On June 28, 2014 we left for a trip to Alaska and Canada. We were flying United. We were flying United because it was nonstop from Houston to Anchorage. I hate United and going through Houston. The weather in Houston was bad. As we sat in the plane waiting to take off for an hour, we realized we would probably miss our connection. As we flew into Houston, Our nonstop flight to Anchorage flew out. We started the process of trying to get on another flight. They found one, but and yes it's a huge but, we would have to stop in Seattle and switch airlines and another layover. You can probably see where this is going. I usually pack a small bag to carry on for long trip, but this was supposed to be nonstop! I had packed a bag to go to Denali and one that would be transferred to the ship, and then one with all of our toiletries (the most important one). We ended up arriving in Anchorage at 3am with just one bag, the one with just clothes to go to Denali. We got a cab to bring us to the 24hr drugstore and plunked down $250 for necessities. I knew it the back of my mind that we would be reimbursed by Alaska Airlines but in a moment of 'we've been traveling too long', I told the clerk that I didn't need the receipt. We were supposed to be leaving at 7am on a bus to Denali National Park. The airline told us they would deliver our bags the next day. It's five hours from Anchorage, but true to their word they did deliver the bags the next day! At 3am it was almost daylight. It just doesn't really get dark. The sun sets about 10pm and is out a 4am, but it never gets real dark at that time of the year. After 2 hours of sleep, we boarded the bus. This tour was the land based portion offered by our cruise line, Regent, and lasted 4 nights before a 7night cruise from Anchorage to Vancouver, BC and the stay three nights in Vancouver.
The bus brought us to Talkeetna to take a scenic train ride into Denali. The group that we were with was about 25 people. I was nervous about this. We don't normally do the herd mentality tours.
The scenery was breathtaking. Our lunch was good and the dining car was very nice. It was reminiscent of old luxury train travel.
Artwork on the train...
We spent three nights at The Grande Denali Lodge. By no means was it a Four Seasons, but for the middle of nowhere it was very, very, nice. Rooms were pretty basic, but the main lodge building definitely made you feel like you were in Alaska. The views were incredible.
When we arrived at the lodge the weather was beautiful. We knew we wanted to take a flight seeing tour to see Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in North America. I knew the plane would be small, so we went to the bar!
After much needed liquid courage, we crammed into the six seater plane and took off. I have said in the past and will reiterate, I am not a good flier. However, the scenery was so gorgeous, I quickly got lost in it. The clouds parted and we indeed flew around the peak of Mt. McKinley.
Back on the ground, safe and sound!
The next day we were going into Denali National Park. We had hoped to see a lot of wildlife but only one moose and a caribou. This is an authentic cabin in the park from the turn of the century.
Pizza for lunch...
We got to see an Alaska State Tooper! Odd sighting, as there are only about 300 of them.
That afternoon, after a nap, we set out for a little adventure. White water rafting is something neither of us had done in over 20 years. As you know, people don't normally get more athletic with age. Anyway, we do feel more adventurous, so we went. So glad that we did! It was awesome. Originally we were going to do a "float tour". We are more adventurous than that!
That's us! Front row right!
Yes, we got very wet despite our "dry" suits! Was it cold?? Only about 30 degrees!!! But it was an adventure!!
The next morning we started making our way closer to the coast. We stopped at Happy Trails Kennel to learn all about dog racing and the Iditarod. This is the home of four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser. The Iditarod is a sled dog race that is run in early March from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. The race takes anywhere from 9-15 days in subzero climate. They race through blizzards, gale force winds and wind chills to reach -100 degrees F.
This is how they train through the summer... pulling a four wheeler.
Got to meet the puppies!
Along the way to our next stop, Girdwood, Alaska.
We arrived at the Hotel Alyeska. This is truly a little piece of heaven in Alaska. A luxurious ski resort, that is still beautiful in the summer months! We went up to the top of the mountain for dinner at Seven Glaciers Restaurant. I'm pretty sure this is the nicest in all of Alaska simply because of the view!
From the mountain looking down at hotel...
From the hotel looking up...
Seven Glaciers Bar... What a view!
One of the hanging glaciers...
We went back up to the top the next morning. So many people have said that they had bad weather in Alaska. We were very lucky...
We departed the hotel to meet our cruise ship. We knew that we were going to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and didn't think too much about it. Well, did we have a surprise in store. I am not a fan of zoos or sea worlds because I don't really agree with animals in captivity. The difference here is that these animals are rescued and live in pretty much a natural environment. They have a place to roam and play. After not seeing too much wildlife it was amazing to see these animals in such a beautiful setting.
These baby moose were rescued. Someone had them chained in their garage! They are much happier here!
Poor bald eagle had to have a wing amputated...
This looks fake, but it is real. I was standing in a little viewing cabin...
Looking back on this trip, a cruise is definitely the way to see Alaska, but combining it with a land based tour is spectacular. We saw many rented motor homes and people touring independently, but we would have not experienced Alaska so easily had we not done the tour offered by the cruise line. An added bonus was that when we got on the ship we had already formed friendships with fellow travelers. We don't do that easily, but we are learning. We covered a lot of ground over 5 days, but it was nice to have someone else doing the driving and planning! Now on to the cruise...
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