After attending a Saturday evening church service, Mike and I awoke to a beautiful Sunday. The sun was shining. The temperature was in the 7o's. We had the whole day before us. We looked at each other and I said, "Let's go for a drive."
Mike easily agreed to taking a drive to Nenana (nee-nana). Nenana is about 55 miles south of Fairbanks. We packed a few snacks, grabbed the camera and headed out. After about an hour drive we arrived in the bustling city of Nenana, population 500. We were hungry and decided to find a place to eat. Now, Nenana was MUCH smaller than we had initially anticipated. There was one main street with just a few buildings.
Fortunately, there was one cafe opened. So, despite the looks of the outside, we decided to give it a try. After all, what was the worst that could happen? Maybe an episode of salmonella or e-coli? Really, how bad could that be? It would only last a day or two, right? Mike and I decided to order a 1/2 pound hamburger and we would split it. Hey, if one of us goes, we both go.
During our lunch, we realized that if our trip ended in Nenana, we sure wouldn't see much, except for the 144,000 acre wildfire burning 20 miles from the town. So, we spontaneously decided to drive down to Denali National Park, the home of Mt. McKinley, North America's tallest mountain.
The drive from Nenana to Denali is about one hour long. The road winds through beautiful terrain. As we drove into the park, the smoke from the Nenana fire was quite thick. We could not see Mt. McKinley. However, we drove 15 miles into the park to Savage River.
At Savage River, Mike and I strolled around. We found spectacular wildflowers. Mike skipped rocks across the water. Then, I had the most insane idea. Wouldn't it be fun to go wading in the river. I bent down and dipped my fingers in the water. Yow!!! It was definitely cold. I looked at Mike and said, "How cold do you think this water is?" He sweetly replied, "Oh, it can't be any colder than 40 to 45 degrees." The honey-dripped words were basically a challenge for me to follow through on my insane idea of wading.
I've heard the saying that pride goes before the fall and I believe that it is completely true. My pride got the better of me and I boastfully took off my shoes and socks determined to get in the glacier-chilled water. I smiled at my dear, sweet husband and slowly walked to the river's edge. I cautiously let the water flow over my right foot. I looked back at Mike and knew that there was no turning back. I turned my back to him, grimaced and boldly walked right into that river. After the initial shock of the frigid temperature, my feet began to ache. After about 1o seconds, they began to tingle. Okay, that was enough! It was time to let pride go and get the heck out of that river!
I climbed out and collapsed on the rocks. I felt like whining. I wanted to say, "Sugarbear, will you warm my feet? They hurt and it's soooo cold." However, I smiled and said, "Wow, that's was very invigorating. You should try it!" Not buying my version of the truth, (Before you think I fibbed, let me tell you that 40 degree water is very invigorating and I personally felt that he should have tried it) Mike declined to go toe-dipping in the Savage River.
After an hour of more exploring, Mike and I looked at our watches and decided we should head back to North Pole. We had a blast on our fun day trip. We hope to do many more like this before summer is over.
Mike overlooking the Tanana Valley.
A 144,000 acre wildfire is burning about 20 miles from Nenana.
Nenana, Alaska has a population of 500.
Denali National Park and Preserve welcomes Mike!
Kristie can't wait to get going. Enough of the pictures, already!
The road into the park winds through spruce-covered mountains.
Mike is feeling good after a visit to the outhouse.
Mike at Savage River.
Mike looks for bears up in the hills with his binoculars.
Mike skips rocks across the river.
The Savage River's temperature runs between 40 and 50 degrees.
Kristie bravely enters the frigid waters.
Kristie frantically climbs out of the cold water.
Kristie warms her bone-chilled feet on the banks of the Savage River.
Wildflowers at Denali
Hills around Savage River
Mike easily agreed to taking a drive to Nenana (nee-nana). Nenana is about 55 miles south of Fairbanks. We packed a few snacks, grabbed the camera and headed out. After about an hour drive we arrived in the bustling city of Nenana, population 500. We were hungry and decided to find a place to eat. Now, Nenana was MUCH smaller than we had initially anticipated. There was one main street with just a few buildings.
Fortunately, there was one cafe opened. So, despite the looks of the outside, we decided to give it a try. After all, what was the worst that could happen? Maybe an episode of salmonella or e-coli? Really, how bad could that be? It would only last a day or two, right? Mike and I decided to order a 1/2 pound hamburger and we would split it. Hey, if one of us goes, we both go.
During our lunch, we realized that if our trip ended in Nenana, we sure wouldn't see much, except for the 144,000 acre wildfire burning 20 miles from the town. So, we spontaneously decided to drive down to Denali National Park, the home of Mt. McKinley, North America's tallest mountain.
The drive from Nenana to Denali is about one hour long. The road winds through beautiful terrain. As we drove into the park, the smoke from the Nenana fire was quite thick. We could not see Mt. McKinley. However, we drove 15 miles into the park to Savage River.
At Savage River, Mike and I strolled around. We found spectacular wildflowers. Mike skipped rocks across the water. Then, I had the most insane idea. Wouldn't it be fun to go wading in the river. I bent down and dipped my fingers in the water. Yow!!! It was definitely cold. I looked at Mike and said, "How cold do you think this water is?" He sweetly replied, "Oh, it can't be any colder than 40 to 45 degrees." The honey-dripped words were basically a challenge for me to follow through on my insane idea of wading.
I've heard the saying that pride goes before the fall and I believe that it is completely true. My pride got the better of me and I boastfully took off my shoes and socks determined to get in the glacier-chilled water. I smiled at my dear, sweet husband and slowly walked to the river's edge. I cautiously let the water flow over my right foot. I looked back at Mike and knew that there was no turning back. I turned my back to him, grimaced and boldly walked right into that river. After the initial shock of the frigid temperature, my feet began to ache. After about 1o seconds, they began to tingle. Okay, that was enough! It was time to let pride go and get the heck out of that river!
I climbed out and collapsed on the rocks. I felt like whining. I wanted to say, "Sugarbear, will you warm my feet? They hurt and it's soooo cold." However, I smiled and said, "Wow, that's was very invigorating. You should try it!" Not buying my version of the truth, (Before you think I fibbed, let me tell you that 40 degree water is very invigorating and I personally felt that he should have tried it) Mike declined to go toe-dipping in the Savage River.
After an hour of more exploring, Mike and I looked at our watches and decided we should head back to North Pole. We had a blast on our fun day trip. We hope to do many more like this before summer is over.
Mike overlooking the Tanana Valley.
A 144,000 acre wildfire is burning about 20 miles from Nenana.
Nenana, Alaska has a population of 500.
Denali National Park and Preserve welcomes Mike!
Kristie can't wait to get going. Enough of the pictures, already!
The road into the park winds through spruce-covered mountains.
Mike is feeling good after a visit to the outhouse.
Mike at Savage River.
Mike looks for bears up in the hills with his binoculars.
Mike skips rocks across the river.
The Savage River's temperature runs between 40 and 50 degrees.
Kristie bravely enters the frigid waters.
Kristie frantically climbs out of the cold water.
Kristie warms her bone-chilled feet on the banks of the Savage River.Wildflowers at Denali
Hills around Savage River
No comments:
Post a Comment