Clear and Chilly

We awoke this morning to a beautiful clear day. Being very clear and being at Denali in May, it was also very chilly. In fact the water had frozen over night, so there was no water in the cabin. At 7:30 we went to the breakfast furnished with the cabin in the incredible dinner room of the Perch, and they said they were working on get thing thawed. But they had water and breakfast for us. We ate then packed and headed for Fairbanks. Of course we go by the Park so we went in to see if we might get to see Mt McKinley, or Denali (both names are used for the mountain) We drove the 15 miles you are allowed to get in the park. Yes, it was very clear and we saw the mountain. The first picture is of Denali. We had already seen a moose before we got to the mountain view point, then just after we turned around, a Grizzly sow and two year old cubs crossed the road in front of the car three cars ahead of us. Every one stopped and after she and the cubs were a distance away we got out and watched them go to the river, and run along the river for about an mile. The mom was just taking it easy and the kids were playing and running. It was fantastic. Picture number two for today.

Finnally we left Denali and headed for Fairbanks. Checked with the visitor center, went to the Toyato Dealer to get the car serviced, (I have to back tomorow as the electical power was out for a while and their computer were not working yet and it stoped things.) it has been 4800 miles since it was serviced in White Bear Lake as we were leaving. Yes, we are now over 5000 miles on the trip, and that does not count the miles we "drove the Alaskan Marine Highway". It will be another 4ooo home. Fairbanks is a nice city, we are right on the river, where we will take at boat trip tomorrow afternoon. Then maybe Chena Hot Springs on Sunday. We have decided not to do the Artic Circle trip. Too hard on the our car and a tour is $ 165 each plus it leaves at 6 am and returns at 11 pm. Too much money and riding.

Should actually head home on Monday.