Last Stop in Denali

  Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Monday June 29th 2009

Sunrise 3:53 a.m. Sunset 12:25 a.m.

Blogging from a a train leaving Denali National Park. Being here in June with 20 hrs of daylight a day, it is very hard to imagine the long dark winters that take up most of the year. Denali was a great end to our Alaska cruise and our 3 month sabbatical. We've had great weather and amazingly clear days to see stunning views of Mt. Denali (aka Mt McKinley) and the surrounding ranges.

We had a great time cruising with family--my parents & sister Audie and Ross' brother Andrew and our sister-in-law Christine and their 3 kids. 13 of us in total. The kids had a blast on the boat together and enjoyed the kids progams... as did the adults!

We enjoyed the all-you-can-eat buffets, some of us a little too much, and lots of relaxed dinners together. We did get in some activity other than eating, some of us may have logged in a marathon walking around the promenade deck and we also did some good hiking at a few stops.

Highlights from Cruise:

Ketchikhan: salmon hatchery and lots of cool totem poles;

Juneau: whalewatching was incredible! tracked a mother and cub, stumbled on some dalls porpoises, childlike moment for all of us;

Skagway: great hike, walking around town and learning about the Gold Rush;

2 indescribably beautiful & peaceful sea days cruising through Glacier Bay & College Fjords;

2 clear days of Denali views, kayaking, family hike up Mt. Healy, visit with cousin Sarah and family, fine-dining on train out of Denali Park;


seeing caribou, moose, loon, bear, dall sheep, whales, porpoises, lots of bald eagles, and talking about animals on and off;

lots of interesting rangers and tour guides who love the wildness of Alaska


"Everything is hitched to everything else in the universe."

"The clearest way to the universe is through a forest wilderness."
Explorer/Naturalist John Muir whose presence was all over the Northwest--very inspiring person, named the glaciers in Glacier Bay

"I would rather climb that mountain than discover the richest gold mine in Alaska."
Episcopalian Archdeacon Hudson Stuck, the first European American to climb Denali, quoted before his ascent in 1913. Interesting contrast to why people came up here for the gold rush. Luke & I mused on this quote before our last hike: "Luke why would he say something like this? "Because he valued experiences more than money and stuff."

Can't believe our 3 month journey is coming to an end. The journey would not have been complete without visiting Alaska. As they say here "You haven't seen America, if you haven't seen Alaska." One of the rangers said something that stuck with me, something like "I hope the wilderness of this place has in some way touched the wilderness inside of you."


"Those who contemplate
the beauty of the earth
find reserves of strength
that will endure as long
as life lasts."
Rachel Carson


For the past 3 months, we have immersed ourselves in the wildness and beauty of our great country. I read the quote above at the Visitor's Center in Denali on our last day b4 traveling home & it sort of captured for me what I hope to bring home from our trip. I love how the parks weave in a little "contemplative" spin & help people to see & appreciate the Unseen gift of being in nature & how we too are part of the mysterious interconnectedness of our amazing world.

As we head home, the kids have all sort of random factoids in their heads about things like salmon migration patterns, bear hibernation, loon mating wars, geological forces, and I think they have some sense for the spirit of exploration (both Native & European Americans) that has written the American Story.

On a deeper level, our hearts are filled to overflowing with beautiful memories & a deeper sense of connectedness with each other, with the kids who we have very selfishly had all to ourselves for 3 months, with friends we visited along the way, blogging friends, FB friends, family, the places we have visited, & with the Creator who encompasses all these things.

As we head back to "reality," we have great reserves stored up for the inevitable rainy days and storms that will come.

Thanks for blogging with us &
for helping us feel like we didn't drop off the face of the earth!


blessings on
your journey,
Emily & Ross