June 22 Denali, Happy Retirement

Saturday, June 22

48 degrees this morning - feels great!  Back to Visitor’s Center to see what was happening. 

Happy first official day of retirement

 Joined a ranger-lead hike at 10:00 to Hidden Lake, an ox-bow lake with huge beaver dam. 

There were too many people in our group (38!) with lots of kids, so part way through we left and did the rest on our own.  Nice 2 miles with steep climb back.

We stopped at the Science and Learning Center on the way back and watched a film about Artic Dinosaurs.  They have found quite a few fossils and footprints here in Denali and even further north leading to questions as to whether dinosaurs were actually warm-blooded.

Checked in to our campsite at Riley and had a great ice cream cone for lunch and thought of Mom:) Did some wi-fi stuff and then drove back to Savage Creek.  Saw a few moose. 

  On way back we picked up a young man from California who was working here for the Summer building trails and gave him ride to town.

Relaxed a bit till dinner get-together at Ann’s.  22 of us!  Had worst and salads, etc.  Ann surprised Greg with a Congratulations Greg cake for is retirement!  Chocolate – yum! 

Nice get-together, did a group picture including John and Sally, who joined us late.