Anchorage and some serious planes
At Anchorage the train tracks ran below the main hotels. Above us we could see the hotel where we would spend our last night in Alaska. This area, below the hotels, had been swamped back in 1964. While the train was stopped we watched as extra staff were getting on the train to work in the kitchens and restaurant cars on the train.
Then above us I saw 5 F-22 Raptors circling and coming to land at the nearby Air Force Base. A quick lens change and dash to the outside areas meant I could get a better view of the planes.
The viewing platform did have confusing messages.
As the train pulled away we watched two C-130 Hercules take off.
Above us commercial flights were leaving the International airport. Once past the entrance to the base a C-17 Globemaster lifted off from the other runway and passed right over the top of us.
North from Anchorage
Also now on board the train were representatives from Princess Cruises. They came through the carriage giving out envelopes that contained the details of the Wilderness Lodge at Denali, our itinerary and our room keys. Very efficient.
This was when we learned that are free trip into the park the next day could be upgraded. Our fellow passengers in the row behind is recommended that we do this as the other trip hardly went into the park at all. They were already booked on the first bus into the park and hope to see you lots of the parks residence early in the morning.
We were told that there were still spaces on the buses going into the park for the longer trip. We asked to have our names put down on the waiting list so that we might try and get on one of these longer trips.
It was getting close to lunchtime and after we’d had our coffee and tea earlier we decided to have our food upstairs. We ordered nachos with salsa and guacamole and cheese – it was a great choice.
