While it is warming up fast, much of interior Alaska’s infrastructure is closed for another month or more.  The George Parks Highway is open pavement, but most rest areas and overlooks to the side of the road haven’t been cleared.  Many people before us had trudged thru the snow to this viewpoint of the Alaska Range. In the photo above, C had stepped a bit off the packed snow and sunk to his hip. Our efforts were rewarded with a nice view (the photo doesn’t do it justice).

The next evening we drove to Teklanika, seeing lots of birds, one moose, two pika, and once again the Mountain was out.

Two days later we drove east on the Denali Highway as far as the Upper Susitna River.  Unfortunately it wasn’t breaking up.  Fortunately there was enough melted ice on top for a Trumpeter Swans couple.

Since Tuesday, we have been in Fairbanks  – 4 days of training for C and errands plus birding for me.  I have seen at least 18 different species of birds including an active Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a beautiful Common Goldeneye, an adorable Bufflehead couple, and daily Sandhill Cranes and Trumpeter Swans.