We drove down to Cantwell and then took the Denali Highway East to Paxson about 30 miles down to Cantwell and 134 miles on the Denali Highway and then return. It was a lot of driving for one day but we wanted to see the area. The Denali Highway is a gravel road for all but 24 miles but it's a good road. We were able to go 45-60 mph on it with no problem. In fact, the 21 mile paved section on the East end was the worst part of the road due to frost heaves. The gravel portion gets regular grading and was quite smooth. Today's animal sightings were a bald eagle, four swans, a herd and other caribou, and four moose. We stopped and checked out several camping areas along the way.
We stopped for lunch at Clearwater Creek Wayside. Dawn made sandwiches for us.
We stopped at the Maclaren River Lodge (mm42) and were greeted by a nice big German shepard dog. He led us in to the restaurant. There were a couple of other dogs inside a few locals and a state trooper/game warden. It's a pretty desolate road and one officer does everything. We looked around and decided on some pie and hot tea. We had their Maclaren berry pie ala mode. It was really good pie.
We continued on to Paxson then got gas and returned. It rained on and off all the way out and back so the jeep ended up with a lot of mud on it. Now we need a heavy rain to clean it up again. Mother nature got it dirty so she can clean it. I did the windows she can do the rest.
There are signs all around that winter isn't too far off. Some plants are already changing to their fall colors. Dinner was leftover leek soup.
Lichen, above, is the primary food of the caribou. It actually looks pretty tasty.
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