July 29, 2009

July 29, 2009

In the morning for exercise we do a hike to the top of the nearby ridge for a view of the local glacier. With that under our belt we continue on to Glen Allen. The route is thick with the smoke of forest fires. I forgot that this is the penalty for going to the drier warmer parts of Alaska. Nearby is the Visitor Center for Wrangell-St Elias National Park. Wrangell is the largest National Park in the US, the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined. Although we can drive to the edge of the park; that is as far as we can go. Most of the park consists of mountains and glaciers, huge ones. The park contains a glacier the size of Rhode Island and has nine of North Americas highest sixteen peaks.

We watch the park film and peruse the exhibits and then continue driving north. The road suffers from severe frost heaves. Eventually we make it to Tok, Alaska. We have now completed our circle of Alaska. It is time to head back to the lower 48. We liked Alaska but we are in need of some warmer weather. Plus our finances need a boost. Alaska is an expensive place to live and even more expensive place to visit. Based on the prices, we get the impression that many of the locals only work during the summer tourist season and as a result need to make all their profit during these three short months.