Denali

Blog, 

Do I force writing?  No. 

When I have something to say I will.  Till then, a mild account of my comings and goings, just for the record

We set off a day late from anchorage on July 2nd. The mileage has been mild since we have a new tourer on the trip. This is proving to be difficult as Alaska is a rough terrain. 

First night just out side of wassilla, next night talkeetna, then Byers lake, and cantwell on the 5th, Reilly's creek in Denali national park, wonder lake and then Reilly's again tonight, the 8th. The last two days have been rainy and cold, but before this the weather has been amazing. 

We got to see Denali mountain, which apparently is pretty rare. It is three times the size of most of the mountain range that surrounds it. It stands as a giant amongst peaks that still reach 8000 feet. 

It feels magical to see it, but somehow, I feel less than I thought I would. Not less about the mountain really, when it first came into view I was giddy with excitement. But the park itself, it might be the weather. It might be that this park is best enjoyed as a backpacker, and if I really wanted to enjoy it on my bike, I ought to be camping off the beaten path.  Not in standard camp grounds even if they are still remote. 

We took our bikes on the bus to wonder lake, thinking we might ride them back 60miles to the next camp ground. But it started to pour and freeze and with gravel road and over 5000 ft of climbing, we opted just to take the bikes back the next day on the bus. I'm not sad I didn't ride, but i feel a little empty about the experience. 

The bus ride was nice, tho long. 6 hours. I saw 9 bear, a heard of caribou, a moose, a hawk and an owl. Other people seemed to be more entranced than I. It's got to be the weather, if it were sunny and warm I'd be much happier. As Erin says, I'm solar powered. 

So there, I didn't really want to write much cause I knew it'd be kinda downish. But I did it anyway, and y'all will just have to deal. 

I can't wait to start riding hard. Tomorrow to Nennana. 70+. I'm excited to sweat.