June 16, 2014 Talkeetna to Denali National Park (Denali RV Park and Motel, 8 miles N of Denali NP)

Remember Plan C from yesterday?  Ziplining and flight to and around Mt. Denali.

We were able to enjoy the zip line tour this morning.  All of us except Glen participated.  

We started with the harness--lots and lots of safety equipment, then gloves with an extra leather gauntlet on the right hand that is used for braking.

A short hike up the hill brought us to safety school.  We learned to follow instructions, watch hand signals, brake, and land on the platform at the end of the line.

There were nine zip lines.  Each of the first three got higher and higher.  The last three were the longest.  In between were three suspension bridges to walk over; and one rappel down from one platform to a lower platform--about 20 feet.

I was brave! (smile!)  By the time the 6th or 7th zip line came around I was learning to relax--not completely, but not completely frozen/tense muscles, either.

The most difficult was the rappel--not the height, but the stepping off, turning one's body toward the platform, and sitting in the harness.  Once that was accomplished the actual rappeling was not too difficult.  

Only on one zip line did I run into and nearly knock down the guide at the end of the line.  I just couldn't get my right hand up over my head in time to "brake."  

At all times we were fastened to the safety lines.  I am proud that I did it.  It was fun; I felt that I accomplished something.  In fact, I might do it again.

The WI FI is slow tonight.  I won't attempt to download pictures.  But there will be pictures, I promise.

The other part of Plan C didn't work out.  The weather around Mt. Denali prevented any flight to and around Mt. Denali.  We filled in a time slot for Wednesday afternoon on the way south but the weather forecast isn't too promising.

We traveled mid-afternoon from Talkeetna to Denali National Park.  We are at a RV park eight miles north of the park entrance.  None of the Nat Park's campgrounds have hook-ups.  This RV park has full hook-ups.  We all enjoy our creature comforts, including electricity and water in the RV's.

The wind is roaring and moving slightly the RV's.  It might be a cold day tomorrow.  We have a bus trip into the National Park scheduled.  

I hope I can report tomorrow about all the animals we have seen!