Well, I made it back from Alaska last week and now that I've got myself settled back in I can share a couple stories and photos. We covered hundreds of miles exploring some of the national parks of southern Alaska. We took 7 different planes, stayed in 6 hotels, rode in/paddled 3 boats, took 2 bus tours and spent hours taking in the scenery and roadside attractions from our rental car. I arrived at our B&B in Anchorage at about 2am so I didn't see much on the way in. I was excited when I woke up a few hours later, pulled back the blinds and gazed out at the majesty of the last frontier.
 |
| View from our room at the B&B |
After a breakfast of reindeer sausage we were back at the airport for a short flight to King Salmon and then on to Katmai National Park. Scott and I were looking forward to see the snow-capped mountains from the air and of course, argued over who would get the window seat. Scott won it, sort of.
 |
| Scott enjoys his "window" seat |
Apparently, not every row has an actual window. Luckily, there was an empty seat in front of us where we could see out the window.
From then on out Alaska proved to be a place that rewards you again and again for simply gazing out the window.
 |
| View from seaplane, Katmai National Park |
On the road north out of Anchorage we were reminded that Alaska is the biggest state in 'Merica.
And one that loves fireworks, hippie buses, the Batmobile and other pieces of Americana.
Once we arrived in Denali we took an all day bus trip through the park, spotting and (mostly) unsuccessfully photographing lots of wildlife. We stayed at the Skyline Lodge in Kantishna and enjoyed a beautiful view from our cabin.
 |
| 11 pm sunset from our room |
But the view out the back window of the lodge we stayed at in Kenai Fjords National Park was even better. I spent an evening sitting out on the rocker, reading and listening to the birds while my parents slept in a dramamine enduced coma inside (the boat ride there was a little rough).
The best view from any window I've ever been able to look out though had to be from our Cessna 206 flying past Mt. McKinley.
 |
| Hello Beautiful |
 |
| Mom contemplates the view |
 |
| Leaving Denali in our rear window |
Gazing at the scenery from the window of cars, buses, planes, boats and hotels provides only a glimpse of the immense beauty of this place. To really experience and appreciate it you have to get out there on the trails, the tundra, the rivers and lakes. You have to be out in the cold rain, swat away the mosquitoes and see the wildlife face to face. You may have seen the hundreds of photos of those experiences on my Facebook page. Luckily, we were able to do it all on this trip and I recommend everyone put Alaska on their bucket list. It's really a once in a lifetime kind of place!
No comments:
Post a Comment