Autumn in Denali is breathtaking; however, not like Rocky Mountain National Park breathtaking, as in taking breath. Breathtaking as in eye-popping and wonder-filled.

It’s pretty cool to walk outside your room at midnight and look at the night sky northern lights.

We have met new species of humans who do not live as we do. They work the summers in Alaska and the winters in Hawaii, spouting off facts and interesting information about this park or that site, driving those of us with popping eyes around in tour buses, or they wait tables or barista in the coffee places until the season is over. Fascinating world…

Never have I ever been so disturbed and startled as here in Alaska. Between standing beside an Alaskan Railroad engine when it decides to blow its horn, to flushing a toilet in Alaskan restrooms, probably the scariest thing in the history of vacations because it sounds like it is a toilet with a jet engine blasting its way down to China, my heart needs a vacation from the disturbing and the startling. Holy suction, Batman.

If you own a business at the top of the world where gray-headed people congregate, relax, and sight see, you can charge pretty much whatever you want for your goods and services. Holy wallet suction, Batman.

It is fairly inspirational to sit at the back of a bus with a couple from Fargo, North Dakota, who have lived all over the world, and to hear Mrs. Fargo comment on the beauty of Denali by saying, “Wow, how great Thou art, how great Thou art. There are no other words…”

Everyone should experience seeing grizzly bears in the wild, even if it is from the window of a reconfigured school bus.

Our time is nearing the end in the 49th state, and we are on our way to Fairbanks, our last destination. I am very, very grateful for all of these new experiences and for the opportunity to see God’s Alaska once again.