Day 23: Lands Of The Midnight Sun

Took it slow this morning, hanging around the cabins, and getting to know our couchsurf host better. Turns out Dave has also worked as a raft guide on the Salmon River in Idaho. Looks like I might have found something to do on my first visit to that fair state. Went back into Fairbanks around noon, and got a lot of info on Alaska at the info center.

I finally figured out how to book my return ferry trip on the Alaska Marine Highway. Not including a couple days layover in Juneau mid-trip, my car and I will be on a boat for about six days. It will be the longest time I've ever been at sea. So excited!

The drive south to Denali National Park was very pretty. At my first glimpse of the mountains, my spirits immediately lifted in a great rush. We managed to get a very affordable campsite even though it was late in the day, because we were willing to walk all our gear in a mile. I also got the last ticket for the first shuttle to Wonder Lake tomorrow. No private vehicles are allowed more than nine miles into the park. The shuttle will take me over eighty miles into the park, and then I'll be able to get out and hike around a bit. It's definitely the best way to see Denali, if you don't have time for a backcountry trip.

The weather is supposed to be pretty clear tomorrow, and I'm hoping to catch a glimpse of Mount McKinley. Fingers crossed!

My brother and I have always had a tenuous relationship. I've high hopes this trip will eventually bring us closer together with fond shared adventures. However, in the immediate term it's sparked many an intense conversation. Tomorrow we're taking a day apart. I'll miss him, but it'll be for the best.

Tomorrow is another adventure, another dream made real, one more falling star caught as I run around confused and hung up until I drop. I'm pretty sure I need to live more deliberately. Maybe in Homer?
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