Autumn has definitely come to the mountains. The journey from Fairbanks to Denali was spectacular. Silver birch are turning yellow, fire weed varies in colour between red, dark maroon and almost black with white feathery seeds,and the tundra goes from orange to red of the dwarf birch, 

   

 

   

   

Two small towns still exist between Fairbanks and Denali. Originally they were developed to service the steam railway and building the road. Their populations are greatly reduced . One town holds an annual competition. They put a tower out on the ice when the river freezes. When the thaw happens ,they bet on the exact time the tower moves 100 feet from where it was tethered.

Arriving in Denali , you realise that it is the end of the season. Shops are preparing to close and most lodges and restaurants have lost their summer workers to college or other jobs. They are on the countdown…..one week to go. The village itself consists of shops connected to the Princess Hotel but I did find a quilt/papercraft shop.

   

 

Denali National Park is mainly accessed by tours run by the park. Moose, caribou, dall sheep and bears live in the park so we were hoping to see some…anything. We saw bears! Not up close….but 5 bears all doing bear stuff like eating ready for winter.

The scenery is spectacular.

   

    

   Tipsy or Drunken forest is the name given to the Spruce forests in Alaska. Because of the permafrost, the tree’s roots can not grow very deep. As the permafrost thaws and refreezes , the roots grow but winds twist the trees in many different directions so they lean over.

I did see caribou today…..on my plate as meatloaf!ps. It tastes like beef.        
Well as the sign says….we will see you tomorrow at Talkeetna. It’s only an hour away on the train.