Archive for category Travel
Pre-Anniversary Treat
It’s only the day before our anniversary but Trisha can’t resist at least a modest dessert at the Wildflower restaurant at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler:
Bandon Beach
The drive from North Bend to Bandon was an odd one. It was nearly 80 degrees when I left but I drove through rain, bright sun, and overcast. It’s only in the 60s in Bandon and very cloudy. Even in the nine o’clock fog, Bandon Beach is eerily lovely.
Denali to North Bend
It’s amazing that we started the day in Denali and ended up some 14 hours later back home.
On the bus between Denali and Talkeetna
Again it was a pretty easy trip. We bused from Denali to the Anchorage airport with marvelous scenery the whole way. Then it was first-class seats for the flight home with a luscious dinner and stunning views of the Canadian coast along the route.
Trisha at the Anchorage airport
Denali; Another Glacier Landing
In the morning we took a bus tour into Denali National Park then had lunch at the Park visitors’ center.
In the afternoon, we we’re in the air again on another helicopter flight; this one just as thrilling as the previous ones.
Yanert Glacier
I’m struck by how different each glacier has been. Today we were in a bit of a snow squall so the surface was wet snow with few of the craggy features we see so many other places.
Train to Denali
The seven hour train ride from Anchorage to Denali was an endless string of incredibly beautiful vistas: forests, mountains and mountain meadows, rivers and lakes, beaver dams. With all the wonderful scenery and breakfast and lunch service the hours passed very quickly,
On the train to Denali
beaver dams
Glaciers and Dogs
I’ve always enjoyed helicopter tours but today’s was one of the best. We landed on one glacier, flew over several others and then spent an hour or so on still another glacier where a large group of sled dogs spend the summer keeping cool and in shape for winter races.
On Colony Glacier
It’s impossible in a photo to capture the sense of space, the magnitude of the vistas on this trip. Here’s a photo of one of the sled dog teams on the glacier, several thousand feet up in the mountains, sixty-some miles from Anchorage.
Sled dogs running on Punch Bowl Glacier
And of course there are puppies:
Sled dog pups
Kenai Fjords National Park
An epic travel day! We took the 7:00 am train from Anchorage to Seward, shuttle bus to the ship, spent six hours on board, then did it all in reverse to finish the day, arriving back at the hotel around 11:00 pm.
Trisha ready to board the train
Traveling via the Gold Star service on the Alaska Railroad was a treat. We had comfortable seats, very good meals, and the views are terrific. Here’s a famous vista from the train: Bartlett Glacier:
Bartlett Glacier
The cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park took us out into the Gulf of Alaska where the choppy seas and eight-foot swells made for a dicey trip. We didn’t get seasick but we did skip the big salmon lunch buffet. The scenery was relentlessly stunning with countless waterfalls and massive glaciers, each one unique and breathtaking.
Holgate Glacier
Wildlife seems to cooperate with the Alaska tours; like this whale that decided to show off a bit near the ship on our way back to Seward.
Whale Tail in Resurrection Bay
After skipping lunch we were pleased to end our hectic day enjoying a tranquil meal aboard the train with great views of the sunset over Turnagain Arm.
Prince William Sound
Today’s itinerary took us from Anchorage to Whittier and out on to Prince William Sound, the body of water surrounded by Seward, Whittier, Valdez, Cordova and several large islands. Even though it was a drizzly, overcast day, we had smooth sailing, pleasant meals on board and saw numerous glaciers as well as the requisite whales, seals and aquatic birds.
Harriman Glacier
Barry Glacier
Busy Day
We were up early for a 7:25 flight to Anchorage. The afternoon featured a leisurely van tour up to the Mount Alyeska Tram near Girdwood followed by very yummy lunch at The Bake Shop. Finally, we visited the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center where we got great up-close views of moose, bear, fox, eagles, etc., all being rehabilitated at the Center. A very scrumptious dinner was had at Simon & Seafort’s.
Grizzly
Fox
Thrilling Day
Yesterday’s views of glaciers from a boat were very cool. But today, we did a helicopter tour that included landing on a glacier. Very impressive. Seeing the glaciers from the water and from the air is breathtaking; actually walking on them, touching the melting water is something else. Truly remarkable.
Approaching Taku Glacier. Thirty-six miles long and at 4,800 feet, the thickest glacier in the world.
Taku Glacier
Norris Glacier
Nutmeg50@hotmail.com 