The Meandering Melanders

Our friends, and 52 year Alaska residents, Jack and Rita Stout set up our visit to Denali and accompanied us on this awesome
episode of our trip. What a place!!

This is Mt McKinley (known to the Native people as Denali, The Great One). This was the only time during our 3 day visit that we
saw it.

A gray wolf. Only animal in this episode which was not wild and in the wild. This was in the visitor center.

An interesting story here. Not that he is old or any such thing, but when Jack Stout was still working, he was awarded a contract to replace this bridge since it had shifted and collapsed. The cause was this rock formation which could hardly be seen at that time. Look at it now. Has a lot of time passed or did the rock grow rapidly??

Some of the beautiful scenery.

A couple of grizzlies.

A caribou.

A small glacier.

The bus we rode into the interior of the park in. Private vehicles are not allowed on this road past the campground we stayed in.

A ground squirrel.

A rather brave soul. He has just passed thru an area which had a grizzly which had just killed a caribou.

A couple of young grizzlies. According the the quide on the bus they are probably 3 year olds who have just been kicked out on their own.

Guess they had had enough of the cold snow bank as they wandered off.

The only real live wolf we saw. He really didn’t want to be seen.

A very friendly moose who wanted to make sure we all took his picture. No, this is not in a zoo.

A type of falcon which is not normally seen.

Dall Sheep. They were really high up on the montain sides.

A herd of caribou.

They even have flowers.

This is an interesting picture. It is a hawk attacking an eagle. Reason, according to the guide, is that eagles raid the hawk nests and eat the eggs or young.

Two things to note on this sign. First, see where the grizzlies have chewed the bottom of the sign. Second, note the nails that have been put on the bottom to stop this unwarranted destruction.

Showshoe hare.

We hope you enjoyed this very brief introduction to Denali. It is a great place!!