June 10

Today was all about Denali National Park. The clouds we had seen yesterday were replaced by new ones, so never did see the summit of Denali. But there was so much other great scenery, that did not matter. First stop inside the park was at the Bus Depot, to see if there were any Bus Tour tickets left for going on the Park Road. My parents had taken this bus many years ago. Let’s just say they have never forgotten the experience. Their bus driver did have to say on the way back, after the turn around at the end of the road, that if anyone saw another deer, to keep their mouths shut. Plenty of deer were out that day. Two tickets were available, one for 8:40 AM and another for 9:40 AM. Two of our group went, and the other four headed to the VC. After obtaining the Passport Book stamps, we took the park shuttle to the Dog Kennel area. I have to make mention that the shuttle, a converted school bus, had exemplary Goodyear tires fitted on the wheels. Please note I retired from The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.

Morning feed time is at 9:30 AM, exactly when the first bus arrives for the 10 AM sled show. The Alaskan Huskies have to work to get their dry food. Pellets are placed in plastic containers which will only dispense the delicacy if the dog pushes, turns, or flips the toy. Good enrichment activity. A couple of rangers gave short presentations about the dogs, and all visitors were allowed to go around and pet any dog which came to the end of its leash or to its cage fence. Some dogs wanted no end to our scratching and patting, while others stayed back after eating. Then the fun began. After the crowd took their seats in the “outdoor theater”, the NPS rangers began selecting the five dogs which would get a chance to run off some energy. When that first dog was released from its pen, the other 30+ canines took to barking a chorus which was probably heard two miles down the road. What a racket. They were having a blast, trying to tell the handlers each of them wanted to get a workout. Well, only five were needed… the lead, two “direction” dogs (they turn the sled), and two high-horsepower dogs in the back. They were hooked up to a rubber-tire sled, then took off like a flash, and before all the cameras could finish clicking, they had made their loop and were standing in front of the audience. A park ranger gave us background on the program, with the dogs being a part of park history for 101 years. Then, each dog was released from its leash and dashed back to its kennel pen, on its own. That is one group of great dogs.

Time to head west on the Park Road. Private vehicles can drive to Mile Marker 15, at Savage River (after that, only the Park buses for the day-long tours can continue west). There were a few parking spots left. We headed down the Savage River Trail and snapped photos. On the way back to the VC, we stopped at the Mountain Vista view area. This used to be a work camp many decades ago, when folks came into the park to make structural improvements for operations. Those five miles of road between the Savage River bridge and Mountain Vista provided wonderful views of the snow-covered mountains, including Denali… but clouds still covered the summit. We kept looking for bears, moose, and caribou throughout the day, but came up empty. That is what happens when dealing with wildlife. They are not as interested in seeing you as you are in seeing them.

I still need to get back to Days 6/7/8, but once again it is late, and tomorrow will come early once again.