AUGUST 9, 2012----DENALI

Today was another travel day.  We only have 111 miles to cover today.  On our way we stopped in Nenana to take a quick walk through their small town.  Each winter they have an ICE POOL.  They have a pool for you to guess the exact time the ice will go out (breakup) on the Tenana River.  The sponsor sets up a tripod on the ice and connects it to a clock on shore.  The person who guesses closest to the exact time and date wins part of the pool as a prize.  The Nenana Ice Pool, which pays out more than $250,000.00 is the state's oldest and most successful. 

TRIPOD THAT IS  PUT ON THE RIVER TO DETERMINE WHEN THE ICE STARTS TO BREAK UP

AUGUST 10, 2012

Today we took a bus trip into Denali National Park.  The bus picked us up at 6 AM and returned to our campground at 8PM.  Very long day.  Saw several animals.  Went to the end of the park to Kantishna Lodge for lunch and then back on the bus for our return trip.

ON OUR RIDE THROUGH DENALI NATIONAL PARK

LARGE CARIBOU IN DENALI 

DALL SHEEP ON MOUNTAINSIDE IN DENALI

BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS IN DENALI NATIONAL PARK

On our way back through Denali we were given sodas and snacks.  Stopped by a few visitor centers and got our stamps for our National Parks Passport Book.  Another wonderful day with our new caravan friends.

AUGUST 11, 2012

Today was our last free day in Denali.  We headed out early and did the tourist thing,,,,visited a few shops and met 2 other couples for lunch.  After lunch, Jesse and I headed back into the park to the visitors center to view a film on Alaska.  Sorry to say I kind of dozed on and off through most of it,,,,Jesse said he stayed awake,,,yeah right.  From what I did see, it was a great film.  Was actually tempted to sit through it again to see the whole thing (ha-ha) but too many other things to do and see.  We then drove out for about 40 miles to see if we could find a better view of Mt. McKinley that wasn't so clouded in.  We have been here for 3 days and have not seen the mountain without clouds covering part of it.  We are very happy that we did the cruise/land tour 10 years ago.  Then we stayed at the base of Mt. McKinley for 3 days and the mountain was totally clear for all three days, so we have awesome pictures of it then.  

We got to attend to Mass tonight in the park.  Very nice service in one of the theaters.  

Well tomorrow we head for Anchorage.  

Can't believe it has been almost 3 months since we left home.  Miss the family and friends a lot but we are having a great time.