The Silent "I"

You Say McKinley, I say Denali

We left Wasilla after a brief stop for provisions and headed down the Parks Highway toward Denali National Park.  I was impressed by the mountains that seemed to surround us on all sides, stretching out as far as the eye could see.  We decided to take a short detour to Talkeetna, about 15 miles off the main highway.  Alex and I were happily snoozing while Frank drove on toward our destination.

All of a sudden, Frank yelled, "McKinley!" and veered off the road to a scenic overlook.  I woke up with a start, thinking he was avoiding a moose or a bear or a Hell's Angel. I looked around and didn't see any wildlife, so I quickly figured out that the elusive Mt. McKinley was making a rare appearance through the clouds.

The Mountain Formerly Currently Known as McKinley is that tallest peak in North America at 20,320 feet.  It was named for President William McKinley in 1897, but Native Alaskans have petitioned the National Board of Geographic Names to change the name to the Alaskan name, Denali, meaning "The Great One" in Athabaskan.  The Alaska Board of Geographic Names changed the name in 1975. They requested that the name be changed by the US Board, but based on some political shenanigans by the Congressman from William McKinley's home district in Ohio, the name has not yet been officially changed.  Alaskans call the mountain Denali; visitors call it McKinley.  I call it "Gorgeous".

It's hard to describe seeing the mountain emerge in the distance, since most of the time it is shrouded by cloud cover.  We were told by numerous people that we had a 20% chance of seeing it during our visit, so I could understand Frank's excitement when he realized that the snow-covered peak emerging from the mist was the fabled mountain itself.  The only thing I can compare it to is riding down the highway from Alexandria to Cairo and seeing the Pyramids emerge from the haze in the distance, like a mirage or a waking dream. 

Carnival of Cities: January 27 Edition

Welcome to the January 27 Edition of the Carnival of Cities!  Join us for a virtual tour of some of the world's great cities and towns with our intrepid travel writers from around the globe.

North America

Starting out in Vancouver, Canada, just in time for the Winter Olympics, Julie Ovenell-Carter shows us the Hottest tickets in town: My Top 5 picks for Vancouver’s 2010 Cultural Olympiad posted at theseboots.travel for anyone who's just not that into sports, or wants to take a break from the action to enjoy some culture.

Jump in your virtual convertible and drive on down the coast to my home state of California,  where Caitlin will introduce you to the real Surf City in Driving Highway 1 in California: Santa Cruz and The Lost Boys Railroad Bridge at Roaming Tales. Keep going past Big Sur and Hearst Castle, all the way down the Pacific Coast Highway, where Joanne will entice you with Newport Beach Romance posted at Newport Beach Vacation for you and your valentine. 

No valentine? No worries! Follow Peter Kimmich through a tour of The Best Walking Bars in LA, Part 1: Los Feliz posted at TryOurLA.  Be sure to sober up before going along with Jim to the Hash House A Go Go, San Diego via Wanderlust Journey.

You'll need to abandon the convertible and fly out to the Midwest, and pick up a mini-van to brave the weather in Minnesota, in order to check out Beth Blair's Family Tips for Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America over at The Vacation Gals. No kids? My son will be glad to join you, since he loves Nickelodeon!

While you're in Midwest, Jordy Clements invites you to check out Omaha, Nebraska with Guerrilla Trail Crew: Tweets, Shovels, and Rides Again posted at Omaha.net - Local

In Michigan, Case Ernsting provides great information on Amish Furniture at Think Local Washtenaw County posted at Home and Decor, and tips on local Couples Getaways in the Midwest posted at FinditLocal411 Blog.

In Kentucky, Jack for Prema Michael shows us Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, Lexington, Kentucky posted over at Eyeflare Travel Articles and Tips.  Then, travel down to Texas with Tui Cameron and do a little Shark-gazing at the Dallas World Aquarium posted at Mental Mosaic: Have Blog, Will Travel.

On the East Coast, Jon Rochetti tells us how the DC Flamenco Festival Dances into Town at The PlanetEye Traveler - Washington DC.  Victoria gives us a Londoner's nostalgic look The Big Apple at one of my favorite family travel blogs, It's a small world after all.

Europe

After you're done touring North America, head on over to The Continent, to some well-traveled roads, and a few off-the-beaten path locations that our travelers have discovered.

Curious about post-war Bosnia?  Look no further than Mostar: From the Ruins posted at Twenty-Something Travel, where you will see how this nation has fared since the war.

On a budget? Find out ways to travel in Germany without spending your life savings with Munich Alberto's Cheap Hotels In Munich posted at Cheap Hotels Inn.  For a more in-depth look at accommodations on the Rhine, Jim & Martha show us Bed & Breakfasts vs. Hostels: Bacharach posted at Wanderlust Journey.

Want to save money in Scandinavia?  Just follow Martin Andrews  Seeking Discount Travel Deals To Explore OsloBrad Alexzander and  How To Find Discount Travel Deals To Visit Stockholm Sweden posted at Globe Cheap Travel. 

If Rome is where the heart is, check out Sam's New !! The 10 Best Tourist Attractions in Rome Italy  at Travel Welcome and Robin Locker's lovely Cul de Sac posted at the beautiful My Melange. Robin's blog gets my vote for best design this time around.

For a gorgeous view of Spain, be sure to read Lena's 3 Facts: Barcelona posted at The Colors Magazine. The photos are muy fantastico!

Asia

Only one stop in Asia this time around, this time a view of Old Delhi as seen through the eyes of a woman traveling alone at Cold SnapDragon.

Africa

For a peek at life in Africa, Lanora Mueller shares moving account of her experiences in the Congo at Impressions of Kinshasa, posted at writing travel.

Last, but not least, we certainly have to acknowledge the devastation brought by this month's earthquake to our friends in Haiti.  June Tree presents some excellent advice on Haiti Relief Efforts and How To Help at The Digerati Life. I hope you will all take the time to stop by and find out ways you can help those in the greatest need right now.

Thanks to all the wonderful travelers who participated in this edition of the Carnival of Cities!  I look forward to reading the next edition, hosted by Family Travel Guides.

Submit your blog article to the next edition of carnival of cities using the carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on the blog carnival index page.

We're Going to Greenland

Our trip to Greenland starts on Wednesday, and I am in the pre-trip pondering stage, trying to remember where we put the travel toothbrushes and mittens.  We went on a shopping excursion to REI yesterday, since no other stores in the area carry winter gear now that it's officially summer and all.  We were in luck.  Most of the winter gear, including hiking boots, were on sale.  We are now outfitted with fleece and mosquito net hats that make us look like a family of Arctic beekeepers.

We went to Walgreen's to stock up on travel-size medicines and sundries of all kinds.  Alex has thrown up violently on the last few boats and helicopters we've been on, so we are prepared with enough Dramamine to knock out all the passengers and the crew of the Titannic.  I'll have to look for our collection of barf bags that Frank lovingly collected while I was pregnant, and prone to hurling while driving to work.  I think we still have a few stashed in the glove compartment, just in case.

Lately, I've been informing people that we are going on vacation.  When they ask where we're going this time, I tell them "Greenland," and I get one of the following responses:

1. "Wow!  That's cool.  I've never met anyone who's been to Greenland!"  (me neither)
2. "Is that the same as Iceland?" (no, but they're close to each other)
3. "Is that where Elvis lived?" (no, that's Graceland)
4. "Why on earth would anyone want to go on vacation to Greenland?"
   

The other night I was at my monthly Bunco game with my friends.  It may surprise some of you to know that we sophisticated Silicon Valley types play Bunco, but it's true.  When we're not busy inventing the latest revolutionary nanotechnology device or starting another Web 2.0 internet timesuck company, we play the very lo-tech, lo-skill Bunco and scream "BUNCO!" every time the dice rolls our way. 

Anyway, one of the moms at the game told me that she had a rather heated debate with her five year old about whether Greenland is part of North America or Europe.  She told him Europe, since Greenland is a self-ruling Danish possession, but he had a book that said North America.  Not to be outdone, she found a book stating that it was part of Europe.  She asked me to settle the argument.  I had to admit, I had no idea.  I told her that I didn't think it was part of either, since it is an island, but if I had to guess, my money would be on Europe, since it's politically part of Denmark.  We discussed it until somebody shrieked "Bunco!" and we had to switch tables.

I checked with Frank, knower of all things geographic, and he says that Greenland is in fact, part of the same tectonic plate as North America, so it's North America.  The rift runs between Greenland and Iceland, so Iceland is part of Europe and Greenland is part of North America.  Greenland is not part of the European Union.  I looked it up, to confirm that he is correct.  I still think, as an island, it's really on its own, politically, geographically, and culturally.  I guess we'll see when we get there.

For the last week or so, Frank and I have been making up a song about going to Greenland.  Sung to the tune of Paul Simon's Graceland, here it is:   

    We're going to Greenland! Greenland!
    In the Arc-tic
    We're going to Greenland!
   
    We're packing parkas and Dramamine
    And we are going to Greenland
    Our traveling companion is six years old,
    He is the child of our marriage
    And we've reason to believe
    We all will be received in
    Greenland

This is just something we do to amuse ourselves, and every trip needs a theme song.  Now, I'm going to try to find where I put the long underwear and mosquito repellent.