June 7 - in Denali National Park

We did a  20 mile bicycle ride in the park today.  It was not flat.  The coming back was nice (*smile*).  I'd seen some pictures of people bicycle riding in the park and it sounded idea.  It wasn't.  They don't allow you on the trails, except for one near the entrance.  It is not bicycle friendly at all.  The first bus that went by us on the narrow road didn't move over, and I was concerned.  We were off the pavement on gravel & there was no place else to go.  Fortunately the rest of the drivers we had pass us were more courteous.

 They use sled dogs during the winter and have demonstrations of the dogs three times a day.  We got there a little early and it was nice to see the dogs before the buses arrived (and the people swarmed).

This dog had just given an enthusiastic greeting & knocked her earring out.

These two were available for people to pet, but when the crowd was to dense; they went in their dog houses.

 We actually hit two shows.  At the 2pm one, a mother moose with two babies had decided to rest on the path they use for the dogs to pull the sled (one modified with a couple wheels).  So we rode further into the park and came back for 4pm.  Still couldn't use their "track".

They wouldn't let us get close, so hard to get pictures of the mother.

The most we saw of the babies was their ears.  Their bodies was obscured by the heavy vegetation.

Yes, that is snow along side the road. 

We had a nice day to ride.  No rain so far today, just some gusty winds.  When the sun was not blocked by clouds, it was very comfortable out.

The dog "demonstration" at 2pm was very different than the 4pm one.  This gal actually put the dog in the harness (the historical leather one).  Earlier, they just showed the newer style, with man-made materials.  The building in the background is the only original structure in the park that is still being used for the purpose it was built.

All these pictures were taken in Denali Park.  We have not decided if we are going to go on the bus tour in the park or not.  I guess we were spoiled by how the steamboat tour was handled in Fairbanks.  That was a private company intent on making it a good experience for the guests.  They didn't make you feel like you were cattle going to market.  I can't say the same for the National Parks Service.

I can't imagine coming here in peak season.  It feels so crowded now.  Everything seems geared to just getting you on a bus.  Tours are not full though, so that gives us some flexibility.  We are doing our ATV ride in the morning.  Thought about going on the midnight one tonight, but we decided we would rather have bright than dim.  It is supposed to be wet depending on how energetically we take the water crossings.  I am looking forward to it.

Our RV neighbors moved, so we were able to get the motorcycle down.  We couldn't get a straight answer about how the shuttles work, so we'll just ride the motorcycle tomorrow to get to the end of the paved road and to the Mass tomorrow evening.  It is beautiful out, I hope it holds another couple of days.

Happy traveling.