Alaska was of the places that I wanted to go since 5 yrs ago. It always seems so inaccessible and so far away. One day, I went to the library and rented the Alaska travel book. Before I knew it, I started to book the train tickets and hotels. Many people choose to go to Alaska in July or August. I decided to go in Sept where it’s a bit cheaper but colder. It took me about 2 months to put my plans together. And I am so proud to be the first person in my circle of friends to step on the land of the last frontier - ALASKA
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Day 1 (DC to Anchorage)
Total flight time is about 11 hours from DC to Denver to Anchorage. It was funny how t he DIRECTV on the plane (Frontier Airline) got cut off when it was flying in Canada. When the plane was approaching Anchorage, I saw glaciers for the first time on the plane. I’ve never seen glaciers before so I w
as really excited. It was around 930 and it the sun was still up. When the plane landed, the pilot told us to take a look on the left where Mt McKinley majestically stands. It was gorgeous. When I got off the plane, I was a big bright moon right in front of me. What a welcoming sign. Chris’ flight landed 15 min after mine. Then we took a cab to our hotel (Ramada Inn). The cab driver was really friendly. He told us about the city and the northern lights, bla bla bla. So far my impression of Alaska has been a good one. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.Day 2 (Anchorage to Seward)
The train ride was at 6am. We had to wake up like at 5. The hotel offered free shuttle service to the train station. It was only like 1 mile away anyway. So we got on the train and then we headed south. It was one the prettiest rides I have ever seen. The first half of the ride was right beside the river (sea?). We saw 
beluga whales, bald eagles, mooses, and etc etc. The train actually passed thru 2 glaciers. After about 4.5 hours, we finally arrived at Seward. It was a beautiful day. We were extremely lucky because sunshine day in Seward is rare. Had lunch at this restaurant by the harbor. The homemade soup was good. And I had caribou burger. After walking around downtown Seward, we headed to our hotel, Seward Windsong Lodge. The lodge is beautiful with a rustic feel to it. Without w
asting time, we went to Exit Glacier which is located about 5 miles from the hotel. On the way there. We saw this river full of salmon swimming upstream to spawn. That was cool. At night we took the shuttle to downtown for dinner. Went to this restaurant called C
HINOOK. Had my first kingcrab and it wasn’t cheap. (about $40). The restaurant is sitting right by the harbor so we got a harbor view. We saw an otter swimming while we were eating. That was cool. After dinner, we took the shuttle back to the lodge and rest.
beluga whales, bald eagles, mooses, and etc etc. The train actually passed thru 2 glaciers. After about 4.5 hours, we finally arrived at Seward. It was a beautiful day. We were extremely lucky because sunshine day in Seward is rare. Had lunch at this restaurant by the harbor. The homemade soup was good. And I had caribou burger. After walking around downtown Seward, we headed to our hotel, Seward Windsong Lodge. The lodge is beautiful with a rustic feel to it. Without w
asting time, we went to Exit Glacier which is located about 5 miles from the hotel. On the way there. We saw this river full of salmon swimming upstream to spawn. That was cool. At night we took the shuttle to downtown for dinner. Went to this restaurant called C
HINOOK. Had my first kingcrab and it wasn’t cheap. (about $40). The restaurant is sitting right by the harbor so we got a harbor view. We saw an otter swimming while we were eating. That was cool. After dinner, we took the shuttle back to the lodge and rest.
Day 3 (Seward – Kenai Fjord National Park)
The next morning, we took the shuttle to the harbor to take the marine tour into Kenai Fjord National Park. Kenai Fjord NP is a marine NP. It’s only accessible by boat as there is no road in the park. There was a park ranger on the boat. We were sharing a table with a couple from Wyoming. They were friendly. The guy was actually a cop. We talked and joked. Chris was suffering from sea motion sickness for the first 2 hours. After taking Dramamine an
d ginger candy, he felt better. We saw orca (I wasn’t expecting to see it), puffin birds, and seals. At around 1pm, lunch was served. The food was surprisingly good.
(prime ribs, rice pilaf, salmon.. all u can eat!!) Of course the highlight of the tour was seeing the glacier. It was so beautiful. The boat stopped for about 20min for photo opportunity. While everyone was busy taking pics, suddenly we heard a loud noise (like thunder lightning). Then a huge chunk of the glacier collapsed into the sea. It was cool !!! I mean I have always seen this on tv but to see it live, it was just breathtaking. The employees took a glacier ice (the ones floating on the sea) and use it to make margarita. The was cool!!. It was so good that we had 2. On the way back, the back door that leads to the bathroom was broken. People who went to the bathroom or went outside were trapped. It was funny. It took 2 employees and some volunteers 20 min to finally take the lock off. We went b
ack to Seward around 7pm. It was almost an 8 hour journey. Had dinner at FISH & CHIPS restaurant. Then headed back to the lodg
e.
Day 4 (Seward to Anchorage)
d ginger candy, he felt better. We saw orca (I wasn’t expecting to see it), puffin birds, and seals. At around 1pm, lunch was served. The food was surprisingly good.
(prime ribs, rice pilaf, salmon.. all u can eat!!) Of course the highlight of the tour was seeing the glacier. It was so beautiful. The boat stopped for about 20min for photo opportunity. While everyone was busy taking pics, suddenly we heard a loud noise (like thunder lightning). Then a huge chunk of the glacier collapsed into the sea. It was cool !!! I mean I have always seen this on tv but to see it live, it was just breathtaking. The employees took a glacier ice (the ones floating on the sea) and use it to make margarita. The was cool!!. It was so good that we had 2. On the way back, the back door that leads to the bathroom was broken. People who went to the bathroom or went outside were trapped. It was funny. It took 2 employees and some volunteers 20 min to finally take the lock off. We went b
ack to Seward around 7pm. It was almost an 8 hour journey. Had dinner at FISH & CHIPS restaurant. Then headed back to the lodg
e.Day 4 (Seward to Anchorage)
The day begun with light rain. I was gonna go back to the river to see salmon but it was raining. We had breakfast at the hotel. Food was good but expensive. $18 for king crab Benedict. At around 10am, we took the motor coach back to anchorage. The ride was pretty and surprisingly intellectual (the bu
s driver). We got in to anchorage at around 1pm. The bus stopped at the museum. We walked in the museum for a while. Had lunch there. Mine was good but Chris’ was to salty. Out hotel is like 8 blks away so we decided to walk. On the way, we stopped by at Nordstrom. (Apparently Nordstrom is the biggest dept store in anchorage after JCPenny). We got to the hotel and checked in. (Capt
ain Cook). Out first room had a hotel with the river view but there’s only 1 bedso we had to change room with the city view. After that we went outside to walk around. While I was shopping for souvenirs, Chris got us a table for dinner. Food was really good.
On the way back, I walked go the waterfront while Chris is back to the hotel watching tennis. I spent almost 1.5 hrs at the waterfront. It was so quiet yet so beautiful seeing sunset with glaciers at the background. Later I went back to the hotel. Was going to go to pool but realize that we had to pay for it. At night time, we just stayed at the hotel, resting.
In the morning, we walked to the train station that’s located 10 min away from the hotel. Out host on the train was Chad. He did a good job at making us not falling asleep as the journey to Denali is ab
out 6 hrs!! the landscape changes dramatically as we approach Denali. On the way, we passed thru WASILA. The hometown of Sarah Palin also known as the town u can see Russia from. I thought that was pretty cool. As we go further, the three color changes to bright yellow and orange. We also passed thru tundra (permafrost) forest. We finally arrived at around 3pm. Upon arrival, we were transferred to our hotel (Denali Princess Lodge). It must be the biggest lodge around that area, it’s huge. We walked around the area, checking out the stores on the main street. Was gonna go water rafting but for some reason we did not (I still regret that I didn’t do it). At the night time, had dinner at the lovely restaurant called king salmon. Food was good!! 
s driver). We got in to anchorage at around 1pm. The bus stopped at the museum. We walked in the museum for a while. Had lunch there. Mine was good but Chris’ was to salty. Out hotel is like 8 blks away so we decided to walk. On the way, we stopped by at Nordstrom. (Apparently Nordstrom is the biggest dept store in anchorage after JCPenny). We got to the hotel and checked in. (Capt
ain Cook). Out first room had a hotel with the river view but there’s only 1 bedso we had to change room with the city view. After that we went outside to walk around. While I was shopping for souvenirs, Chris got us a table for dinner. Food was really good.
On the way back, I walked go the waterfront while Chris is back to the hotel watching tennis. I spent almost 1.5 hrs at the waterfront. It was so quiet yet so beautiful seeing sunset with glaciers at the background. Later I went back to the hotel. Was going to go to pool but realize that we had to pay for it. At night time, we just stayed at the hotel, resting.
Day 5 (Anchorage to Denali)
In the morning, we walked to the train station that’s located 10 min away from the hotel. Out host on the train was Chad. He did a good job at making us not falling asleep as the journey to Denali is ab
out 6 hrs!! the landscape changes dramatically as we approach Denali. On the way, we passed thru WASILA. The hometown of Sarah Palin also known as the town u can see Russia from. I thought that was pretty cool. As we go further, the three color changes to bright yellow and orange. We also passed thru tundra (permafrost) forest. We finally arrived at around 3pm. Upon arrival, we were transferred to our hotel (Denali Princess Lodge). It must be the biggest lodge around that area, it’s huge. We walked around the area, checking out the stores on the main street. Was gonna go water rafting but for some reason we did not (I still regret that I didn’t do it). At the night time, had dinner at the lovely restaurant called king salmon. Food was good!! 
Day 6 (Denali - Denali National Park)
Today is going to be a marathon. A 13 hour bus tour in Denali NP. Since cars are not allowed in the park, we had to take a bus tour. The tour starts at 8.15. it was cold but the weather was good. We were told by our bus driver that the weather is 
probably one of the best summer days this year. We could see Mt McKinley throughout the 
whole journey. The bus stopped after 2 hours for cookies and hot drinks break. We saw grizzly bears (my first time seeing them in the wild), mooses, dall sheeps, and caribous. When we go to the visitor center, we had a good view of Mt McKinley. it was so gigantic that it seemed unreal. So beautiful and I felt so lucky to be able to see it. The bus went all the way to the end old the road (unpaved) to Kantishna Roadhouse. We had lunch there and then we were taught how to gold panning. I found a small gold nugget on my pan. It was so exciting!!! Of course I got to keep it J. After the gold panning, there was a brief dog sledding demonstration, very Alaskan. We got back to our hotel at around 7.45pm. We found out that there’s an outdoor hot tub that’s still open. Then we chilled in the hot tub. So comfy. 
probably one of the best summer days this year. We could see Mt McKinley throughout the 
whole journey. The bus stopped after 2 hours for cookies and hot drinks break. We saw grizzly bears (my first time seeing them in the wild), mooses, dall sheeps, and caribous. When we go to the visitor center, we had a good view of Mt McKinley. it was so gigantic that it seemed unreal. So beautiful and I felt so lucky to be able to see it. The bus went all the way to the end old the road (unpaved) to Kantishna Roadhouse. We had lunch there and then we were taught how to gold panning. I found a small gold nugget on my pan. It was so exciting!!! Of course I got to keep it J. After the gold panning, there was a brief dog sledding demonstration, very Alaskan. We got back to our hotel at around 7.45pm. We found out that there’s an outdoor hot tub that’s still open. Then we chilled in the hot tub. So comfy. 
Day 7 (Denali to Anchorage to DC)
Today is the last day of the Alaska journey. We went to King Salmon restaurant again for breakfast. And then we headed to the rail depot. I left my phone in the pocket of my jeans in the luggage. So I didn’t have my cell in the train. The journey back was long and tiring. When we arrive in anchorage, we took cab to the airport. Then took the plane back to DC. I am so glad I went to Alaska. It was everything that I thought it would be, the only thing I regret is that I didn’t go to Fairbanks and do the Dalton highway to Prudhoe Bay (top of the world). I guess I’ll save that for next time. Well, I am not sure when I'll be back but I know for sure that I'll come back to ALASKA AGAIN.
1 comment:
Wow! Looks like an amazing trip! I want to go to Alaska now!
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