June 28

We left Denali National Park about noon yesterday after a trip to the Visitor’s Center to see a wonderful film, “Heartbeats of Denali” which showed parts of the park only wilderness backpackers can see. We drove south to Willow and are staying for three nights at the Susitna Landing which is an Alaska Game and Fish Park right on the Kashwitna and Susitna Rivers. They fish for salmon here, however, due to the spawning season you can only fish from midnight Friday through midnight Monday for the next two weeks.

John did do a little fishing when we first got here-clad in waders which covered his entire body. I laughed when I saw him,but, being the great sister I am, I'm not posting pictures--they are for bargaining chips later! These are berries along a stream—just waiting to ripen up and provide nourishment for some bear or moose. There was a sign on the side of the road to watch for moose since 240 had been killed in this area this winter by vehicles.

After dinner we drove back north with the intent that John would do more fishing, however, we caught a glimpse of Mount McKinley the tallest mountain in North America at 20,320 feet and decided to continue driving to see if we could get a clearer view. We ended up at the Denali NP South Viewing area and got the views you see below.