Alaska Trip -- Day #6

Today I finally got to sleep in until about 8:30, which felt really nice.  After breakfast (yogurt parfait, an oat-raisin muffin, fresh fruit, orange juice), we drove north to Wasilla and visited the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Headquarters.  Highlights were riding in a "summer dog sled" (aka cart on wheels) pulled by Alaskan malamutes and Huskies that competed in this year's Iditarod, holding a little Husky puppy, and meeting Joe Redington, Jr.  He took us on the cart ride and is the son of the man who developed and organized the present-day competitive Iditarod.

A little before noon, we headed north again on the Parks Highway, stopping briefly to eat lunch (bagel with peanut butter/tuna wrap, banana, peanut-butter bites, water), and eventually arriving at the Denali View South.  Four years ago, despite entering and spending quite a bit of time exploring Denali National Park & Preserve, we were unable to see the crown jewel due to such thick cloud cover.  This time, it was brilliantly clothed in sunshine and the crystal-white peak was perfectly clear.  A short hike up a trail brought us out to an unobstructed view of the highest peak in North America (20,310 feet or 6,190 meters), Mt. Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley).  The sheer size and power of it, even from so far away, is utterly breathtaking.  For awhile, all you can do is just stand and reflect!

Finally, after drinking in the gorgeous views, we started the long drive back to Anchorage, stopping for maple-nut ice cream at Millers Store in Houston, Alaska.  It's really good, especially on an 80-degree day (not kidding).  We got back to our B&B around 6:30, got most of what we could organized and packed up for flying out tomorrow morning, had supper (various leftovers), and are now getting ready for bed.  We'll arrive in Nome around 11:30 in the morning tomorrow.  It's been a great week in Anchorage, albeit too warm!

Ready to "mush"!

Loving on a little Husky puppy

Mt. Denali

~Anna