We had some time to kill before everyone arrived in Fairbanks, so we walked around our lodge and the surroundings. Found something unusual:
This is a nursery. The plane parts look real to me. What do you think?
I still can’t get over the flowers. We joked that I would return to the Lower 48 (we heard that term a lot) with only shots of them. 🙂
The moose is everywhere in Alaska. You can find it on dish towels, t-shirts, sculptures, you name it….
I sound like a broken record, but these are the biggest marigolds I’ve ever seen. I should have put my hand next to them so you could see just how big.
I know a little bit about flowers, and these weren’t just thrown in a pot. Someone knew what they were doing. We saw beautiful arrangements everywhere, even in little podunk towns.
OK, the next morning we set out for Denali National Park. On the way there, we saw a female moose (cow) and her baby calf! We found out that it’s really dangerous to approach moose, as they can kick very suddenly and basically kill you. Females protecting their young are especially dangerous.
Sorry, not the best photos–shot through the window and blown up a few times.
We made a brief stop at a place called Nenana. Evidently, it’s a checkpoint on the Iditarod trail.
We could have gone for a ride with the dogs, but didn’t have time, and they were panting like crazy in the warm sun. Check out the abandoned train in the background….
Couldn’t resist a shot of the broken windows.
This was our lodge in Denali. Much nicer than the place in Fairbanks. There were two good restaurants, a theater and some nice boutiques.
Across the street, some t-shirt shops and such.
This was taken in front of our lodge.
Our view at lunchtime.
Our rooms were just steps away from this large deck. We got so lucky with the weather because July and August make up the rainy season in Alaska! It rained only when we were inside, except when we walked through a rain forest one afternoon.
Pearls & Prose 
Carole, what a wonderful post, so fresh! I like shots of flowers, but your pictures about views and mountains are breathtaking! Gave me a feeling that I am there!
Thanks so much! Very glad to hear that. 🙂
I would have been so excited to see the moose that close. Such an unexpected treat.
You had a terrific view from your lodge! Did any moose come wandering past your window?
Ha! No, no moose outside the window.
Yes, the views from this lodge were beautiful everywhere you looked.
I love the freshness in your images and nature, since here in California nature is just brown and dry.
You’re right, it’s so green there! Also, chilly. I was cold with long sleeves and a jacket. It was strange to come back to heat and humidity. We’re supposed to have quite an el nino this year, so hopefully Calif. will get a rainy winter.
that is wonderful 🙂
Not sure why I missed this post.
Lovely pictures. I have a feeling I can smell the crisp air. Those flowers are stunning and really arranged with care.
Oh yes, the air! Unbelievably clean and fresh, Caroline. I do miss that.
I love the airplane. If You read my “About-me-page”, then You understand.