TO DENALI

Alaska - To Denali

Leaving Anchorage in our rental, we headed North on Highway 3, the lone highway that cuts across Alaska to Prudhoe Bay and Redhorse. Highway 1 cut off to the right but we continued on Highway 3 to the cut-off to the Princess Lodge. There was a lot of waiting on the highway for road construction, as only one lane was open for travel in several places. 

   We continued to search the side roads, meadows, ponds and lakes for Moose, Bear or any 4 footed animal we could find. The longer we looked the more we became disappointed that we didn't find any. 

The Princess Lodge is a beautiful resort situated on a hillside with incredible views of Denali. It was cloudy when we arrived. Checking in was very easy. There was no waiting and the lodge was very beautiful.              

   Our room was in Cabin 1 right across the street. The main lodge blocked our view of the snow covered mountains, but the lodge had a great viewing area with tables and chairs and lounge chairs on a huge wooden deck facing Mt McKinley. Today was cloudy and the mountain was covered. Ron and I had decided to take a ski plane ride to the mountain for a glacier landing. We quickly signed up for a 11:00 AM flight for tomorrow morning.

   Debby's uncle, Phil, and Leigh Winn, traveling from Missouri, soon arrived on a tour bus and joined us. It was great to see them and spend some time together. They were staying in Building 25 which was not close to us. We helped get them settled and headed for the main lodge where we relaxed in the lounge chairs. The mountain was cloud covered but lower snow covered mountains were visible. 

    We enjoyed a great meal at one of the casual restaurants, named 20320 Restaurant (named after the elevation of Mt McKinley.  My Blueberry Salmon was delicious.

   We retired for the evening, long before dark. With Alaska getting nearly 20 hours of daylight every day as they approach 22 on the longest day of the year, the nights never truly get dark in June. In contrast, December barely sees 4 hours of daylight. 

   The next morning I found Debby in a chair, with a Starbucks coffee in hand, watching the crystal clear view of Mt McKinley in the early morning sun. It was indeed a gorgeous sight! We took a few dozen photos as we stood on the deck. I tried to get coffee a few times but the line from tour bus tourists delayed my coffee time about an hour. So I took more photos. 

   We left the Princess Lodge about 0830 for the one hour drive to Talkeetna (I love that name) where we will catch our plane to the mountain. Arriving in ample time, we entered a small, run down eatery called the Talkeetna Roadhouse. It was very busy, probably because the food was so good! We were lucky to order takeout and sit at the outside picnic table. My Mushroom and Swiss Quiche was delicious!

It was very interesting to people watch this town.  

   Did I mention I love the name "Talkeetna"? It means, "where rivers come together".

End