Day 16 - Aug 19: Mt. McKinley

A mid a mix of sun and rain, the AC'12 convoy had a rest day. Some took the bus tour up to the Mt. McKinley view point. Mike told me the group saw lots of wildlife.

Mike and Greg had to make a round-trip into Anchorage. Apparently it was sunny in Anchorage, but elsewhere, they encountered lots of rain.

Mt. McKinley, 1981

Be sure to check out the Paper Doll Blog, RV Adventures blog, and the AC'12 facebook page. There is a nice variety of pictures of the roads, wildlife, towns, BBQs, and the Alaska Veterans Memorial posted on them.

For those that might have missed seeing Mt. McKinley, here is a photo I took back in 1981 from the bus view point at Wonder Lake.

- Ellen

Day 15 - Aug 18: Denali at Last!

The views today must have been spectacular (if the weather cooperated)! Travel north on the George Parks Highway brought the convoy to Denali National Park, home of Mt. McKinley. There are many names on this map that are so familiar to me: Susitna, Talkeetna, Willow.

AC'12 Day 15 travel route

I need to add that today the AC'12 Convoy stopped at the Alaska Veterans Memorial. It is located in Denali State Park (which lies adjacent to the National Park and SW of Cantwell). Pictures I have seen of the memorial show that it is pretty awesome.

- Ellen

Deja Vu II - Out and About in Alaska

Mike and I spent 3 1/2 years in Alaska. Some of the sites they will see on the AC'12 we got to visit back then. I was very frugal with my old SLR. What a difference it would have made to have had digital cameras back then!

Top, left:  One of our first outings with the new baby and puppy was to Hatcher Pass. Smokey (the husky-wolf hybrid) met a creek for the first time, fell in, and found out she hated cold, snow-runoff water. After that, she would only wade up to her chest or put her face down in the water. No swimming for her.

Top, right:  This view is of one of the tidal flats of Turn-again arm. It looks very peaceful; however, Turn-again Arm is home of some of the largest bore-tides in the world.

Bottom, left:  A rare view of the top of Mt. McKinley. The mountain lives in a shroud of clouds. We found out that the day we saw this, it was the first or second time they had been able to see the top from the view point that summer.

Bottom, right:  Ellen, Steve, and Mike at the train station at Denali National Park. We took the train up, along with my grandmother Thelma, and my cousin Laura. It was a great way to relax, and enjoy the scenery.

- Ellen