June 15

Chicken, Alaska to Slana, Alaska

Over night camping was noisy with the people that were ready to enjoy a weekend of music at the festival. A family with an RV arrived at one in the morning setting up right next to us. I was glad when we rolled out of Chicken. We were on the road for maybe 15 minutes when we spotted a moose with her calf. Later in the morning we spotted another moose with two calves. The road was paved but had frequent road damage spots and a few sections of gravel. On towards Tok. Tok was a spot for gas, laundry, and a few supplies. At Tok was turned south heading in the direction of Valdez. At Slana there is a 42 mile access road to the Wrangell Saint Elias National Park. We parked our trailer near the entrance to the park at a small and delightful RV campground then headed up the dead end road with the truck. The mountain views were simply jaw dropping. A few places creeks would flow across the road. I wanted them a bit higher to wash away some of the mud covering the truck but it was not to be. On the return to the campground Marsha shouted what was that? Apparently she had spotted a small mammal crossing the road quickly. I looked up and spotted a large canine crossing the road in hot pursuit. She didn’t see it! It was much larger than a fox but I’m not sure if it was a coyote or a wolf. According to the written information we picked up it was likely a wolf. I did not get a positive id but I may have seen my second wolf in the wild. The first was when I lived in Northern Alberta in the 70’s.