Vacay month continued!

From the "Mexican Riviera" (almost) to the Land of the Midnight Sun ... 

I took a fabulous, Memorial Weekend, sleep-deprived trip to Anchorage, Wasilla and Denali National Park and had a completely amazing time! 

Not the typical destination for 3-day weekend jaunt, I actually was invited to visit the nation's largest state for a first date! And a blind date, at that. I had an incredible time! Too bad he lives in Alaska! 

It was an event-filled weekend and Mr. Alaska was a great tour guide. Right after getting off the plane, killing time in Anchorage for 2 hours in the wee hours of the morning, we retrieved my luggage from "lockup" (first time my luggage has ever been lost!) and hit the road around 6 a.m. Saturday, heading up directly to Denali National Park. 

Arriving at Denali we checked into the hotel, grabbed some lunch and took a short nap! Ahhhh.... Then we embarked on a Jet Boat Safari where we sped along one of the rivers, seeking out wildlife and admiring the snowtopped peaks of the overwhelmingly majestic mountains. Taking a break we were introduced to a full-time fur trapper who showed off his wares ... wolf, fox, lynx, beaver and more. Then we were off to pan for gold! Only looking like simple flecks, it was fun to discover our little treasure. 

That evening, after another short nap, we enjoyed a fun dinner-theater event, feasting on ribs, salmon and all the fixin's while learning about Denali's early adventurers. 

After a quick count, I figure that with the exception of a few naps, nothing more than about an hour or so, I was awake for 42 hours from Friday morning until finally going to sleep at 11 p.m. Saturday. Complete exhaustion, but so much fun! 

The next day we woke up early for breakfast and our bus tour through Denali.  

Me and Mt. McKinley in the background. Beautiful! The nation's highest peak! 

Gorgeous Mt. McKinley, different day but little bit better view. Can you make out the peak through the clouds?

Entering Denali National Park. We took a 6-hour bus tour through the park, seeking wildlife. We did see grizzly bears, caribou and doll sheep (below). Photo opps were not so great because everything was from such a long distance, but we had a great time! 

At one of the stops on our bus tour through Denali. So beautiful! 

After our drive through Denali, we headed back to Wasilla for a relaxing night. Monday was filled with a picnic lunch, outstandingly scenic drive and a visit to a Musk Ox Farm. Heading back into Anchorage, we ate dinner at an "authentic Alaskan restaurant" called Gwennie's and then it was back to the airport for the long trek back home (6-hour late-night layover in Seattle). WHEW!!

It was an incredible adventure, but I'm excited to enjoy a few weeks travel-free!