Back on board of our bus with a guest Ruth is the daughter of Joanne Porterfield who's homestead which we are visiting today, she told us of her family's story when Dad & Mum decided to pack up their 4 children and leave their home in South Dakota and head to Alaska where free settlement farms of 260 acres were available. She told us many funny and heart felt moments of this epic journey in the early 1960's. Part of the tale was arriving at the Canadian/Alaskan boarder where they had to part with there animals which they had brought up with them because they hadn't be vet checked back in South Dakota, also about then there trailer (caravan) fell apart and her father had to do a back track and purchase a replacement leaving Mum & 4 kids to cope with winter at the boarder till he returned.

They needed to stake out their claim before the thaw set in, as crossing a frozen river was the only way to get across to their claim, it was a race against time and hilarious tales of their gear being pulled across the river by a dozer and Mum attempting to driving a VW across only to float off down the river.

Today we're are visiting her Mom whom still lives in the original homestead, it is a log cabin which they were required to build within the 1st 12 months of arriving on their settlement claim. When asked if she would do it all again, she said sure would, but I would do it "a lot smarter".

This afternoon we boarded the Alaskan Railway McKinley Express for a 41/2 hr trip through Denali National Park. Along the way again we were treated to stunning scenery and passing by homesteads which can only be accessed by rail the train travels through once a week and if residents want be picked up the stand out by the track and flag down the train, so very isolated by beautiful locations to live.

After being picked up at the station by our bus and giving way to Mummy Moose and her babies at the roundabout we arrived at our accommodation Denali Wilderness Resort. Another super comfortable room within a newly completed accommodation lodge.

This evening we were treated to a dinner & show at the Gold Nugget Saloon set in the 1800's the show was a enactment of the first explores to the summit of Denali, a wonderful talented cast who also doubled as our wait staff for the evening.