderful part of the world. I say to myself, "There art thou happy, Romeo; Life is good, especially today."

The view from our fifteenth floor room at the Sheraton in Anchorage this morning. Quite a good start to the day.

One of the Alaskan homes along the train route. Sadly, another misguided Magan.

We were among the thirty percent who actually get to see Denali in its glory.

Worth a close up.

Our new acquaintance said she was a bad photographer. I agree. She missed the background.

Talkneeta is a rustic tourist trap, but quaint and unabashed in its quest for seasonal cash. 

The Wiley Cager, so sad that she seems to come so often into second place.

We walked the back alleys of Talkneeta and came across a few very eclectic abodes.

I saw some canned good on the shelves of this store that may have pressed the expiration date, but my favorite thing was the bar attached to the back of the store. All four walls were covered with autographed dollar bills. I'm sure this happened during one of the cold, dark winters. 

Which means like Las Vegas, what happens in  Talkneeta stays in Talkneeta.

Besides having a pleasant balance and design, the silky smooth operation each of these drawers is truly impressive.

On to dinner: This palette cleansing bauble, a crumpled tortilla shell filled with salmon mouse sprinkled with bacon bits and topped with creme freche.

 

Quite pleasant Pinot Noir which enhanced each course.

First, beet salad. (There was also a spectacular Crab bisque, but the photo was blurry).

Second, Sautéed mushrooms atop a quinoa and edamame base with daikon radish garnish.

White King Salmon atop a corn relish.

A King Crab leg on the side.

For dessert: A chocolate tart.

And another---Baked Alaska with fire weed ice-cream.

Quite decadent, but exquisite. Come to Alaska. Your own private adventure awaits.