7-15-08 Day 18 Fairbanks to Denali National Park

We left Fairbanks Tuesday morning and had a magnificent ride from there to Denali park. That 120 miles probably was one of the best rides I've ever taken. The weather was sunny, temps in the low 60's, great road, light traffic and scenery that was magnificent. Our lodging was about 15 miles north of Denali so we stopped there, unloaded our bags, checked in and went for lunch and then to the Park to get the lay of the land. Because it was a great day I was saying we should go in the park today as the weather can change in an instant and only about 20% of the folks that come here get to see Mt. McKinley. But I was overruled and we booked an all day (11 hour) bus tour that takes you 85 miles into the park to an area called Watson Lake. Private vehicles are only allowed in the first 15 miles. We spent some time at the visitors center and the little village and went back to our room for an early night as the trip tomorrow is at 6:45 and there is no food in the park so you need to have breakfast early and brown bag your lunch. Conveniently, there's a Subway in the village that takes orders so we scheduled a 6 am pickup. Hoping for good weather tomorrow!