August 8,-August 11, 2010

Fairbanks, Alaska to Denali Park Village, Alaska- 129 miles

65 & Sunny

Days 79 - 82

We headed south today toward Denali National Park.Denali is larger than the state of Massachusetts.Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America, is located here.

As we headed south the terrain became more mountainous. We were 30 miles outside the park and we were amazed that we had views of Mt. McKinley still over 100 miles away.It dwarfed everything else.The mountain appeared as if it were floating on the horizon.We were lucky to have had the view so far out.Mt. McKinley is only visible at all 20% of the time.

As we approached Denali Park Village we had to cross the Nenana River Gorge.The signs on the approach warn of dangerous crosswinds on the bridge.The signs were not kidding!Our RV felt as if it was being pummeled by hurricane force wind gusts as Hugh wrestled the Blue Beast over the bridge.I took solace in the fact that we were not going back the way we came.

The village sat right on the edge of the gorge. The mountains of the Alaska Range surrounded the area.It was a jaw dropping view.The Nenana River is a fast glacial fed river that is a milky blue green in color.

Buildings here were of the log construction.Our RV Park sat directly behind the stores on the only street in town.I mean directly behind.There could not have been 15 feet between our RV and the coffee shop behind us.We could smell the onion rings that they were cooking.They smelled wonderful!The people who worked in Denali Village were already talking about moving on to home, or where ever the next stop for them was.The village would close up by September 17th.After that time there would be no services and no one spends the winter. The temperature can drop to 70 below zero and although the road stays open, travel is difficult.

The walking trails in town along the gorge were breath taking.The bridge had a walkway across the Nenana River rapids.You could watch the river roar underneath.Too scary for me; Hugh was braver.

Denali Park allows car traffic in a very small area.We went as far as we were allowed to travel.It was a beautiful drive.We did not walk off the road area in the park, as dogs are not allowed on the trails.I guess the wild life likes the taste of house pets.We saw moose, caribou, beaver, and sheep.It was humbling to be in an area so wild and vast.

At the end of the day as the wind howled outside, rocking our RV.We talked about how wild Alaska is away from the small settlements that exist.It was beautiful!