Cool Works 24/7-11

I really need to read the long version of an event’s description BEFORE the actual event. It would seem I completely misunderstood the objective of Cool Works 24/7-11, so all the pictures I took are of fellow employees doing their jobs, not of the two big things that really make MPL the amazing place it is.
The first, of course, is the scenery, because the Mount McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge (MPL) is just inside the absolutely amazing Denali State Park (not to be confused with its better-known but not as awesome sibling, Denali National Park). Perched atop a cliff overlooking the Chulitna River a hundred feet below, it strategic location offers an awesome view of its namesake, Mt. McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America. Speaking as a gift shop clerk in charge of (most) all things photography related, I can tell you in all honesty that there has never been a picture taken of Mt. McKinley that can begin to do it justice. There are mountains and there are mountains, but there is no mountain in the world with the staggering height and majesty of the one out my “office” window. I have never yet seen anyone standing in the Lodge’s strategically oriented Great Room who is not at a loss for words the first time the seemingly ever-present clouds part and The Mountain appears in all its hulking glory, 4 miles tall and a mere 40 miles away (which is about as close as it is possible to get without wings). McKinley is only visible about 30% of the time (according to the Park Service), so even many of our dedicated, repeat tourists never get to see it, but as an employee living on site, I regularly see it in absolutely perfect conditions, the kind a professional photographer would die for.
But yonder Mountain is only the cherry on top the McKinley Princess sundae. The dense, boreal forest in which MPL is nestled is lush and green and full of bright, colorful flowers the first half of the summer and juicy, edible berries the latter half. Princess owns and maintains several woodland trails right on the property, and there are many other State Park and independent trails in the area. There are lakes and/or rivers a few miles in any given direction, and nearby knolls and overlooks offer even better views of the area than the Great Room. Large wildlife (bears, moose) abound in the area, and occasionally wander onto MPL property, and you’re certainly guaranteed to see the smaller sort (wild squirrels, voles, eagles, songbirds, etc.). If you don’t see it (be it animal, vegetable, or mineral) on property, you’ll probably find it on one of the many tours MPL offers its guests (usually at a steep discount if not free for employees). And if you want to get away from the lodge completely for a little while, MPL has (free) shuttle service to nearby towns and cities, and incredible discounts available to any employee who wishes to visit any of the other four Princess lodges.
I could go on for pages about the breathtaking scenery, the endless wilderness, the quaint little towns, the fascinating tours, the unique (and surprisingly mild) climate, and the tons of resources the Lodge has to offer, but what really makes the Mt. McKinley Princess Lodge amazing is its people. There are 300 (or so) employees who live on site who, like any small town in the wilderness, share a close-knit bond that cannot be described, that must be felt. By the end of the summer, everyone knows everyone else quite well, and far from being awkward or condemning, this closeness that transcends all age groups and racial backgrounds is the very core of what holds us together and keeps us smiling on good days and bad alike. Most doors are open for anyone who wants to stop by and visit; you’ll never need to look far for a hiking or dinner buddy. And whether you’re laughing or crying, there’s always someone you can laugh or cry with.
A lot of our close bond comes from our common purpose: to share the wonder and beauty that is Alaska with everyone who stays a night at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. And let me tell you, there was never an easier job! All we have to do is point out the window and say “Look! Isn’t Alaska awesome?” Like every coworker, every guest of the Lodge has a story, a unique dream that brought them to Alaska, and every one of them is different and fresh and new and full of hopes and expectations. The customers are our laughter and our tears, our joy and (occasionally) our pain; they’re the cornucopia of riotous color that makes every day at MPL bright and fresh and new and utterly invigorating. And they’re the reason I keep coming back year after year.