Denali National Park

The High One, or Mt McKinley, or Denali.

Whatever you call it we saw it!!

We are officially part of the 30% club. 

A little history is in order here. Mt. McKinley was named after then Presidential candidate William McKinley, in 1917. It stayed that way and was accepted by all of us "Mericans" until 2015, when the politically correct but intellectually bankrupt 44th President took it upon himself to rename the mountain "Denali".  The mountain itself could care less what you call it, but there is always the strong desire in some of us to preserve the history of our great country. The discovery and explorations of the vastness of our country, including Alaska, require that we do not forget the intestinal fortitude and the overwhelming odds that our forefathers overcame to bring us to our current day. We look today at the great mountains in the Alaska Range, and cannot with good conscience think about the towering beauty as anything but Mt. McKinley. Politics belong in D.C. not out here, where not a single current day President, past or present, has ventured out to gaze upon the beauty that they think they rule over.

Into the wilderness.................

We camped. In a tent. We left the RV behind and went into the wilds of a campground. Past where all the normal tourists can go, by special permit only to what the locals call "Tek". 3 day minimum stay is required, not allowed to move your vehicle during your stay. There are the typical Park Service vault toilets, some garbage bins that are bear proof, and a little fresh water to brush your teeth with. Not much else.

We were excited to try out all of the new gear, even though 100% of it was not bear proof.

This is the tent covered in 2 layers of tarp that protected us perfectly from the Chinook winds of 70mph gusts and rain. Doesn't look like it here with the blue skies in the background, but the winds were howling, and the rain moved in overnight. For once the damn weather people were correct!
 

We enjoyed some sunshine with the Chinook Winds before the rain moved in.
 

And of course the "Federal Law" about roasting marshmallows was strictly followed.

That's our bear spray, a gun and a knife. We think we are prepared if a bear wanders by.

 

We tried our hands at video.  

 The green bus into Denali to Wonder Lake.

 We saw loads of animals including this bear walking along the road.

A large caribou.

Baby moose, we couldn't get a picture of the mamma.

It's through the window but still beautiful.

Les put the drone up at the RV Park.

That is us on the left of the red roofed building.

This area is absolutely beautiful.

 The RV park emptied out after a large caravan left. Mid August and the season is winding down.