Day 74 - Monday July 31/17

(Posted on Friday August 18th at Fort Providence Territorial Campground, Fort Providence, Northwest territories - on the way to Yellowknife)

Another travel day for us today, to make our way to Denali National Park, where we have pre-arranged reservations. (map)

We got up at about 8am and had oatmeal for breakfast. Our oatmeal is a wonder both to behold and to eat - oatmeal cooked from scratch, seasoned with cinnamon, and augmented with a variety of combinations that include chopped apple, strawberries, blueberries or raspberries (depending on what we have on hand), raisins, a mixture of nuts and seeds, and then dressed with milk and pure maple syrup. Yum, yum!! 

On the road at 10:30am under cloudy skies, 17degr C.

When we had the tire replaced on the trailer in Anchorage, the technician noted that one of the wheel bearings had some ‘play’ in it, and suggested that sooner, rather than later, (given the distances we had yet to travel on this trip) we should have the wheel bearings inspected and repacked or replaced as needed. They advised that they did have a branch of “TrailerCraft” in Fairbanks. So, before heading out, we phoned the Fairbanks TrailerCraft and made an appointment to have that work done after we visited Denali National Park. 

MILEPOST noted that there was a viewpoint at a state park at milepost 162.6 for a good first view of Mount Denali - but for us it was a NOT-viewpoint, due to the overcast! We made lunch and took a couple of photos anyway!(photos)

Crossed over the Hurricane Gulch Bridge - 550 foot span, 260 feet above the canyon floor. (photos)

While we were travelling, we got a text advising us that our friend Bill Benn, who had been in hospital in London for several days, had died. We took some time to pause and give thanks for Bill, and hold up Pat and her family members in our prayer intentions, sending them light and love.

We travelled along the eastern edge of Denali National Park for quite a while, arriving at the National Park access road at about 4pm. We had chosen to reserve a site in the Riley Creek Campground near to the highway (rather than the Savage River Campground about 12 miles into the park). Our reservation was secure, but we were taken aback that they simply checked us in and then we had to go off and find whatever site might be available. However, we did so, with success. We chose a nice site on a little hilltop with lots of trees around. We got set up, napped, and then barbecued a pork tenderloin for supper with mashed potatoes, carrots and coleslaw. As we sat to supper, we toasted Bill Benn and shared some memories of him.

After supper we drove out to Savage River - the furthest that private vehicles are allowed to drive - and walked a short mountain vista hiking trail loop. From signboards on the trail we learned about the slow growth of trees, with photos comparing 1938 and today - the trees look virtually the same, 80 years later!

We weren’t sure if we could actually see Denali (all the mountains start to look the same, and any BIG one could be Denali!), but we took some photos anyway! (photos)

On the way we did see a moose right up close and personal, poking its head through the bushes beside the road as it browsed! (photos)

We got back to the campsite at about 10pm, made the coffee to put in the thermos for the morning, set the alarm for 5:30 for our Bus Tour tomorrow, and fell into bed at about 11pm!