6/29/2009 Back to the Park

After Bob took care of some maintenance things this morning we made our way back to the National Park to tour the Visitor Center more thoroughly, watch the movie about the park and take in the Sled Dog Demonstration.

When we arrived we realized we were just in time to make the bus for the Sled Dog Demo so we got in line right away. Because parking is limited in the kennels area it is strongly recommended that one takes the free shuttle from the Visitor Center. Probably 99% do.

Because this is so popular there isn't always enough seating for everyone in the stands. Today was such a day.

Jan, the Ranger was explaining to us how the dogs in the park came to be.

In the early days of the park, skiing, snowshoeing and dog mushing were the only ways to get around the park in the winter. Harry Karstens, the first superintendent of the park and a veteran dog musher, established dog patrols to monitor the park boundaries, discourage poachers and to keep in touch with neighbors in nearby communities.

Today the dogs still help rangers patrol the park. Each winter the Denali dog teams log about 3,000 miles, forging the trails, contacting winter visitors, collecting weather and wildlife data, hauling firewood and supplies to the backcountry. Dog mushing is the mode of transportation of choice because it is silent and non-polluting and fits in with the character of the wilderness of the park. Oh yeah, and you don't have to worry about running out of gas.

These dogs love to run! These dogs LIVE to run! They showed us a demonstration and I was surprised at how the dogs are handled. They are by no means hurting them, let me make that clear now. Here's what it looks like so you can understand what I'm saying.

See in the picture above how the dog's front legs aren't on the ground? They are brought to the sled this way because they are so strong that if they were allowed to walk to the sled on all four the handler wouldn't be able to control them.

These dogs are just chomping at the bit to get going.

And they're off!

In just a short while they race around the course and come to rest in front of the crowd.

Most of these dogs on this team are just a year old.

These dogs are just beautiful and just a picture of health.

I was especially taken with the dog on the left. Aren't these eyes just mesmerizing?

The Sled Dog building is one of the originals built in 1929.

I was going to a run around the grounds as the musher but the dogs just didn't seem to be interested.

It was time to get back on the dreaded school bus and check out the Visitors Center in more depth.

The first thing we did was see the movie, "Denali For All Seasons". While I certainly would not want to be here in the dead of winter when the temps run to fifty below, even at that time of year the park is just beautiful. In spring, with the snow melting off the mountains and rivers running fast, the fields come alive with color of spring wildflowers. The park wildlife numbers increase with the newborn animals in the spring of the year. Summer brings the influx of tourists, hikers, climbers and campers. The park is truly alive. Fall brings the lessening of tourist season crowds and leaves change colors and animals get fat for the winter and once again the snows come and for the most part the park is quiet and the wilderness thrives. And then the cycle starts again. This park is so incredible, it touches your very spirit and soul.

This is one place I could come back to again and again. Put this on YOUR bucket list of places to visit. You won't be sorry.

After the movie we went to the wildlife exhibit downstairs. Here were lifelike animals for an up close and personal look-see.

These aren't your usual stuffed animals. In fact, nothing about them is real. In fact, they are made of plastic. Since this building is not open in the winter time, and therefore not heated, the exhibits had to be made of material that could withstand the extreme cold. Plastic fit the bill.

In September there is going to be a PBS special all about Denali. I think its a six part show. Do yourself a favor and watch it. If Denali isn't on your traveling bucket list now I bet it will be.

We made our way back home for the rest of the day. While watching TV Bob and I felt "something". We looked at each other and both said, "What was that?" We had experienced our first earthquake. Actually, earthquake tremor is probably a better description. The 5th wheel shook a bit, no big deal but definitely noticeable.

Tomorrow we're on the road again. We're heading to Anchorage as a stopover to Seward.