Tuesday 10 September 2013

To Denali ...... 125 miles from Fairbanks, 234 miles from Anchorage, sitting under Mount  McKinley 20,320 feet. Bear Population: about 500. (this is quoted from the guide book!)


our bus driver from the hotel to the train (Rus was scared, she was so young!) and the train, two storey's high, dining car below, seating above with clear glassed in roof

the oil carriages for the jet fuel they refine in Fairbanks and then send down to Anchorage

the University sitting upon the hill, impressive ..

the University Museum

the train

and heading out over the 'tundra'   only the top 12 inches thaws in Summer of the ground, so you ride on the train slowly, over a floating and undulating track that moves all the time, similar to a boat movement really

 
and more tundra, which is basically all this is, a watery bog really with trees.

the tower used for the ice betting in the thaw, you bet on how much it moves

the only road in and out to Denali 92 miles long, this the road bridge above us and alongside

more tundra

and more

and gosh some more!!!!

the very big scanners for the very big air force base in Alaska, they detect Russian missiles during flight and hopefully before they hit ...... (they where like huge buildings)

and finally heading out of the tundra into the Denali Park


Ferry, the only town (if you could call a dozen residents a town and about half way)

and heading into the park further (reminds me of our Arthurs Pass train trip)

 
Schist cliffs and autumn colours
 
there's the front of the train ahead, average speed 40 miles an hour due to the track! its slow and rocky, its sways back and forth all the time
 

the schist cliffs of the canyon

and more

and the track now cut into the edge of the cliff and apparently the cliff cascades rocks down "all the time"
 
the view of Denali village from the train as we came in to the station
 

our accommodation for the night at Denali, McKinley Chalet Resort, we are on the third floor...

the view from the main lodge bar window and looking at the road in to Denali.... whilst drinking a very nice Riesling ....

the lodge and the hills behind, Mount McKinley is to the left in the clouds, our 'chalet" is down behind the tress to the left


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