Yesterday was a lonnnnnng day, but we made it to Fairbanks. It was 10:20 pm when we landed and the sun was so bright, "you gotta wear shades!"
Ok, maybe this pic doesn't show it, but it is 11:45 pm before we get our bags, get on the bus and end at The Princess Riverside Lodge 5 minutes from the airport!
From the time we got our bags, Princess Cruise took over. We tagged 'em and handed them over and were told they'd show up in our rooms an hour later NOT!
But luckily Mike told us to bring what we need with us as it took until 1:30 am and much worryng till we got them all and then finally Joe and I slept.
He really has planned every detail and it all has worked out!
Had to have all our cruise bags tagged with pink ones that said, "I'll see you on the boat." And green tags that said, "I 'll see u tonite." Then we put them outside our door @ 6:30 am and cruise personnel took it from there!
The Denali bags will be delivered to our lodge tonite! I can get used to this life.
Bathroom dispensers in lodge. Loved them!
This is a selfie. The sign is backwards. Look in the mirror! This is @6:45 am. I was first one down for breakfast...well beside the bear.
The river behind our lodge!
Met up with the whole gang at breakfast. Joe's year long planning has brought us all together!
The Hromyak's are life-long friends Joe grew up with. Bill and Janet are cousins from Philly (orange shirt) and then Bernie and Cathyfrom Atlanta. Bernie is Joe's brother...duh! Look like twins, don't they? Bernie is older and Joe says he's the troublemaker. We know that is a fib!
Then, on to the bus for our Denali portion of the trip.
We rushed the bus to get 8 seats together.
Some views on our way
We even got a great view of Mt. McKinley.
Stopped at a little outpost called Ninana.
They have an unusual custom there. Every winter they place this tripod on the ice and residents, along with people all over the world place $2 bets to see when
It will crack thru the ice. It's been as early as April 15th and as late as Memorial Day! I'm placing my bet for my birthday 2015!
Hardly a town, but much history. President Harding was the first president to travel to Alaska. He traveled by train with his wife in one railroad car and his mistress in another! He drove a golden spike in for the railroad (which has since gone missing) and died not long after this trip of mysterious causes. I'll have to see if this is true....not so mysterious if he was dumb enough to travel with both women in proximity!!!!
On to Danali!!! Mush!!! We had a great little guide. We actually saw Mt. McKinley peeking out among the clouds today. Also saw a moose! But the most awesome sight was traveling in the shadow of Denali "highest ground"!
Made it to the most beautiful lodge in middle of nowhere. All of us in Q.
Bags there and waiting.😊 rested 10 minutes, hit Subway for sandwiches and boarded a bus for the Denali Visitor Center.
From there we went to see a dog sled team and demo! These dogs were huskies trained to work and pull Rangers thru Denali Park grounds..
Kept in their little dog houses throughout the year. They were very listless and just ldozing in the sun. When asked if something was wrong, we were told that they are hot! These dogs work best at their optimal temp. -10 degrees and colder.
We snapped these pics on what we thought was a photo op dog sled that turned out to be the one they harnessed 5 dogs too and rode away!
This was too cute of "Klondike Joe" watching the dog sled team!
To end a perfect day, we went to dinner family style at The Music of Denali theater. Our waiters were actors in the tale of Harper and Karstens being the first to make it to the summit.
But the star of the show was Bernie!
We walked out about 10:30pm and bright daylight! Two martini's later at the bar finally made Joe sleepy enough to go to bed in the land of eternal daylight!
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