Day 23 (6-23-12 - Denali National Park -Teklanika CG)

We had another gorgeous day today.  We had reserved tickets on the bus for 8:55 a.m.  This was the first morning we have slept past 6:30 a.m. in a long time.  We woke up at 7:30 a.m. and had to get up and go.  I hate having schedules.  It is much more fun to wake up and ease into the day.  Retirement spoils you.

We took the bus to Eielson Visitor Center.  We had an unpleasant bus driver who was overbearing.  We felt that we were on a military school bus.   

We hiked the Alpine trail at the visitor center.  It was 0.8 miles, (one way) with an elevation increase of 1,010 feet. My heart had not beat this hard and fast since I took my first picture of a bear in Canada.  According to my fitbit we hiked 5.5 miles today and went up 180 flights of stairs.  According to my wobbly, tired, legs, the fitbit is pretty accurate. 

It was great on top of the mountain.  The views were spectacular.  Mt. McKinley had a few clouds over it and was not the view that we had hoped for.  Oh well, there is always tomorrow.

We grilled buffalo burgers for supper tonight and are going to bed.

We saw 31 Dall Sheep, 25 Caribou, 6 bears (2 sets of a momma and two cubs), and a fox.

Pics:  https://goo.gl/photos/yfTUrEiPeiDkFnMS7