Day 9 - Denali to Fairbanks

We are overnighting at Grand Denali Lodge. It is a beautiful lodge perched high on a hill accessed by a serpentine road.

The lodge's deck overlooks the park and "metropolitan" Denali.

The small seasonal village that has sprung up to tourism in the park. We discover that some cruise lines, such as Princess, Australia's favorite COVID-delivering cruise line, have their own hotels down in the village.

In the morning we tour Denali National Park. It is overcast, cloudy, foggy, and with intermittent rain. Apparently yesterday's spectacular weather was a gift and this is a more typical Denali day.

We are on an official park bus such as this.

After a stop at the visitor center to view a brief movie, the next stop is at Savage Cabin.

What is this you ask? This is a U.S. Government record book. CJ was introduced to them in 1972! The Government is still using the same record book. CJ also has the longer version of the Government issued Masterlock to the left of the book.

This is our guide (and bus park bus driver) attempting to hoist moose antlers above his head.

The nails sticking out are to protect against unwanted animal intruders, particularly bears.

It's a MACHINA! When we were climbing into the 'it never rains in Mendoza' Andes and it rained overnight washing out the road, our driver had to call for a road grader to make a road into our position. 

This grader is resurfacing the gravel Denali park road. It is the only real road in Denali.

The driver spots these big horn sheep high on the mountain. Even 'big eyes', CJ's Nikon couldn't get a good picture.

We pass several willow ptarmigan, the Alaska state bird.

The skies clear a bit on the return trip.

Francesca decides on a group picture at the sign marking the park entrance.

Following lunch, we reboard the bus for the ride from Denali to Fairbanks.  Mountains give way to grassy plains.

It is road construction season. Why they are building a new road to straighten out a reasonably straight road, we have no idea.

For the next two evenings, we stay at Pike's Waterfront Lodge. Francesca calls it quirky and that it is.

They have pots of decorative cabbage.

CJ spends a few minutes belting out the opening bars of Bohemian Rhapsody on this outdoor zylophone.

Pike's is located on the banks of the Chena river directly across the street from the Fairbanks Airport. Some of our mob Uber into town to find restaurants. We take the easy way out and dine at the Country and Western sports bar and restaurant next door.

There is a drink on the menu with the small $12 and large $15. When the vodka and berry (it's loaded with berries of all kinds) drink arrives it embarrasses us.

How big is it?

The crab bisque and the garlic shrimp are very good. They are a bit too spicy for Carol.

The river freezes in winter and is host to outdoor activities. There is a snowmobile ice bridge which doubles as a canoe boat ramp at this time of year.

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Day 8 Part 2 - Alaska Rail VIP car Talkeetna to Denali

CJ asks the shuttle driver to drop us at the train station. As he's dropping us off, we receive a call from Francesca, our tour guide. It was her suggestion also.

Here is our attempt to get into the Rockford Winery newsletter.

Francesca announces we've been assigned to the caboose. There are regular rail cars and observation cars on this long train. There are three types of observation cars. The two at the rear of the train are the best. The caboose is the best of the best. 

This is a beautiful ride. The second floor is for observation. The bar is also up here.

Our group is seated together although we share the carriage with others. We have the rear half of the carriage.

The dining area, rest rooms, and the outdoor observation deck are on the first floor.

We are called to lunch.

Bowl of bison chilli.

That last color decorated in a different color scheme was our 'caboose'.

We are staying at the Grand Denali Lodge. It is perched high on a hill overlooking the National Park.

A light dinner at the bar includes padron peppers.