Tourists and schedules

Thousands of tourists come to Denali. Most of them will be here for two or three days - or maybe a week. There are lots of things to do and see around here. You can take a flightseeing tour to Mt. McKinley or you can even land on a glacier. You can go white-water rafting or ride horses. You can hike for miles in just about any direction. You can shoot pictures of amazing wildlife up close and personal. You can walk the boardwalk and stop at all the gift shops finding the perfect souvenirs and trinkets. You can try a variety of menus if you care to go out for dinner - or attend one of the dinner theaters in the canyon.

The typical tourist has to keep moving - in order to see and do all that he/she wants to see and do - and in such a short time.

But it's raining again today. Not great weather for being a tourist. Especially if you spent all those dollars and traveled all those miles to see the tallest mountain in North America, which happens to be obscured by clouds two days out of three.  However it might not be raining down there at the mountain. It is, after all, over 60 miles away - so it could be clear there. So maybe don't rule out the idea. Besides the other tourist-y stuff is not quite as much fun in the rain either.

But when you have only three days, you need to do what you came to do, rain or shine.

We, on the other hand, aren't really tourists. We can afford to relax because we don't have to see it all and do it all today and tomorrow - or even by the end of the week. We will be here awhile. So when it starts raining again, we can just curl up on the couch with a book and enjoy the cozy sound of the rain on the roof of our trailer. Ahhh...

We have the luxury of time. We might not have the luxurious accommodations at the resort lodge nor do we even have a fancy campsite. But we have our home on wheels and we have most of the conveniences that we really need. (See what I did there: equating convenience with need - as good Americans tend to do?) We have options. We can dig out our rain gear and go for our walk in the rain if we choose to - or we can just stay inside and enjoy the raindrop symphony.

Ramblings at the half - or at the start - or somewhere

Warning: ramblings, mumblings, and possible grumblings ahead
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We must be close to the land of the midnight sun - because we had very little darkness last night. It was already light at 4 a.m. and even earlier, I think. Because I didn't sleep so well I am feeling a little groggy. So rather than try to compose a lovely piece, perhaps I just post some of my ramblings.

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Yesterday we passed the half-way point in our journey! Wahoo! Does that mean it's all down-hill from here? I think not. Besides some of the down-hills are the worst! My worst fear!

Yesterday we also arrived at Dawson Creek, British Columbia, which is the official beginning of the Alaska Highway. That's pretty significant! Last night we unhitched the rig so we could explore the town a teeny bit. We hit Boston Pizza to celebrate those two achievements, then visited Mile Zero to take the fun photos, filled the tank on the truck and bought some groceries.

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I am always curious about life in famous towns like this - so we engaged our waitress in conversation. Dawson Creek is an oil town with lots of agriculture in the surrounding valley - besides the seasonal stream of tourists. Her bottom line: The weather sucks. Don't move here!

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We struggle to find good internet. We knew that would be likely so we try not to give in to frustration. Grrrr... We are so spoiled.

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Today we start the Alaska Highway. We would love to make it to Fort Nelson by tonight, but that might be a bit over-zealous.

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And so it begins...

Or continues...

Or something.