John’s Alaska Adventure Continues

John had an excellent cloud-free view of Denali from the road on Sunday morning. It’s rare to see the mountain, because it’s usually covered in clouds. It’s also blocked from view from the main park, so many tourists never get to see it at all.

He felt quite lucky, as he continues to adjust his itinerary to be one day ahead of the coming rain. He had left the coastline just as the rain came, and the rain is expected inland soon.

Sunday morning John arrived early at the Denali visitor’s center and managed to snag the very last slot for Monday’s guided hike. This hike can only be signed up for in person, the day prior. The guide is a ranger, and it’s a rough hike, including off-trail and through streams. He was very excited to get the last opening available for this adventurous tour.

Then he went on a sightseeing tour of Denali from a small airplane.

Now that is an amazing photo!

After the plane ride was over he wrote, “I’m back from my Denali flight. The scenery was great, but it was oh so turbulent as the pilot banked…tight banking left and right…over the mountains.”

Of course I was like, OMG! And he replied, “Yes, we all held our cookies, but most commented that they were glad we were done. My next activity is to take the Denali bus to see what can be seen from the road.”

Even the bus sounds like too much for me. This is why he sometimes goes on trips without me. It’s better that way!

Here’s what he said about his bus tour, “The bus tour was good because we saw a grizzly bear, a couple of caribou (which I’ve not seen before), and some Dall Sheep.”

I won’t have pictures of the wildlife until he returns. The pictures I’ve been posting here so far are just snapshots from his phone that he has texted to me. The good pictures will be available after he gets home, from his main camera with zoom lenses.

Since I’ve been curious about his lodging, he sent this photo of his campsite Sunday night.

He says, “Here’s my campsite in Denali tonight. Everything in this photo, tent, chair, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, camp stove, cooking supplies, etc. is cheaper than one night hotel almost anywhere in Alaska. It’s shocking how cheap camping gear is relatively to almost all other travel expenses.”

He bought all that camping gear after arriving in Alaska. The campsite actually looks nice. I don’t mind camping. It’s just the cold and approaching rain that could become less than luxurious.

But hopefully the rain will hold off for his big, ranger-led hiking tour today. We are looking forward to hearing how that goes!

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