A Different Kind of Fourth and One of the 30%

 

Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5

 

Our time in Anchorage did not last too long as the next day we headed out to Denali National Park via an 8-hour train ride aboard the McKinley Express Explorer which was an adventure all its own.   Vi and I have not had a lot of experience with trains other than a couple of short rides on various excursions.  This train had full glass sides and tops, and the views it offered up were spectacular.  I could sit here and type it out about how wild and beautiful Alaska is but, as usual, Vialula’s pictures do a much better job. 

As I said, we were on our way to Denali which is an National Park as well as a mountain peak.  Some people know Denali by its other name which is Mt. McKinley.   The name has gone back and forth many times.   Locals go with Denali which was the original native name, while those in the states have usually gone by the McKinley name. 

 

We were so lucky with the weather and had wonderful sunshine to enjoy the scenery.  Only 30% of the people who visit Denali get to actually see the mountain as it is usually clouded in fog (the 70% club).   For the most part, Denali makes its own weather patterns, and that is usually fog and cloud.  So we are part of the 30% club now!!  And it is spectacular!  

 

We stayed at the Holland America Denali Lodge for a couple of nights which gave us time for a couple of excursions to go out and see things a little more up close and personal.  Our first time out we boarded a bus at 4:45 am! Yes, a.m., to go and seek out what everyone wants to see which would be bears, moose, Dall sheep and caribou.  While we did see a random caribou here and there, most of the animals apparently decided to slept sleep in.  We did see some Arctic squirrels (“Squirrel!”) and lots the state birds of Alaska called Willow Ptarmigans and their babies.  Throw in one Golden Eagle, and that was about it.  Our guide did his best, and he was very knowledgeable about the area so it was still a good time out.  Wildlife fun is included!

Later that day, we went four-wheeling in Polaris side by side buggies at Black Diamond. It was really hot, 75 degrees!  Jet Plane and Melba Jean had one, and Vialula and I were in one.  After going thru the safety drill, we donned our helmets and took off!  Lesson one should have been that you don’t want to be the last buggy in line where Vi and I were.  To say that it was a little dusty would be like saying the ocean is salty.  But hey, live and learn.  I drove ours while Vi took pictures.  Jet Plane and Melba split the driving and they both enjoyed the day.  We splashed our way through riverbeds when we weren’t making dust clouds.  The geography was very impressive up close.

Tomorrow, we get on a coach and head back towards civilization where we will catch our ship for the cruise portion of the trip.  While the idea of coming to Alaska and seeing the natural beauty as well as the wild wilderness is why people come here, we are all looking forward to the boat as well.  We ended the day (still light out) at 10:30, after a wonderful dinner and another drink or two.

LeRoy and Vi