Wed. McKinley Chalet Resort - Denali

I walked over to a speciality grocery store this AM and bought a bag of organic apples. I got there before it opened so I walked around the neighborhood a little. LO & BEHOLD what did I see but a donut store wating for me. I bought several donuts for us to try. Breakfast was 1 1/2 donuts, an apple and a cup of coffee. Our bus to Denali started boarding a lttle after 9. We arrived at our room a little after 1 PM. We made one 20 minute stop on the way.
The scenery is almost breathtaking. I don't think it is possible for me to get my head around the size and granduer of Alaska. Texas is a huge state, we have driven across it. The bus driver made the comment, "If Alaska were divided into 2 states Texas would be #3 in size of states because both halves of Alaska would be larger."

Stuff along the way. At our one stop.

One of the large things in Alaska is the cost of living. Our lunch of fish & chips, a fish sandwich & a salad we split between us, cost $47. The food was good but the scenery is what makes it worth the price.

We are staying at the McKinley Calet Resort, near the northeast corner of Denali. Our room and the lodge complex  are both great.
Our living room & bedroom

 oOur room is the one at the top of stairs.

View out our bedroom window.

After lunch we took about a mile long walk along one of the trails and then listened to a Park Rangers presentation about Golden Eagles.
Kathy is taking a nap. I'm sitting outside in a common area having a cup of coffee and typing this blog post. I'm in the shade so that I can see the screen better. Temperature is a sunny 55 degrees. I'm wearing a tee shirt with an unbottoned flannel shirt over it, like a light jacket. It is a little cool in the shade, but not bad. There is still some snow around in protected areas, but not much at this elevation. The Ranger said they will have the last road in the Park plowed and opened tomorrow. When I walked over to get my coffee I noticed that there is stll a lot of rock salt on steps and sidewalks.

Bus from days gone by? It's at the lodge.

Time to head back to the room. Somebody just turned on some crappy music that absolutely destroys the atomosphere. Does the place think we are in some dark, dive bar in the city? I mentioned the poor choice of music to the people in Guest Services,
Now back at room after a pizza for supper. Kathy had a cup of baked tomato soup. Food was good.
Walking back from the restaurant, which was up the hill and across the street, we walked through the common area. 8 PM and LOTS of folks still out enjoying the beautiful day, still bright sunshine. (the awful music was no longer blasting away).

Our tour of the park leaves at 5:50 tomorrow morning, and lasts 7 hours.

God is good, may He bless you & yours.