Eielson

Today we decided to take a shuttle bus into the park, we didn't make it to the park entrance til around 1 so we were pressed for time. There were a few options left, 6.5, 8 or 11 hour round trip shuttles. After a little thought and a lot of discussion we decided on the 8hr trip to Eielson. Our bus driver was very animated and had great insight to offer even though we were on the shuttle bus and not the tour bus. The bus stops at various rest points as well as wherever people want to get off and hike and of course it stops for all wildlife sightings.
Right after Savage creek which is 15mi in and as far as your can drive a personal vehicle, we saw two cow moose. Looked like a mother with a yearling calf. Then we saw a caribou in the river bottom, next was a Dow grizzly with two yearling cubs then another caribou and then two more bear and finally a single bear. Then we made it to Eielson. At the visitors center there we saw a fox underneath a truck, it wasn't the least bit afraid of people. The ride back was fairly uneventful, but it was nice to finally see a bear. I told my parents before coming out that I wasn't going home until I saw one, and with 5 weeks to go it was cutting it close. Don't get me wrong I still don't want to leave, but I have now fulfilled that checkbox. It was a long nine hours on a bus, but it was worth it and I'll be doing it again when my mom comes out.

Now I am off to have a campfire and spend another night in a tent, hopefully it doesn't rain too much!