We got to sleep in today because we didn't have to be anywhere until noon. Todays activity was white water rafting down the Nenana River! Again, Russ woke earlier than us and took the time to explore the area sans us. After his return, we headed down to the main street shopping area, got some lunch and did some souvenir shopping to waste time before we needed to check in for rafting. We ate lunch at the Denali Doghouse, some excellent greasy food that filled us up for the rest of the day. After the shopping, we met at Denali Raft Adventures where we signed our lives away and suited up for our adventure. We loaded up on the heavy clothing before we put on our dry-suits over everything. We were pretty toasty and felt confidant that we could weather both the water and the weather. Because of a miscommunication, the rafting company had signed us up for the easier rapids as well as the harder ones. Because of this we were going to be on the raft for 4 hours total. After everyone was suited up, we drove to the launch site, and finished our safety briefing. The first half of the adventure was more like a river stroll than a white water excursion. We mostly sat on the raft and told jokes with our guide, Nick, who was really excited that we were a group that he could tell dirty jokes to. There was some class 2 rapids that we went through which Nick took advantage of to get us as wet as possible. At the end of the 2 hour ride, we were all a little cold, but not too bad, and my face hurt more from laughing than my hands hurt from holding on. We were the only ones in the group that were continuing on to the more serious rapids. We pulled the rafts to shore and our fellow passengers switched with new, more adventurous folk, who where waiting on shore. After a 10 minute break we took off for the real white water. Within minutes you could tell the difference. The water was faster, the canyons narrower, and the rapids were now classes 3 and 4 as opposed to 1 and 2. Basically, it was time to hold on. Nick still took advantage of a few choice rapids to get us wet and after he forgot my name, he was really gunning for us. We even got to see some wildlife on our trip. We saw 3 Dall sheep about 100 ft. up on the canyon wall. This was the closest we had ever seen them, but of course, no one had a camera so they will have to remain in memory only. Half way down the river, it also started to rain on us which really helped our body temperatures go down fast. The Nenana River is all glacial melt water, so every time Nick ran us through a big rapid you would get the chills all over again. By the end my hands and toes were completely numb and we were all ready for the warm bus ride back. We were prepared for this cold weather and had already concocted a strategy that would warm our blood back up to normal. That plan was hot drinks, hot shower, hot tub! When we got back to the Crow's Nest, we didn't even go to our rooms, we headed straight for the bar where we sipped down a few hot cider and coffee drinks then headed to the room to shower. Katie wanted to finish up some shopping, so Russ and I waited up in the room for her before we hit the hot tub. About an hour later, we were all nestled warmly in the hot tub with 4 other people from the Czech Republic who we were sharing travel stories with. After we were sufficiently warmed, we headed over to Prospectors Pizzeria and Alehouse where Russ and I took down a pizza called "The lower 48 it ain't" made of Alaskan reindeer sausage, ground elk, and buffalo mozzarella... yum! Even Katie had a bite and agreed it was good :) Content with the meal, we headed back to the Crows Nest to roost up for the night.
PS - My apologies for no photos on this day. As I said, no one brought their cameras since we were out on the water all day. Pictures do exist but only on Russ' disposable camera. Hopefully this will quench some of your photo-lust... Our Cabin!
Revision - I almost forgot! Tuesday night after our hot tub warming attempt, we headed back into Denali NP. We were planning on driving the first 15 miles of the road that was open to the public in order to see some moose. Russ took the wheel so that Katie and I could be the spotters. After about 10 minutes in, we noticed a bunch of cars piled up by the side of the road
looking into a river valley. After we looked for a bit, we finally spotted what the fuss was about, 4 bull moose eating right in the clearing!!! We ended up watching the moose for about 20 minutes before Russ and Katie had enough. In all fairness, I was the only one with a good view so they were just waiting on me to get my fill. After our excitement, we headed out of the park and grabbed some dinner... see above :)
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