June 14, 2015

We start the day at 6:30 am having breakfast and packing up the camping equipment.  We had camped along the Little Tonsina River which turned out to be a parking spot for those heading off on their 4-wheelers.

Although we went to bed about 9 pm the sun was still 'up' and so were the Alaskans.  Our sleep was interupted frequently by Alaskans out playing.  Since the summer days are long and bright compared to the dark long winters, they tend to take advantage of every  moment of light they can.  Which, here in the Land of the Midnight Sun, is 24 hours a day in the summer.  And being a weekend night, play time is around the clock.

We headed north to Glennallen which was only about 50 miles away.  We did find a great deal on gas.  The sign read $1.49 per gallon so I pulled in.  Nothing to buy here as the place closed down years ago but Ieft with a few pictures.  For those of you into wood working you might know the term burl wood.  Its basically a large sore on a tree that, as the tree grows, becomes well pronounced.  These burls can can be turned into beautiful pieces wood project by craftsman.

Back in Glennallen we stopped in at the Caribou Gift shop and found it to be well stocked and reasonably priced.  The Hotel looked very nice as well, though we did not stay there. (http://www.caribouhotel.com/giftshop.htm)  We found a laundry and did our 4 days worth of clothes. While waiting for the clothes washer we met a retired couple from Colorado.  Turns out they are doing almost the same route we are just in the reverse order.  In talking we them we found out that we have something else in common.  They are also believers.  We had a great time with them.

In researching for our trip, I had read numerous reviews about The Thai Tok Food Truck. Yes, traditional Thai food in the last place you would expect to find it.  Between the reviews and the many stopping to get take out and  so wanted to try it.  Fantastic food.

Back on the Richardson Highway eading north.  One thing you notice quickly here is that the terrain and vegitation changes in only a mater of miles.  You can go from forested land, to alpine tundra with no trees and over 4000' passes in not so many miles.  It is fascinating to watch.

We stared out the morning at mile post 74 on the Richardson Hwy and went north of Paxson to mile post 215 were we turned around.  At about mile 150 you crest a rise in the road where it is possible to see three moutain ranges in a 360 degree view.  They are the Alaska Range to the north;  The Wrangle Moutains to the south east;  And the Chugach Mountains to the south and west.  As we keep saying, it is difficult to capture the awesomness in pictures.

North of Paxson we traveled through Isabel Pass and again were able to see the pipe line.  Through out our travels along the Richardson Hwy we have followed the Alaska Pipeline.  We marvel constantly at the engineering involved as it makes its way up and over mountain passes, through the low lands, and under and over rivers.  (http://www.explorefairbanks.com/go/energy/trans-alaska-pipeline/27)

We traveled as far North as Miller River, mile 215, where we saw two things.  

First, to our east we marveled at Rainbow Ridge.  The mountains and ridges were named for &their varicolored talus slopes&.  The reds and greens are volcanic rock.  The yellows and pastels are siltstone and sandstone.

Secondly, the river banks along the Miller Riiver were covered in wild flowers.  We have enjoys the wildlflowers here and this alone was a spectacular sight.  We wished we could have bottled the scent!

Having turned around we traveled back 30 miles to the Denali Hwy.  Don't let the word 'highway' fool you.  Everything here is named highway.  The Denali Hwy is 135 miles of gravel road.  We couldn't wait as this was intended to be one of the highlights of the trip.  Compared to the other roads in Alaska this one is not as well used.  

For many years this was only route to get to Denali National Park but that changed in 1971 when the Parks Hwy was built from Palmer north to Denali National  Park.  This 'new' road meant that the vast majority of the traffic to Denali National Park did not need to use the Denali Highway. (http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/recreation/denali_highway.html)

We traveled the first 30 miles before making camp for the night.  There are many spots along the road to just pull off and camp.  We choice a bluff over looking a valley with many ponds and the Amphitheater Mountains directly in front of us.  Now, the whole reason for taking the Denali Hwy was to see wildlife, the many wildflowers, the terrain, and to be remote.  Basically as few people as possible.  While setting up camp Esther was using the binoculars and soon spotted a female moose and her twin calves.  Since they didn't have any names I decided to name them Robert and Rodney.  Unfortunately they were too far away for a photo.  We also saw trumpeter swans and loons.

Although the sun was still up went to bed at 10 pm.  Up again at midnight to get a photo of the sun just below the horizon to the north.  Yes, north.  In June here the sun sort of makes a circle around you.  

10 PM

12 PM