Bear with an itch

Check out this video of one of the bears we enjoyed today.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/95319766@N02/19908990873/play/site/8de93fdde4

Trip to the interior of Denali

Denali National Park came alive today as we took a sixty mile road trip into the heart of the park.  We remained in the bus when the wildlife was present. Denali was clouded in so we didn't see it, but with what we did see, I was not disappointed.   First we saw moose.

Then we saw ptarmigan the state bird of Alaska. They are beginning to turn white for winter. We had what they call the terminal snow yesterday, which to the natives means summer is over.

Next came a momma bear and two cubs. We saw many bears, all grizzlies.

This second guy walked near our bus and then proceeded to roll over and scratch himself. It was amazing and funny to watch. We saw many Caribou. The antlers on this bull are amazing!

I almost forgot the Dall Sheep. We didn't get close as they were up high, but we were delighted to see them.

Most of the sixty miles was on a one lane gravel road. In some places it dropped down hundreds of feet. Chris closed her eyes and held her breath on places like this.

But that road took us into amazement and beauty and delight!

What a great day!  

Tuesday hike in the boreal forest

The highlight of the day was a hike in the boreal forest with a naturalist. Though I hike in a boreal forest in the Smokies I will have a new appreciation of that unique ecosystem. We learned about the amazing quaking aspen.

Without it moose would not survive the winter.  We learned about the low bush cranberry which the Scandinavians call lingonberrys.

 Then there are tons of blueberries which are at their peak of ripeness.

 Mushrooms of many varieties are found in the forest.  This is a hedgehog mushroom.

There are some cool people in the forest.

And some wonderful views

 

We learned how a small community of humans survives winter here with little light, Sam's Club 100 miles away and 50 to 60 below zero on a regular basis. What a hoot. I think "Northern Exposure" got a lot of things right.   Tomorrow we journey 60 miles into the park for our first chance to see Mt Denali. Will keep you posted.

Hike up the Savage River and Dog sled teams

We spent the morning hiking along the Savage River and learning about permafrost with a naturalist.

I was thrilled to meet some new flowers. Here are a few. I only know the name of one.  

Arctic Gentian

 

 

Pink Plume

In the afternoon we learned about the sled dogs that are used in the park. They are used instead of snowmobiles which are not allowed in a wilderness park.

 

They put on a demonstration run and it is clear how much the dogs love to work.

After supper we will learn about Denali in winter. What a great day.

The bears are sure friendly!

Friendlier than the Chicago Bears

A most beautiful train ride

Today we journeyed from Fairbanks to Denali via the Alaska Railroad. It is by far the most beautiful train ride we have ever taken. It reminded me of words from the Navaho Blessing way:  

 

With beauty may I walk.
With beauty before me, may I walk.
With beauty behind me, may I walk.
With beauty above me, may I walk.
With beauty below me, may I walk.
With beauty all around me, may I walk.

 

I would amend the word walk to ride on this train this day.  Here is just a bit of the beauty.  Dome car

Wild rivers

Trappers shack

We arrived at our destination and tonight will begin to learn about Denali National Park which is a wilderness park larger than the state of New Hampshire.

 

Luggage arrived

Our luggage arrived in the middle of the night!  So here are a couple of out the plane window pictures. Some of the glacial features include Malaspina Glacier, the largest piedmont glacier in North America, Hubbard Glacier, the longest tidewater glacier in Alaska, and Nabesna Glacier, the world's longest valley glacier. Mt. St. Elias is the second highest peak in North America. Today we approach the highest.