It's been raining all night, and it's still raining this morning as we're getting ready to leave Denali on the short bus drive to the station where the train is waiting to take us to Anchorage. Loving trains as we both do, we're really looking forward to the trip. As we're leaving the chalet, we're told to check out the mountain behind us - now covered in snow from last night's storm - which is very unusual - this mountain normally doesn't get snow on it.
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| Snow covered mountain behind the Chalet |
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| Now covered in fresh snow |
The bus ride to the train station was short and eventful. It's cold and still drizzling as we prepare to board the train.
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| Our train - the McKinley Explorer |
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| Ready to climb aboard |
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| Our new friends - Dottie & Joann |
Our rail car is a really nice dome car with comfy seats and a great wide-open view. As we are leaving the station, we snap a few pictures of some of the people we've met on the trip . . .
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| Dottie & Joann again |
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| Dixie & Tom |
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| Linda & Mike (in overalls) |
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| Alice & Norman |
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| Terri & Dave |
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| June & Dave |
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| Gordie & Judy |
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| Merri & Bob |
It's amazing how much fun you can have with "total strangers" when you are thrown together on a trip like this - so interesting to hear their stories and to share these special places with them. Maybe our paths will cross again on some future trip somewhere.
We sat in our seats and shot photos out the window for awhile, but it wasn't long before we ventured out to the platform between the rail cars to feel the fresh (freezing) air in our faces and really enjoy the journey. It was REALLY cold out there - we layered on every vest, jacket and raincoat we had with us - and it was so worth it. Yes, we're crazy - but it's so much more fun to be OUT . . . So sit back and enjoy the scenery as the train chugs along the track . . . I'll be mostly quiet - just a few little comments here and there. (Click on the photos to see them larger.)
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| It's still raining as we leave the station |
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| Dark dark clouds overhead |
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| Love the reflection of the clouds in the water |
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| A quick look at the engine - we are in the second passenger car |
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| Some blue sky finally peaking out |
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| Another "braided" river |
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| The sun is "trying" to come out |
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| Passing another train - looked to be so close we could almost touch it |
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| Hmmmmm, aren't we in Alaska? |
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| Another look at the engine - we're about to cross over a very high trestle |
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| Looking back at the rest of the train |
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| Passengers crowding together between cars to get a peek as we cross the trestle |
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| Crossing the trestle |
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| Right on top of it now |
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| Looking straight down |
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| The river under the trestle |
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| A better look at the river |
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| The back of the train crossing the trestle |
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| Looking back at the trestle itself |
Yes, OK, I'm obsessed with trestles! Now back to the scenery . . .
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| Talkeetna Station |
Such a beautiful trip, we really enjoyed our ride on the McKinley Explorer. We arrived in Anchorage, and boarded the bus that would take us to our hotel. On the way we got a little city tour of Anchorage. Unfortunately, I only got a couple photos along the way . . .
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| Eisenhower Alaska Statehood Monument |
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| Alaska Railroad |
Along the way, the bus driver told us quite a bit about the huge earthquake that hit Alaska in March of 1964, registering 9.2 on the Richter Scale, and lasting about 4 minutes, the second largest earthquake ever recorded in the world (the biggest was a 9.5 that hit Chile in 1960). It was felt throughout all of Alaska, parts of Canada, into Washington state and as far away as Oregon and California, resulting in numerous landslides and avalanches, major structural damage in the larger cities of Alaska, and created $300-$400 million dollars worth of damage. In the first day there were 11 aftershocks registering more than 6.0, with 9 more in the 3 weeks that followed. All in all, there were thousands of smaller aftershocks that continued for more than a year. Wow! Us Californians know how scary it is to experience an earthquake that only lasts a few seconds. I can't even imagine one that goes on rocking and rolling for 4 minutes! And then some twenty 6.0'ers after that. That's a whole lot of shakin' goin' on!
Our driver took us to one area in Anchorage where the ground sunk about 30 feet, causing the total loss of all homes in the area and resulting in 2 deaths. The residents all relocated together and rebuilt in another area, and this area was covered over and is now a park. Total death toll in Alaska from the earthquake was 115, really low (thankfully) for this huge of an earthquake - probably due to the low population density, and that the earthquake happened on a holiday at 5:36pm.
After we were dropped at the hotel, settled into our room, and cleaned up a little, we met our friends Joann and Dottie to grab some dinner in the hotel restaurant. It was pretty late by this time - I'm guessing at least 8pm but it's so hard to know for sure since it still looks like noon outside - and after waiting for 15 minutes at our table without even being handed a menu, we got up and left. We told the front desk about the poor service, and were given vouchers for a free breakfast along with a profuse apology and recommendations for several other places to eat in town. So we went for a short walk and found a charming place right up the street where we had a yummy meal. So all was good.
Walking back to the hotel after dinner, we passed the famous corner which is the ceremonial start of the Iditarod . . .
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| Pretty cool! |
And, we were treated to this gorgeous sight . . .
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| Gorgeous rainbow over our hotel |
Later that night, I shot this photo out of our window . . .
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| Our first sunset of the trip - taken at 11:56 PM |
Now that we're further south, we will get to have a couple hours of darkness each night. Guess it's time to hit the pillow and get some shut-eye to be ready for tomorrow's adventures. G'nite!
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