12th day ANCHORAGE to FAIRBANKS (train)

De-Icing ===Alaska style

Dan Seavey just in to Takotna-- takes his 24 hr. here

howling dog

Lots of snow in Takotna. Where's the truck?

Alaska Railroad train trip from Anchorage to Fairbanks called the red flag--only one in the country. Anyone along the route can red flag the train down for a ride and they do. We stopped along the way to let people off--to where I couldn't figure. Spoke to one of these fellows said he had a cabin down the way??? and was bringing some food supplies in. Said it was quiet and wonderful. He loved it!! OK!!

On Train ANC to Fairbanks- trees from ANC to Wasilla were covered with ice / sun on them!!

Sarah Palins' home town

Hank on the train

Denali

One of the few cabins along the way--lots of snow!

Animal tracks

Wind on the snow capped mountain

Front engine of our train

Train on Hurricane Gulch Bridge---in the shadow

Weather again beautiful and clear. Train FULL!! Three cars and a baggage car. Only one train a week so that is some of the reason. $150 each one way. Temp about minus 2 in Anchorage. From Anchorage to past Wasilla the trees were coated with snow and ice. Magical site with the sun on them. Then to Talkeetna where everyone gets off that is hiking, touring, skiing etc near Denalli --lots of people, even in winter. Can't drive in Denali so tours are the way to go. About 30 years ago Hank and I camped below Denali. Thats when you could drive in to the park. Woke up in the am and there was Denali in all her glory. Most times you can't see the top as it is hidden in the clouds or the weather.
Now, all along the way, we had spectacular views of Denali--crystal clear. Saw lots of moose, ptarmagins (certainly wrong spelling), lot of fresh tracks, magnificent snow covered mountains. They had a dining car and the food was ok--nothing special. Met, again, lot of nice people. This is a 12 hour trip but worth every minute. Didn't seem long. They commentated along the way and stopped for us to get pictures of Denali etc. That's why it takes so long. Got to Fairbanks at 8pm, shuttle to the hotel, Spring Hill Suites where we stayed last year. It is SOOOOO cold here!! Minus something about 20 I guess.
Walked to our favorite Tai restaurant, fell flat on my face in the middle of the road it is sooo slippery. Again, they don't plow the sidewalks or do much with the roads. Recovered to find THAT restaurant was closed!!@# Back to the hotel to eat as nothing else in town is open.
Bed again late but content.