Sip a local Alaskan microbrew on a huge deck overlooking rolling green lawns, forest, rivers, tundra, foothills, and Denali rising in the background. On a warm afternoon, there’s nothing like this view while surrounded by the smell of the forest, trilling bird calls, and bush planes. The lodge is near the airport, and the planes in the foreground really put the mountain in perspective. A sign tells you which peak is which. Order grilled salmon, let the kids play on the lawn, and enjoy one of nature’s great shows. If the mountain’s obscured by clouds, that can change in an hour. And likewise, if you’re here and the mountain is visible, get some pictures—it might disappear in minutes. If it’s cold, sit inside the lodge and look through its oversized windows.
