Making up for lost time - June 26-27 - Fun in the sun at Otto Lake, lunch at 49th State Brewery, and puppy kisses at DogGoneIt

I was working on this blog last week when the Riley Fire erupted in Denali National Park.  Quick fire update, then a look back at our days off last week.  On Wednesday, the fire was about 25% contained and held to just under 400 acres.  Today has been significantly cooler but the winds have kicked up a lot.  Firefighters actually have a water hose from the Nenana River to one of the fire lines.  

These fire crew members below are on this side of the river, radioing the helicopter and air tanker pilots where to drop their load of water.  Quite an operation.

 

After a busy day, we decided to forgo dinner at the EDR and went across the street to the Thai Food Truck.  Pad Thai was flavorful; the spring rolls and sweet/sour sauce were delicious; and the beer tasted soooo good.  Susan had the Alaskan Brewing Company's Amber and I had the Coors.  

So now going back in time to last week's days off - The rhythm of the summer is settling in.  Wednesday/Thursday off days. Early mornings pre-tripping my bus.  Susan going in ridiculously early (5:45 am) to catch the 2 customers who might want to buy something.  For this week's first day off, we borrowed a car from a Yellowstone friend who is working here and revisited an area we enjoyed in 2018 - Otto Lake.  You know Susan (Aquarius) and water.  

These are beach head iris, growing prolifically along the shoreline.

And some daisies.   So cute.  

Otto Lake 18 miles north of us near Healy, but first a stop at Susan's favorite coffee shop - Henry's.  Too bad they stopped serving 15 minutes before we got there.  So we bought 2 cinnamon rolls and 2 scones, and headed to Alaska Coffee Bean...just a few minutes away.  Susan says there is something really special about Alaskan coffee; I wouldn't know.  😉  

So if we couldn't get coffee, we decided to have lunch at our favorite lunch place from 2018 - 49th State Brewery.  We enjoyed a flight of 4 beers...delicious seafood chowder (salmon, halibut, and clams)...and 49th State's signature Bavarian pretzel.  Awwwwsyum!

The state sport of Alaska is dog mushing and the home of the Iditarod, a 1049 mile dog sled race from Anchorage to Nome.  With the popularity of the sport, there are several folks who breed and raise huskies for both race and work.  While snowmachines have taken over some frontcountry operations, dogs are better suited in the backcountry.  A breeder by the name of DogGoneIt is close to us in Denali, and they picked us up to introduce to their dogs.  Caitlin and Mike Santos moved from Massachusetts to Alaska, specifically to raise huskies and compete in the Iditarod.  They have an 11 year old son, Max, and an amazing operation.  When you come to Denali, be sure to check out DogGoneIt!!  As soon as you step off the bus, they put a husky puppy in your hands.  This helps them socialize.

Caitlin introduces these incredible huskies.  When the sled comes out, the dogs know it's time for a run.  They go absolutely berserk - barking, pulling on their chain - pick me!!  Pick me!!  I want to run!!

Mike has run the Iditarod 3 times.  

After a busy Wednesday, we dialed it back a bit with an easy hike in our backyard - back to the Oxbow Trail.  We headed out a little further along the Nenana River Trail, and found this tree full of burls...

 

and a great bench overlooking the Nenana River.  

Happy July 4th!  We are truly blessed to live in a country with freedom, flexibility, and mobility.