Day 12: Up the Dalton and Tour of Denali Park

Last night upon arrival in Fairbanks, we checked the tire tread on all four tires.

The last reading doesn’t bode well for Mick’s rear tire.

Mick opted out of the trip up the Dalton Highway to save tread. 

No Mick.

My First Alaskan Solo Ride!

 

Politics on the Dalton Highway.

The first 81 miles of the Dalton had a few bumps . . .

. . . and some gravel.

(My first gravel shot.)

Made it.

Most northern paved point in North America.

The Dalton turns to gravel/dirt just past the previous sign.

That’s as far as I go.

I got the fours.

Mc’s Moss.

I hear it is indigenous to the region!

When I returned from the Dalton, we headed for Denali National Park.

Our motel was in Healy, approx. 10 miles north of Denali Park.

We didn't have an address for the motel, but how hard can it be to find in a town the size of Healy?

 

Well, this is not the motel!

Mc, get off the runway!

Found the motel.

Are we staying in a railcar?

Ride to Denali Park.

Mick took the lead.

I’m that small white spot.

Denali National Park Scenery:

The visitor’s center closed at 6 pm, so we got in free.

We would have paid - honest.





Nice shot, Mick.

This is where Mt. McKinley is supposed to be.  They have a sign showing its location because 95% of the time, the mountain is obscured by weather or clouds.

Can you see Mt. McKinley?

Let the red arrow help.

It is about an 80 mile, 10 hour bus ride away.

Following our scenic ride through Denali Park, we returned to the motel room and started our nightly ritual of downloading pictures, answering emails, if any, and writing the blog.

During a blog break . . .

My first Moose, in the motel’s back yard.

 

Then, he saw me!

And at the end of the day . . .

. . . Blog is done, and the sun is setting in Healy, Alaska (12:30 am)

The Alaskan midnight sun.

Today’s Stats:

Arrival Time in Healy, Alaska:  5 pm

Riding Time:  Not Available.  (around 5 hrs.)

Today’s Miles:  329

Total Miles:  4686

Today’s MPG:  Not Available

Today’s MPH:  Not Available

Tomorrow’s Destination:   Seward, Alaska

373 Miles