In the six-million acre wilderness of Denali National Park, there’s just one road. It’s 92 miles long, running parallel to the Alaska Range from the Denali Park Wilderness Access Center to a place I very much want to see some day, called Wonder Lake. During peak visitor season, usually late May through mid-September, cars may drive only … More a walk on the denali park road
I’m sitting in the Seattle airport watching a circus of baggage wagons, maintenance vehicles, and security personnel trying to corral a big black dog that’s running loose on the tarmac. The dog is dodging these golf cart cowboys at a full gallop, and folks are shooting video out the window. This could hardly be further from the quiet place … More color, movement, light
We’re delaying our trip to the cabin for a day because thunderstorms have appeared in tomorrow’s forecast. Thunderstorms and helicopters don’t mix. Also, there would be the matter of lugging 1200 pounds of stuff up to the cabin in a rainstorm. We decided to wait it out here in the comfort of Fairbanks and try again on Thursday. I also … More yielding
I thought about calling this post “without a leg,” because I’ve been feeling that way — nothing solid to stand on — since I got off the ferry three days ago. Friday night was particularly bad. The ground seemed to rise up and drop away with every step, and I had to hold on to … More the last leg
I’m in Anchorage for two nights. After checking in at the Bent Prop Inn & Hostel, I told several people how glad I was to have a bed that isn’t in motion. Even this morning, I can still feel the sway of the boat and the rocking of the train. I’m assuming my brain will catch up with my body … More from whittier to anchorage
We arrived at Yakutat around 6:30 Wednesday morning. Docking the Kennicott was a feat of great precision. It seemed like all of us who were awake were out on the deck, leaning over the starboard railing, wondering how they were going to pull it off. First, a small skiff left the dock and waited for … More yakutat
Fairfax to Fairbanks 