Trouble in Paradise

Well, here we go! Get out your park pass to enter beyond this station, and prepare yourself to digest the massive vastness of Denali National Park and Preserve! In our 4 night stay at Teklanika Campground, we managed to snap 1014 pictures, so imagine how difficult it was to choose what few to post.

Our firt glimps of the Alaska Mountain Range. The narrow winding road, without guard rails, is relentless and promises to show no mercy for any misjudgment in driving.

If you can't find 'em....join 'em!

The traveled path is well worn and the landscape swelled into a perfect paradise around each corner!

We shaped our camp in a fashion to accomadate a view of the nearby river with anticipation of witnessing a meandering bear strolling the rock beds. There were signs posted everywhere about bear safety. Wooden shacks the size of small houses provided the safe storage of any, ANY, item that could not be contained inside a "hard sided" vehicle.  Absolutely nothing was to be left alone, even turning your back for just a moment.

     We profited learning as every night the parks management enlightened all their guests with  free, informative programs. One night in particular we had just summed up dinner and acted in greater speed cleaning up to attend one of these fastinating programs, when upon our return our eyes swelled observing a park ranger pilfering around our picnic table. Frightened and shocked we entered our campsite with hearts pounding! What is the matter dear officer?

Well, apparently in our haste, we had neglected to lockup the bottle of wine we had been sharing with our supper and the ranger was collecting hard evidence against us! Holy smokes! We were caught with our hands in the cookie jar, as they say, and we about to be scolded like two little school children for our misgivings. We took the verbal whipping noses down, eyes up in shameful scathing manner.  Our resist to defend our objectionable behavior thankfully landed us with only a written warning.  It is my belief that the wine was not confiscated because we profusely appauded the noble profession of the park services. WHEW!

We later learned that 3 sites away the campers were sited with a $125 fine for unattended food!

Day 3 we climbed aboard a green shuttle park bus west to Eielson Visitor center where Mt McKinley could be seen standing proud in glory. It is hard to resist the the exhilaration felt as we tried to absorb the magnitude of this mighty wonder!

Packs on and boots tight, we treaded  up Mt. Thoroughfare stopping countless times to render graphic images.

.8 miles, 1010 feet elevation gain.... lets just say almost straight up1 The saddle of the mountain doesn't satisfy when the peak is just beyond and to the left.

Nancy stood upon the summit with forcing wind pounding relentlessly!

The awe inspiring beauty of this majestic mountain will enliven my spirit for moons to come.

This is the view from the summit. Yep, that's the road alright and Eielson Visitor Center too!

Time to hop another bus and head back to camp. I hope the driver isn't as tired as we are!

This makes it clear to understand why to never leave anything unattended! Geez, if we had the door open this critter may have well made itself at home!

Four nights later we spring the girls from the kennel...er...uh...I mean spa. Rosie and Tilly accepted their fate willingly whereas Bean was less forgiving.

Wake up Rosie...time to head for Anchorage! YEA!