June 26 Alaskan Railroad Denali Star
Fairbanks to Anchorage
While waiting for the real thing, we enjoyed the Tanana Valley Model
Railroad Club*s version of the Alaskan Railroad.
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Now, just over 14 days out, we are starting the trip home. Today we rode the Denali Star from Fairbanks to Anchorage.
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The Black Spruce are dark, skinny conifers that grow in the permafrost in Central Alaska.
These trees grow very slowly and appear stunted. Some Alaskans unkindly refer to these trees as *Moose Food.*
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We saw lots of folks enjoying the rapids in the Nanana river. We also passed moose and beaver and bear--none of which I saw.
Mother and daughter Pauline and Katerine from England and Panama, fellow travelers on the railroad to Anchorage.
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We gradually left the Black Spruce trees of Central Alaska for the high mountains near Denali.
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Even from the famous Hurricane Gultch, we could also not see Denali (Mt. McKinley) but we were able to see some of the neighboring peaks.
Evidently this elusive moutain is hiding beyond the clouds to 80% of the tourists who try to see her.