Palmer Elks Lodge

6/20 - 6/23/14
Palmer Elks Lodge
on the shore of Finger Lake
Power only.

We ended up staying here, a beautiful spot overlooking the lake with mountains in the background, for three nights instead of just one because I have a nasty, cough/cold with slight fever and chills.  I basically slept for three days and I still have they dang thing, but gradually getting better.

 Isn't this a beautiful setting?

While we were at the Elks, the local Search and Rescue Team was having a training session for some of the new dogs.  They were being taught to get into the boat, jump out of the boat and fetch a play toy back to shore.  Some of the more experienced dogs actually brought in a person (with life jacket)  The training lasted about 6 hrs for the trainers, the dogs got to rest most of the time.  They were all trained very well and stayed by their handler's side.

It was nice that they had such a good place to practice.

That's it for today

Nancy

Denali to Palmer

6/19/14

Talkeetna
pronounced Tal KEET na
Spent the night behind the Visitor Center.

Leaving Denali, good bye until next time We missed this sign coming into the park.

We are headed to Palmer but first a side trip to Talkeetna, a little town about 14 miles off the Hwy.

We came across a Denali Ranger that was giving a talk about how to climb the mountain.  A Ranger inspects everyone's pack, checking to see if they have the right equipment, food and clothing.  Then you fly up to the 7,500' level and stay there for 3 - 4 days to get acclimated.  While on the mountain you can ski, snowshoe, play volley ball, basket ball.  You are then given a sled to put you gear in and you pull it along the way.  This is only the beginning of the trip that takes over two weeks to complete.
  

The town was a real cute tourist town, we did have a nice lunch and a micro brew out on the deck; the best part was listening to the Ranger talk and demonstrate about the climb to the top of the mountain.. There are Rangers at each camp along the way and a hospital tent. The last 2.5 miles to the top of the south summit takes about 18 hrs round trip.  This is way beyond extreme hiking. (No Brenda this is not for you and Tom.)

Enough for today, Palmer tomorrow.

Nancy