May 17
Good Morning! Outside temperature is around 30 and we are cozy in our trailer. When it’s time to get up and make coffee, I reach above me head and hit the switch turning on the heat. The small living space warms up to the high 50’s in a few minutes. At that time I’m up brewing coffee. It’s part of trailer life where I am the one to grind the bean for the French press. My next task is to take the 3 steps to the bed and deliver her steaming cup of coffee. It’s a routine I very much enjoy.
After breakfast we are ready to explore the Park. We’ve been here a few times in previous years so we are aware private cars are only allowed to mile 14. To venture beyond there one can ride a bus, go on foot or bicycle, or have a reservation at one of a couple campgrounds further out. So we drive out to just before the check point at mile 14 and turn around. We’re looking for wildlife and other than a few ptarmigans we see nothing as we head back to the Visitor Center. About a mile before the get to the Visitor Center we see two moose. I could post the photos here, but you can see only so many butt shots.
As with any visitor center or nature center my bride must read all the signage and displays so I know we are going to be here for a while. At one point I hear one of the rangers saying to somebody that the road is open all the way to Mile 30 until May 20. We had seen the guard shack, but never drove to it and did not realize we were able to drive another 16 miles. The road continues on beyond Mile 30 to somewhere around Mile 92 but a couple of years ago a huge landside closed the down down around Mile 42. Repairs and rebuilding are underway and schedule to reopen next year.
We head out from the Visitor Center retracing our steps and continuing to Mile 30. We observed many Willow Ptarmigan, a few Spruce Grouse, several Moose, and one Grizzly Bear.
Then it was time to head back to camp and get settled. After supper we drove the highway again. There we added several cariboo to our list.
Willow Ptarmigan
Spruce Grouse
Bull Moose
Another cold morning and when it’s time to make coffee. I reach up to turn on the heat and nothing. No sound of hot air warming our environs. I pull my clothes under the covers to warm them up a bit before making coffee. Then it’s time to get dressed, make and deliver coffee, and have breakfast.
We’re off to spot more wildlife. The list for today is a cow and calf Moose. The calf was tiny so very recently born. Many Cariboo, and the normal list of birds. With all the birds signing we are enjoying using Cornell’s bird sound ID app, Merlin.
Now it’s time to troubleshoot the heater. First tack was to cut battery power to the trailer using the previously forgotten battery cutoff switch, I was hoping that would reset the circuit board since that is the most common item to fault. No luck. Next step was to check the circuit board for any fault errors, nope not that. Finally, I checked the fuse and found it to be shorted. A trip to the hardware store for auto 5 amp fuse and we are back in business. I’m much relieved since on Monday when we relocate to the campground at Mile 29 ½ it could be colder. With no heat we could freeze some of our water pipes. All is good.
Moose with a newly born calf below her
May 19
Waking up around 5:30 with the trailer in the mid forties I reach up and switch on the heat. Soon the camper reaches 60 degrees and I’m up making coffee. Life is good!
After breakfast we head out looking for wildlife. First is a porcupine then a moose. Further into the park we see a couple of cars stopped. I hop out of the truck and not far away I spot a Grizzly Bear. Back into the truck. It’s about 100 feet away digging up roots. We watched and photographed is for forty minutes then it rambles away. At times it was only feet from the road. What an experience. Later in the day we see another bear off in the distance and even that was exciting. Tonight is our last night in this campground. Tomorrow we move 30 miles further into the Park for three days. We will be offline the entire time. Next update on the blog will
Denali both North Peak and South Peak
Seeing North America 