Labor Day Weekend Road Trip to Denali

This past Labor Day weekend, my husband's friend from high school came up to visit. His little sister flies helicopters in Denali National Park and Preserve (and the surrounding areas), so we headed up to  Denali to visit her while he was in town.

On our way there, we passed through the remnants of another fire - this one is now mostly contained (90%, I believe).

The further north we went, the more amazing the fall colors were! We even stopped off at Summit Lake's "airport" to take some pictures by a pond.

Once we got into Denali, we visited with Rachel, and made plans to meet up for dinner or when her brother got on the standby list - whichever came first. So we then continued on to explore the area, and drove up near Healy.

The helicopter outfit on the edge of the Nenana River

Looking over the edge

    

After we explored Healy, we headed back to the Denali area and checked into our hotel. Also right on the Nenana River!

Later that evening, we all headed to 229 Parks, a new local restaurant for dinner. Their menu is locally-sourced and the food was amazing! 

I had a delicious pork belly from Palmer, Alaska!

The next morning ALL THREE of us got on the standby list and we were able to go helicopter flying and land on the Yanert Glacier, east of Denali and the Parks Highway.

After we landed, we said goodbye and headed south again.

High school buddies rocking out to 90's rap on the road

Prepping the salmon for brining and smoking

Smoking salmon!

**All photography on this blog are property of the user.**

Helicopter Flight to Yanert Glacier

This past Labor Day weekend, my husband's friend from high school came up to visit. His little sister flies helicopters in Denali National Park and Preserve (and the surrounding areas), so we headed up to  Denali to visit her while he was in town.

Saturday morning ALL THREE of us got on the standby list and we were able to go helicopter flying and land on the Yanert Glacier, east of Denali and the Parks Highway.

The beautiful flight out to the glacier!

Our wonderful pilot, Rachel!

Approaching the glaciers!

On the Yanert Glacier!

Dropping rocks into the abyss

Dropping more rocks

Looking over the edge

Drinking glacial water

It was a little chilly on the glacier - 37 degrees in August

Taking off again

More fall colors on the way back

Coming in to land over the Nenana River

Rachel's paparazzi

Our ride

**All photography on this blog are property of the user.**