Dreams Really Do Come True - Denali Park

Well, we left Seward and our dear friends, Eve and Dan.  John drove and I took pics…. Loads of photos.  I was so busy snapping pics, that I nearly forgot Jeanette’s sweet card. She instructed me with that “don’t argue with me and do as I say” look, saying to open envelope ONLY after we’d left Eve’s.  I looked at her quizzically and agreed.  We were nearly to Turnagin Arm when I remembered her card.  Excitedly, I tore it open and found the sweetest message and a tiny angel.  Jeanette had passed on her special guardian angel to me; she had carried it with her over the Al-Can and during many stressful hours as a nurse.  I’m sure it’s been prayed over, rubbed raw, and been a great comfort over the past years she’s had it.  I’m honored and shocked that she would pass this on to me at this time in my life.   If I could choose a sister, it would be Jeanette!  She has brought such sunshine into my world since we met.  Her smile makes my soul sing; she greeted me nearly daily with a hug and if she didn’t see me first, I went hunting her for my morning hug! Whenever I had a question or need for someone to help Shana and me at PCHS, Jeanette was there! She is THE best nurse I’ve ever worked alongside and I’m privileged to call her my dear friend. 

Now, on to Denali…  with tears in my eyes and joy in my soul, we trekked on Northward, toward Denali.  We had a cabin reserved at Grizzly Bear Resort, thanks to Melissa, our former landlord and good friend.  She had recommended it right off the bat when I asked.  So, without hesitation, I called them and reserved a cabin for Monday and Tuesday nights.  I also booked our park tour through them and was GREATLY surprised to find the tour bus picked us up right at the Grizzle Bear Office.  We awoke Tuesday morning bright & early – at 5 am! WAY too early for this chic, but I had no complaints, for today, a childhood dream of mine was about to come true.  I had dreamed for 40+ years about seeing this park, these mountains, and the creatures that live here. 

We road the bus 92 miles into Denali Park and 92 miles OUT. LOL

This amazing artwork is a QUILT.... YES, a QUILT - actually in 3 pieces.

Most of Alaska is designated as some type of park. 

this pic and the next couple pics are of a "kill site".  A wolf apparently took a caribou down here and a bear took the "kill" away from the wolf.  If you look closely in the center of photo, you can see a darker streak.... it's blood....

The scenery is amazing...  God's Creation is magnificent!

Some roads were a bit high and on the edge....

This is a daddy ptarmigan - a common Alaskan bird.  He is standing in the road until baby birds and mama bird safely cross the road.

Rest stop, partway through the ride.

Those 3 tiny white specks are sheep up on the mountainside.

A small herd of beautiful caribou

3D model of the mountain range at the Eielson Visitor Center about halfway through the 92 mile ride.

I was giddy with excitement and even awoke easily and hopped up and readied our pack and coffee for our bus pickup.  Our bus driver and tour guide was Linda from Back Country Lodge, and let me tell you – she was totally amazing!  She has lived in Healy, Alaska for 30+ years and was able to not only tell us loads about the park and animals, but was quite the expert in local history and area trivia.  She chatted with all 40 of us like we were all part of her family; she answered questions and told stories for the entire 92 mile trip to the end of the trail road and then all the way back.  As we bumped and bobbled along in the tour bus, she relayed the history of the Park and the legislation and efforts surrounding its development & expansions.  All the time she talked, she scanned the landscape for critters.  No sooner than we got going good, we ran upon a couple of moose.  Linda immediately stopped the bus and gave us instructions about how to relay our critter finds.  While we took photos of the moose, she said for us to let her know immediately if we spotted animals along the way; first, we were to yell, “stop!” and then we were to specify location by stating time as on a clock face, with front of bus being 12:00 and the back being 6:00.  Then, we were to announce what type of animal we thought we could see.  This system worked really well and we all got into helping each other spot our finds. 

These pics were taken at the end of the 92 mile ride.... it's a small business that previously was a homestead - now converted into a camp/cabin/hotel type property.  We enjoyed walking around and listening to the water rush through the creek.

We loved playing on the swinging bridge.

Finally got a fair photo of a moose..... 

We saw lots of caribou.

This ride into Denali Park was an amazing trip.  We really enjoyed visiting with our driver/tour guide and fellow passengers.  We mostly enjoyed God's lovely Creation.  It was a dream come true for me..... I remember reading about Denali and Alaska when I was young and dreamed of seeing it....  I still pinch myself on occasion because my blessed life seems so surreal.... thanks for reading...