Four years ago I was in Alaska for the fourth time. This trip was extra special for two reasons: my parents came along and it was September which meant fall color. Wow, the tundra glows in oranges and reds. There’s nothing like it. And to see a bear standing amid the blaze was breathtaking. My only regret was being stuck on the Denali park school bus, shooting out the window. But sometimes, you take what you can get. I would’ve hopped off the bus right there, but park rules don’t allow passengers to disembark near wildlife. A good policy. Still, all in all, a sight worth every breath.

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