Denali National Park

After the tour got canceled, we saw the sled dogs, had some lunch and I checked multiple times on the conditions and closures. Finally we lucked into a ride heading to Savage River, 13 miles into the park. That was as far as the roads had opened and it was nearly 2 pm local, so there would not be any other opportunities. We headed over the first pass, through snow flurries, and past the signs warning the moose were rutting in the area, and higher into the mountains. The scenery was amazing with the storm still lingering and snow blowing. We had half an hour to explore a trail before the shuttle had to head back. We wandered along the path and soaked in the incredible surroundings. We could see the slope of Mt McKinley in the distance and spots of sun breaking through the clouds to light up different parts of the valley. We headed back and rode back to the park entrance where Jen and Sydney found some hot chocolate. Now back at the lodge we are enjoying a cocktail, Sunday night football in the afternoon local time, and posting these pics.

Day in Denali

Woke up at 5:30 to grab some breakfast and catch our bus into Denali. The plan was to ride along the entire 95 mile road and see wildlife and awesome views. We found over breakfast that it had snowed overnight and the road was closed from mile 30 on. By the time we picked up the other travelers, the snow had intensified inside the park and it was closed at mile 3! The driver cancelled our trip and left us very disappointed. We rallied and took a shuttle into the visitors center and by luck a ranger suggested we head up to the sled team demonstration. While listening about the dogs we caught a few flakes of wet snow, but it held out and we got a chance to pet the dogs and hear about how they are used for winter patrols. The ranger noted it is easier to start a husky when it's forty below and vehicles can't go into the wilderness areas. It's a 6 million acre park. We caught a movie about the park and grabbed some lunch and are hopeful we can go further in after lunch if weather allows! Photos will be posted tonight.

Train to Denali

We took the train from Anchorage to Denali yesterday, 8 hour 250 mile trip across Alaska. As we moved north, the views were spectacular. The crew said Mt. McKinley is only viewable about 10-15% of the time and we were treated clear conditions. The photo is from 46 miles away. It's the third highest mountain in the world (biggest in North America) at 20,320 feet. We had a quick glimpse of a moose and saw ospreys nesting. We arrived at our lodge and had a big pizza for dinner complete with reindeer sausage. The lodge is on a river, and we enjoyed the outdoor fireplace until the rains came.....

Safe arrival

Team Leney arrived in Anchorage last night a few minutes late and after nearly seven hours on the plane. We saw mountains and snow on the way in. Touched down to rain and temps in the 40s, not bad being as it was triple digits as we headed to the airport. Sydney was actually fired up despite how late it was in our original time zone, so she and I ate after we checked and tried to get on local time. Off to grab some breakfast and head over to the Denali Star to start our railroad adventure up to Denali.

We're Back !

I finally recovered the right links and passwords, and am activating the blog again for our big Alaskan adventure. Sydney has to keep her own journal of the trip for school, but I will try to log on a few times, post some pictures, and describer her experiences. Stay tuned !

Spring Soccer

I am very excited that next week soccer practice starts. My favorite sports to play are soccer and swimming. I am back on the Flames and my friend Hannah has joined our team. My other friend Annalese was placed on different team because ours was full, but its her first time to play soccer and I am going to help her practice in the back yard. We have our own soccer goal and I make Mommy and Daddy play against me. I am a lot faster runner than they are.

I got all E's on my report card this week and am doing very well with reading. I have done a lot of things since my last post, like vacation at the beach, started first grade, and had a great Christmas. Daddy has been a slacker in helping me tell my family about my adventures!

My First Race

On Saturday I went to the Matrix Challenge on Swiss Avenue in Dallas and competed in my first bike race. Papa G rode with me, but he could hardly keep up. I sprinted from the start, and slowed a little near the end, but did out sprint another competitor at the line. I was awarded a medal for my efforts, and its been around my neck almost non-stop since then! After the race, a cold chocolate milk hit the spot, and then a short nap in Daddy's Jeep completed the recovery.

Not long and I will be tearing up the race courses. Watch out, the third generation of Leney racing is here !!