973 July 2, 2023 Joe Lake

I walked through the campground this morning.  I stayed on the pavement until the end. 

I walked part of the Moose Flats Trail.  I wanted to see the view from the rock where Tim sat yesterday.  Denali was almost entirely invisible.  The giant, hiding in the clouds.  It is difficult to fathom how something so immense can be completely hidden from view.

At over 20,000 feet, Denali, similar to other high peaks, dictates its own weather…though today the whole sky was thick and grey.

Later in the morning, we caught tiny glimpses of blue sky and bits of sunshine.  The views as we traveled through Broad Pass are usually the prettiest on this stretch of highway.  Today there were lots of clouds.

We made a stop at Jam Jams Spot.  This terrific little restaurant sits on the corner of Parks Highway and Denali Highway.  I made some phone calls and made some reservations, making use of the good phone service.  Tim went in to get us coffee and came out with the most delicious breakfast sandwich I have ever had!  We were able to use their WIFI to post yesterday’s blog.  It was a very productive stop.  We will come here again when the kids come!

We took Denali Highway to the east.  The first 2.5 miles were paved, then the road was gravel.  It was decent and hardpacked and we drove another 5.5 miles to Joe Lake.  There was a couple fishing but they soon left and we pulled next to the fire ring and set up to spend the night.  This is our front yard!  This is where we live today!

There was more blue sky.

I took a walk for a short distance in each direction.  There were lots of moose hoof prints in the mud.

We watched a family of swans.  They stayed on the distant shore.

In late afternoon, a couple in a truck camper came to fish in the lake.  Tim helped the woman get her inflatable kayak into the water.

We enjoyed a campfire and then grilled our dinner. 

The swans swam closer and they became our evening entertainment. I took dozens of pictures trying to get a couple of good ones.

After 8pm, a Jeep tour, about 10 Jeeps, stopped at the lake. They had 5 minutes to take pictures and appreciate the beauty of this place. The Jeeps drove in a long line. Everyone got out and the guides posed the groups on a rock by the water and took exactly the same three views for each. Wow…we get to spend 24 hours here, enjoying all the moments and taking it all in!

This is a lovely spot.