Tweet
My Travel Log.
Day 1 - March 5th.
What a day it was. After our usual small breakfast, E decided we'd check in early at the airport, then have lunch before our flight. Didn't happen. The airline Kioske wasn't scheduled to open til 11:45. Then, forget the signs above the stations. He went to self-check in, but they sent us to the back of the other line where they check in everyone. No advantage to us, as our arrangements were made and all we needed to do was run off our papers and check in the bags. We'd have saved 20 minutes.
Going through the check in, x-rays, etc., section next took time, as usual. By the time we got to the departure gate...well, forget lunch! But figured they'd serve something on the plane. Nope, just drinks and little snack packets that I really hate.
Landed in Portland in a nice rain. Got to our gate after 4PM where there was a Starbucks. Grabbed a vegetarian breakfast sandwich (rather dry) and an OJ. Ate that slowly. Then a small plane took us to Seattle, where there was a heavier rain.
Got our luggage, and by habit looked around for our youngest daughter's family who meet us there when we visit!
Then E called the hotel. The lady insisted we had no reservations. He called a bit later, and another lady not only acknowledged our reservation, but sent their shuttle for us.
E hoped to go out to dinner, but it was late, cold, wet, and dark, and I didn't want to. So he got himself stuff from the vending machine at the hotel. ---- I didn't want anything.
My stomach was still bothering me most of the day. But it wasn't totally uncontrollable. I have a feeling it will remain much the same another day.
Day 2 - March 6
Today we will catch the plane to Ancourage.
OK, after the hotel-standard breakfast (not a restaurant) we made it through the airport with what felt like 2 miles worth of walking. A 4-hour flight....this did serve food, but the price was sky high for what looked like unsatisfying choices. But we just finished breakfast it seemed. So we skipped the meal.
As we were landing, the sight of clouds gave way to mountains of snow, the bay - which must have been at least partially frozen, as there were clumps of what appeared to be small piles of snow sitting in many spots on the gray water - and snow was covering roofs and the ground.
We arrived to snow-covered Anchorage and got to the Hilton. Our taxi driver was a young woman from Honduras.
Because we were hours ahead of the expected crowd, we got an upgraded room! Nice. We unpacked to air out our clothes we need for the next couple of days. Tonight we have a social gathering with the science group, and a dinner. I hope this dinner is paid for by the society, because I love broiled halibut, and though it's a simply prepared dish it looks like the most expensive. There are nice alternatives, though, too.
A trip to the zoo, I think, and something else, tomorrow. It's basically a break from travel, and a how-do-you-do to ALASKA.
The day after that will be 9 hours total on bus and train, as we head to Fairbanks.
Did I mention it is significantly cold here? Well, I'll enjoy it, because Fairbanks will be even colder. Then I'll see if the high prices on winter wear here is really worth it!!!
We had dinner "On Top Of The World"....the top floor of the Hilton. The walls are glass windows. It's not a revolving restaurant, though. The menu was pre-chosen by the Planetary Society. Salad, salmon, veggies, carrot cake, and beverage (and a glass of wine if desired).
There were no less than 40 of us, and we each had to stand and introduce ourselves, and tell what brought us there.
E was surprised to find I had one of the best speaking voices there.
I learned that the Planetary Society is run by Bill Nye the Science Guy?
The government recognizes that it is run solely on membership support, and the group is one of the staunchest supporters of space exploration. It has members all around the world! Wow!
Tomorrow we will be up early, and have a full day scheduled.
Day 3 -March 7th
Today, a quick breakfast on the top floor again. Then down to our bus. We emerged into a dreary damp morning...damp from fog that fell during the night, but was already high overhead. No sunshine. Today was up to freezing...warm by Alaskan standards. I had 2 layers of clothing under my jacket. As we rode to our first destination, we saw fog finally lifting off mountains about 9 a.m.. Lots of snowy mountain ranges here. It was fully lifted by about 11 a.m., and you could see how very tall the mountains actually were. I took many pictures hoping some of them - from a moving vehicle - and most are very good. (I will post pictures after I get home.) Then my phone camera battery gave out. I do need a portable spare!
We passed frozen and flowing river streams and lakes.
We learned about "frozen boulders" (explanations follows), as well as the Bore tides.
We arrived at the Sealife Center in Seward. We had lunch then went into the center. If you've been to public aquariums, it's not much different, just the specific sea life.
Then we boarded the bus and went to a wildlife refuge. We saw the only heard of a bison in America, bears, eagles, deer, musk oxen and I can't recall what else. Oh...lynx and owls. Learned a bunch about them.
We have a good, friendly group. The team leaders are a young man and woman. The young man was full of jokes and puns....but discovered there are other jokers in the group, and E gave him a run for the money in puns himself. Even the driver has lots of funny stories to tell.
Still, the bus rides were pretty darn long. We got back later than planned.
Supper is here, so will continue later.
THE ICE BOLDERS are the silt deposited by glaciers into the glacier-fed lakes, rivers, etc. on the beach, the silt is like ash, and is so fine that it's really like quicksand.....people have been lost in them , and there are not enough visible warning signs IMHO. The boulders themselves are things you see just in winter. It's silt, fine and gravelly both. It freezes, thaws, referees, thaws, etc., til there is a buildup then end up in jagged boulder shapes in the waters. The source is the mountains....it's what the glaciers have picked up, pushed, and ground up to the consistency of ash and small gravel.
THE BORE TIDE is when the glacier melt is feeding bodies of water, creating a current in the opposite direction of the natural flow. Where the opposite flows meet in passing, a friction causes a water wall that can be as much as 6' high.
March 8 --- we will have a 12-hour ride to Fairbanks today. Hello deep-freeze country! I will be without WiFi til then.
Now, off to breakfast and checking out.
Well, the 9 hour trip that changed to 12-hour trip took 13 hours. We are beat, and told the excursion leader we plan to sleep, rather than stand in the fields til midnight.
We were on the bus from 8 a.m., and met the train at 11:30. When the conductor announced his average speed was 25 mph, I knew things would no go right. (And the train's food was dry as a bone, which I couldn't eat at all.) Then he picked up extra passengers (free) in the area for short trips in the area that got no electricity at all. The bus made it to the hotel around 4 p.m., and picked us up at the train station about 9 p.m. to drive us to the hotel. I will say that walking on snow again was fun when it crunched underfoot. Ellis would have gone sky watching had I wanted to, but he deserves a rest too. Besides, my feet were swollen, and neither of us has had a full nights sleep since our arrival with the schedule we've had. I think the schedule will be yet busier in the next few days.
Still, the coming days should be better. I hope.
So, goodnight for now.
March 9th...
Another full day here.
We went to visit the owner/racer of sled racing dogs. Temps were -20 when the sun was up at 9 a.m. I didn't last outside long, because my fingers and toes were sorely cold...and I did have hand warmers. They did have a place for cold people to get warm.
I should add that the place we went to get warmed up is a structure called a Yert. They were originally shelters for Mongols and nomadic Europeans. Yerts are usually portable rounded tents; but this one is a more permanent structure, as they have wooden floors, lots of blankets (for people and dogs!), a lot of folding chairs, cabinets for coffee, snack foods, cups, etc., plus hooks for extra waterproof pants, coats, and shelves for a lot of boots which some guests might borrow. In the center of everything is a large cast iron wood-burning stove.
The dogs each have their own doghouse on the property, but are put into the Yert if they are sick.
One older lady entering was immediately cautioned to NOT let these 2 dogs get outside. She saidm "I know. I know." Then 5 minutes later said "Awww, do you both want to go outside?" Whereupon she opened the door and let them out. They ran like the wind, unleashed. I get the owners sometimes really hate their guests, or some of them anyway.
We are attending lectures here now on Auroras and Radars.
There was I Aurora last night, I'm told. But tonight when temps art -40° there a much better chance. Guess I'll have to elaborate later. Sorry.
What a day it was. After our usual small breakfast, E decided we'd check in early at the airport, then have lunch before our flight. Didn't happen. The airline Kioske wasn't scheduled to open til 11:45. Then, forget the signs above the stations. He went to self-check in, but they sent us to the back of the other line where they check in everyone. No advantage to us, as our arrangements were made and all we needed to do was run off our papers and check in the bags. We'd have saved 20 minutes.
Going through the check in, x-rays, etc., section next took time, as usual. By the time we got to the departure gate...well, forget lunch! But figured they'd serve something on the plane. Nope, just drinks and little snack packets that I really hate.
Landed in Portland in a nice rain. Got to our gate after 4PM where there was a Starbucks. Grabbed a vegetarian breakfast sandwich (rather dry) and an OJ. Ate that slowly. Then a small plane took us to Seattle, where there was a heavier rain.
Got our luggage, and by habit looked around for our youngest daughter's family who meet us there when we visit!
Then E called the hotel. The lady insisted we had no reservations. He called a bit later, and another lady not only acknowledged our reservation, but sent their shuttle for us.
E hoped to go out to dinner, but it was late, cold, wet, and dark, and I didn't want to. So he got himself stuff from the vending machine at the hotel. ---- I didn't want anything.
My stomach was still bothering me most of the day. But it wasn't totally uncontrollable. I have a feeling it will remain much the same another day.
Day 2 - March 6
Today we will catch the plane to Ancourage.
OK, after the hotel-standard breakfast (not a restaurant) we made it through the airport with what felt like 2 miles worth of walking. A 4-hour flight....this did serve food, but the price was sky high for what looked like unsatisfying choices. But we just finished breakfast it seemed. So we skipped the meal.
As we were landing, the sight of clouds gave way to mountains of snow, the bay - which must have been at least partially frozen, as there were clumps of what appeared to be small piles of snow sitting in many spots on the gray water - and snow was covering roofs and the ground.
We arrived to snow-covered Anchorage and got to the Hilton. Our taxi driver was a young woman from Honduras.
Because we were hours ahead of the expected crowd, we got an upgraded room! Nice. We unpacked to air out our clothes we need for the next couple of days. Tonight we have a social gathering with the science group, and a dinner. I hope this dinner is paid for by the society, because I love broiled halibut, and though it's a simply prepared dish it looks like the most expensive. There are nice alternatives, though, too.
A trip to the zoo, I think, and something else, tomorrow. It's basically a break from travel, and a how-do-you-do to ALASKA.
The day after that will be 9 hours total on bus and train, as we head to Fairbanks.
Did I mention it is significantly cold here? Well, I'll enjoy it, because Fairbanks will be even colder. Then I'll see if the high prices on winter wear here is really worth it!!!
We had dinner "On Top Of The World"....the top floor of the Hilton. The walls are glass windows. It's not a revolving restaurant, though. The menu was pre-chosen by the Planetary Society. Salad, salmon, veggies, carrot cake, and beverage (and a glass of wine if desired).
There were no less than 40 of us, and we each had to stand and introduce ourselves, and tell what brought us there.
E was surprised to find I had one of the best speaking voices there.
I learned that the Planetary Society is run by Bill Nye the Science Guy?
The government recognizes that it is run solely on membership support, and the group is one of the staunchest supporters of space exploration. It has members all around the world! Wow!
Tomorrow we will be up early, and have a full day scheduled.
Day 3 -March 7th
Today, a quick breakfast on the top floor again. Then down to our bus. We emerged into a dreary damp morning...damp from fog that fell during the night, but was already high overhead. No sunshine. Today was up to freezing...warm by Alaskan standards. I had 2 layers of clothing under my jacket. As we rode to our first destination, we saw fog finally lifting off mountains about 9 a.m.. Lots of snowy mountain ranges here. It was fully lifted by about 11 a.m., and you could see how very tall the mountains actually were. I took many pictures hoping some of them - from a moving vehicle - and most are very good. (I will post pictures after I get home.) Then my phone camera battery gave out. I do need a portable spare!
We passed frozen and flowing river streams and lakes.
We learned about "frozen boulders" (explanations follows), as well as the Bore tides.
We arrived at the Sealife Center in Seward. We had lunch then went into the center. If you've been to public aquariums, it's not much different, just the specific sea life.
Then we boarded the bus and went to a wildlife refuge. We saw the only heard of a bison in America, bears, eagles, deer, musk oxen and I can't recall what else. Oh...lynx and owls. Learned a bunch about them.
We have a good, friendly group. The team leaders are a young man and woman. The young man was full of jokes and puns....but discovered there are other jokers in the group, and E gave him a run for the money in puns himself. Even the driver has lots of funny stories to tell.
Still, the bus rides were pretty darn long. We got back later than planned.
Supper is here, so will continue later.
THE ICE BOLDERS are the silt deposited by glaciers into the glacier-fed lakes, rivers, etc. on the beach, the silt is like ash, and is so fine that it's really like quicksand.....people have been lost in them , and there are not enough visible warning signs IMHO. The boulders themselves are things you see just in winter. It's silt, fine and gravelly both. It freezes, thaws, referees, thaws, etc., til there is a buildup then end up in jagged boulder shapes in the waters. The source is the mountains....it's what the glaciers have picked up, pushed, and ground up to the consistency of ash and small gravel.
THE BORE TIDE is when the glacier melt is feeding bodies of water, creating a current in the opposite direction of the natural flow. Where the opposite flows meet in passing, a friction causes a water wall that can be as much as 6' high.
March 8 --- we will have a 12-hour ride to Fairbanks today. Hello deep-freeze country! I will be without WiFi til then.
Now, off to breakfast and checking out.
Well, the 9 hour trip that changed to 12-hour trip took 13 hours. We are beat, and told the excursion leader we plan to sleep, rather than stand in the fields til midnight.
We were on the bus from 8 a.m., and met the train at 11:30. When the conductor announced his average speed was 25 mph, I knew things would no go right. (And the train's food was dry as a bone, which I couldn't eat at all.) Then he picked up extra passengers (free) in the area for short trips in the area that got no electricity at all. The bus made it to the hotel around 4 p.m., and picked us up at the train station about 9 p.m. to drive us to the hotel. I will say that walking on snow again was fun when it crunched underfoot. Ellis would have gone sky watching had I wanted to, but he deserves a rest too. Besides, my feet were swollen, and neither of us has had a full nights sleep since our arrival with the schedule we've had. I think the schedule will be yet busier in the next few days.
Still, the coming days should be better. I hope.
So, goodnight for now.
March 9th...
Another full day here.
We went to visit the owner/racer of sled racing dogs. Temps were -20 when the sun was up at 9 a.m. I didn't last outside long, because my fingers and toes were sorely cold...and I did have hand warmers. They did have a place for cold people to get warm.
I should add that the place we went to get warmed up is a structure called a Yert. They were originally shelters for Mongols and nomadic Europeans. Yerts are usually portable rounded tents; but this one is a more permanent structure, as they have wooden floors, lots of blankets (for people and dogs!), a lot of folding chairs, cabinets for coffee, snack foods, cups, etc., plus hooks for extra waterproof pants, coats, and shelves for a lot of boots which some guests might borrow. In the center of everything is a large cast iron wood-burning stove.
The dogs each have their own doghouse on the property, but are put into the Yert if they are sick.
One older lady entering was immediately cautioned to NOT let these 2 dogs get outside. She saidm "I know. I know." Then 5 minutes later said "Awww, do you both want to go outside?" Whereupon she opened the door and let them out. They ran like the wind, unleashed. I get the owners sometimes really hate their guests, or some of them anyway.
We are attending lectures here now on Auroras and Radars.
There was I Aurora last night, I'm told. But tonight when temps art -40° there a much better chance. Guess I'll have to elaborate later. Sorry.
Comment