Historic Denali National Park and Preserve: The Stories

The national park that boasts the highest mountain in North America has known human habitation for at least 11,000 years. But it wasn't until 1906 that conservationists proposed a bill, which finally passed in 1917, to preserve the Denali region as a national park. Historic Denali National Park is a vibrant narrative that covers different parts of the park's history, from the Native Americans and the early explorers to park visitors today. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Denali National Park and learn more about one of America's greatest treasures. Tracy Salcedo is the author of Historic Yosemite National Park. She resides in California's Wine Country. Dan Bigley, who earned a master's degree in social work after losing his sight, is now the director of therapeutic foster care services at Denali Family Services in Anchorage and was awarded a 2008 Alaskan of the Year Award by the Governor's Committee on Employment and Rehabilitation for People with Disabilities. He lives in Anchorage, Alaska. Debra McKinney is a freelance writer who was part of a team that won journalism's highest honor, the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, for the Anchorage Daily News. She lives in Anchorage, Alaska. “Upper nose, eyes, forehead anatomy unrecognizable,” as the medevac report put it. Until then, one thing after another had fallen into place in Dan’s life. He had a job he loved taking troubled kids on outdoor excursions. He had just bought a cabin high in the Chugach Mountains with a view that went on forever. He was newly in love. After a year of being intrigued by a woman named Amber, they had just spent their first night together. All of this was shattered by the mauling that nearly killed him, that left him blind and disfigured. Facing paralyzing pain and inconceivable loss, Dan was in no shape to be in a relationship. He and Amber let each other go. Five surgeries later, partway into his long healing journey, they found their way back to each other. The couple’s unforgettable story is one of courage, tenacious will, and the power of love to lead the way out of darkness. Dan Bigley’s triumph over tragedy is a testament to the ability of the human spirit to overcome physical and emotional devastation, to choose not just to live, but to live fully.