Denali

Today we woke up at 5:30 and got on the bus for our 6AM tour of Denali National Park. We noticed it was very clear out and we hoped that we could see Denali, or Mt. McKinley, or simply “the mountain”. We were lucky, around the first bend it was visible and we were all very excited. Due to the height of the mountain, 20,600 ft. it creates its own weather and most of the time it is cloudy. One man on the trip was there for his third time and he had never seen it before! We then saw a caribou and then he crossed the road. We saw many snowshoe hares, and scenic views, then we saw a momma bear (sow) and three cubs at the first rest stop. Then we continued on and saw many other caribou and a few more bears, we were very lucky indeed. We got closer and closer to Denali until we got to the turnaround point. They told us since it was a very clear day we could continue on to the last pass they normally travel, but they have only continued the busses to that pass 6 times this year! We finally got there and the views were magnificent, (check facebook for pics later, the internet is Terrible here!) and the tour guide warned of a bear nearby. The bear suddenly appeared and we had to get back in the bus, in a hurry, a BIG hurry! The tour guide apologized and said “sorry for using inappropriate language, but hey, what would you say if you saw a bear 50 yds or less from where your tour group is!” The recommended distance from a bear by the national parks service is 300 yds, or 3 football fields, we were half a football field away, and it could have easily attacked. We got lucky and it turned around! Then we ourselves turned around and went back through the park through the main gate and ended up back at our hotel, at 3:15 pm. That was a long bus ride! Then we went to dinner at the “chalet resort” and I had the special. I’ve never ordered the chef’s special so I was excited, it was salmon and reasonably priced so I went for it. It was really really good, and Sallie had some filet that was incredibly tender. Today is sallie’s birthday so happy birthday SALLIE! Anyway, I need some sleep I’m exhausted and we’re going rafting tomorrow. Peace. Love you TARA