The Mountain

They call it 'The Mountain' here - Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in North America at about 20,300 feet. We spent 3 nights at Mary's McKinley View Lodge, hoping the ever-present clouds would clear so we could see the mountain. The original Mary, who the lodge is named after, was quite a woman. She homesteaded on the south side of the mountain (she thought the view was much better than that from within the National Park - she was right, it is the best and closest view) in 1962, after a local pilot (who she later became good friends with) told her that it was not for a woman to be homesteading out here in the wilderness. Mary did just that, and eventually wrote a best selling book titled 'Not For A Woman.' :) Mary was instrumental in convincing the governor of Alaska to build the very highway that now takes millions of tourists to Denali National Park, among sundry other accolades and accomplishments.

Day 1 was a bit of a disaster. Driving up toward Denali National Park, we pulled off to look at a lake. And promptly kicked up a rock which pierced our oil pan! Oh bother! Thankful for cellphones since nobody else came along the next 6 hours (except a couple with a flat tire who WE ended up helping out), we had to wait 6 hours for the rental company to send a tow truck and new car for us from Anchorage.

We spent the next day in Talkeetna, a touristy, artsy, and enjoyable town about halfway between Anchorage and Denali. We just kinda hung out and soaked up the ambiance of the locals, all out and about enjoying the long, warm days of summer. They say there are 2 seasons in Alaska, July and Winter!

Then, finally, our final night at Mary's, we had set our alarm for 1:00 AM (sunset) and again for 3:00 AM (sunrise), and were rewarded at 3:00 AM with our first view of 'The Mountain.' It truly is magnificent! It is surrounded by very respectable, good sized mountains. But when you finally see 'the mountain,' these other 'big' mountains seem tiny in comparison. Very impressive indeed! McKinley stayed 'out' for the rest of the beautiful clear morning until we had to leave about noon. We had our breakfast in Mary's cozy dining room with the mountain in full view...