July 9, 2010 ~ Friday ~ 1:00pm AT
Soldotna, AK ~ 70.3 degrees
After being in the Denali area for 3 days the skies finally cleared enough so we could take a group picture of us standing in front of Mt. McKinley. It was worth the wait; isn’t she spectacular!! We had just packed up the RV & were proceeding south on Hwy #3 (the Parks Hwy) towards Anchorage when I said “STOP, let’s take a picture”!! We came across the perfect spot with the perfect view of “The High One”. Evidently, a lot of other tourists thought so, too. No sooner had we taken our pix then about 10 other cars, trucks & RV’s stopped to do the same thing. And, as always, we ended up taking group shots for other people as well (part of the tourist photo code). One lady became so emotional over the magnitude of the view that she started crying (tears of joy of course) and we almost started crying. Then we all start chatting & instantly………..you become “family”.
Actually, while visiting Denali Nat’l Park is one of the biggest reasons to come to Alaska in the first place, the chances of seeing the grand peak can be rare (something like 20%). Trust me; I have been looking for her since we crossed the Alaskan border!! We were here 10 years ago, with family & friends, & did she her then but it’s just one of those things you can never get enough of.
FYI ~ Mt. McKinley rises to a whopping 20,320 feet & is the highest mountain in all of North America. Located in Denali National Park & Preserve, she is part of a 6.2 million acre wilderness & preserve. Mt. McKinley was called Denali, The High One, by the native Athabascan people and is part of the 600 mile Alaska Range. And, there’s a fault line involved somewhere so it’s common to feel a little rumble here & there (like we did in Tok, AK recently). Totally impressive & tons of history!! Ok, enough of the educational stuff. We did a limited self-tour of the park on Monday and walked a great trail along a river and, of course, got lots of pix. All but Nicky………….no dogs allowed, park rules.
BTW, Brad & Meredith arrived last Friday night ~ safely, on time & with most of their luggage. Seems Mere “forgot” her toiletry bag. I tried to tell her this is a no make-up zone & you’re lucky to get 1 bath a week (whether you need it or not – ha, ha) but……… we still ended up running to the local store at midnight anyway. We are so glad to have them with us; we have all been giddy with excitement. This is such a great adventure; mosquito’s & all!! We will be covering mostly the Kenai Peninsula during their visit (one of the fishing mecca’s of the world I have heard) because the guys really want to fish plus it’s an area we have never been to. I, personally, have enjoyed the role reversal while riding. Mere & Brad are typically both sitting up front, co-piloting, watching the world go by through a sometimes bug-spattered windshield, studying the maps & campground guides, etc. I still have to “direct” from time to time. If I didn’t, we’d be sleeping at the end of a deserted road, living by campfire & eating PBJ’s. That’s fine………………..for boy scouts.
We are now on the Sterling Highway, almost to Homer, AK (end of the road type thing). The drive here has been both scenic & alluring. The towns/villages along the way have been “primatively modern” (try googling that one), rustic yet picturesque, & the people, whether locals or travelers, super friendly…… except for this one crabby man, 2 days ago in Cooper Landing, that spoke French only (I think he was speaking foreign because he was cussing at his wife because she was giving horrible backing directions). Mere even went to move his picnic table to help out & they didn’t even say thank you. Anyway, he was “infringing” on other campsites & I’m like “he better play by the campground rules” &, lucky for him, he finally pulled his rig on “his” side of the imaginary line. Little rant there………….sorry.
Anyway, the fresh water creeks and lakes are as blue-green as the Caribbean but the water is frigid (just ask Brad, he “fell” in). We have been surrounded by snow-laced mountains since leaving Anchorage. There is just something about the beauty; it casts a spell on you. The guys have been fishing along the way & even took a guided fishing excursion yesterday. Mere went along for the ride (& to help manage all the fish they were supposed to catch). I stayed “home” to do “housey” things & start supper – that’s my excuse anyway.
Gotta go!! We just pulled into Homer (54.8 degrees – bbbrrrr). Now I know why Charlie (we met him in Dawson City, YT) loves it here (only like a 30-40 degree variance year round??). Actually, I think every RV we’ve passed the last 7 weeks is here!! There are sea otters frolicking in the bay (too adorable - I WANT one)!! I feel like we’re in a Gorton’s Seafood commercial with all the fishing boats, piers & wooden buildings. Thankfully, Mere is up front trying to help find a “nice” campground; the guys are trying to find a nice bar. I just want a nice bathhouse because today is MY day to be a princess & take a shower (ha, ha). Oh my gosh!! Our new friends, Merv & Doris, from South Dakota are here!! He got his picture made with Sarah Palin last year & is “buds” with her dad. They are celebrating their 51st anniversary. They took a plane ride over Denali NP (I am SO jealous). I told you; everyone becomes family on the road.
Signing off from the “end of the road”,
xoxoxoxox
Cathy & Gang
P. S. Nicky, well he’s just fine. I’m sure he’ll be updating you soon on Chena & his “new” love interest – oh brother.
Also, pray for Chase. He’s in Spain & has the flu. He’s going to the pharmacy tomorrow for some meds. He’s bummed; says they are in a wonderful area. I’m sure this infringes on his “social” life a little, too. We miss you buddy & wait to see you & Dave in a few weeks.
Leslie, xoxoxox, we miss you. Thanks for house sitting.
I asked Chip to do a blog entry, he said “I don’t do blogs” & I said “Nicky does”…………………..
Sandy, please send some sun & warmth up here!! No humidity, though.
Holland & Mark, safe travels to San Diego. Holland, we are happy for you. Best wishes for much success!!
Nannie, congratulations on the Striper!! Way to show the guys how to fish!! Chip & Brad need some lessons from you; they aren’t doing well up here!! The closest we’ve come to trout or salmon is in a restaurant. They use every rationale possible like timing, weather, too sunny, too rainy, late spawning season, blah, blah, blah. They should just man up.
Daddy, I will try my best to bring you back a moose or bear (may be tiny & stuffed though).
Soldotna, AK ~ 70.3 degrees
After being in the Denali area for 3 days the skies finally cleared enough so we could take a group picture of us standing in front of Mt. McKinley. It was worth the wait; isn’t she spectacular!! We had just packed up the RV & were proceeding south on Hwy #3 (the Parks Hwy) towards Anchorage when I said “STOP, let’s take a picture”!! We came across the perfect spot with the perfect view of “The High One”. Evidently, a lot of other tourists thought so, too. No sooner had we taken our pix then about 10 other cars, trucks & RV’s stopped to do the same thing. And, as always, we ended up taking group shots for other people as well (part of the tourist photo code). One lady became so emotional over the magnitude of the view that she started crying (tears of joy of course) and we almost started crying. Then we all start chatting & instantly………..you become “family”.
Actually, while visiting Denali Nat’l Park is one of the biggest reasons to come to Alaska in the first place, the chances of seeing the grand peak can be rare (something like 20%). Trust me; I have been looking for her since we crossed the Alaskan border!! We were here 10 years ago, with family & friends, & did she her then but it’s just one of those things you can never get enough of.
FYI ~ Mt. McKinley rises to a whopping 20,320 feet & is the highest mountain in all of North America. Located in Denali National Park & Preserve, she is part of a 6.2 million acre wilderness & preserve. Mt. McKinley was called Denali, The High One, by the native Athabascan people and is part of the 600 mile Alaska Range. And, there’s a fault line involved somewhere so it’s common to feel a little rumble here & there (like we did in Tok, AK recently). Totally impressive & tons of history!! Ok, enough of the educational stuff. We did a limited self-tour of the park on Monday and walked a great trail along a river and, of course, got lots of pix. All but Nicky………….no dogs allowed, park rules.
BTW, Brad & Meredith arrived last Friday night ~ safely, on time & with most of their luggage. Seems Mere “forgot” her toiletry bag. I tried to tell her this is a no make-up zone & you’re lucky to get 1 bath a week (whether you need it or not – ha, ha) but……… we still ended up running to the local store at midnight anyway. We are so glad to have them with us; we have all been giddy with excitement. This is such a great adventure; mosquito’s & all!! We will be covering mostly the Kenai Peninsula during their visit (one of the fishing mecca’s of the world I have heard) because the guys really want to fish plus it’s an area we have never been to. I, personally, have enjoyed the role reversal while riding. Mere & Brad are typically both sitting up front, co-piloting, watching the world go by through a sometimes bug-spattered windshield, studying the maps & campground guides, etc. I still have to “direct” from time to time. If I didn’t, we’d be sleeping at the end of a deserted road, living by campfire & eating PBJ’s. That’s fine………………..for boy scouts.
We are now on the Sterling Highway, almost to Homer, AK (end of the road type thing). The drive here has been both scenic & alluring. The towns/villages along the way have been “primatively modern” (try googling that one), rustic yet picturesque, & the people, whether locals or travelers, super friendly…… except for this one crabby man, 2 days ago in Cooper Landing, that spoke French only (I think he was speaking foreign because he was cussing at his wife because she was giving horrible backing directions). Mere even went to move his picnic table to help out & they didn’t even say thank you. Anyway, he was “infringing” on other campsites & I’m like “he better play by the campground rules” &, lucky for him, he finally pulled his rig on “his” side of the imaginary line. Little rant there………….sorry.
Anyway, the fresh water creeks and lakes are as blue-green as the Caribbean but the water is frigid (just ask Brad, he “fell” in). We have been surrounded by snow-laced mountains since leaving Anchorage. There is just something about the beauty; it casts a spell on you. The guys have been fishing along the way & even took a guided fishing excursion yesterday. Mere went along for the ride (& to help manage all the fish they were supposed to catch). I stayed “home” to do “housey” things & start supper – that’s my excuse anyway.
Gotta go!! We just pulled into Homer (54.8 degrees – bbbrrrr). Now I know why Charlie (we met him in Dawson City, YT) loves it here (only like a 30-40 degree variance year round??). Actually, I think every RV we’ve passed the last 7 weeks is here!! There are sea otters frolicking in the bay (too adorable - I WANT one)!! I feel like we’re in a Gorton’s Seafood commercial with all the fishing boats, piers & wooden buildings. Thankfully, Mere is up front trying to help find a “nice” campground; the guys are trying to find a nice bar. I just want a nice bathhouse because today is MY day to be a princess & take a shower (ha, ha). Oh my gosh!! Our new friends, Merv & Doris, from South Dakota are here!! He got his picture made with Sarah Palin last year & is “buds” with her dad. They are celebrating their 51st anniversary. They took a plane ride over Denali NP (I am SO jealous). I told you; everyone becomes family on the road.
Signing off from the “end of the road”,
xoxoxoxox
Cathy & Gang
P. S. Nicky, well he’s just fine. I’m sure he’ll be updating you soon on Chena & his “new” love interest – oh brother.
Also, pray for Chase. He’s in Spain & has the flu. He’s going to the pharmacy tomorrow for some meds. He’s bummed; says they are in a wonderful area. I’m sure this infringes on his “social” life a little, too. We miss you buddy & wait to see you & Dave in a few weeks.
Leslie, xoxoxox, we miss you. Thanks for house sitting.
I asked Chip to do a blog entry, he said “I don’t do blogs” & I said “Nicky does”…………………..
Sandy, please send some sun & warmth up here!! No humidity, though.
Holland & Mark, safe travels to San Diego. Holland, we are happy for you. Best wishes for much success!!
Nannie, congratulations on the Striper!! Way to show the guys how to fish!! Chip & Brad need some lessons from you; they aren’t doing well up here!! The closest we’ve come to trout or salmon is in a restaurant. They use every rationale possible like timing, weather, too sunny, too rainy, late spawning season, blah, blah, blah. They should just man up.
Daddy, I will try my best to bring you back a moose or bear (may be tiny & stuffed though).
I'm trying to keep up with y'all....sending warmth and sunshine your way!!! xoxox Think Vegas baby!!!!!!
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