Aboard the railroad
Trip Start
Jul 11, 2011
1
3
21
Trip End
Aug 17, 2011
Alaskan Railroad to Seward, Alaska
Friday, July 15, 2011
Well today hopefully would be an incredible day on the railroad, just over 4 hours to the Seward. We had opted for the cheaper seats on this leg as the sky top views were twice the price! The carriages were a little dated but they were comfy enough. To be honest we were soon not to be in them very long as were going to be spending more time at the open carriage door than anywhere else. There was also an open top viewing deck above, so I guess we were getting the same as we paid for yesterday.
We set off, out of the city and towards the coastal road, the train was to then follow Cook inlet for quite awhile. The views were amazing of the mountains on the other side of the inlet. It was not long before Michelle spotted a Bald Eagle over head. Wow. We made a brief stop of for a drop-off and collection at Portage, a town that we devestasted in the 1964 Earthquake and Tsunami. The whole town dropped by 12ft, and the evidence is around still, with wooden houses now derelict and surrounded by the dead trees killed by the salt water that now surrounds them.
The journey continued, we spotted a moose from afar. We looked out in to the inlet in the hope of seeing dolphins, this looks like a place they would be.... no such luck. The train then headed in to the mountains and this was only the start of it. We came to Spencer Glacier a huge glacier that is only one mile from the train tracks. A fantastic photo opportunity we carried on through tunnels and then popped out the other side to magnificent views and huge drops to the rivers below. The mountains, snow capped in parts were breath taking, we carried on, by now fighting for window spots to the carriage door. On we travelled the narrator that was on board started to tell us about the waterfall to the left of us made up of 7 falls and so is called snow white falls. The carriage was slowing to take pictures, then suddenly the brakes slammed, ladies and gentlemen, we have had a spotting of a black bear... everyone at the windows trying to get a glimpse. Dean Poised with his camera, no one could see it amongst the grass. Then Michelle 'there he is....' pointing, and there he was in the grasses above the river, we took pictures, people had given up on the waterfall. Gradualy he started to move away, so the train headed on, It was good enough for the driver to stop such a huge train...thanks!
We soon came to an area of track which starts to weave around the mountain, not downwards, but upwards! on an incline of 3 degrees, doesn’t sound alot, but it is for a huge train. This was what was called Hairpin turn. We curled around in front of Barlett glacier as the train carried on through the mountain, incredible views either side. Soon we came in to an area of lakes and the land opened up, with mountains surrounding the lakes, these were the trail lakes. From here on we chilled and took in the view, Doozing a some points at it was so relaxing.
We arrived in to Seward, fingers crossed our bags have arrived and will be delivered safely to our room aboard the ship. We could see the 13 storey ship in the distance, now we just needed to get there. So on foot we started walking around the port. Check-in was easy, and then on to the ship just in time for the buffet lunch to be served. Perfect. We then dropped our bags in the room and went on a mooch around the ship. There was not much we could do until our bags arrived, so we twiddled our thumbs, eventually giving in and heading to the open deck pool to have a drink, may be that will hurry our bags up.
We arrived back later, one of Michelle bags had arrived, but where were Dean’s and the hand luggage. So It was a little more thumb twiddling until we were called for the emergency drill practice. Well I guess if the bags are not here now, it is gonna be later tonight. After the drill we headed back to the room ready for dinner, then there was a knock at the door. Wahoo clothes are here. It was a quick unpack and then off to dinner.
We were expecting a buffet instead when we arrived it was a 3 course sit down meal. hmmm this is not what we expected. Now, dinner service was a cross between a posh meal out and having the meal in the middle of Central Station, trollies of food going here there and everywhere, we were on the junction of pathways, seeing several collisions (nothing surprises us now after Dubai driving). We had dinner and then headed for a drink in the room before heading to the nightclub for a drink or 2. The view was fab, great whale viewing area... in the warm.
We could not believe how lucky we had been today with the weather, who would think virtually clear blue skies, warm-ish and in Alaska, and now sailing at full speed a head in to nothing but calm blue seas.
