We sat with our usual morning coffee...I was on the iPad making notes of our day yesterday for when we have internet and I am able to write and post blogs. Steve watched one of his programs on TV.
Today we thought we would drive a short distance up the highway to the business area of Denali...this is where the hotels, restaurants, shops and tour operators are located. Here are a few pictures as we drove through...
After driving through the area, we turned around and found a spot to park so that we could explore the shops on foot.
There were lots of souvenir shops, as usual in touristy spots. Steve picked up a couple of t-shirts and I bought myself an 'Alaska' sweatshirt.
After wandering through the shops, we decided to take a drive up to the Grande Denali Lodge...it sits rather magnificently up on a mountainside...
There are seven switchbacks leading up to the lodge and the road has numerous warning signs, which are quite hilarious.
'Watch for Falling Coconuts'...
We didn't go into the lodge but I did get out and take a few pictures...Pretty darned nice view from up here...
Next on the agenda was a hike. A ranger at the Wilderness Access Centre had recommended the Triple Lakes Trail. It's quite a long trail if you were to do the whole thing but she suggested that we just go part way. We parked in the Visitors Centre parking lot and after following another trail, we finally found the one we were looking for.
A bridge over Riley Creek...
View of the creek from one direction...
...and the other, with the train trestle...
A nice trail...
Then we came upon a suspension bridge...
I don't do suspension bridges very well...but I made it over (practically running the last bit)...
The trail narrowed and climbed up into the forest...
...and then back down to the river...
...then back up into the forest again...
Wild blueberries...
After a short rest break and a few blueberries, we turned around and headed back...
The final bit of the trail is quite a steep hike up (much more fun going down)...
After checking out an interpretive sign on the adjoining Morino Trail, we headed back to the Visitors Centre to rest and wait for the bus that goes to the Dog Sled Demonstration...
Before the 4:00 demonstration, we had some time to wander around the grounds and see the dogs...
The dogs didn't seem too concerned with a bunch of tourists wandering around...
Time for the demonstration...of course, it had to start raining...
Although interesting, I found the actual demonstration a little disappointing. After they brought the dogs in, instead of providing a scripted information session on the dogs and sledding in the area, they just opened it up to questions. It was informative but not quite what I was expecting.
Back home, we sat outside for a bit. We had had another full, interesting day! Time to continue onto Fairbanks tomorrow.
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