Toklat and Eielson

Most of our work experience has been at the Toklat Visitors’ Center (the tent) and Eielson Visitors’ Center (EVC). (No roving--smiles.)  At both, Matthew and I “open” and “close”—set-up props, hoist and lower the flag, and fill-out the information boards.  (With support from the other rangers!  SMILES!) After that, it is answering visitors’ questions, sharing information (trails, flora and fauna info, ASL signs for Denali animals, and history), monitoring for bear, and crowd-control.  While we have been here, we’ve had 5 bear walk through the visitor areas!  Happily, there have been no “issues”.  Some people haven’t wanted to “move away” from the bear, but most of the visitors readily complied with rangers’ directions and “hairy eyeball” glares.

Eielson Visitor Center (EVC)

Toklat Tent (the tent)

Caribou boy!

Bear at the tent

Matt (the brat) helping to dig the fire pit.

Matt teaching the sign for "sheep" inside the tent

Successfully "passed the sign 'test'

Inside EVC from behind the information desk

Matthew teaching the signs for the "Big 5" Denali animals--bear, moose, caribou, wolf, and sheep.  He uses the skulls for "hints".

 Kantishna Experience


On one of our days off, we took a bus tour to Kantishna.  FUN!  We learned about Fanny Quigley, ate blue berries and enjoyed the ride to the "end of the road"

blue berries

Matthew picking blue berries

Matt at the "end of the road"

Fanny Quigley's cabin

Dinosaur track arrives

The helicopter brings it in...

Dinosaur track--luckily, the crack didn't hurt it.

The work here has been WONDERFUL.  However, the people at Toklat are even more so!  Matthew and I have been gifted to be a part of everyones' lives here.  As with the rangers in the front country (Denali Visitor Center), these guys are extraordinary!  Thank you so much for EVERYTHING you shared--information, passion for the wilderness, support, and friendship.  

Matt and Diane
Brien, Alina, Jeanette, Joseph, Dan, Katie, Bob, Kate, and Tina
Jakara, Susan, and Junior
The threw us a great farewell potluck!

This is quite the musical crew too!  Joseph and Dan on the acoustic guitars and Brien on the banjo.   Joseph wrote the first song featured--Galloping Glaciers.   He thinks the second song is titled South on Route 29, but isn't certain.  If anyone knows, please tell me.