Creekside Cabins & Denali National Park

After our visit to Palmer, Alaska and the spectacular glacier excursion, we drove up towards Denali National Park, where we had reservations at the Creekside Cabins:

Not bad for a few nights in Denali National park, right?

Creekside

The next morning, very early we left for our Denali National Park excursion. You see, with your own car, you can only drive some 11 miles into the park. To preserve the wildlife, only touring buses can access the park up to 90 miles. We took the 53 miles tour, which was a full day on the bus (ugh), so we could come as close as possible to Mt. Denali. As much as I love clouds, this time I was hoping for clear blue skies, so we could perhaps see the North peak of Mt. Denali - the highest peak of North America, and the 7th largest mountain in the world.

Another moose!

Now you don't even see the Moose! (middle under)

The chauffeur would zoom in on spotted wildlife and show it in the bus on a screen. Well, if I wanted to look for a Moose on a screen, I could have saved me a hell of a lot of money and just tuned into National Geographic Channel, now couldn't I? LOL

Little Dallsheep

Denali National Park. I must say, I have seen  better.

Look in the middle, one inch from the top in the clouds: there is the North Peak of Denali Mountain, A.K.A. Mt. McKinley

Behind the clouds: Mt. Denali

LOL

I saw this picture hanging in a restaurant and couldn't resist

Lessie and Keith right below

This is live!

Here another picture of the North peak of Mt. Denali - middle, 1,5 inch from the top down. Looks like a painting, doesn't it?

Next stop: The North Pole!! (literally)

Helicopter ride to-, Kayking at the base of -, and landing on a glacier.... absolute highlight of this trip! VIDEO's INCLUDED!!!

Guys, THIS blog is going to give you a view of the ABSOLUTE HIGHLIGHT (to me personally) of this entire trip... 

On July 9th - while staying in Knik River Lodge in Palmer Alaska, we took a glacier excursion.

 

First we would take the helicopter to the base of Colony Glacier, where we would Kayak for one hour. Here is the <VIDEO> of us taking off towards Colony Glacier. 

Some pix to support this part of the excursion: 

We are ready to do this!!

With my girl Lessie

Keith in the front. Did you know Keith is a pilot too? Notice the Knik River Lodges in the back

The black line you see in Knik Glacier here, marks where two glaciers actually came together. The dirt is the debri they take with them as the huge icy straits scrape the ground with them underneath.

Absolutely breathtaking isn't it?

Here is Knik Glacier again

In the back here, on the left, that is Colony Glacier, where we will Kayak

Colony Glacier in the far end.

Randy is waiting for us in the red Kayak

<VIDEO> So after this short helicopter ride we landed near Colony Glacier for a 1 hour Kakaying experience amongst the ice bergs and ice sculptures. 

Here are the pictures of that experience (story continues below):

Lessie stayed with Josiah and the helicopter, while our guide Randy took Keith and I kayaking

 

Our guide Randy

Notice Colony Glacier in the back

Selfie!

What an Ice-Hole!

And then...the moment we've all been waiting for..... (drums please): the landing on the Glacier. I've always wanted to stand on a glacier. Today is the day. <VIDEO>

On top of the glacier were beautiful icy blue streams of ice cold water, flowing ever so gently. One of the streams got bigger and bigger, and then plunged hundreds of feet deep into a big crack. It is called a Mulan. Josiah made sure I didn't fall in, as I tried to film inside the Mulan. 

<VIDEO MULAN> 

<VIDEO INSIDE THE MULAN>

What a thrill! This was absolutely one of the best experiences EVER, in my short lived life. Including the helicopter ride above the Grand Canyon, I must admit. Absolutely spectacular. 
Here are some pictures we took on the Knik Glacier

Selfie! haha

Here you see that blue water running over the glacier

This is the Mulan!

Yeah babeeee!!! We are here!!

How beautiful is THIS!

I seriously wonder what my fellow-dirty-minded-friends see in this picture..... hehehe

Keith

Lessie stayed in the helicopter. What a breath taking picture this is, isn't it?

Josiah holds me by the belt to keep me from falling in.

Jump of Joy on Knik Glacier! I am so happy in this moment, I cannot describe it. :)

<VIDEO> After walking around for half an hour, we returned to the Knik River Lodge. 

This was our view when we drove towards the Knik River Lodge in Palmer, Alaska

Isn't it beautiful?

First we crossed the Knik River and stopped at the banks for a lunch moment.

I LOVE the clouds in this place!!!

Selfie!

Check out the Moose we saw bathing in a creek nearby!

Notice the glacier in the far back

Baby Moose!! But where is the mom?

There she is... mom was trying to decide whether she should attack or not...

These are the cabins at Knik River Lodge, founded by a Dutch couple! We are everywhere!!!

What a view, eh?

This tent was the restaurant of the lodge. Unfortunately we never ate here... as we found a fantastic restaurant in Palmer that served the PERFECT breakfast...

 Well, that was the last picture of our two day stay at Knik River Lodge and the Knik- and Colony glacier. What a ride.... 

Coming up in next blog: the Creek Side Cabins in Denali National Park!