I'm in Anchorage today to take Brian to the airport for his flight back to So Cal. I will also prevision up for a return trip to Denali NP where I will go into the back country and experience the wilderness first hand. I was smitten yesterday after taking the Shuttle 60 mile through the park from the entrance to the Elision center. Denali has only one 90+ mile road and the only way to travel is by shuttle. No cars can be driven in. There are a couple of Tent Sites and after that you must get a wilderness permit to camp in the back country. After the shuttle ride I watched a 30 minute video about the wilderness practices that must be followed. It also help if you don't want to become a bear or ...

Well I finally have Internet again. I'm sitting in a Fairbanks Mariott doing my laundry and taking a moment for a Post. The weather has been magnificent up until now. For 200 miles into Fairbanks I've been choking on smoke from forrest fires. The visibility is about nil. I asked the desk clerk about it upon checking in and she said it normal operating procedure this time of year. (Fires every year) It just depends upon the direction of the wind. So I'm hoping it will be clear for my drive to Denali. For now here are some photos to enjoy...

Well I'm doing the laundry, so what's a better time to post the GPS info for yesterdays track, I ask? Just take the Million Dollar highway (reminds me of a line from Austin Powers...) out of Ouray to the trail head. The trail is about 26 miles and climes to 12,500 ft. Great views, little lakes, streams, and old mines. Very cool. Most of the trail is moderate with a few off camber steps going home the last 3 miles or so.

I'm beat. My eyes are glazed over and ready to fall out but I need to post a bit. After today's run I now understand why Ouray calls itself America's Alps.... (or something like that..) The trail we took today up to Engineer Pass was spectacular. I am staying at a delightful Bed and Breakfast called the Black Bear Manor. It's a nice change of pace from camping. It's much easier since all the runs begin and end in the beautiful town of Ouray. All-the-Best. RR57

Sorry I've been remiss at posting.... It's been one trip to the next. I've got the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to tell ya'll about ... and here I am again back on the trail in spectacular Ouray, CO.... I promise to be a proper scribe of my travels and post in the near future, but here's something to hold you over till then: Road to Ouray '09 from RadRod57 on Vimeo.