When I first came to Alaska, I stayed with a family in Willow. About the third day, their ten-year-old son came dashing into the house shouting, "The mountain is out! The mountain is out!"

We all ran outside to take a look. There it was, brilliant white in the sunshine.

Ever since then, my heart has skipped a beat whenever I catch a glimpse of Denali.

On this trip into Denali National Park, clouds obscured the view. But for a few minutes they moved aside just enough to reveal the mountain while still lingering around its edges.

I never get tired of Denali's moods when she chooses to appear.