6/8 - fun in Denali

We had to be up bright and early today.  Our ATV ride reservations were for 9am & they wanted us there a bit early.  It was just a short walk, so easy to get there.  We both passed our "driving test" and the tour was on.

The guy on the left was a photographer from some non-profit.  He took good pictures, but he was a lousy salesman.  At the end of the ride, they had us loaded on the bus to leave (there were only 3 groups; two couples and one family of 4, two Piper & Addisyn sized kids).  He passes out the prints in folders, just 4x6 or 5x7 size photos.  I saw it so quick that I don't remember.  He wanted $20 for the first picture & $10 for the 2nd.  I told him it was to much & I'd give him $20 for the two.  The other couple said the same thing.  They guy didn't really answer; he just collected all the pictures and left the bus.  Seemed to me, if it was what he said it was (to get money to feed the poor), getting $40 would have been better than $0.  His costs (time & material) were already incurred. 

The area we rode in was around Otto Lake.  In the background of this picture is a coal mine.  Since this commercial operation was privately owned and operating when the national park was enlarged (about tripled in size) chunk of land was left out of the park.  They don't allow ATV riding in the park.  This area is bordered on three sides by Denali National Park & Preserve.

 As you can see, we chose to wear our own helmets.  We also wore rubber boots and rain pants, so the puddles were not going to interrupt our comfort.  This was our guide.  He lives in Chino Hills, CA and goes up in the summer to work (this is his 3rd year).  This seems to be very common up here.   The girl in the ATV office is up for her first year.  She and a friend have a cabin provided by the ATV company.  Talked to a lady (in my age group) working the Wilderness Access Center gift shop.  She lives in South Carolina.   She works for the park service & they provide housing and food for $15/day.  Not all the housing has running water...no thank you.

They made these pretty easy to ride.  No shifting.  They leave them in 4WD and in gear all the time. 

We saw a couple moose from up here, but I couldn't get a clear shot of them through the brush.

David's self portrait.

 David and I switched places for the last leg.  David was taking pictures while riding.  I couldn't do that, especially when it was raining.  I didn't think my camera would enjoy the environment.

Think we should have taken the helmets off?  Nah, besides it started sprinkling again.

This is normally a dry river bed.

Brushing off mosquitoes.

These racks were real handy.

How many times do you get to stand in a riverbed in Alaska?

The water was crystal clear.

We dumped the boots before heading out to the park.  We could have used them on our hike.  Parts of the trail were pretty wet.  But first the dog demonstration.

We attended two of these yesterday and each one of the presenters does a better job than the last.

This one had the added advantage that the moose was clear & they were able to run the dogs.  We learned when they move the dogs, the generally lift up from the neck to keep their two front paws off the ground.  When the dogs are excited, they want to pull and run and could easily overpower the handlers.   They assured us it didn't hurt the dogs and was safer for the people.

All the dogs in the kennel get excited when one is taken out.  They all want out to run with the team.  Here they take off.

And come back in (just ran one loop).

They don't seem as excited for the "new musher".

 This is the end of where you can drive your private vehicle.  The pavement ends shortly after the guard shack.  We'll be exploring there tomorrow.

Yes there are animals in Denali... This one is a Mew Gull.

and water, and rocks, and even still snow.

 Think he is standing by with the camera to see if he could score and America's Funniest Video ?  We definitely did not have the right shoes on for this trail.

More wildlife.

Mountain Avens.  These may spend several years developing their first blossom.

 The next two pictures are of Double Mountain > Sable Mountain.

If Denali was visible, it would be seen from here, right between the center trees.

 After our hike, we headed back to the WAC (Wilderness Access Center) for Mass.  They were holding it in the theater. 

Water & wine in plastic bottles and the hosts in a plastic storage container.  Not what we are used to seeing on the altar.  The priest did was an excellent speaker and kept everyone on target by giving out page numbers in the missalette.  After Mass, David asked the priest if he could take a picture of the sermon.  Father originally said yes, then gave David his copy of the sermon notes.

We got back to see a new neighbor had moved in.  Glad David already put the tandem away.  We don't look out the windows on that side, so it doesn't impact us much except for being a shock when we go out the door.  At least the driver's side, where we do look out is open.  There are two spots there between us and the office, and they are empty.  It started raining again while we were at Mass and I hadn't put our helmets in bags.  We thought of trying to wait it out, but were concerned the insides of the helmet would get uncomfortably wet.  We only had to ride about 2.5 miles, so off we went in the wet.  So nice to come in and find dinner (in the crock pot) all cooked.

 

We are taking the bus into mile 66 tomorrow.  You can take bikes on these buses, but they can't accommodate tandems.  I'm wearing boots tomorrow though.   To much water and mud for my tennies.