Wazzzzzzzup
So I havn't posted in like...a while. However, my life really has been quite interesting up late so I figure I might as well share it with you ;-).
I thought the two weeks I went home to NY on leave were going to be the epitome of my 2008 summer. In some respects they were (socially, at least). However, labor day weekend proved to be three of the most interesting days of my life.
Knowing that my time in Alaska is starting to come to an end (/pray I'll be in Virginia by December) I figured I should get out and see some stuff. I'll try and break my events down into paragraphs so its a bit less cluttered.
Two weeks prior to labor day I went to "Denali National Park" for the first time. Wow, to the people who live in Alaska and never go there...shame on you. It is without a doubt one of America's most beautiful settings. The park is largely untouched by humans, which to me is what makes it so special. Theres one road that goes in and out of it, measuring some 60 miles or so long. The first 15 miles is open to everyone, but after that you have to be in a special park-run bus or pretty much be on foot. You take the bus to a predetermined location, it stops for a while, and then you head back.
During the bus ride:
1. There was only 14 people on my bus (it sat over 40). So right there that was awesome.
2. Our driver has worked there for 13 years, so his knowledge was huge. Even though its not required, he gave us a tour using a microphone for 90% of the 11-hour journey.
3. I saw SOOOOOO many animals. I'm so glad I brought my camera with me (and that I have a decent camera). Heres one of the picture I took:
4. We stopped 4-5 times on our way to our final destination, Wonder Lake. The most memorable of these stops was defintely Eielson visitors center. Here we were able to see the amazing "Mount Mckinley". Its hidden behind clouds about 80% of the time, so I was really lucky to be able to get a clear view.
5. All in all Denali was the best time I'd had in Alaska...until labor day weekend ;-).
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Labor Day weekend was broken down like this:
Friday: Trip to Denali, then a trip to Black Rapids so I could stage for the following day.
Saturday: Trip to Valdez. (360 Miles each way from Fairbanks)
Sunday: Trip to the Arctic Circle (200 miles North of Fairbanks)
Monday: I took pictures of some ducks :P
When I went to Denali (left my room at 3 AM Friday morning) I expected to get on a 6:30 AM bus. Since this was on a whim really I didn't make a reservation, just figured I'd pay cash. When I got there I found out you can't pay with cash until 7:30 AM, and since I'd already been there for an hour (got there at like 5:15) I said screw it and just drove the 15 miles I was allowed to into the park.
Theres a parking lot at mile 15, so I parked my car (I was the first person there :P). There was what I thought to be a small hill next to the parking lot so I began to climb it. Just as I thought I'd reached the top I saw another peak behind it, so I kept going...this happend four times!!! Finally I reached the summit, here is a picture :P
In just two weeks the park had changed from the greens and yellows of summer to an amazing array or reds, oranges, purples, and everything in between. A more beautiful site I cannot remember seeing.
I got home from Denali at around 2 PM, took a two hour nap (I hadn't slept the night before) and then went to Black Rapids. Black Rapids is on the road to Valdez, so it make a 360 mile trip only a 220 mile trip the next day.
Valdez is on the very southern tip of Alaska and opens up into Prince William Sound. Because winter is rapidly approaching, animals of all kinds are fattening up on the fish that live down there. I went there with the hopes of seeing some of these animals.
While I was there I saw a Black Bear, a bunch of dead fish, and sea otters. The sea otters only stuck their heads out of the water, but they still look both cool and cute at the same time.
The most amazing thing I saw down there was a Bald Eagle. I had been hoping to see more than just one (some see dozens when they're down there) but even still, it was amazing. They are so majestic and awe-inspiring it leaves one speechless. I wish everyone would have the chance to see one of these fine creatures in their life.
After spending 5-6 hours in Valdez I decided I wasn't going to spend the night(its a pretty tiny town). I was going to stop at Black Rapids on my way home, but in the end I decided just to drive straight to Fairbanks. About 15 miles from home, while crossing through Eielson Air Force base I passed an SUV going about 90. I thought it was just a regular car, but when I got next to it I saw it was the Air Forces version of the Military Police. I of course slowed right down to the speed limit, but he pulled me over and made me sit there for 20 minutes just to teach me a lesson. No ticket at least :D.
The next day I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Around Noon I decided what the hell, lets head to the Arctic Circle. Its just a sign saying you've reached the top third of the northern hemisphere, but its still pretty cool, and its my new Facebook photo :D. While my trip to the circle wasn't very exciting, on my way back I stopped to get gas (at a glorious $5.19 a gallon) at the Yukon River. As I passed it I saw the sun setting and decided to take a picture of myself. Here it is :P
All in all, I saw more in that one weekend than some people see during their 3-year tours here. If I do end up leaving Alaska in a couple months, I really won't have any regrets now.
I thought the two weeks I went home to NY on leave were going to be the epitome of my 2008 summer. In some respects they were (socially, at least). However, labor day weekend proved to be three of the most interesting days of my life.
Knowing that my time in Alaska is starting to come to an end (/pray I'll be in Virginia by December) I figured I should get out and see some stuff. I'll try and break my events down into paragraphs so its a bit less cluttered.
Two weeks prior to labor day I went to "Denali National Park" for the first time. Wow, to the people who live in Alaska and never go there...shame on you. It is without a doubt one of America's most beautiful settings. The park is largely untouched by humans, which to me is what makes it so special. Theres one road that goes in and out of it, measuring some 60 miles or so long. The first 15 miles is open to everyone, but after that you have to be in a special park-run bus or pretty much be on foot. You take the bus to a predetermined location, it stops for a while, and then you head back.
During the bus ride:
1. There was only 14 people on my bus (it sat over 40). So right there that was awesome.
2. Our driver has worked there for 13 years, so his knowledge was huge. Even though its not required, he gave us a tour using a microphone for 90% of the 11-hour journey.
3. I saw SOOOOOO many animals. I'm so glad I brought my camera with me (and that I have a decent camera). Heres one of the picture I took:
4. We stopped 4-5 times on our way to our final destination, Wonder Lake. The most memorable of these stops was defintely Eielson visitors center. Here we were able to see the amazing "Mount Mckinley". Its hidden behind clouds about 80% of the time, so I was really lucky to be able to get a clear view.
5. All in all Denali was the best time I'd had in Alaska...until labor day weekend ;-).
---
Labor Day weekend was broken down like this:
Friday: Trip to Denali, then a trip to Black Rapids so I could stage for the following day.
Saturday: Trip to Valdez. (360 Miles each way from Fairbanks)
Sunday: Trip to the Arctic Circle (200 miles North of Fairbanks)
Monday: I took pictures of some ducks :P
When I went to Denali (left my room at 3 AM Friday morning) I expected to get on a 6:30 AM bus. Since this was on a whim really I didn't make a reservation, just figured I'd pay cash. When I got there I found out you can't pay with cash until 7:30 AM, and since I'd already been there for an hour (got there at like 5:15) I said screw it and just drove the 15 miles I was allowed to into the park.
Theres a parking lot at mile 15, so I parked my car (I was the first person there :P). There was what I thought to be a small hill next to the parking lot so I began to climb it. Just as I thought I'd reached the top I saw another peak behind it, so I kept going...this happend four times!!! Finally I reached the summit, here is a picture :P
In just two weeks the park had changed from the greens and yellows of summer to an amazing array or reds, oranges, purples, and everything in between. A more beautiful site I cannot remember seeing.
I got home from Denali at around 2 PM, took a two hour nap (I hadn't slept the night before) and then went to Black Rapids. Black Rapids is on the road to Valdez, so it make a 360 mile trip only a 220 mile trip the next day.
Valdez is on the very southern tip of Alaska and opens up into Prince William Sound. Because winter is rapidly approaching, animals of all kinds are fattening up on the fish that live down there. I went there with the hopes of seeing some of these animals.
While I was there I saw a Black Bear, a bunch of dead fish, and sea otters. The sea otters only stuck their heads out of the water, but they still look both cool and cute at the same time.
The most amazing thing I saw down there was a Bald Eagle. I had been hoping to see more than just one (some see dozens when they're down there) but even still, it was amazing. They are so majestic and awe-inspiring it leaves one speechless. I wish everyone would have the chance to see one of these fine creatures in their life.
After spending 5-6 hours in Valdez I decided I wasn't going to spend the night(its a pretty tiny town). I was going to stop at Black Rapids on my way home, but in the end I decided just to drive straight to Fairbanks. About 15 miles from home, while crossing through Eielson Air Force base I passed an SUV going about 90. I thought it was just a regular car, but when I got next to it I saw it was the Air Forces version of the Military Police. I of course slowed right down to the speed limit, but he pulled me over and made me sit there for 20 minutes just to teach me a lesson. No ticket at least :D.
The next day I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Around Noon I decided what the hell, lets head to the Arctic Circle. Its just a sign saying you've reached the top third of the northern hemisphere, but its still pretty cool, and its my new Facebook photo :D. While my trip to the circle wasn't very exciting, on my way back I stopped to get gas (at a glorious $5.19 a gallon) at the Yukon River. As I passed it I saw the sun setting and decided to take a picture of myself. Here it is :P
All in all, I saw more in that one weekend than some people see during their 3-year tours here. If I do end up leaving Alaska in a couple months, I really won't have any regrets now.