Thursday, August 28, 2025

Alaska - Day 4, Denali

  • Early alarm for early breakfast.
  • It was lightly raining. 
  • Saw an incredible double rainbow. So vivid. I ran down to the "beach" to get a better view (picture above).
  • Lecture - Geology of Pretty Rocks, by Natalie. She wasn't the best speaker, but provided a lot of information. Now I know why the road isn't open yet.
  • Back to Riverside Hall where we each packed our to go lunch. Cute "bento box" that I put in my backpack. 
  • Loaded onto bus for our trip into Denali National Park and Wildlife Preserve.
  • They divided us into 2 groups. I went on the hike with Toni on the McKinley Station trail. Only 1.6 miles and 100 feet elevation. Learned a lot about the park's trees, geology, birds, history, etc.
  • Ate our packed lunches on the bus.
  • Then drove further into the park.
  • Saw 2 moose (female and her calf) right by the bus! On the return trip we saw a single male, with huge antlers. I couldn't get a good picture. I'm sure other people will share theirs.
  • Bears - I couldn't really spot them the first time. Saw them very well on the return trip.
  • Caribou - huge antlers.
  • Dall Sheep - just outlines on a horizon. 
  • Wolves - the last of the Big 5. Didn't see any but didn't expect to.
  • Saw a bald eagle at the end. No pictures, as we were driving quickly.
  • Made a couple of stops. Very windy! Not cold. Light rain on and off.
  • Back to the cabin for a few minutes.
  • Dinner was excellent (salad, lasagna, garlic bread, tiramisu). I brought my wine.
  • We all sang Happy Birthday to my roommate, Ruth (70 years old).
  • Lecture - 70 Mile Kid by Tom Walker. Excellent presentation.
  • Back to cabin. Turned out light by 10:00 pm.

5 quick lines:
  • Something I saw: 4 of the Denali "Big 5" animals.
  • Something I heard: 
  • Something I smelled: 
  • Something I tasted: 
  • Something I felt: 

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