Although the pilot provides a commentary that identifies the features we are seeing below us, it is difficult to hear what he is saying. However, it appears that we have entered the Alaska Range following the moraine-striped Ruth Glacier, turned left in front of Mount McKinley, and then exited the area of the Denali National Park by following the Kahiltna Glacier.

 

After almost an hour viewing the mountains and glaciers, the pilot takes us down to land at Chelatna Lake.

The isolated, green-coloured  Chelatna Lake is just outside the boundaries of the Denali National Park and lies between and below Mount Kliskon and Kahiltna Glacier. The Beaver taxies down the lake, then reverses to allow its floats to be run aground on a narrow, sandy beach. In this remote and beautiful spot we enjoy a snack and a drink before flying back at low altitude to Anchorage. The low altitude is designated to enable wildlife spotting, but we only see a solitary moose.

Back in Anchorage we are soon enjoying the usual good value, and very filling meal provided by the Royal Fork Buffet before visiting a WalMart. After two consecutive days that include flights, tomorrow will see more time in the air when Alaska Airlines will transport us 590-miles north of Anchorage to just 26-miles north of the Arctic Circle.

 

The hotel's courtesy bus transports us to the airport for our 9:30am flight by a Boeing 737-200 for our flight to Kotzebue. At the airport we exchange our excursion vouchers for a travel pack that includes medallions (above) that read 'A Day in Kotzebue: Arctic Tour'. We land at 10:51am to find Kotzebue has dull, overcast skies.

Our guide (Lance) transports us  by bus the short distance into a dismal, grey town of muddy streets that divide simple, untidy, insubstantial buildings. Lance describes the harsh way of life here and provides some facts on how the population of 4,000 survive the harsh elements. Although the majority of housing appears depressing, there are some modern, substantial buildings, including the hospital and the residences for doctors and nurses. There is a 22-cell jail, generally fully occupied by alcohol related offenders.

After a demonstration of local skills and traditions at a community building, we view a demonstration of life above the Arctic Circle outdoors.

Lance takes us to where a fishing net is permanently set up between the beach and a post in the grey waters of the Kotzebue Sound. The net holds nine salmon and Lance demonstrates the art of filleting with the famous Eskimo ulu - a fan-shaped knife. This messy and bloody operation is a factor in our choice of lunch  - chicken breast sandwiches.

Our tour continues with a bus ride out of town. Lance shows us the various plants that grow on the tundra, and in the areas of permafrost - these include salmon berries (right).