Morning was Denali. We hopped on the shuttle to the Wilderness Access Centre (WAC) to see a short film on the origins of the Park. The Park really exists because a few people saw the importance of preserving wild places and creatures; prior to that the Dall sheep were under real threat due to hunters killing them to supply meat to the workers building the railroad.
So, the Park was created in 1917. Far-sighted early superintendent had a vision for the development of the park. They encouraged tourism and gradually achieved the building of the 80 mile road to Wonder Lake that exists tray. While tourist numbers were low, the popularity of the park grew over time. In 1980, Jimmy Carter increased the size of the park from 2 million acres to 6 million acres, including the 2 million acre wilderness area.
We also headed to the Visitor Centre - to see another film. It was good to have a 5 km walk through the forest from the Visitor Centre to Nevana Canyon, where various shops and resorts are located. We had lunch there, before heading back to our accommodation.
Coming from our hotel in the morning we saw a moose that had been hit by a truck overnight. Going back later, we saw a couple of guys with a pick-up cutting the beast up and loading it. Apparently, you put your name on a list and when you name comes up, you get the next road-kill. So, the highway gets cleared and someone gets a freezer full of meat!
From there, a shuttle took us to the train, for the four hour ride to Fairbanks. Again, we rode through mainly empty country, often of low forests or tundra. The rail track runs by raging streams and over deep ravines.
There is the odd unexpected sight. For example, you find large radomes at one of the three early-warning ballistic missile stations in the world. Incongruously in this pristine country, you find a coal mine and a power station.
Fairbanks is a city of about 32,000. It is a city that is widely spread-out. It is extremely cold in the winter (minus 40 - same either F or C) and can be warm on summer. We leave tomorrow night, which will be plenty of time to see what we need.
Had a good Italian meal near the hotel - halibut on a mushroom risotto.
So, the Park was created in 1917. Far-sighted early superintendent had a vision for the development of the park. They encouraged tourism and gradually achieved the building of the 80 mile road to Wonder Lake that exists tray. While tourist numbers were low, the popularity of the park grew over time. In 1980, Jimmy Carter increased the size of the park from 2 million acres to 6 million acres, including the 2 million acre wilderness area.
We also headed to the Visitor Centre - to see another film. It was good to have a 5 km walk through the forest from the Visitor Centre to Nevana Canyon, where various shops and resorts are located. We had lunch there, before heading back to our accommodation.
Coming from our hotel in the morning we saw a moose that had been hit by a truck overnight. Going back later, we saw a couple of guys with a pick-up cutting the beast up and loading it. Apparently, you put your name on a list and when you name comes up, you get the next road-kill. So, the highway gets cleared and someone gets a freezer full of meat!
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| Alaska train heads north |
There is the odd unexpected sight. For example, you find large radomes at one of the three early-warning ballistic missile stations in the world. Incongruously in this pristine country, you find a coal mine and a power station.
Fairbanks is a city of about 32,000. It is a city that is widely spread-out. It is extremely cold in the winter (minus 40 - same either F or C) and can be warm on summer. We leave tomorrow night, which will be plenty of time to see what we need.
Had a good Italian meal near the hotel - halibut on a mushroom risotto.
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