Alaska/Canada 2017- 9: Critter in the Road

          Alaska in mid-July is a bit brisk and overcast yet so amazing. 
          Yesterday leaving our campsite 30 miles into Denali Park (first 15 miles paved, next 15 dirt), upon reaching the pavement I noted something in the middle of the road. 

Hm. What was ahead of us in the road?

          Being Denali, my first thought was a baby grizzly, yet as I got closer Marilyn commented, "A beaver?"

     Though the size and color of a beaver, it did not have the massive tail. 

A beaver?

   We were now about 50' behind as it continued to waddle down the road and I realized this critter was not the cuddly type.

Yep, she was a porcupine. 

    Finally after a few minutes she decided to give way and slowly headed into the bushes.

                    Later we found a beaver dam but the occupants were not available for a picture.

Beaver dam—no one came out to greet us.

    Our blue van has picked up a bit of a brown hue as we have slogged down the various dirt roads. But contrary to what I was told, most Alaskan roads are paved and in good shape—I just keep turning off onto the dirt to see more. 

Parked near the beaver dam.

    Next stop was Trapper Creek to pick up Doug's fleece we'd left at the cafe two weeks before. Then we headed to the Susitna River for another peaceful night of boondocking on the river banks.

Crossing the Susitna River. Typical pink fireweed on banks.

Boondocking on a gravel bar above the high water of an amazing river. Perfect site, rustic (meaning just a flat spot to park), cell service, quiet and free. 

    The next day we went on south to Anchorage: a carwash for the van, a wash for us and our clothes at JBER Family Camp on the north end of Anchorage, and groceries.

Getting a few layers of dirt off the van. 

 Camped among the trees at JBER family camp.

    Everything and everyone cleaned up and rested, we headed for our next adventure: the Kenai Peninsula.