Woo-hoo! We won the Denali lottery!

[Blue_In_AK]

We just received notice today that we've won a permit to drive the Denali National Park road September 18. I think I've mentioned here before that normally to see the park, you have to ride a shuttle bus, but every year in September a certain number of private vehicles are allowed in after the tourists leave. I'm really excited about this because the fall colors will be fabulous (assuming they're not covered with snow) and there is so much more freedom to stop and look when you're in your own car.

Keep your fingers crossed for good weather.

[CC]

1. Keeping fingers crossed.

Glad you got that win, I know you were hoping. And we get to see lots more pictures once you get home. :bounce:

[F.Gordon]

2. LOL

Sorry, I read "lottery" and I'm thinkin' bling bling.
:rofl:

Hey, I caught a few minutes on the TV recently bout' some dude that was really into Grizzly Bars'. He and his girlfriend were apparently eaten by one. You don't go there do you? I remember something about carrying pepperspray.... since I know you don't "pack heat" when you're out.

Congrats on the lottery thing. I have no idea what you're talking about but it sounds very kewl.
:hi:

[Blue_In_AK]

6. You're thinking Timothy Treadwell.

He was in Katmai National Park, I beileve -- and most people here think he was seeking "suicide by bear." There really isn't any other rational explanation. :crazy:

[regnaD kciN]

7. Whereas I was thinking...

..."how on earth are Blue and HullBoss going to move Denali to their back yard?" ;-)

Is there a limit to the number of passengers that can be carried on a car under this arrangement? If not, I have a feeling that you may be getting an influx of DU photographers popping by for a visit that day. (Think of a circus "clown car," and you get what I'm imaging...) :evilgrin:

[Blue_In_AK]

10. Do you mind sitting in the back of a crew cab? LOL.

[TahitiNut]

8. Carrying pepperspray is a good idea.

The bears appreciate a well-seasoned meal. A little sea salt might be nice, too. :evilgrin:

[F.Gordon]

9. I'd also recommend a good California Merlot

And you should always learn the Monty Python Retreat... :evilgrin:

[F.Gordon]

3. "Many fatalities and injuries have been related to photography"

http://www.denali.national-park.com/hike.htm#bear



Google is MY friend... looks like a fantastic place. Only allow 400 cars in? Shit, that's like a 1/2 hour over RM Natl Park.

http://www.denalinationalpark.com/

[Blue_In_AK]

4. This is really a great opportunity.

The park is incredibly beautiful, and if the weather cooperates I should get some very good shots. I haven't been up there for at least 26 years, maybe longer, so I'm really looking forward to this. It's kind of comforting to know that even though the area at the entrance to the park has commercialized quite a bit, the park itself will be exactly as it was the last time I was there. I think running the shuttles in the summer is exactly the right thing to do to preserve the park, and I love it that they have this limited lottery in the fall for us locals.

[Blue_In_AK]

5. I doubt that we'll do much back-country hiking

so I'm not too worried about the bears, although there's a good chance we'll see some from the car. It's a pretty long and strenuous drive back to Wonder Lake (dirt road), so my guess is we won't have much time for treks ... just frequent stops.

[Eurobabe]

11. Look forward to seeing your photos

from Denali. Have fun, and be careful...

(Isn't that where Bu$h lives? OOPs, that's Denial.)

[Maestro]

12. Good News!

I hope you get some great landscape/wildlife shots! Please share.

[Whoa_Nelly]

13. OMG! That's great news, Blue!!!

Have taken the shuttle bus (big ol' school bus actually)...it was in August...got to see the caribou, and icy sides of Denali.

You are so lucky!! Am sure you'll get some awesome pics!!

WTG!! Am so excited for you!! :bounce:

[Blue_In_AK]

14. I'm just hoping that the rain stops...

We've had a crazy amount of rain here the past two or three weeks. Last week we couldn't even have driven to the park because the Chulitna bridge on the Parks Highway had washed out. But they're making repairs out there and the highway is open again, so hopefully -- hopefully -- things will be back to normal by mid-September. I can handle clouds, I just don't want it to rain on my camera. :)

[Whoa_Nelly]

15. Do you know where the Denali Rafting place is?

I used to work there. http://www.denaliraft.com/

Ever go to the Lynx Pizza or the Salmon Bake (yummy hushpuppies!)up by Healy?

[Blue_In_AK]

16. I think I did notice that

when we were coming back from Fairbanks in June because the Nenana River runs right next to the highway there. Actually, that was the first time I'd been that far up the Parks since the early '80s, so I'm not familiar with the food places you mention. I was really amazed at how built up it's became around the park entrance with all the fancy lodges, etc. It wasn't like that at all when I first went to the park in 1972. They call it "Glitter Gulch" now. :shrug: The cruise lines have kind of taken over - that's why I'm glad we're going in September after everybody's gone.

[wakeme2008]

17. Just Saying-- Photographing Alaska's Coastal Grizzly Bear

Moose on Grizzlys http://www.moosepeterson.com/phototips/bear.html

:evilgrin:

I had a 900lb male griz run at me from more than one hundred yards out. He ended up passing by me still in a run by less than ten feet (yes, I was shooting the entire time).

Moose and his D2H