and a low day...

Relaxing, scouting, enjoying sunshine.

Tomorrow I will head north, Scott and Bev will head south and Marty and Katherine will probably move in (to the house. They've been staying in their trailer in the lower driveway).

So today I was invited to go with Marty and Scott on a scouting expedition. Scott had previously discovered a scenic drive down a long dirt road and he and Marty wanted to see where it went and if there were any fishing possibilities. Originally the outing was described as walking back and forth across a shallow river for several miles in (grizzly) bear habitat, looking for a place to pull smelly odiforace fish out of the water while having our heads on a swivel to keep a constant eye out for the two known Grizzlies that habitate the area. I decided to go with them to do my own scouting. 

The first two hours of the drive will be duplicated tomorrow morning when I depart for Denali National Park (or the general vacinity anyway). We then turned off of the Parks Highway onto a side road near Trapper Creek. The first eight miles of this road was paved and wound through forested areas, alternating with open wetlands that looked to be perfect moose habitat, although we only saw one.

When the pavement ended we continued for another ten miles or more, climbing, descending, winding ever deeper into unknown areas of central Alaska.

We eventually came to a bridge, the river under which looked to be adequate for fly fishing, but the exploring wasn't done yet, so we continued. Eventually we climbed over a high point on the road, just as the skies began to clear. Directly ahead, partially obscured by lingering clouds, was Denali, the tallest mountain in North America at 20,310 feet.

As we descended to another bridge over the roughest section of an otherwise well maintained road, the sky continued to clear. We got out to walk around and were afforded a view of Denali that very few visitors will ever see. This is partially because of the perspective (most people would never venture down this road through Petersville) but mostly because the mountain is obscured in clouds 70% of the time. (One of the couples I met on the ferry said they had been here three times and have yet to view the mountain).

We walked around a bit then hopped back in Marty's truck and drove back to the first bridge. With the exploration phase of today's adventure complete it was time for some fishing!

Marty and Scott donned their best Cabella-go-to-fishin' gear and I, well, I stayed in the truck and took a nap. I am not a fisherman and I have used a fly rod about twice in my life. Having had my fill of wet feet yesterday I was content to catch up on my much needed beauty rest.

Marty ended up catching about 20 graylings and Scott about two (all catch and release). When they returned to the truck we headed back.

I have reservations at a bungalow for the next two nights so that I can take a wildlife and sightseeing tour of Denali N.P. on Friday. The excitement level should pick up rapidly now that the vacation is over and there's serious touring to do!