Category: Alaska Activities
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Blueberries, Week 19 in Healy
July 23, blueberries are coming out strong. We have a few wild blueberries in sight of the house, and loads of them less than a mile away. C doesn’t like eating them, but was kind enough to pick. What a lovely hour, spending time outdoors with my favorite person, hearing birds chirping, seeing views above…
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Denali on a Clear Day, Week 18 in Healy

“That big, white mountain is Denali, this is my best view in 4 1/2 months!” While I wasn’t as verbal, I was impressed as well. This was my best view in just over 4 months, and probably my second best of all time. My lovely husband, who constantly checks the weather and visibility for his…
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Teklanika Campground and the Tek Pass
If you have read many of my posts, you know I like the Denali National Park transit bus system. During the summer I usually ride the free bus to Savage River once a week. To go further into the Park via the East Fork Transit Bus, it costs about $35 for the day (plus an…
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Wildlife Count, 3 Nights at Teklanika Campground
On our drive to Teklanika Campground we saw 11 Ptarmigan dust bathing and getting digestive gravel for their crops. Mom and Dad work together raising the 9 chicks. It was the start of a wonderful 4-day/3-night experience. For the Denali Big Five seen during our 3 night stay: around 50 Dall sheep sitings, 16 Caribou,…
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Caribou, Moose, and Dall Sheep

My parents and I took at least 7 transit bus rides during our 3 nights at Teklanika Campground (love the Tek Pass). We saw all of the Denali Big Five, including lots of caribou, lots of Dall sheep, and one moose. I was thrilled to see so many caribou and see some caribou females and…
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Grizzlies, Cubs, and Tracks

While taking the East Fork Transit Buses from Teklanika Campground, my parents and I saw 5 or 6 grizzly bears. We had gone hiking at Tattlers Creek our second day, not knowing what we would see there 2 days later. In retrospect the bear prints on the side of the road were a clue! We…
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Wolf

While C continued working an 18 day stretch, my parents and I spent 3 nights at Teklanika Campground in Denali National Park. We saw all of the big 5! While I hope to write a couple posts on our Teklanika stay, I will start with the wolf on our last day. With only 90ish wolves…
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WEIO
I met my parents in Fairbanks and we attended 3 days of the World Eskimo Indian Olympics. It was wonderful! I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of high kick events. So many impressive athletes doing the seemingly impossible. And we loved the way other contestants would offer tips to their competitors, with everyone appearing to genuinely…
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Arctic Ground Squirrels

I saw about 20 Arctic Ground Squirrels on Savage Alpine Trail. I often see them on Savage Loop Trail as well. I sometimes heard their alarm call before I saw them. Then I would often see one perched on a rock calling out a warning. In the Savage area of Denali National Park the Arctic…
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Savage Alpine Trail

On July 4th C needed to work and I hiked the steep 4 mile Savage Alpine Trail. I hadn’t expected the variety of habitats and wildflowers. So many different species were blooming. My labels are a decent guess. I dawdled, looking at flowers and mountains and hoping to see a pika or marmot. Most of…
