BIRDING WEEKEND

This weekend I took a birding course with the Murie Science and Learning Center. We saw a lot of great birds, but they are hard to photograph. So, here are some other highlights from the weekend.

GEODE RIDGE SECTION #8

The last trip I took in the park last year was Geode Ridge and somehow it worked out to be the first trip this year. All in all it was a pretty uneventful trip, lots of R&R. We actually found some geodes this time however.
The mountain was beautiful the day we left.

THE BEGINNING

Another season has begun. Getting to this point has been quite a journey.
We saw a Moose that was stuck in a frozen pond. It had fallen in only seconds before we showed up. It managed to break through the ice and eventually free itself. Training the guide staff this spring was a really fun process. We have regularly been seeing animals out on our hikes this year. I took a group of photographers out on our first day and they got some great shots of a Grizzly on the McKinley Bar trail. This is only my second time seeing one outside of a vehicle.
Once again there have been a lot of changes at the lodge this spring. I am now the Assistant General Manager. It is not a position I would have chosen, but at the height of mosquito season it doesn't break my heart not to be outside every day. I still have every weekend to backpack in this spectacular place.

PORTLAND

I'm finally settled down in Denali, but I wanted to catch up and post some pictures from my whirlwind tour of the country this spring. I had a great time in Portland. The Doug Fir night was great. My favorite was drinking wine with Beth at the sidewalk in the afternoon. I also was inspired to cut all my hair off, it might be that the Barber Shop provided free beer with your haircut.
It was so great to see all the old DBL crew in Portland. Thanks so much much to Beth and Kevin for the stay in Portland and Becky for the ride to the Seattle airport. All of you and Maria are missed here for sure. Hopefully I'll be seeing a lot more of you all in the fall.