There is a unique rhythm to the days when the truck stays hitched (or parked) and the trailer stabilizers stay firmly on the ground. We are currently camped at an absolutely awesome spot—K’esugi Ken Campground inside Denali State Park. When you aren’t packing up or staring at the highway for hours, the day unfolds in the best kind of way.
The Early Bird (and the Sleeping Beauty)
Of course, I’m up early. Miss Ruby wants her breakfast, and I am entirely convinced her internal clock is still stubbornly set to Indiana time. The hilarious part? As soon as she finishes the last bite of her breakfast, she curls right back up and goes straight back to sleep.
Me? Not so much.
I have to admit, this Alaska 24-hour daylight is taking some getting used to! Even though we have the camper windows completely blacked out, my internal clock knows what’s going on out there. Lori, on the other hand, has mastered the art of sleeping through the midnight sun and is still sound asleep.
Slow Mornings and Local Brews
Around 8:30 AM, Lori finally stirs, and our morning routine officially begins. There is nothing quite like the smell of fresh-ground coffee filling the trailer for a perfect morning pour-over. After a little down time to wake up, we head out for our morning walk with a target of 2 miles to get the blood pumping.
Once the boots are laced, it’s time to track down the nearest independent coffee shop. This morning’s winner was The Coffee Bruin, located inside the McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. It’s a really beautiful facility, and the coffee hit the spot.
Local Secrets and a Lunch Splurge
On the way back to the camper, we decided to make a spontaneous stop at the McKinley View Lodge. While browsing, we struck up a conversation with the gift store clerk. Chatting with locals is truly the secret weapon of RV life—she gave us some incredible insider recommendations for places to visit in the area.
We decided to splurge a bit and stay right there for lunch. The meal was fantastic. And even though we don’t do baked goods anymore, I have to give credit where credit is due—their pastry selection looked absolutely yummy!
Thanks to those local recommendations, we’ve already mapped out our next adventure: a trip to Byers Lake tomorrow.
That’s the beauty of the un-travel day. No strict schedules, no highway stress—just good coffee, long walks, great food, and discovering what’s around the next bend.
Until next time,
Brian, Lori, and Miss Ruby 🐾
