Sabbath June 23rd was spent in Fairbanks., AK. After attending church and potluck we drove out to this bird sanctuary.
A nice boardwalk wound through a white birch forest. The mosquitoes were out in full force but thanks to a couple of young ladies we were able to borrow their bug spray and enjoy the walk.
The main attraction were these sandhill cranes.
We then drove up onto the campus of the University of Alaska. This is looking down over the city of Fairbanks. It is a lovely campus built on the top of a large hill.
Sunday morning we had to be on the road by 4:30 am heading for Denali and our 7:00 am shuttle bus trip into the park.
The drive from Fairbanks to Denali was beautiful. Even though it was very early there was plenty of daylight to enjoy the scenery. Didn't see any wildlife but a couple we met on the park tour said they drove the same road about the same time and saw a cow moose with two calves.
We took the 7:00 am to 4:00 pm bus shuttle that took us in to Eielson visitor center. Sat across from a couple from Lansing, MI who were motorcycling around Alaska. Nice to have someone to talk to as we went through the park
This is the beginning section of the tour. Not yet into the park.
The weather was a little overcast so tops of mountains not always visible. At least it was not hot and we could enjoy the ride.
Finally came to park entrance and the Ranger station. A young female Ranger came unboard and welcomed us to Denali National Park.
This is a view out the front window as we headed into the park. A fellow sitting in the fron seat had eyes like a hawk and usually was the first to shout out the location of wildlife. The driver would immediately stop and everyone headed for the windows to take pictures. It's a wonder the bus didn't tip over with the rush of people to one side or the other.
The scenery made the trip well worth while.
Some of the flowers growing along the road at one of the bathroom breaks.
which came about every hour.
This was our bus drivers favorite spot in the whole trip. It's called polychrome mountain because of the various colors that are seen. As the sun hits it the colors change.
This was our bus.
The gentleman was our driver. His name was Rodney Wright. A very nice driver who added interesting comments about the areas as we drove through them.
Our first glimpse of Mount McKinley.
One of the bathroom breaks. Lots of facilities but I still imagine that in the peak visitor season these become long lines as visitors arrive in busses heading into and out of the park.
A couple of grizzlie bears or as our driver called them, "brown bears".
Mount McKinley as we approached the end of our road into the park. The road does go on further but we were advised not to take the longer trip as there was not that much more to see.
The visitor center where our trip stopped.
Thanks to our friends from Michigan we have proof that we were there.
They have these Elk horns laying around the Visitor center so I figured I would try them on for size. I'm glad I didn't have to wear those things all day as they were quite heavy.
This quilted depiction of the view out of the windows of the visitor center was very impressive.
Heading back. As you can see the road isn't very straight.
Other groups coming in.
Dall sheep were seen at several distances from the road. These were within reach of my lens.
Caribou were also plentiful but often out of reach for my lens. This bull was visible but wish I had a more powerful lens.
Fran did not like the trip back and switched seats with me. She didn't like looking out the side window and not seeing any road beside the bus.
The road isn't very wide and busses would have to stop at wider areas so other vehicles could go by.
After spending several hours at the Denali Park Visitors center we headed back for our campsite. We took a drive into a region where rafting companies ended there trips. Fran was sure she didn't want to take one of those trips. Looks like fun but most of the riders were drenched.
Come on back as we share our journey to Alaska.
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