More Denali National Park

May 18

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.

Cariboo

Under Momma is a newly born calf

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 be later in the week.