Moose cow and calf at our RV

Yes, it was a thrill!  It was also a bit frightening...This pair grazed next to and around our RV for two days.  Meaning, if we needed to go outside, we had to double and triple-check that we weren't stepping into their space.  Normally, it is safe if you maintain 25 yards between you and the moose.  However, this cow was grouchy and had a bigger "personal bubble".  Heck, who was I to argue?!

They ate all the fireweed between our RV and the Scampi!
Never mind, the flowers are pink...smiles!

This cow is TALL and BIG!  Definitely not one to irritate!

From the "safety" of the RV, they are certainly amazing/beautiful animals.

About 3 months old...

Just got the final news--we will be in Toklat for most of August!!!  This will definitely be a new experience.  We will still be roving, but there are no maintained trails, so we will be "bush-whacking".  Glad we had the bear-spray training!!!! SMILES!  We are moving from taiga to tundra; trading moose for grizzlies.  The elevation here at park headquarters is 2080 feet--lowland.  At Toklat River Rest Stop it is 3035 feet--subalpine.

The temperatures have started to drop.  Many mornings we wake-up to low 40s.  It will be colder at Toklat.  We may just have to use those heavy volunteer coats we were loaned at the beginning of our experience here.  Now, I have to break it to Matt...we won't be able to see Lucor for awhile.

Oh!  We are flying up to Barrow for a couple of days.  I figured since we are here--smiles!

Again, I hope you are all well and happy!!!
Sending a googolplex (thanks Sarah!) of love,
Susan and Matt

Matt and Lucor

One of Matthew's favorite jobs, as a volunteer, is walking "our" sled dog, Lucor.  (Yeah, no surprise there; my son has quite the affinity for dogs!)

We walk on the road bordered by taiga (boreal forest)--the largest terrestrial biome in the world.  This is also one of the favorite stomping grounds of our moose, so we are ever vigilant!  

There are only two biomes here in Denali.  Both the taiga and tundra (biome at a higher elevation and devoid of trees) can be seen in this photo 

Matt and Lucor!  Lucor is the lead dog for most winter runs and often for the summer season demonstrations. 

The Alaska Range...It isn't clear in the photo, but the depth and majesty of this range is overwhelming.
When I look at these mountains, I feel this insistence to exclaim, "To infinity and beyond!"  (I don't think Buzz Lightyear will mind that I borrow his catchphrase!)   

Heading back to the kennel...just one of our inspiring views.

*I have replaced the duplicated photos in First two weeks in Denali--highlights with a video.

This next week will probably be our last in the park headquarters, so I will take photos of us working at our various jobs and get them into the blog.

I say probably because park politicians are still debating about when to begin the project that tears-up our RV site.

We are currently working at the Denali Visitor Center (about a mile into the park) and living at the Park Headquarters (at about 3.2 miles).  If we move, we will be driving the RV out to Toklat  River Rest Stop (53 miles) and working both there and at Eielson Visitor Center (66 miles).

Here, this map might be more clear...I noted the miles in the caption above because there is only one road in the park.  A round-trip bus ride to Toklat is 6 hours; Eielson is 8 hours.  Once we are "out there", we will not be driving out of the park for weeks. Hmmm, means a trip to Fairbanks for groceries and sundries. 

First two weeks in Denali--highlights

It is all about learning and growing, isn't it?!  In addition to the work we do in support of the park's mission, we go on discovery hikes with the rangers.

Hiking the Horseshoe Lake Trail with Ranger Jessica

Hiking Sanctuary River area with Ranger PT

Matt and I continue to rove the Savage river area.

It is important to ALWAYS be ready for animal surprises and joys!

Moose crossing the park road in front of our RV

Moose on the side of the road outside the park

Yes, and moose deposit their "surprises" everywhere! SMILES!

Matt and I were thrilled last week!  We were able to interpret for a Deaf family!  We rode with them to Eielson Visitor Center at mile 66 in the park.  (This will also be our work/living place in August.)
It was a wet cold day...and still beautiful.

Eielson Visitor Center

On the return trip, we were entertained by a sow and her two cubs.  You can just imagine the conversation...

Note--Mom turns away, and the cubs happily start wrestling again!
SMILES!











Matt's day driving an ATV--

Focused

Okay, one mistake; he ran into the guide, Jeff.  Oops!

It was also a very beautiful trail...

My basket is full--new friends, new experiences, new knowledge, a very happy son...
Life is good.  It is very good!
I hope all of you are having a joyful and wonderful summer too!

Our First Day Volunteering

AWESOME!!!  Our first day volunteering at Denali was GREAT!  We got our general schedule, met a number of enthusiastic rangers, and (one of Matt's highlights) we wore uniforms!

I pinch myself; this is truly a dream-come-true!  I hope we will have experiences in MANY national parks.  For now, I am over-the-moon about our time at Denali National Park. (Yes, Matt too!)

Volunteer Ranger Matt

Our general schedule: 

(We are also able to garnish the schedule with additional opportunities/experiences--ranger talks, ranger-lead hikes, ice cream lunches, and guest-artist programs...notice how I snuck in the "ice cream"--SMILES)

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday:

Mornings--research to prepare for "chats", and reading-up on Denali to better answer visitors' questions.

Matthew and I are preparing information and props to "chat" about wolves in Denali.  We are also trying to set-up a "chat" about various animal track casts.  Additionally, we want to have a "chat" about ASL signs for the various animals seen at Denali.  

"Chat"= setting-up somewhere at the Visitor Center compound and talking with a small group of interested people.

Noon to mid-afternoon--We walk our sled dog, Lucor!  Matthew and I don our orange vests and walk, Lucor, for an hour.  We will also have enough time to brush him (and possibly some of the other dogs) and change-out water. 

Lucor and Matt!!!
He is an awesome dog!  (Heck, I will just say it; he is the BEST one!!!  Please don't tell any of the other dog-walkers...they erroneously think their sled dogs are the best....silly people!)

Afternoon until 6:15--We ROVE!!!  Meaning, we walk trails; answer question about "bio-diversity and bus schedules"; and monitor people/animal interactions.

Roving the McKinley Station Trail

Friday and Saturday:(Our weekends are Sunday and Monday.)

All day (8:45-6:15)--We rove the trails at Savage River (mile 12.8 to 14.something), and pick-up trash in the parking lots and on the trails.

At Savage--Mountain Vista Trail.
White Spruce in the transitional zone.  The tundra, higher up, has no trees. 

Mt. McKinley (or Mt. Denali)--the impressive white mountain in the background.
Fewer than 30% of Denali visitors see the mountain.

Shrubby Cinquefoil--the wildflowers are abundant!

Savage River

Arctic Ground Squirrels