June 2nd
– June 8th 2014
Monday and Tuesday were normal, gray, uneventful, same, and work days
for J. Our time in Alaska is rapidly approaching its end. It is
somewhat strange – within a month or so we will be back home trying
to settle. Strange. J. was asked about extending the contract (not
really possible for us at this time). Our trip home is planned and
ready. In few weeks we will also get a visit from J.'s family –
that will be quite interesting. Life goes on. On Wednesday, J. had
her switch day – we decided to drive up to Denali that day. Normal
good looking morning, get ready, J. was up by 11:30 am and we left by
12:21 pm. Sunny day with mostly blue sky – great. We already drove
on this road (few times, actually) so it was not really new. There
was difference of “the season” - it was mostly green with some
flowers – quite different from the first time when it was all gray
and boring. Few stops along the way, Denali State Park – South View
Point (really great views of Denali – weather permitting). Pretty
nice weather = pretty nice views. Otherwise just driving. Parked
outside Talkeetna (half way between Anchorage and Denali) J. called
flight seeing company to reserve the flight (on special with glacier
landing). Either morning or afternoon (we went for morning). Driving
and thinking about it (Talkeetna is about three hours from the motel)
we realized that 8:30 am was perhaps too ambitious – we called back
and changed it for the evening. Drive by the Denali Park entrance,
small Denali village (the sad one) and get to Healy to our motel.
Both tired – quiet evening with bunch of daylight.
Thursday morning – cloudy, gray, rainy. Excellent day for a bus
trip into Denali National Park and Preserve. Our purchased tickets
were for 9:00 am bus departure. The park is closed for private
vehicles, there are tour buses (go in, see, go out on the same bus)
and there are shuttle buses (buy ticket, go in, get out and see, get
on another bus … and get out). We had shuttle bus tickets. Old
school bus. Rain. Very few animals. Funny and strange comments from
the bus driver (they do not narrate the ride). Greener then on our
first visit but unfortunately not that much. Spring is still trying
to come into the park. Some other people from Michigan. It took about
3 hours and 40 minutes to get to Eielson Visitor Center (mile 66 –
from the park entrance). Rain. Great views of Denali Mountain –
weather permitting – this time we saw only clouds and fog. Sad. It
was interesting experience but (partly because of weather) we were
quite disappointed. Some funny comments from the driver
(unintentional humor) – there were bear droppings on the road (that
was the closest we got to seeing a bear on this trip). We stayed on
the same bus because there was not much we wanted to do – weather
was horrible for walking around. Again: sad. 5:00 pm we arrived back
to the visitor center. We heard some people talking about seeing
bears, some even said they saw bears in the middle of the road
(probably those that left the droppings for us). It is very different
experience and I have to say that it was not our cup of coffee, sadly
(we were still glad we did it, it was somewhat interesting). We drove
to Denali village and had fish tacos and fish and chips for dinner
(very good). End of the day – kind of tired and worn out. Friday –
we had our flight seeing tour at 5:00 pm (it was about three hours
drive from our motel). Plenty of time, slow morning, drive to Denali
– we almost missed the bus to sled dogs kennel for the
demonstration. Bunch of dogs, some in cages and some next to their
dog houses (on chains) – just being lazy because they do not like
the heat (sun and 60 degrees). Walk around, pet some dogs, listen to
some of the staff (they retire the dogs at the age of 8 – 9 and
people can adopt them, there can be apparently up to 100 people
listed for one dog). Listen to the ranger talk about Denali, dogs,
and traditions. See dogs lined up to the sled and run small circle –
pretty cool. A bit more walking around, pictures, and bus back. Slow
drive south. Again few stops along the way. Few clouds but mostly
sunny and very pleasant (where was this day yesterday???). Byers Lake
(in the Denali State Park). Guy with two lake trouts. About 3 miles
walk mostly along the lake. Really pleasant and peaceful place.
Denali South View Point (I guess our last time). Drive to Talkeetna.
Some extra time so we drove through “the town” (apparently the
real Alaska) – many more people = tourist, still sad and kind of
strange. Airport and Denali flight (described below). We were done at
about 7:20 pm and drove home (about two hours). Long day. Saturday –
day off – pretty much nothing (it is nice to do that sometimes).
Sunday – J. was switching for the work so she stayed up and slept
through the day (cloudy, mostly). Another week gone...
