This was the day we would go into Denali National Park. We left the lodge in Talkeetna early so that we could arrive at the train station in Denali before the train. No, we weren't going to take the train but that is where we would meet the bus into the park. They came once a day to pick up their guest and timed their trips to coordinate with the train from Fairbanks.
With few exceptions, private cars are not allowed inside the park. There are three types of transportation, all on converted school buses. There are tour buses and shuttle buses operated under contract with the Park Service and there are lodge buses, operated by the three lodges located at the end of the road deep inside the park. We would take one of the lodge buses.
Since it is a seven hour journey there were several stops along the way for restrooms and for the snacks that the driver had along. There were also stops for scenery and wildlife viewing. And there were rules. No one was allowed out of the bus when wildlife was in sight, you could open the window to take pictures but no part of the body was to be outside.
It was another drippy, overcast day. I was confident, though, that the skies would clear before we left.
At the Eielson visitor center we saw this incredible piece of artwork
A four panel fiber art creation that was hand dyed, painted, embroidered and quilted.
I couldn't get it all in one shot. It is magnificent!
The classic shot of Denali (Mt. McKinley) is looking south from wonder lake. The driver stopped so we could get a picture. See it? Neither did we.
We reached our destination, the Kantishna Road House. I couldn't believe that we had been on the bus seven hours. Even with the clouds I found the scenery breathtaking and the trip went fast.
It is 91 miles from the depot to the Roadhouse, all but 15 are dirt road. Passengers on the shuttle buses may get off and go hiking and re-board another bus if there is space. Areas where wolves or bears have been sighted are off limits to hikers.
Find other view of the outdoors at Outdoor Wednesday, hosted by Susan at a Southern Daydreamer.
20 comments:
That 7-hour bus ride sounds like an adventure in itself. I love the looks of that four panel fiber art creation. Have you ever taken a panoramic picture? You may have been able to stitch together several pictures to capture the entire creation.
Lovely pictures and lovely art work.
Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com
I love the intricate detail of the art work, oh those talented quilters.
It looks like you have toured the best part of Alaska.
Wonderful photos from Alaska. The artwork is gorgeous. The wildflowers are pretty. The widlife would be one of my main reason for visiting Denali.
What an incredibly beautiful state Alaska is, looks like you are getting to see some of the best of it. Enjoy!
Oh, I hope you got the see the mountain. I know how elusive it is.
That fabric art is amazing!
That looks like an amazing place-I will have to google it and find out some more about it. Thanks for the virtual tour!
Best wishes,
Natasha.
That four panel fiber artwork is amazing! Sounds like a fabulous tour! I would love to see the widlife.
Thank you for the tour!
~ Tracy
That quilt is superb. Wonder if it was created by an "Artist in Residence" at the Park. Can't wait to see more.
Gorgeous photos! My husband has been to Alaska several times, but I have never been able to work my schedule to go with him. I hope to rectify that soon!
I also can't wait to see more!
The fiber art is awesome! I love the colors in the mountains, the "moving" water and the pebbles, birds and flowers in the foreground.
How wonderful that the powers that be are trying to maintain the wildness of the area - at least I think that's what the rules are for. Humans have already ruined too many other spaces.
How nice you got to see as much as you did! Thanks for taking us along.
oh wow, thanks for sharing your Alaska experience, I am planning to visit this wonderful place next year and right now looking for many tips in the web :)
Beautiful pictures and such inspiration for the beautiful works of art.
Spectacular, Martha, even on a cloudy day! Looks like the flowers were still blooming and the wildlife was posing for you!
Wonderful photo journey.
Oh I bet that was a wonderful journey! I have been wanting to go there forever...one day I'll get up there!Your photos inspire me even more!
Isn't that quilt magnificent? I think I took dozens of pictures of it. Yours are better, but you have a better camera and know how to use it beyond automatic. Did you see other wildlife besides the Dall Sheep? We did the shuttle to Eielson, but did not get off except for the regular stops. We saw grizzlies and moose, eagles... Aren't you glad we did aAlaska last fall? LOL
Beautiful! Amazing. I can well imagine that the 7 hour trip went by quickly with that scenery.
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