Alaska is a huge state.On my Road Atlas, it shares a page with Hawaii. That is probably not fair to either state. We were picked up in a van at 7 am and we arrived at our first destination at 2:30. We are not yet to the Denali entrance. Once we
get there, it will be another 7 hour bus ride , with a naturalist, to get to our resort. Alaska is a very large mass of land. There are miles without a single cabin, gas station or any visible signs that people live here. The highway is first class. If you
want exclusion and privacy, I would suggest Alaska. Anchorage where we landed and spent our first night, is a thriving city. All of the big box stores are there. There is also a homeless problem .Instead of run away youth and veterans who are damaged in some
way, or people who choose to lead the homeless life, like I saw in Port Townsend, there are native Alaskans who have been " sent" to the city and abandoned. For awhile they had a "green ticket and out" policy. A ticket out of the city with a clause that
you never come back. I think that was deemed unconstitutional. The Governor was elected to cut the budget and he did. Mental health,shelters,agencies that are publically funded , were cut, with the exception of funds for domestic violence . There are tents
pitched on public areas. This is what we saw as we were driven out of the city toward pristine forests with not a sign of civilization. Our first night in Anchorage was at a privately owned, owner run hostel type accommodations. Clean room,a towel and wash
cloth , bar of soap and shared bathroom down the hall. It worked for us. Us being me and my Grandson. We had dinner and breakfast at a Diner down the street. Good food and plenty of it. Leroy's , if you are ever in Anchorage.Now we are at a resort called Creekside,
which is almost near the entrance to the park. It is beautiful, with log cabins ,fluffy towels,first class restaurant, a wine sommelier, beautiful flowers, rain,and cold. We are being treated to this by the girl friend of the grandson we will be visiting
in Denali. She has a year round position doing the reservations for this place. It is good to know people in high places.