Thursday 5-15-2014
Anchorage – Healy (near Denali Park)
Left Anchorage at 8:16 am. Same road north, this time nicer green
surroundings. Spring. Quick stop by Ma-tsu valley visitor center.
Average weather. Alaska range – where Denali park is – somewhat
visible in the fog. Different levels of spring – some places still
at the end of winter. Few small town. Many strange houses and
settlements, many of them behind the tree line. Over 2 hours of
driving before we took a detour to Talkeetna (apparently real and
authentic Alaska). 14 miles one way, the town was dead end for the
car traffic. Again, few scattered houses, settlements, and business
along the road. It looks like they really like to sprawl in Alaska –
I think that is quite sad. We passed Princess cruise lodge before
entering town. Train station, few “old” buildings on one main
street, mainly restaurants, few galleries, few adventure businesses –
river, flights, kayak. Pleasant weather, big river (at the end of the
main street) and excellent views of Denali (it is still called Mt.
McKinley but it does not seem be right). It was nice town but
nothing special. There were already some tourists. J. was told about
this amazing cafe and bakery along the road – we stopped and they
had few loafs of bread and some sweets – sometimes we are
forgetting about the size of those small businesses and communities.
THERE, IN THE DISTANCE, IS OUR ALASKA BEAR (in the middle, by forest).
Back on the Parks highway and driving north. Better view of Denali.
Denali State Park – several long “back country” trail but
unfortunately nothing small. Great view of Alaska range with Denali
peaks. A bit cloudy but still impressive views. Some monkey business
around the turn to the Denali National Park and Preserve. Apparently
it was their opening day – main visitor center and the season of
2014. Some people there but relatively light. Decent talk with the
park ranger. Usually the park road is open only to the mile 15, from
there one can see the park only from the bus (the whole road has
about 90 miles – dirt road). We were told that because of the
“shoulder” season, the road was open to private vehicles all the
way to the mile 29. Great visitor center with nice exhibits and very
picturesque movie. Pleasant drive along the park's road. We passed
the mile 15 where we saw the river and a small parking lot. This
would be the end of our drive. Vast landscape with very few signs of
spring. We saw bunch of caribous. A small herd was crossing the road
just in front of us. That was great. Excellent views and really great
experience – there are not many people who can drive on this road.
Mile 29 (and some change), parking lot, bus stop, and viewing
platform above the river with bunch of people. We were told that
there is a bear on the other side of the river on the edge of the
forest. It was really far but we could see him. WE SAW A BEAR IN
ALASKA!!! Real f... wild bear. Cherry on the top. Slow drive back.
Bunch of tour buses. It was somewhat surprising how many people there
was. Back to the main road. Around that intersection was “the
village” - bunch of lodges and stores – the sad tourist picture.
Another ten miles to Healy, where we stayed for the night.
