Yesterday began with a trip via the Alaska Rail Road from Anchorage up to Denali. The glass domed ceilings on the train cars allowed for impressive views of mother nature in all her majesty. We pulled into the Denali stop, in the middle of Denali National Park and Preserve in late afternoon. For a general comparison, the park is roughly the size of the state of Massachusetts. Taking the train up through the park was a great way to see much of the countryside. Today, stretching our legs, it was much more exciting to feel the soft earth underfoot. We wandered our way along the Horseshoe Lake Trail. The trail is short, but steep enough to allow for some awesome views. We had spent hours riding that train through the park, but we really didn't know the park until we stepped foot in it, until we saw the crystal blue lake, heard the silence of the mountains broken only by the passing birds and felt the cool breeze against our face. As part of the Sharing Knowledge Project, visitors to the Smithsonian Heritage Exhibit at the Anchorage Museum are greeted by a quote from lyaaka (Anders Apassingok, St. Lawrence Island Yupik) which reads:
"Esghallghilnguq,
(what you do not see)
Nagaqullghilnguq,
(do not hear)
Nanghiillghilnguq,
(do not experience)
Nalluksaghqaq."
(you will never really know)
Here, standing in this majestic place, the wisdom of the elders echo and resonate to our very core.
