Alaska - Denali Grand Finale

Land Ho.  Monday September 12.  Okay, I admit I do take some dramamine because we are going  to be on a bus all day. You never know - better safe thank sorry.  Ray did check around midnight for the Northern Lights. Alas, too much cloud cover. We never did see them.

2 pm tour bus for the Tundra Wilderness Tour.  Book this now........wow, what a splendid day.

Justin, our tour guide, was studying for his masters in biology. He's been studying wolves. His gig as a Denali bus driver is a bonus for us - the man knows his park, the animals, and he sought to give us the best experience possible.

The National Park system of the USA is a treasure and funds should not be cut. That's my political statement of the day. In Denali they maintain a natural eco-system.  No interference. What lives. What dies. That's how it goes. No hunting or thinning of herds. It's maintained naturally.  Regulated buses run during the day. The park shuts at night. Only a certain amount of certified photographers are allowed in per day. It is controlled  for a good reason - try to NOT interfere with  mother nature. I was very impressed.

Denali is the size  of Massachusetts. Again the scale  is mammoth  and it's reassuring to know there is so much wild still not developed. Trust me - go see and you'll be glad.

Caribou had migrated already. We could see the tracks. One lumbering grizzly  sought berries. His huge  paws  dug furiously and found a yield. Justin stopped the bus and we watched him. He dug, strolled, walked in front  of our bus, and proceeded to continue his  search for food. The whole bus stayed quiet as we snapped pictures.  He was SO big and just freaking amazing.

Altogether, in  our seven hour day (which flew by), we saw  eight grizzly, eight moose (they are humongous), grouse,squirrels, bear cubs, an  eagle,and a rainbow. 

Wow

Book this trip now