Denali Park Road Opening
Easter Sunday was my father’s birthday. If he were still on this earth, he’d have turned 75 years old. In my mind’s eye he will never be older than 62 - the age he was when he left us. Some days, I miss him so much that my heart literally hurts. And other days, I think of him and my lips turn up in a smile over a fond memory I have. It is true that the pain of loss lessens as the years pass, but that’s an overall lessening. It doesn’t mean you stop having days when the grief grabs a hold of you and shakes the tears loose. Fortunately, Easter Sunday was a day when my sorrow was just a mild ache; a wistfulness as I drove down the highway with Steve and watched the beautiful countryside pass by outside the window. I so wish I could show my father Alaska.
I’ve been following the road opening updates on the Denali National Park website for several weeks. With anticipation, I followed the progress of the plows and the dozers, as they cleared mile after mile of roadway. Finally, the announcement came on Friday - the road was opening to mile 15: Savage River.
The weatherman was calling for snow showers, which wasn’t something we wanted to hear. Spring has come to the Interior, and the snow is quickly melting away. With average temps in the 30s and 40s, and abundant sunshine, the thought of snow showers depressed me. When I woke up on Sunday morning, the first thing I did was glance out the window. The few puffy clouds that were drifting across the blue sky were uplit with orange, as the sun moved above the horizon. How exciting to see that, and not gray skies and flurries! Steve woke about an hour later and we were packed up and on the Parks Hwy at 9am.
Just south of Fairbanks on the Parks Hwy (mile 344), is a large paved parking area. There you’ll find a monument in honor of George Alexander Parks, former governor of Alaska. There’s also a Blue Star Memorial plaque honoring the armed forces. The Tanana River can be seen below in the valley.
But the best thing about this scenic overlook is that it’s the first place where you can see Denali, if she’s out. Seeing the mountain from this overlook is a pretty good sign that it will be out when you get to the park. We approached the overlook and turned our eyes to the Alaska Range on the horizon. And there was Denali!
Some portions of the park road were ice covered and others were slushy. But for the most part, the road was clear and dry. We drove slowly, allowing others to pass so we could continue to drive slow. I don’t understand why anyone wants to speed in the park. How can they appreciate the grandeur when they’re driving so fast that the landscape is a blur?
There were reports of caribou sightings at mile 6, a lynx sighting at mile 5, and wolves at mile 18. We saw ptarmigan, a couple of moose, and evidence of caribou.
I took several panoramic photographs because there’s really no good way to show the beauty of Denali in one frame.
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The middle photo in the last row is of the Nenana Tripod. Each year, people bet on what time the ice will go out on the river. The tripod has a trip wire leading from it to a clock tower on shore. The moment the tripod shifts, the clock stops. Whoever guesses the exact date and time (down to the minute) wins the pot. Sometimes, many people share in the pot. And other times - like last year - only one person guesses the right date and time. The lone winner last year, won more than $300,000.
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Steve has been busy planning out our summer trips. He loves this time of year and working out itineraries, making reservations for campgrounds, and setting up fishing trips so he can fill our freezer with salmon. In June, we plan to drive the Dalton Hwy (aka the “Haul Rd”) to Deadhorse. While there, we hope to take a tour to the Arctic Ocean, so we can put our feet in the water. How many people get a chance to actually stand in the Arctic Ocean?!
July has us down on the peninsula for camping and fishing, as well as a bear trip to Katmai with Chris and Ken Day of Emerald Air. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that the weather cooperates so we can actually go. We haven’t had the best luck the last few years. We also hope that Mt. Redoubt keeps her cool, so we can actually get to the Kenai Peninsula without any issues.
August, we’re going to deviate from the usual trip to Valdez and explore new territory. This time our travels will take us into Canada to get to Haines AK. It seems a little crazy to have to leave the country to visit another part of the state, but the only way to get to Haines by road, is to go through Canada. We’ll spend a couple of days there, and then take the ferry to Skagway, where we’ll spend several days. Again, we’ll drive through Canada to get back to Alaska. Our return trip will take us through Whitehorse (the start/end of the Yukon Quest), and include visits to the small towns of Chicken and Eagle here in Alaska. All in all, it’s a 1500+ mile trip, and we’ll be doing it in about 8 days. We’ll have some long driving days, but we’re both very excited about seeing more of Alaska. And of course, I look forward to photographing new territory.
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The relationship between Airborne and Sushi continues to grow. It is just so cute to watch Airborne’s fascination with Sushi. I just had to share these three photos:
This is my favorite shot. I put the fishbowl up on the window sill and Airborne jumped up there to watch him swimming around. It looks like they’re about to touch noses here.
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As the weather warms, we’re getting the bug to spring clean the outside of the house. There are cobwebs that need brushing away, the gutters will have to be cleaned, and falling debris from the winter will have to be gathered and cleared.
Last week, we bought a full-glass storm door (with a screen insert) for the front door. I want to be able to open the big door and let some light in, as well as fresh air. After choosing a storm door, I stopped by the paint department and had a quart of deep red paint mixed up. As soon as the weather warms up into the 50s and 60s, I plan to paint the front door. I’ve always loved houses with red front doors, and I think it will look very nice on our house too.
I read somewhere that the front door symbolizes the mouth of the home. It is the entry point in which abundance and opportunities find us. When we paint our doors red or a bright color that stands out, the idea is that positive energy will be drawn to us. I’m not sure if I believe this, but I do love the color red and if having a red door brings positive energy to our home, I’m all for it!
Until next time…
Hey susan,
Well I hope ya’ll have great trips this summer. I hope Robby and I will go somewhere, if we can get away from the farm long enough. LOL I want to go to the beach. I’m a sun bunny!!! I like the Heat!!!
[Reply]
Susan Stevenson Reply:
April 15th, 2009 at 5:33 am
I hope you can get some time away from the farm too. Everybody needs a vacation to rejuvenate the soul. Which beach would you go to? When we lived in NC, we used to drive to Wilmington and Holden Beach in the summertime. We much preferred the mountains though, as it was cooler there. We are NOT fans of heat! That’s why the Southeast wasn’t on our list of places to retire. I know you love it though, so I hope you TAKE the time to get away a couple of times this summer!
[Reply]
Comment by ~~*Kayla Melton*~~ — April 15, 2009 @ 2:38 am
Hi again Susan. My Dad passed away 4 years ago (very suddenly) and he was 75. I know even though it’s been many years for you it’s still something you never quite get over. There will always be that hole in your heart. We are always our Daddy’s little girl aren’t we?!
[Reply]
Susan Stevenson Reply:
April 15th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
I’m sorry for your loss, Susan. I know you understand the pain of losing your daddy.
My father was such an amazing role model, and I am so privileged to have been raised, and loved, by him. I am happy that I had him for 62 years, and wish I still had him. I sometimes hear his voice in my head, and wish he was still only a phone call away so I could hear it for real.
You’re right… we’re always our Daddy’s little girl.
[Reply]
Comment by Another Susan — April 15, 2009 @ 8:36 pm
Wow, year after year, that mountain is just as beautiful as she was the year before! What a fun drive to look forward to each spring!
Airborne is such a beautiful cat! I love how Airborne just watches Sushi…probably thinking, Yummm, supper! LOL! That picture on the sill looking nose to nose is so cute!
WWWWwoooohhhooooo! I’m so excited we get to go on a new trip to Haines and Skagway! (jumping up and down with excitement) How fun this is going to be. What a journey but that part of Alaska looks to be so interesting and I look forward to you taking us along on the trip! Awesome!!!!! Of course the other trips are exciting too…those are always fun and great photographs and I really hope you guys can get to Katmai this year…although those bears and the stories you hear out of there still scare the begeebies out of me!
I LOVE RED TOO! Red is one of my favorite colors and I have always wanted to live in a red house with white trim! LOL! My mother says it comes from my scandinavian roots…:-) I think your house will be very inviting with a red front door! Can’t wait to see it…till next time, have a great weekend!
Lynn
[Reply]
Susan Stevenson Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 9:40 am
We’re both so antsy about getting started on our summer travels. And new territory excites me to no end! I remember our drive up to AK, and how beautiful Canada was. I’m sure we’ll find many beautiful photo ops in our travels.
I love that Airborne and Sushi are buddies. I don’t know if she’s thinking he’d make a good snack or not. Right now she’s laying next to his fishbowl just relaxing. Or maybe guarding. I think she’s adopted him as her own. *grin*
Have a wonderful weekend, Lynn!
[Reply]
Comment by Lynn in MN — April 17, 2009 @ 8:43 am
Sue,
Having known, and grown up, around your Dad - I too smile at the memories. I remember his booming voice, incredible laugh and his near constant goofing on all of us! My daughters wonder why it is that I can whistle using two fingers in my mouth - how many times have I explained that in our neighborhood, each Dad had their own whistle. We all knew who’s was who’s. I had to learn to whistle so I could answer my Dad’s whistle. All of our Dads worked alot, it seemed. But, each made time to occasionally play a baseball or football game ‘up at the factories’. I also remember seeing your Dad, about 10 years after we moved away (at your house in Levittown) and the first thing he said was “Hey, Ankles, good to see ya!” Too funny. My heart is with you, dear friend.
PS. Dont’ forget your passports when you go to Canada!
xoxoxo
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
It’s hard not having my dad here, Mich. I miss my mom too, and the fact that they’re both gone actually brings me a little bit of comfort - knowing they’re together again. We had good dads. They took care of their families by working hard, and tried to take time to play with us too. I loved that.
I still have a hard time whistling… I do better with two fingers, but can’t do it without fingers at all!
We had to renew our passports (did it today) now that they have the new laws about driving through Canada. We were going to just get the passport card, but figured ‘what the heck’. Who’s to say we won’t want to go overseas in the next ten years? At least they’re good for ten years.
Don’t you have a big trip coming up?! I was thinking of you the other day in regards to lenses. I didn’t even think of it, but you can rent lenses. A friend of mine rents big 600mm zoom lenses for wildlife, rather than buying one. I don’t have a clue what the rent is for a couple of weeks, or the details, but it might be worth looking into.
Have a lovely weekend, and give the girls a hug from me.
[Reply]
Comment by Michele Chew — April 17, 2009 @ 1:54 pm
Gorgeous photos Susan! I am itching to get to Denali, and everywhere else in Alaska I can reach!! I love Airborne and Sushi. Such cute animals/fish and names!!
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susanstevenson Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Karla, watch the Denali website for the road opening to mile 30. That’s the furthest you can drive your POV into the park prior to tourism season. Plus, the roads are practically deserted. We love going before the season opens.
By the same token, make the time to actually take the shuttle bus in this summer. While the bus to Wonder Lake is an all-day affair, and usually necessitates an overnight stay in the area, the shuttle to Eielson Visitor Center (about mile 58) is totally incredible and is usually far enough to see bunches of wildlife. Also, this shuttle takes about 8 hours RT, so the entire day isn’t spent on a bus.
If you really want an adventure (and you camp), take the Denali Hwy from Paxson to Cantwell, camp in the Cantwell area, go into Denali the next day, drive back towards Paxson after your shuttle trip, camping on the Denali Hwy, and then home the third morning.
I LOVE Alaska in the summertime!
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Comment by Karla — April 17, 2009 @ 3:58 pm
Hi Susan,
How wonderful that you loved your father so very much and very obviously, he loved you so much. How rich to have had that. There are fathers like mine that didn’t have that kind of love inside of them to love all of their children. I hope you feel so very fortunate that you did have a wonderful father that loved you deeply.
How wonderful ….
Suzanne Allen
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Comment by Suzanne Allen — April 24, 2009 @ 10:25 pm
I loved your pictures of Airborne and Sushi. Your kitty is so cute and the pictures made me smile.
[Reply]
Comment by Suzanne Allen — April 24, 2009 @ 10:28 pm