Friday, June 25, 1999

It was an early wake up call for us today.  We needed to load our packs back up and be in the lobby about 6:45.  We had a motel full of overflow Air Force Personal and they were all in the lobby waiting for their bus when we got downstairs.  

The little fella that drove us to the airport had lived in Alaska all his life.  We asked him what he liked best about Denali and he told us he had never been.  I think it stopped Rus and I both dead in our tracks for a minute.  We just couldn't imagine living that close to such a beautiful place and he'd never even been!!

We were early at the train station and had an opportunity to do a lot of people watching.  The terminal soon filled up and we watched as the train pulled in and the young crew gathered up.  It reminded us very much of our train ride in Australia.  We were on the domed car in this picture.  The seating is very spacious and comfortable.  We had a dining car up in the front of the train.  It was just about an even 12 hour journey so we had all day to look out the window, visit, nap or read.  Stacey found the kids on the train like a magnet so she was playing cards and being entertained with them most of the day

When we started out in Anchorage it was much cooler than the previous day and it was cloudy.  The first three or four hours we went in and out of rain.  As we went further north it began to clear and then was just beautiful.   It's amazing that you can take a trip that long and only pass through a couple of small towns.  This state is so under populated.  The ENTIRE state of Alaska has less population than San Jose, California.  Half of the population lives in the Anchorage area.  Maps list the towns on them and population.  It's like Hee Haw numbers on most!!!  Population 42,  136, 304.....

Our car was just seats but the car behind us had some tables in the first couple rows and that's where the kids visited.  I went in and out of the dome.  We rotated frequently so anyone that wanted a turn got to sit up there awhile.  The train wasn't terrible crowded and from Denali into Fairbanks we had only about 60 passengers left.  The park is the major destination coming and going.  We got off there for just a few minutes when they were unloading.  We got information on the hostel.  When you get off the train personnel from all the lodges are lined up with signs trying to locate their guests.

The conductor has lived in Alaska all his life as well and has worked for the train since he was 19 years old (25 years).  He was an interesting guy and worked his way through the crowd sharing stories.  All the crew had their own personal photograph albums and resource books to share with us. It was a nice personal touch.  We had two cute high school gals in our car.  The ride out to the half way point where the trains stop and the crews change over.  That way they go back home for the night.  They have a course in school that they can apply for and if selected take... They do get a half of a credit for the course.  From that class they select summer employees.  They've studied the history as well as plant and animal life so they can answer the multitude of questions. 

The conductor is an amateur photographer and had some beautiful close up shots of some big animals.  He has done all the adventure trips everywhere and has his favorite recommendations.  He grew up not far from Denali and used to take the train in the summer for 90 cents.  It was his personal "playground".  We were on a special train but many kinds use the tracks.  They have a local "flag" train that stops for anyone along the way. They just wave it down.  You do get a feeling of how remote the area can be.

We had some spectacular views in a couple of gorges.  We were hundreds of feet over the water.  We also had a great view of Mt. McKinley.  So often it is cloudy and folks never get to see it.  It had broken up enough that we did get a view.  It's such a mammoth mountain it creates it's own weather system and very often is buried in it's own clouds.

Ted was waiting for us at the station.  It was 8:15 p.m. on arrival and BOLD daylight.  It's even lighter longer here than in Anchorage.  Was in the 80's as well.  We went to unload and meet Beth.  Almost immediately Stacey orchestrated a grocery store run for the girls.  When we got back from that we did a run for a dinner snack for the three travelers.  We had had a $40 lunch of hamburgers on the train so passed on dinner!   We did a Subway special for a snack about 10:00.  Folks here just don't want to quit at night no matter what.  They're so glad to see daylight after a winter they can't get enough!  Ted and Beth's neighbor has been watering the new grass seeded in the yard around the clock it looks like to us!!