Day 3:  Saturday, May 22

We had an early start to our day because our bags had to be outside the door by 7:30.  When we got to the Fairbanks lodge the first night, we were given an envelop that had the schedule for the events there.  There were luggage tags in it also.  A couple of them said "Meet me on the ship."  These bags were the ones we did not need until we got on the ship.  Other tags said "Denali Lodge"  It was so nice not to have to worry about keeping the luggage together. 

We went down and had a small breakfast (I think that was the only 'small' meal we ate).  We ate with a couple from Virginia and enjoyed our time together.  While waiting for the bus to take us to the Denali Lodge we sat with a couple from Jacksonville, FL.  They let us use their cell phone (T-mobile).  Since our phones were not working, we did not have any phone numbers.  The only number we knew was Staci's so we called her and asked her to let all the children know we were safe and sound.

On the ride to the lodge in Denali we saw a large moose with its young moose.  The guide said it  was around one year old.  I know it is hard to see but the mom is on the edge of the tree line and the baby is the right side at the grass edge. 

We also saw lots of white birch trees.  We later found out they were used by the natives to make houses and boats.  This was before they had tools.  The reason they were able to use the trees is that they are very skinny here due to permafrost.  It can grow from 3" to 3' deep.  It keeps the roots from growing deep and therefore the trees fall over easily.

The lodge is beautiful and mountains are everywhere. There are several shops and buildings in the lodge area.  It was fun going in each of them.  One was called Artic Blast.  They gave us heavy coats to put on and we went into a room where the temperature was MINUS 40.  Of course, Linwood had on shorts.  While in there we blew children's bubbles.  The bubbles would immediately crystallize and land on our hands.  Then they would dissolve.  There were several other experiments the guide showed us.  Looking out our window we can see mountains and a river.

We took a tour of Denali National Park which took five hours.  On the way to the Park we drove by part of a river that was frozen.  Someone on the bus spotted a bear.  The bus stopped and we watched a mama bear and a baby bear.  The baby went out onto the ice and the mama went after him.  He ran and she chased.  Everyone was laughing and taking pictures of it. 

At one point we got out and walked up a trail and saw a ranger cabin that was built in 1931.  At that time it was used by the workers who built the highway.  It is still being used by rangers.

We then went to Primrose Point.  It was very magical there.  An older Athabaskan woman told us about her heritage and sang in her native language.  Her tribe revered Mt. McKinley and called it the High One.  The mountain was 75 miles away but we were able to see it.  We were told not everyone gets to see the mountain because of clouds.

Another day has come it an end and each part of it has been wonderful.