Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.
Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.
The winds will blow their own freshness into you,
and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.
~ John Muir ~

We had a change of plans on Sunday and instead of going fishing down at Montana Creek (which is towards Anchorage), we instead drove the other way - to Paxson - and then in on the Denali Highway for 30 miles. All total... about 400 miles roundtrip. We left the house around 7am and didn't get home again until after 7pm. We stopped many times so that Steve could fish, and I could shoot.

There are no words to express the incredible beauty that we saw yesterday. I was moved by the most glorious contrasts of autumn gold and orange against the steel blue and white of snow-capped mountains.

Thank you, God for giving me sight....


On a clear day, you can see the Alaska Range on the horizon from Fairbanks. Drive about 50 miles southeast and the range becomes much more impressive. This photo was taken from an overlook. The Tanana River is in the foreground. Although the river isn't frozen yet, many of the tributaries which lead to the Tanana are fringed with snow and ice and have a thin layer of ice on top.


As you get closer to Fort Greeley (an anti-ballistic missile installation and army training area), the range seems only a few miles away - but in reality it's many more miles before you actually see the 'big stuff'.


I call this one "Head for the Hills". The range is so incredibly impressive!


This is one example of the great mixture of warm and cold colors throughout our drive. What a joy!

This is Black Rapids Glacier. Near Black Rapids is the Army's Cold Weather Training Center. It is here that our soldiers are trained in mountaineering and arctic survival.


There are a herd of bison which were originally brought here from Montana in the late 1920's who have been surviving on their own (and growing in numbers) ever since. Their migration occurs April-August. We saw them in June. No sight of them yesterday.

This drive through the Rainbow Mountains (named for the colors caused by minerals in the rock) made me catch my breath in June when we made this drive. Yesterday, I was even more taken aback by the grandeur.

Another shot of the Rainbow Mountains from the riverbed (the water level is low and the river bottom is gravel)


This is Gulkana Glacier. During the winter, the Tesoro Arctic Man Competition takes place in this general area. The golden color of the marsh grass, the not yet frozen pond, and the frigid colors of the glacier were a real treat for the eyes.

I suppose the ADF&G (Alaska Dept of Fish & Game) won't be hanging signs on any trees in the future....


This shot was taken from the Denali Highway. The Denali Highway is 135 miles (more than 110 miles of washboard gravel) and connects Paxson to Cantwell - which is where the entrance to Denali National Park is. Some say that there are better views and more wildlife along this stretch of highway, than in the park itself.


We stopped to check out this campground along the highway. During the off season, camping at BLM campgrounds is free. Another terrific perk for us residents.

We stopped at the Delta River so Steve could fish. The marsh grass grew in abundance along the shoreline and from between the rocks.


This was taken as we made our way back to Fairbanks. I thought that the way the sun reflected on the creek was interesting.


The crooked line running up the side of this hill is the Alaska Pipeline. It runs more than 700 miles from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez.

The harsh lines of these craggy mountains were a real contrast to the soft bushes below.

What a perfect shot to end the day! As the sun gets lower in the sky, it turns the sky pink over the Range. We are exhausted and yet renewed.