2010 - July 12 (Day 27) Spent the day in Denali

We met Jim and Bonnie for breakfast at the restaurant next to the Visitor Center. After breakfast, we went to the Denali Sled Dog Kennel for a presentation and demonstration about the dog sled teams they use during the winter to haul supplies, aid in rescue missions, etc. in the park during the winter when no motorized vehicles are permitted in the park. It was very interesting. We were allowed to pet the dogs who didn't show any signs of excitement until the ranger started his talk. Then they new it was going to be time to run and they all started barking and howling, "Pick me! Pick me!"

After the dog sled demo, we drove into the park about 15 miles which is as far as private vehicles are allowed to go. It was on our way into the park that we took pictures of Denali (Mt. McKinley) which was about 90 miles away! On the return trip, we stopped for a tailgate lunch and were visited by a hungry seagull. We fed him a few tidbits right out of our hands, but don't tell any of the rangers.

When we got back near the campground, we went to the Muire Learning Center and saw documentation on how the park vegetation has changed over the years and learned about the various wolf packs in the park.

Then it was on to the visitor center to see a presentation on Raptors in Denali. I pretty much napped all the way thru it, but the ice cream cone we had afterward was good.

Jim & Bonnie went and picked up some brats from their camper and came by our place where we cooked dinner on the grill and sat around the campfire until about 10:00.

Then I fired up the computer to load the day's pictures and write this note. Had a lot of trouble with the mouse. Had to uninstall the mouse driver so I could at least use the touch pad. It's midnight now and I'm typing this in the camper with no lights on! I'll post it tomorrow. Nighty-night!