Pray for sun.

[Blue_In_AK]

Woo-hoo! We won the Denali lottery again! For those of you who weren't around a couple of years ago when we last won, this is how it works. During the tourist season, private vehicles are not permitted in Denali National Park, and you have to leave your car at the park's border and ride on a bus with all the other touristas on the 90-mile gravel road back into the park. But every year at the end of the summer, locals can put their name in for the lottery, which if you win means you can drive your own car in and out, stop wherever you want and hang out. 400 vehicles are permitted each day for the four-day lottery period. We won for Friday, September 12. So we're going to drive up Thursday, camp overnight, spend all day in the park on Friday, spend the night again, and then Saturday we're going to take the Denali Highway between Cantwell and Paxson, which is also some amazing scenery. Of course, that leg depends on the weather. If it's snowing up there or something, which is a distinct possibility, we probably won't do that, but hopefully we'll have some great fall weather and color.

Keep your fingers crossed for us. Weather is definitely iffy.

[intheflow]

1. I wish I was coming up this summer!

But seeing how you guys seem to be especially blessed with winning this lottery whenever you're eligible to enter, I'll just plan on returning in 2010 when you'll win again. :D

[Blue_In_AK]

4. We'll be looking forward to your visit, ITF.

We had such a great time with you the last time you were up here. Next time plan on staying longer and we won't be so rushed. :)

[blueraven95]

2. definitely praying for good weather!

I can't wait to see your shots.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. I'm looking for some "inspiration"

Mt. McKinley on a good day is about as inspiring as you can get. :)

[Eurobabe]

5. Okay, vibes sent to the weather goddess

We need some good Alaska pictures from you Blue! :hi:

[JeffR]

6. I'll pray at least for no rain or snow.

Given the choice between sun and the deep but soft shadows of an overcast day, I'd take the latter every time. I probably wouldn't feel that way if the sun were a more fleeting presence in the sky here, of course, but this summer has been phenomenally wet and correspondingly dark on the lower Great Lakes this summer, and it's been pretty good shooting, at least between downpours.

[Blue_In_AK]

7. I'm already mentally preparing for the worst

just as I did the last time we went up there. If you remember, we hit the one perfect day in the middle of a couple of weeks of rain. I'll be surprised if we get so lucky two times in a row. Like you say, as long as it isn't a downpour I can probably get some decent shots, even if we can't actually see "the Great One." This summer has been so weird, we really have no idea what to expect -- snow is definitely a possibility.

[JeffR]

8. Fingers crossed for you.

It's been a peculiar summer across much of the continent, but I'm reassured by the GOP that there's no scientific consensus on climate change, so I'm heading out tomorrow to burn a bunch of gasoline. It would be easier if we had a car, but I'm not averse to going the extra mile to put more greenhouse gases in the air.;-)