Journey with the Weigles: The High One

Denali
named by the Alaskan Natives meaning

"High one or Great one"

Can you believe I took this picture? Wow what a perfect day we had for this experience. For perspective, the mountains in front are in the 3 to 6,000 ft range. Denali, on the other hand is 20,320 feet, the highest peak in North America. We learned the weather on the mountain is more severe than anywhere else in the world, with lows reaching −100F (the coldest recorded). I don't care what anyone says, that is damn cold. Here is a link to the fascinating time line/climbing history of the Mountain click here

This beautiful snowy mass dominates the horizon and can be seen from 150 to 200 miles away to the south and north. There are so many spots along the way to see it and each area offering a different magnificent view.

A little history on the name:

Controversy over the mountain's name has gone on for more than twenty-five years we have learned. Apparently it received the name Mount McKinley by a reporter for a New York newspaper, who came to Alaska in the 1800s to report on the gold rush. He got into an argument with a prospector about the gold standard so when he returned to New York he wrote about the mountain, calling it "Mount McKinley" in support of the than presidential candidate, William McKinley, who favored the gold standard as did the reporter. Apparently a large number of people read the article and the name stuck. Interesting stuff huh? Named as sort of a revenge act. Our tour guide told us, President McKinley never traveled to Alaska and is not known to have had any interest in the mountain. The name Mt McKinley is pretty much only used by those outside Alaska. The state officially changed the name to Denali in 1975 but the US congress has yet to change it. Seems congressmen in Ohio, President McKinley's home state, continue to block efforts to this day.

And so it goes- you choose for yourself, McKinley or Denali?

Now our experience:

As you can see by the above photo. We had a most excellent weather day. Not a cloud in the sky. Guide told us the last cloudless day was in May. When this adventure started we had nothing but rain, cold and just miserable weather, but the last several weeks have been marvelous.

Our drive from Fairbanks was uneventful other than the 18 miles of construction.

Once the road work was done we got to enjoy the new road for about 15 miles or so. Even had the new yellow flip flop lane dividers.

We did have a great meal in Nenana (Athabascan word meaning "good place to camp between the rivers") The Tanana and Nenana Rivers meet at the town.

And an extremely fast informational talk with the gal manning the visitors center. She does like her job. Gave us so many tips as well as mile marker locations. What a gal. She and her husband have a small farm in Michigan, she said they go back every spring and fall for planting and harvesting and the rest of the time they are in Alaska. She also said they came up in 1978 for two years. She is still trying to figure out "what 2 years". Funny gal.

Spent a little time touring the, umm, quaint town of Nenana.

The biggest thing seems to be the annual "Ice Classic" which is a bet on when the ice breaks up. The competition started in 1917 when railroad workers bet a total of $800, winner takes all, guessing the exact time (month, day, hour, minute) ice on the Tanana River would break up. Each year since, Alaska residents have been guessing/betting on the breakup timing.

A tripod,(the one pictured is from the 1973 classic) is connected to a clock with a string when the river freezes. In the spring, the clock automatically stops when the tripod moves as the ice breaks up. The cash payout in 2010 was $279,030. Interesting info and photos on the website. Check it out. Can't buy tickets til February though.

http://www.nenanaakiceclassic.com/

Nenana is mostly a tourist town with unique shops. Did purchase a few trinkets at the train depot (President Harding drove the golden spike at this station in 1923 celebrating the completion of the railroad, but died on his return trip from eating too much buttered king crab - or so the reports go).

Now we head south to Denali and the landscape changes.

After checking into the campground in Healy, about 5 miles outside of town, we are advised to get tickets for the National Park bus tour.

We had planned to go the next day, Thursday, but when we got there we saw a weather posting at the ticket center which reported Friday might be a better viewing day. So we purchased tickets for Friday and boy are we glad. Thursday was a nice day with a few clouds but Friday was cloudless.

We toured the Alaska Railroad train depot

and the Park visitors center.

Notice the solar panels on the wall to the left. This National Park is very environmental conscientious and energy efficient.

Wouldn't ya know, Carl, had to check out the huge trusses. We watched a movie on the seasons, development and history of the park which gave us a feel for what we would see on our bus tour.

The visitors center, of course, was full of information and I found this most interesting.

We went into the little seasonal tourist town just outside the park for lunch ( Salmon Bake restaurant) and a little, just a little, shopping.

I have acquired a taste for Halibut, so ordered the Halibut Taco, Yummy. Carl ordered a cobb salad. Man what a large great salad

Of course, some Alaskan Amber which we both found we like.

Our waiter was most interesting telling us the history of this greatly slanted restaurant (we almost had to hang onto our seats to keep from falling off) and a little about his history and how he ended up here for the summer. Nice kid who just had to bring the dessert tray around, and we just had to order some "to go" as we were both too stuffed to eat it now.

Several rafting tour companies in the area but with the cold cloudy waters we decided it was not for us.

Leaving the park we saw these folks having a bit of tire problems. How cool to be touring the park in an old car like this though.

Arrived Friday morning for our bus tour (with our lunch and drinks packed as it is an 8+/- hour drive). Fun informative driver, Annette, who has been doing this for many years and knows how to