Here we are in Denali. Notice the jackets, sweatshirts, caps but most important, notice the beautiful scenery. The valley below is called a twisted river or pretzel river; the shape and direction changes seasonally based on the run off from the mountains. The snow on the mountain was a result of the first snow of the season and we got to be there for it. Actually we started the drive into the back country of Denali, got 3 hours in, snow started, the mountain pass froze and we had to turn around and go back 3 hours. And then, once we got back, the sun came out, the ice melted and we got back onto the bus and drove the entire 6 hour drive. So we made 3 trips into Denali, two half way and two the entire way. Saw Denali in the snow and in the sunshine. We spent one night in the cabins in the back country, right on the river. Then the next day we returned with another 6 hour drive out of Denali. We saw everything.........caribou, bear, wolves (4 of them playing on the side of the road), moose (cow foraging for food in the bottom of a lake by dunking her head all the way in and coming out with a mouthful of green stuff). And because it was sunny on our second trip in we were able to see the north peak of Mt. McKinley. So the Denali trip was quite successful and exciting.
Caribou in Denali.
Our ship was able to get up very close to the glaciers. I never realized that the glaciers had a blue color due to the compression of the ice. We actually did see this glacier calve several times. The breaking of the ice sounded like gun shots.
This brown bear just crossed the road in front of us. I think he looked back at the bus we were in to say, "You just try and continue on the this road while I am crossing it." He looked at us for a few minutes and then just went on his way.
Fluke of humpback whale.
Orcas.
Love to all of you.
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