Thursday, 12 September

This morning looked a little dicey..... Cold, cloudy and foggy morning.  But we had a river trip today!  The stern wheeler Discovery III took us for a nice little trip up the Chena river. 

This picture above was after we got back.  When we left it, was still pretty foggy and you couldn't see the boat!!  

Going out on the river we were able to see some of the river side homes... All flavors you can think of but a large number of log homes. 

  We also saw a sled dog training facility with quite an Iditarod record.  They hooked the dogs up to an engineless ATV and the team pulls it about 20 mph!! 

Here you can see some of the dogs and the ATV. 

Further up the river, we stopped at a "village" where some of the guides did presentations about Alaskan and Native life.  There were pelts, buildings, clothing, salmon smokehouse etc...... Here's a sampling.  

Oh yeah and a stuffed moose too!!

After the trip, we had a nice lunch and a chance to shop a little.  They had a "room" where you could experience "Alaska at 40 below".   Well, it was only about -30 and, with no wind chill, I've been much colder in an Iowa January!!

I didn't even need my jacket or hat!

So it was a nice day after all!!  

Tonight, maybe we'll find a brew pub for dinner!!   Tomorrow, on to Denali!!

Day one (cont) - Chena

This afternoon we rented a car and drove to Chema Hot Springs.... Three nice things here.   First, a very pretty hour drive north of Fairbanks with the aspens changing colors.  

Second, the Ice Museum, a beautiful display of ice sculptures in a building maintained at 20 degrees all year long.   You go in through an airlock and put on a parka.  

The highlight is an ice bar where you can buy a drink served in carved ice martini glasses.  

Third, a great dip in the hot springs.   I've never been in a hot spring like this one before.  Temperature ranged from hot to really hot!   The mineral spa is supposed to work wonders on aches and pains... We'll see about that one!  The whole time Doug and I were in there, it was drizzling.  Made for some great steaming from the springs. 

Now it's time to turn in to prepare for tomorrow. 

Fairbanks - Day One

Our plane landed in Fairbanks at 12:30 local time.... That's 3:30 am Iowa time.  It made for a long day.  But on the flight, Priss and Doug were able to see the Aurora Borealis.... The real one this time!!  I was stuck in an aisle seat and couldn't see well enough out the window.  But it was a good, short flight on Alaska Airlines.  

Once we arrived at the airport and got our bags, we went out to find a cab.  Apparently a taxi at the Fairbanks Airport is a valuable commodity!   We went to the curb and I saw a cabbie loading up another group so I asked him if cabs came regularly or if we needed to call one.   He said "I'll call one in for you" and got on his radio and called another cab.  

About 10 minutes passed and a few other people gathered, all looking for cabs.  When one pulled up, one of the multitude rushed up to the cab and got in the front.   I went to the cab and asked the driver if there were more cabs coming because the last driver called one in for me.  At that point, he said "Are you Ben?"  I said "Yes".   And, amazingly, the cabbie told the guy who had gotten in "I'm sorry but I am supposed to pick this guy up, not you".    So, we got the cab!!

It was a short ride to the Westmark hotel where our cruisetour is supposed to start.   We decided, since we were flying in so late, that we would come a day early to catch up after the flight.  So I booked an extra day at the hotel to accommodate us.   And I saved the confirmation email in my email file cabinet    Turns out that the hotel didn't have our reservation!!

So we talked a bit to a very nice desk clerk, Kelley, who apologized, got us a room for $100 less, told us we would be upgraded the next night (for the following two nights).   And then she apologized again.   Personally, at that point, I just wanted a pillow and a blanket!!

We got in the room, actually not too bad of a room.... Two double beds, desk, refrigerator, microwave and hide-a-bed sofa.... And got settled for the night.  Started off a bit rough ... I had to get up at 3 to get some meds for Priss but then we slept through the night.   

I woke up at 8:40 as did everyone else.  Now, after getting ready, it's time to change rooms, check in with Holland America and get some breakfast!!   

More later......

Enroute......

First stop..... Minneapolis!  It's 3:56 and we leave at 5:35.  Priss is hungry so we headed straight away for the first restaurant we saw..... Rock Bottom.   She didn't get her tube feeding at 3:30 so she was hungry.   Maybe it was that.... Maybe it was steroid munchies.... Either way, we are taking a break.  Priss is getting Mac and Chicken, a Classic Burger for Doug and I'm having Fish and Chips.   Oh yeah... And some beers too. 

 

And we've already seen the Aurora Borealis.....

Flight to Anchorage was good.... The movie was Star Trek - Into Darkness.  Well.... Not too good of a choice for any of us!   When I see it, I want to see it in my theatre.   Priss and Doug just weren't interested.   So I watched Sparticus with Kirk Douglas (till the battery died) and Dave Chappell while Priss/Doug watched The Big Year and Life of Pi.  Nice scenery while flying over the Canadian Rockies.   Five hours and thirty minutes.... We're in Anchorage. 

Doug decided to meet up with a college buddy here in Anchorage for a beer since we have 3 hours.   So we decided we'd mix up some Ensure and feed Priss.  Went pretty well except for a bit of a coughing jag while pushing the stuff with a syringe.  

I finished a gin and tonic and decided to sync and charge my iPad while waiting.  I figure I'll finish Sparticus while we fly the 1 hour to Fairbanks.  And since when we land it will be tomorrow, I'll publish this episode and start tomorrow's installment at that time.  

And away we go......

I got up early for a cup of coffee and a phone call for work before I finish my packing and start to help Priss finish hers. 

I'll need to run to town for a minute to pick up medicine to last us while we are gone. 

It's 1230.....we are all set to go!  We are loaded in the car and Heather will drop us off.   She will join us (along with Hilary and Greg) in Anchorage Saturday night. 

We made it to DSM airport shortly after 1.... We were stuck behind a student driver.  A Vatterott Semi Driving School student driver!  But he finally made it up to the end of the exit ramp doing 20 mph the whole way!!

We got checked in without trouble and went up the escalator to the Security checkpoint.   Because Priss needs to take some of her meds with applesauce, we had brought along a couple of single serving size paks and a full, unopened jar.   And because of that, and some of her liquid medicine, is where the trouble started..... 

The TSA agents were starting to be a pain because of the applesauce but I used the Jedi Mind Trick to convince them it was ok...... 

Me - "This isn't the applesauce you are looking for..."

TSA - "This isn't the applesauce we are looking for."

Me - "Move along..."

TSA - "Move along. "

Amazing that it still works so well.....

We'll be boarding the DSM-MSP leg here in a minute or two.   We have a 3 hour layover in MSP then to Anchorage for another 3 hour layover before arriving in Fairbanks at 1 am. 

And we're on the plane.   So..... We're off!!

Just a wake up to go.....

It's Monday.... Work is finished until the 23rd (except for a few miscellaneous calls if I can fit them in).   I got the vast majority of packing done yesterday while listening to music.   I guess that is one thing that the Navy and CHI has taught me.... How to pack effectively and expeditiously. 

Alaska - Preparing to go

It's Saturday, the 7th of September.... We leave for our Alaska adventure in 3 days!!!

Today is a preparation day..... What do we need for 13 days?  How much food? How many and what kinds of clothes?  Iron available??   Yeah... I know.... It's a land tour and cruise but it's always better to be prepared!

I now have a list for a Walmart run later on today.   I have gotten the laundry all done.  Tomorrow.... I'll lay out all my things and start packing.    That way I can help Priss on Monday night if needed. 

It's starting to feel like we're actually going to make it to Fairbanks!!