Denali... Part Two

Morgan at the Denali National Park Entrance

 The morning we left Tek, the fellow in our neighboring campsite ran his generator for two full hours.  It was intolerable.  We decided to have breakfast at a pullout up the road rather than listen to his generator grind away.

We found a campsite at Savage River then drove back towards the entrance for the sled dog demonstration.  What fun!  The rangers clipped five dogs into their harnesses.  The dogs pulled at their stations, barking, tails wagging… they were ready to go.  When the signal came, they dashed off around the track.  It seemed that the slight girl on the “sled” behind them was hanging on for dear life.  In seconds, their run was over. 

Sled dogs hooked up and ready to go 

Happy dogs!

The rangers told us about the dogs and how they hauled building materials, equipment, and scientists conducting various experiments around the park during the winter.  After the demonstration was over, we strolled among the dogs.  Many were available and ready for pets.  Morgan found a favorite or two...

Before we left, a red squirrel scampered up a tree near several of the doghouses.  What an uproar ensued when the dogs caught wind of him!  

While heading to the showers the next morning, we spied a moose cow and her twin calves not far from the sled dog area.  The rangers had told us that the moose like to raise their calves close to the dogs because bears find the dog numbers too formidable.  

On our way back to camp, we stopped again to pet the dogs.  We had found them to be irresistible.

We left Denali the following morning… right after Morgan was inducted into the Junior Rangers.  She had completed an activity book, took the oath, and received her badge… a special one commemorating Denali’s centennial celebration.

Morgan becomes a Junior Ranger

Clouds had gathered around Denali the night before, so we had no chance of a parting shot of us and the mountain.  Instead, we bid adieu to Denali and traveled down Highway 8 to one of our favorite boondock sites (we affectionately call it Blueberry Hill).  While the blueberries were far from ripe, we enjoyed our time in this remote and quiet area.  Tomorrow, we head back to the Nebesna Road.