Let me introduce you to the two couples who are going to go with me on the Road Lottery tomorrow.
This is Eric and Christina Rutter. 
Eric is the younger brother of one my great friends from Peru, Laura. I remember when he was born during my high school years! He and his spunky wife went on the Road Lottery in 2015 and it was their photographs that stoked my desire to visit Alaska.
This is Eric and Hannah Filardi. 
Hannah is the daughter of people I knew from Peru also. When I was in HS in Peru, her parents were still single! As you can see, Hannah and Eric are newleyweds! In fact, they just got married August 4th at the Eilsen Center at Denali!! When I was there 3 weeks ago, I took a picture of my son at that same spot!
Both couples applied for the Road Lottery, but neither won. So I am so happy that they can accompany me. Eric’s SUV is bigger than mine, so we are going in his vehicle. Being a military pilot, I’m sure he can handle driving Denali roads better than anyone!
Information about the Road Lottery: https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/road-lottery.htm
Both couples had arrived at the park this evening; the Rutters were camping right outside the park in another place and the Filardis slept in the back of their covered truck at my camp site.