2016 Aug Alaska 6

Learned that reindeer are only domesticated caribou.  This sled dog cart trip was near Denali.  It started with a stop to see these reindeer and a talk about the wildlife in the area.  Below is a huge beaver dam.

This couple that ran this dog sled cart ride were from Fairbanks.  They live in a large tent during the summer tourist season giving rides all day long.  It also helps them train the dogs.  He runs the Yukon Quest race which runs from Fairbanks, Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon.  It's a true 1000 miles.  He was rookie of the year once, and also almost won it another year.  His dogs revolted close to the finish in Fairbanks, and would not go any further as they went by his kennels before the end of the race.

These puppies will soon join the team.

His wife was telling us about the sled they use.  He builds his sleds for about $1000.  If you buy them, they are about $4000. 

The same day we did the dog sled cart ride, we took an ATV ride just North of Denali.  Very rough road up this hill overlooking Healy, Alaska.  Mother and daughter from Fairbanks were on the ride with us.  Daughter is leaving soon to go to college near Dallas.  Mom is going to miss her a lot.

Above is the bus used in the movie about the man who died in the wilderness.  It wasn't far from Healy, Alaska.  I believe the movie was called "Into the Wilderness."  There were pictures all around the walls of this bus, telling about his story.

Below is Hurricane Gulch south of Denali on our way to Talkeetna, Alaska.

23 years ago, we took an airplane ride from Talkeetna and landed on a glacier on Denali Mt. Oh my, how this place has changed.  There were only 2 planes before.  They have many now and a constant line of people at the counter signing up for flights.

I wanted to take these moose home, but Cliff said no. This is the very busy little downtown area in Talkeetna.  Below, they were giving rabbits away.  Poor Mom, having to say no.

This motel we stayed at 23 years ago.  It has not changed much.  I think it's the only place in Talkeetna that hasn't grown enormously.  Below, the double decker train that runs between Fairbanks and Anchorage stops and lets hundreds of tourists off.  That did not happen 23 years ago.