Visiting Denali (the park, that is!)
This August when my parents were visiting, we made a trek up to Fairbanks. It was quite the adventure!
Dad rented an RV for the trip. However, we soon discovered that not all the seats were to be used while driving AND J’s car seat could not be tightly strapped into any of the spots with seatbelts. So, Mr. O drove the Expedition separately with J in the back. That came in handy as we could all fit in the vehicle and not have to drive around in an RV all the time.
We ‘camped’ a few miles down the road from the park. My dad has an uncanny ability (superpower maybe??) of getting in and out of tight spaces. And the place we could choose that was surrounded by trees was a rather snug spot for the 24-footer he rented. Hot dogs and beans were on the menu for the night.
The next morning (after FREEZING as a neighboring group of kids running through our ‘spot’ must have disconnected the power cord for heat) we headed up to Denali National Park and Reserve.
It was a bit wet that day, so we just did the visitor center and a drive as far into the park as you can drive. The visitor center was interesting, with static displays about wildlife as well as a bit of park history, which is tied with Alaska Railroad history, too.
We’re hoping to go back next season for a longer visit. If we’re lucky not only will the weather be good, but we might have a more agreeable youngest child for actually seeing things. However, I doubt we’ll be taking an RV. Mr. O was not impressed and prefers tent camping.
Stumbling through the hop!
Alaska is a place I would really like to see via a cruise.
Thanks, Jayne! My sister and her family are doing a cruise up here next summer from Vancouver. It sure makes it easier to see some parts of Alaska that way. BUT, there is so much to Alaska on land, too.
What a wonderful trip and I bet the scenery was just beautiful. I’d love to see Alaska some day.
Grace
Thanks for stopping by and I’m returning the visit and stumbled you.
The best thing we have gotten for our tent camping in Alaska (or one of them, I should say) is a catalytic heater for use in our tent. That keeps us warm and toasty…even TOO toasty if we aren’t careful. This is the first summer we went camping (with a heater, LOL) and I’m a believer now. Especially when the weather is wet and cold as it tends to be up here at times in the summer.
Nicole,
We’ll have to chat more about this catalytic heater. This mama needs to feel comfortable if she’s going tent camping with a bunch of wild boys.
When my boys were in Scouts we used one for colder weather camping. The troop loved us. 🙂
We actually got it because we’d been without electricity from an ice storm for a week and that sent us to staying with family. And we did not want to do that again. 6 adults, 4 kids, 3 dogs and 2 cats was way too many in a 2 bedroom ranch house.
What a beautiful place! I really, really want to visit Alaska someday.
Love it!! Wish we could go too!!!