Fairbanks, Alaska to Denali, Alaska

Short drive today. We enjoy a leisurely morning before hitching up and moving out. We are heading to Denali National Park. This is a place we look forward to with a great deal of anticipation. We move in and out of rain, but the day is mostly clear. The frost heaves are so big and rounded you can see them coming. Rolling over these areas is just like riding a roller coaster. Otherwise the highway is in good shape with lots of passing lanes and it feels rather ordinary. We pass the place where the Into the Wild bus is located. Well, it’s out there somewhere, a long hike and two rivers to ford away.

The Nenana Canyon channels us into Denali Park and very quickly thereafter into McKinley Village. It’s a tiny community with a couple of upscale lodges and a variety of shops, tour companies, and small restaurants lining the roadway. We mistakenly drive into a spot where we can’t back up or turn around, so Jim drives creatively through a pedestrian area, very similar to a previous incident in Firenze, (if you were there in 1984, you know what I’m talking about).

We are surrounded by beautiful mountains, but the big one cannot be seen from here. Tomorrow we’ll take an all-day bus tour into the park. Hope the clouds stay away.

I do a little shopping, and my credit card company traces the course of my existence. They always know right where I am.

Wildlife count: 0

Airstreams: 2

Miles: 119

Gratitudes: PKB: the guy driving this rig  JMB: steaks on the barbie

Gin Score: J: 1465 P: 1360