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Today's plan was simply to leave Fairbanks and take a casual stroll down “Parks Highway” (AK-Hwy 3), stopping in Denali National Park, then ending up in Talkeetna, AK, a mere 275 miles to the south.  I should have known coming off two full days of rest that the day wouldn't end up being quite so simple.  Nearly 500 miles later, a trip to Wasilla for a new rear tire, and a detour here and there, I have landed for the evening in Talkeetna.  Seems like every time I take a full day's rest I come out of the gate the next day even more ready to ride and put up bigger miles than I anticipate.  What can I say, I love to ride, I love to explore, and I definitely seize the journey!  I bid my new friends farewell in Fairbanks under sunny though mostly cloudy conditions.  The closer I got to Denali National Park (NP) the more ominous the clouds seemed even though rain wasn't in the forecast.  Since I've experienced rain every single day for the past week, even if just for a few minutes, I've learned to pay no attention to the forecast.  Mountain weather can change with the blink of an eye and while coming out of a sweeper! The road just outside of Denali parallels a river.  I must say that it was refreshing to ride beside water for a change rather than ride in the rainwater! Before entering Denali NP I stopped to refuel.  While pumping gas I noticed this sign, which somewhat confirmed my opinion on the AK weather prognosticators:  Onward to Denali NP, the king of US parks: On the way down to Denali I thought about the possibility of taking one of the shuttle bus tours that run through the park (the only vehicles allowed in the park are the shuttles).  Once I arrived at the main Visitor Center and got my National Park Passport stamp, it took me about .018 seconds to decide about the shuttle.  I think I'd rather spend a day in jail then be captive on a shuttle bus with a bunch of tourists, wailing kids, ridiculously goofy questions like “Do moose lay eggs?”, etc.  In fact, no one could pay me to get on that bus.  I must have had a momentary bought with insanity to have even considered such an idea.  Even if I was the only person on the bus I don't think it's something I would enjoy... maybe logging all the motorcycle miles has jaded me, but being stuck in a temperature controlled box with synthetic air while watching animals and scenery through a filter (glass) just seems odd.  I'd much prefer to be IN the scenery and WITH the animals and FEEL the rain, cold, and wind while piloting my own motorcycle.  Honestly, I couldn't get out of Denali NP fast enough.  As I was leaving the parking lot I took this photo, which in and of itself proves I was out of place: As I rode away I thought about how the place felt more like Disneyland than a National Park.  Besides, the clouds were so thick there wasn't a chance to see any part of a mountain.  I read at the Visitor Center that there is only a 30% chance of seeing Mt.McKinley, the centerpiece of Denali NP and North America's highest mountain peak at 20,320 feet. Since I was leaving Denali much earlier than I expected, I called to see if the rear tire I had scheduled to have put on the bike in Wasilla tomorrow could possibly be done today.  “Mike” the owner of Abby Auto said “Come on down!” so that's where the Strom and I headed. About a half hour after leaving Denali NP the clouds seem to shift around and a blue sky became more prevalent.  I was moving at a fairly spirited pace until the trees I was riding through became open valleys and I caught a glimpse of this....  YEE-HAW!!  Off the bike I went, dancing a celebration jig and getting a close up of Denali from a northern vantage point:  Um, okay, let's see... could it possible be... yup, it's D-E-N-A-L-I!  I'm two for two... both days I've ridden in AK and I've seen Mt. McKinley twice!  Since I had heard and now experienced the views rapidly changing I rode like a demon so I could stop and take photos from multiple vantage points. Further down the road: ... and a close up of Denali: Even further down the road: ...and a close up Mt. Hunter: ... and another close up of Denali: At this particular vantage point a glacier was in clear view, seemingly beside Denali: I rode beside Denali in clear view for at least 75 miles, which explain why my photos have such varying angles of Denali.  It was almost surreal to have this gigantic mountain in full view.  Knowing how rare an event this was, I stopped countless times; each time it was difficult to break my mesmerized gaze and get back on the bike: Knowing I had to meet Mike to get the Strom's new rear tire, I tried to stay on schedule.  Thankfully, Mike was fast and efficient and I was in and out in no time: For those who will be traveling to this region and will be needing tires like me, may I suggest you contact Mike at Abbey Auto in Wasilla for your needs.  The man was fast, friendly, efficient, and flexible... all qualities that score high with me!  You may contact him at: 907-376-6919 After getting the new tire, I headed back on Hwy 3 to backtrack the 70 miles to Talkeetna.  On the way ride up I kept thinking about how grand that sight of Denali was and how I wanted to see more of it.  I decided I'd ride past Talkeetna just a bit to a particular turn off that afforded wonderful southern views of Denali.  That “just a bit” part ended up being 50 miles, 100 miles round trip.  Hey, it's not every day that you get to ride with views from the road like this: Back to the spot where I was earlier in the day, where I found Mt McKinley once again in full view!  These maps might help make sense of the magnitude of these mountains: While rolling to Talkeetna I passed this moose warning sign roadside which I thought was quite interesting to say the least: ... but not quite as interesting as this banner once I arrived in Talkeetna:  Moose Dropping Festival??  Hmm, so last year I just missed the “Testical Festival” while rolling through Montana, and now I miss the Moose Dropping Festival here in AK! This is definitely some journey, huh?! AGirl   If you wish to receive direct emails from me whenever a new Journey Report has been posted than simply click: This Link

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