Denali
I am deep in the spell
of those who stayed here before me.
Sometimes my mind goes blank
staring at it all—
all the land,
all the quiet.
Linda Schandelmeier, Artist-in-Residence at Denali National Park in 2012, wrote those words in her poem “Denali Sojourn.” Recently, I traveled to Denali and experienced the spell of which she speaks. Above, is probably the most beautiful photo ever taken of Denali, by Ansel Adams. Below, are some of the moments I encountered and, unusual for this writer, I’m going to let the images speak for themselves. Blessings.
Cover photo: “Mt. McKinley and Wonder Lake, Denali, AK” Ansel Adams, 1947 Willow Ptarmigan, the Alaskan State Bird: Wikimedia Commons (Mine ran away!)
All other photos are by me, the author.
Still Life with Tortillas 
Dear Readers,
I had to re-post “Denali” because a mysterious picture of a man I do not know kept popping up. In doing so, all of your wonderful comments were deleted. I’m so sorry! I really cherish them. The huge image of Denali that you see at the top also appeared when I re-posted. It’s a lot of Denali, but then it really is an enormous mountain. 😀
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The mysterious man may be the spirit of the mountain! Yes EEE-normous.
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Ah…yes…but he needed to ice-up to look like more of a glacier. ❤
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btw, another oddity with wordpress these days is I get a comment post every time your or a guest posts a comment on your blog but I don’t get the posts, suddenly. i think they have a ghost glitch.
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Oh, wow, that’s weird. Is that just with me?
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just you!
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Okay, Katie, that’s weird. I must have some sort of setting issues. Thanks for letting me know.
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I think they are my setting issues — I’ve contacted WordPress, they are working on it!
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what a krewl place ill prolly never get there so such a kewl shot thopugh the cover shot! poem is kewl 🙂
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q, why will you never get there? It’s pretty much due north. Head for the pole and look for the aurora and you’re close to there. ❤
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ur funny 🙂 well not much into long distance travels cuza my condition, but one never knows 🙂 thanks fert the encouragement 🙂 Q 🙂
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Conditional travel, q, is also possible to Denali. 😀
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Very lovely! I used to work on the AK railroad one summer and sure enjoyed watching everything around the Great One change from day to day. It’s a gift that people with cameras and access are able to share this. ❤
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We were so lucky, DB! It was the last day that cars could drive in to the 30 mile point and we were one of the last to do that. What a gift! Hey, beautiful, can I take you out to breakfast soon? Like during the week before the 27th would be great. I have to be back by 12:30 for little r care. Hugs. ❤
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I liked that your soul was touched enough to make you want to pass on such a feeling with as much clarity as you could deem appropriate—to think silence was your weapon of choice–humbling. And thank you.
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There are times when one’s words are that pebble in the pond that changes the surface. I didn’t want to do that…yet. Thanks, jd.
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This is truly fabulous!!!
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Yes, Rusha, Denali, leaves one speechless. Thank you. 😀
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Katie, I’ve completely gone through my settings and it looks like it’s working from this end. 😉
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Beauty+awe+whisper of terror=the sublime
Ansel Adams new how to capture this in an image. They are not just pretty pictures, but give shape to the idea that we are but a momentary breeze. Thank you for sharing.
My brother-in-law spent a year in Alaska, working a king crab boat. He spent some time in Denali and said it was a terrifying experience being dropped off there with his backpack. This was at least 15 years ago.
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Thank you, Jilanne, for adding some flesh to this stark post. I think you and your brother nailed it. Denali is so impacting on one’s senses, one’s wee being, that there is a feeling of both wanting to embrace it and hide from it, like gazing at God maybe. 🙂
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Hmmm, I like both yours and Jillanne’s comments. Big big waves, that is all I can relate to it. The Grand Canyon did not do that for me, but being at the foot (in the water) of really big waves is awe inspiring . . .
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I love that image, Katie. I, too, was a surfer. Rode a 15-footer at Redondo Beach during a storm until my board cracked in two against my forehead. Still have the bump. Yep, Denali is a BIG wave.
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Yes. Exactly. And as far as waves are concerned, perhaps surfing Mavericks would do it. That’s where Mark Fu lost his life.
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You’re so right Jilanne.
What an awful day that was! And the thing is, the wave was an 18-footer, as I recall, not the largest wave ever, but the problem was his leash tethering him to his board. Better to lose your surfboard than your life. Sad, sad. By the way, when I wiped out we didn’t have leashes; they hadn’t been invented yet and everyone rode big boards, even small girls. Mine was a 9′.
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Denali is on my list of ‘must visit’ places. Beautiful. SD
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I think you will be pleased, Sandra.
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So happy to have been there with you and r. and d and c. I am constantly blown away by the quality of your pics and the b&w just adds to the quality of your skills. Al my love, R.
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Thank you, R! You’re my number one fan, as I am yours, and it was wonderful that we had the Denali experience together. ❤
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Gorgeous! I have seen once Mt. McKinley in 1970. We had technical landing in Anchorage when on home way from Tokyo.
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Ah, then you have seen the magic, Sartenada!
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Thanks for following me. Looking forward to more of your work. I live in Homer, AK and these photos have reinforced my desire to see Denali.
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Thanks for your comment, skywalkerstoryteller. When my daughter was at UAF, we drove from the Arctic Circle down to Homer and back up to Fairbanks again. We adored Homer! Everyone we met was an artist or a writer or both and the area was gorgeous. Now, after many years of surgical training, she has moved back to Fairbanks and I spend several months each year visiting. Nice to know you’re in AK.
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