BACK COUNTRY JEEP SAFARI

This was an awesome jeep ride out into the back country.  Shirley and I got to four wheeling through several big mud pits and one section referred to as the bobble head.  We were bouncing from side to side and laughing the whole time.

Base camp, had stew and fried bread

Game called catch to tail.  Went around in a circle until the first jeep caught the last jeep.  A lot of fun

Shirley being silly

Our jeep started out silver and now it's tan

TUNDRA WILDERNESS TOUR

We were able to get on a excursion named the Tundra Wilderness Tour.  It was a six to eight hour tour depending on the number of animal sitings.  The tour took us 53 miles into the park on very narrow gravel roads.  Here are some of the pictures we captured that don't even do it justice.  Enjoy

Caribou up on a ridge

Mt McKinley in the clouds.  We were able to see it around mile 9 of our trip.  We weren't able to see it again because the clouds moved in

More Caribou

Dahl Sheep

Grizzly bear not far from the sheep.

An eagle soaring high, that we were surprised to get

Moose crossing the road in front of the bus

Momma and cub near the Tolkat Turn around

Same ones up on the ridge

This is the visitor's center at the 53 mile mark and our turn around.  Look how large the paw is on Dave's arm.

DENALI OR BUST

We made it, we're here, in the mountains of Alaska.  On our way up we were able to see Mt McKinley but not sure any of the pictures do it justice.  Will get better ones when we're able to go into the Park.  It'll be 14 days tomorrow since we arrived.  Have been working almost constantly.  The Lodge will open for business on Wednesday at noon.  We both been working very hard in getting our areas ready for the guests.  Dave is finally getting merchandise in his gift shop and I participated in a practice buffet breakfast for the Railroad employees that bring guests from the cruise ships.  Please enjoy the pictures.

Not sure but Mt McKinley in the distance

On the bus for 6 hours, final destination Healy, AK

This bus was used in the movie Into the Wild, we had seen the movie earlier in the week

Inside of the bus

New friend Shirley, we met at the Westmark Hotel prior to getting on the bus.

Home away from home

We participated in a service project of picking up trash along side of the road leading to the park.

At the entrance to Denali National Park

Lots of trash along the highway after all the snow melted.

Gentleman is from Germany and he is biking around the world

Us in all our glory

Hostess uniform, black on black on black, but it does make me look skinnier.

Hostess stand at the Sourdough Trading Company.  My post for work.

Restaurant has 37 tables

We are going to have buffets for breakfast and lunch, as well as menu service.

NORTH TO ALASKA

 Well, we finally did it,  got a job in Alaska for the summer.  We have wanted to spend the summer in Alaska since the first year we retired and now after we tried 4 years ago and then again this year, it has finally come true.  We are going to work at the McKinley Chalet Resort, just a mile outside the entrance to Denali National Park.  It has been a busy time getting ready to go with just a two week notice of getting the jobs.  Dave will be the Supervisor in the Gift Shop and I will be a Hostess/Cashier at the Sourdough Trading Company (a diner). 

Our arrival into Anchorage at 1:00 AM.  Sure was a long day.

Walking around Anchorage and caught Dave and his buddy, the Carhartt Moose

Size does matter when it is bigger than Texas.  This was a shirt.

Margie and her Buddy outside a shop

View outside on our balcony at the hotel, we are on the 7th floor.

View to the right.  Snow in the mountains but none in the city.

View to the left, again mountains off in the distance.

Today we went to the Anchorage Museum to educate ourselves.

 

 

 

This display is made from plastics recovered from the ocean

We learned about the 13 Native Corporations that were created and hold all the native land in Alaska.

One of groups of Natives

Some of their artifacts.

Drying Salmon

Not sure if this is a brown bear or a grizzly.

We've had a great weekend in Anchorage adjusting to the 3 hour time difference.  The bus will pick us up at noon on Monday to take us up to Denali.  We are anxious to start to work.