Posted on 06/25/2010 1:29:42 PM PDT by Cowgirl
I live in Alaska and just spent several days taking a friend to see different parts of our great state. I thought it would be nice to let you'all know of a great deal here in Alaska. The Alaska Railroad is so wonderful. It is very low key with no hassles like you get at the airport. The seats a very comfortable, there is an observation dome, a nice bistro that serves drinks which they refill for free if you keep your cup. The cars a air conditioned and have huges windows for site seeing. I could actually sleep a little which I can never do on a plane. They aren't crowded either. You needn't sign up with Princess Tours or other tours that haul you around on a schedule and make you miss the real Alaska. There are a lot of things to do of course, but if you want a very nice vacation at a reasonable price, spend some time shopping for you hotels and check your maps for areas you would like to explore.
Here is a sample of what I would call a wonderful Alaska vacation. You fly into Fairbanks and stay at a hotel with a shuttle. Shuttle to the Railroad station in Alaska and take the train to Denali National park (about a three hour trip). Stay at a hotel that shuttles to a cabin or hotel at Denali (you can find all of that on line). The next day shuttle to the park and take a bus shuttle that takes you throughout the park with a guide that tells you all the history. Everyone is very friendly and the bus costs about $30 per person. We saw five grizzly, numerous carabou, gold eagles, three dol sheep herds, moose, and wolves which went right by the bus. The next day shuttle to the park and take the railroad to Talkeetna (about four hours).
Talkeetna has around 500 people and 13 historical houses. I stayed at the original Talkeetna Roadhouse which is very old and has a wonderful Alaskan atmosphere. The Twister Creek restaurant across the street was excellent with great steaks and halibut. The Roadhouse has it's own bakery and restaurant too. We walked there from the Railroad station, about a half mile. The town has gift shops with local artists. One lady we met, Laura, had lived there since l987 and had stories to tell about the time it snowed 27 feet and she was in a cabin with three small children. "I cried a lot that winter" she said.
Then, I would travel on down the coast to Anchorage, Seward, Whittier, etc. and then travel back to Anchorage for a flight out. The coastal area has beautiful scenery right along the ocean and you could stay as you long as you wanted just exploring that area.
The railroad system runs even in the winter and they have wonderful trips up north too. The lady on the train said they were running with lower numbers than usual. You can also think of using it as a fishing trip as one of the trains will actually drop you off in primitive areas and I'm sure they have guides if you need one. That area is called Curry or Chase.
I just thought I would pass this along. If anyone has any questions and I can help, I would be glad to help out. We are having wonderful weather right now with no night so things stay open a lot later.
I just did it myself. With everything being online, you just look at a map and create your own thing by logging on to that area online and check for hotels, etc. Also, the railroad tickets can be purchased online.
I am so tired of the TX heat, (I do not do well with heat) I figure the closer to the North Pole I can get the happier I would be...
I am going to save your trip planner because I really want to visit your great state...
Thank you so much
I’ve only done the SE part on a cruise.
What I would recommend is taking the cable car in Juneau and then hiking, stopping and admiring all along the nature preserve on that mountain...the trail winds above the tree line, and below it, there a are beautiful little gem vistas all around you.
Great day activity if you have the time, all I had was a few hours before the ship sailed...but glad I did it.
this is excellent...thanks for posting
Great essay, Cowgirl!
I really enjoyed it.
Here's a little info from wikipedia:
The Alaska Railroad... extends from Seward and Whittier, in the south of the state of Alaska, in the United States, to Fairbanks (passing through Anchorage), and beyond to Eielson Air Force Base and Fort Wainwright in the interior of that state. Uniquely, it carries both freight and passengers throughout its system, including Denali National Park (most other intercity passenger rail in the U.S.A. is carried on the Federal Amtrak system).
It is currently owned by the State of Alaska.
In 2008, the company earned a profit of $12.5 million (down 23%) on revenues of $158.7 million (up 6.9%)
In 1985, the State of Alaska bought the railroad from the U.S. government for $22.3 million. The state immediately invested over $70 million on improvements and repairs that made up for years of deferred maintenance.
Sadly, much of our track in the lower 48 suffers from "deferred maintenance." But with a little spit-polish to put 'em back in order... and eliminate the bottlenecks, Many Amtrak routes can also begin to turn a profit!!!
Nice! When my two kids get old enough, we’re definitely taking a family vacation to Alaska, and will certainly follow the railroad tour as you described.
PING for interested folks who do not already live in Alaska...
Almost our same itinerary last September and I arranged it all.
Day 1) We flew to Anchorage on our own. I had purchased a 3 night Prudhoe Bay pkg that met us at the airport, transferred us to one night Anc. downtown hotel.
Day 2)We visted the Alaska Museum in the morning on our own and it really paid off for enjoying the rest of our trip. In the afternoon we transferred to the airport and flew to Prudhoe Bay for a tour and overnight.
Day 3) Haul Road to Coldfoot via bus. Absolutely amazing.
Day 4) Coldfoot to Fairbanks. End of pkg tour. Again, amazing. Overnight in own in downtown Fairbanks.
Day 5) Visited a gold mine on our own and had a miner’s lunch. Afternoon visit to U of AK museum. Overnight Fairbanks. Great meals both nights.
Day 6) Alaska railroad to Talkeetna (Gold Star service is worth the extra price). Mt Denali was crystal clear this entire day. Evening glacier flight and landing. Overnight at Talkeetna Lodge looking out at Denali. Husband had been to Denali Park before so we skipped the park.
Day 7) Denali clear again today. Bus back to Anchorage to hotel and visited open market and the trail.
Day 8) Gold Star train to Seward for Kenai Fjords Glacier NP Cruise. Back to Anchorage via train.
Day9) Flew home from Anchorage.
One of our best trips ever. What a special place.
Other than the Prudhoe Bay pkg everything else was on our own. I also bought a Toursaver book for some 2 for 1 cpns. Our trip was perfect.
We will be in Alaska in August as our family is taking a 10-day cruise (Princess). I can’t wait to see Glacier Bay - and I want to see at least one BEAR and at least one MOOSE!
My experience in Alaska is pretty much in the other direction. Adak and Shemya. Just stops in Adak, but over a week(1976) in Shemya. It was still winter, but I would go again if I had the chance. Don’t know if it is possible to do anymore.
Friends of mine took a bus to the North Slope last August as part of their visit.
Thanks Cowgirl! I would love to get out of the Houston heat!
I’m thinking of taking the winter tour this year. Thanks
This sounds wonderful. I love trains, but have always thought that the way to see Alaska was on one of those cruises. This sounds so much better, and little chance of getting the Norwalk virus. : )
I will have to check this out.
If you get to Fairbanks, Ester Gold Camp is about six miles out and is a great restaurant that use to be a gold mining camp. All you can eat and great food.
Only way to Shemya is military charter. I spent 6 weeks out there in 99. First time I’ve ever seen pea soup fog when the wind was blowing 50 knots. Amazing
I was in Galena for 7 years. If you want a moose take a flight out there (halfway between Nome and Fairbanks right on the mighty Yukon River)
I was also in King Salmon on Bristol Bay. Lots of Salmon fishing and take a side trip to Brooks Lodge to see the Grizzly Bears at Fisherman Falls.
I love Alaska an want to go back. If anybody knows of weather jobs up there coming open let me know :-)
Go a little further and visit Skinny Dicks Halfway Inn
If for no other reason than to get a tee shirt
We spent a few days in Homer too. The Mr. did some halibut fishing and I waded tidal pools......beautiful state, incredible people.
My wife and I are leaving for Anchorage on July 8th for a 12 day cruise and tour. We will be traveelling on the Alaska Railroad as well as the White Pass and Yukon. We took the Inside Passage cruise out of Seattle two years ago.
Sounds really nice.
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