An Alaskan Adventure on the Sun - Pictorial Review with Menus, Dailies, and Puppies.

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

This is the Independence Mine Visitor's Center. You can access Independence mine year-round, but you have to hike from the lower gate, until the snow clears enough to open the gate to where we parked.

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

Today was Father's Day. So, Erik's parents, who live in Palmer, invited Erik, Nicole, Susan and I out to their place for Fathers Day dinner. So we headed there after Independence Mine.

 

 

Erik's Dad, Garry is a pilot so he had an airplane outside.

 

 

They live in a converted hanger along a small airport.

 

 

After hanging out with Garry and Laura, Erik's Mom, we had to mosy on back to Anchorage. Susan and I had an early morning train to catch to Seward.

 

 

Saw this airplane on our way out of the airport.

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

Susan and I made sure everything was ready to go for the morning. As 4:30am would come very early.

 

 

-- I am going to break for the evening here. I will continue on the review tomorrow. Tomorrow on the review brings Seward, AK and the train trip down there. Additionally, We finally see the beautiful Norwegian Sun!

 

You may see me jump in and respond to posts as time allows!

[shadowmeboy]

Aloha from Hawaii,

 

What an adorable, well detailed, and beautifully shot review! Looking forward to reading and seeing more :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

Aloha! Thank you for taking the time to read this review and for your kind words.

Edited July 9, 2016 by shadowmeboy

[soaringfalcon]

I'm really enjoying this review. Looking forward to the rest.

 

Thank you very much!

[Butterfly0822]

I am really enjoying your review! We'd like to go to Alaska in the next couple of years and I am enjoying following along. Looks like a wonderful pre-cruise adventure....

 

Can you share more about the airplane hangar that was converted into a house? That sounds so interesting!

[NavigatorGal]

Thanks for sharing!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Jey01]

Your review is fantastic! I didn't think I could be more exited for Alaska than I already was, but I am!! We leave next Saturday to fly to Vancouver for the NB on the sun

[CrabbyPatti]

Thank you for this review. Dave and I had been thinking of this cruise. How much time (days) did you spend in Anchorage? Much of the travel you outlined is similar to what we would like to do. I love your pictures!:)

[CrabbyPatti]

and as soon I saw your "home" pictures I knew where you were from. We are from the Tri-Cities! More eastern Washington folks!

[shadowmeboy]

I'm really enjoying this review. Looking forward to the rest.

 

Thank you very much!

 

Your welcome!

[shadowmeboy]

I am really enjoying your review! We'd like to go to Alaska in the next couple of years and I am enjoying following along. Looks like a wonderful pre-cruise adventure....

 

Can you share more about the airplane hangar that was converted into a house? That sounds so interesting!

 

They took a square hangar, and framed bedrooms and room dividers. All the rooms walls are 8 to 9 feet tall. The hangars roof is about 15 to 20 feet high, so the walls of the rooms do not have a ceiling. The batroom has storage above, so its the only room with a ceiling.

 

I wish I had gotten a picture, but I wanted to be respectful of Eric's parents house. I will ask Laura, Eric's Mom, if she has one or could take a picture to share.

[shadowmeboy]

Thanks for sharing!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

Thank you for reading!

 

Your review is fantastic! I didn't think I could be more exited for Alaska than I already was, but I am!! We leave next Saturday to fly to Vancouver for the NB on the sun

 

Enjoy it! You get to go to Glacier Bay, I want to do that next time we sail to Alaska.

[shadowmeboy]

Thank you for this review. Dave and I had been thinking of this cruise. How much time (days) did you spend in Anchorage? Much of the travel you outlined is similar to what we would like to do. I love your pictures!:)

 

and as soon I saw your "home" pictures I knew where you were from. We are from the Tri-Cities! More eastern Washington folks!

 

We arrived on a Friday afternoon, spent two full days in Anchorage. We travelled on the Embarkation day early in the morning to Seward. We wanted to spend time with my Sister, since we don't see her very often. She was off that weekend, and loved going with us to all these spots.

 

When we found out about the itinerary change going to Sitka. She gave us suggestions of places to go and see there, Which was helpful as that was truely a surprise port.

 

The Tri-Cities are in a beautiful area! I have spent some time down along the Snake in that area!

[shadowmeboy]

4:30 am in the morning came way to early. Susan and I finished making sure everything was ready, all documents in order, and the cameras were fully charged. (Its important!)

 

Nicole drove us down to the train station. We bought our train tickets on the regularly scheduled Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic. This train departs Anchorage at 645am but you get to Seward at about 11am or so. This allows time to explore Seward.

 

Nicole was able to purchase the tickets back in January for us, so we just had to pick up the tickets on departure day.

 

 

Pulling up to the station.

 

 

The white tent is where all baggage is checked. On cruise days, the cruise line will have a truck waiting there. You can check the bags with the cruise line all the way to the ship. This means you don't have to worry about checked baggage in Seward, and moving it to the ship. If you go to Seward early (not on a cruise day) you can check baggage with the Alaska Railroad to Seward.

 

 

Alaska Railroad personnel helping load the truck. The lady has two of our bags. We had our bags pretagged, printing the tags at home then putting the tags on at Nicole's. We walked right up and handed the bags over, and it took maybe a minute from the car to the loading on the truck. We carried a small overnight bag with documents and electronics, the camera and its bag, a reusable grocery sack (for coats), and Susan's purse. Everything else got checked.

 

 

the first view of the train.

 

 

Across the street from the station.

 

 

Alaska Railroad Anchorage station

[shadowmeboy]

 

The station while waiting to pick up tickets.

 

 

We got them!

 

 

I am very excited!

 

 

Reading the ticket information.

 

After a short 30 minute wait, it was time to board.

 

 

 

We were near the front of Adventure Class. There are two classes on the train Goldstar and Adventure Class. Goldstar includes a meal and drinks plus a two level car where you are seated on the top level. We were in car C (A & B were Goldstar)

[shadowmeboy]

 

Once onboard, we found our seats and got settled. Soon a couple sat down infront of us. i asked if they were headed down for the cruise and they said yes. I introduced myself and Susan, and they introduced themselves as well. Jeff and Angie are from northern California. They had arrived late the night before, and stayed near the train station.

 

 

The train started to move and we continued to talk with Jeff and Angie. They knew nothing about the itinerary change, so i filled them in. We found out they were first time cruisers. We asked what their plans were in Seward, and they said they were just going to head to the ship. We invited them to explore Seward with us, instead of heading straight there.

 

 

The crew came through asking for breakfast reservations. Jeff and Angie said they were going to breakfast, and so were we. We decided to eat together and get to know them and talk about the cruise.

 

 

 

Seward Highway - after leaving Anchorage.

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

Looking back towards Anchorage.

 

 

Our first Eagle, flying by the train.

 

 

 

Dall Sheep in the hills above the tracks and highway.

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

They soon called our car for breakfast service, so Jeff, Angie, Susan, and I went to the dining car. Susan and I got the French toast with Reindeer Sausage. Angie got this huge fruit parfait.

 

 

Here is what it tooked like, the french toast. (I had to get a picture of someone elses because I forgot to get a picture of my own).

 

 

a view of the car we were riding in.

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

The Engineers in the Engine would radio back anytime they saw wildlife, and slow down. This allowed us have an opportunity for some awesome pictures. Staff onboard also talked about the history and what we were seeing along the way.

 

 

 

It started to rain, which made taking pictures interesting.

 

 

 

Coming up on some Alaska Railroad Engines in a siding.

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

This shot only took 8 tries to get!

 

 

 

 

The crew alerted people to an Eagle in its nest.

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

I am having a blast taking pictures!

 

 

 

Adventure class does have at least one dome car, and people can take turns sitting up there and enjoying the view.

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

The view toward the front of the train from the dome car.

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

We were going throught the "S" curves.

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

Two Trumpeter Swans in the pond next to the tracks.

 

 

 

 

A resort on the lake.