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Auto,
Train, Bus, and Plane.
And Taxi too.
And so began my first day in the adventure of a
life time. A one-time, never to be repeated exploring of a faraway
land. A land much heard about, especially around a certain time of
the year but with few visitors and scattered, sparsely populated
residents.
Although this was first day of travel, the
story begins in the early months of the new year of 2013. At our
monthly meetings of the Train Riders Meet Up group in Fullerton,
CA talk was about this upcoming summer convention of the National
Railway Historical Society (NRHS). Every year the convention is
held in different places in the country. Time is usually spent
riding the local trains. Last year it was held in Iowa.
And this year in September of 2013 the NRHS was
going to………Alaska !!!
Hell yes, great. But alas at first blushed I
thought going there would be a pipe dream. Too far. Too expensive.
And all the other Too’s.
But at each meeting the talk continued. And I
investigated and studied it further. Then Chris Guenzler (Chris G)
and Chris Parker (Chris P) said they were going and were making
reservations and buying tickets for the convention. Well I thought
if I go I will know at least two people. After much playing with
figures and what is offered on the trip I felt good saying yes for
a go. Several things were paramount in decision making.
The bucket list. Have heard about “Seward’s
Folly” since grade school history class. And Mount McKinley, the
highest point-20,320 feet, in North America was studied in
Geography class. The Land of the Midnight Sun. I could see Alaska
and ride the Alaska Rail Road all over the state. Two birds with
one stone.
Also heard and saw TV shows about the Alaska
Railroad and the great scenery seen from the train. Remember
seeing TV’s Huell Howser going to Alaska and riding the train and
stopping when someone would flag down the train to stop. Or
telling the conductor that you wanted to be left off the train at
a fish camp in the middle of the wilderness. And I was curious as
the affect this land would have on the senses. The smell of the
air, the temp, how verdant, what are the people like and the bugs.
When I was in the USAF, I worked with a sergeant who just came
back from being stationed there. The thing he missed was the smell
of fresh cut grass.
Walked down to street, crossed the tracks to
the northbound track side.
Metrolink Train 807 San Bernardino to Laguna
Niguel on southbound track.
Uneventful trip with on time arrival at 8:15AM
at LA Union Station. Proceeded down the ramp to tunnel turned
right to East portal then up escalator to outside and the bus bays
at Patsaouras Transit Plaza.
FlyAway is at the end bay # 9 at the turn
around and by 8:25 had bought my ticket and was sitting on the
bus.
GPS: 34
03.284 N, 118 14.018 W.
We departed at 8:32 for LAX. At 8:52 we were
merging west bound on the I 105 off the Harbor freeway. At 9:06
bus pulled up at LAX Terminal 1. Several minutes later I was off
the bus with luggage and heading to Alaska Airlines and the check
in and pay baggage fee. After extra-long time spent at baggage
check in, then proceeded upstairs to security check. It was the
usual stuff. After putting my shoes back on, then proceeded to
find gate. Yes it was at the far end of terminal. With over an
hour till boarding, I went to Ruby’s Dinette. Ordered an egg
breakfast sandwich and proceeded to back of dining room and took a
seat by the windows overlooking the tarmac. Nice view while
eating.
Next back to gate and board flight 157 non stop to Anchorage. The
six hour flight was mostly over water. Soda and snacks were passed
out plus one could buy a meal. No cash accepted, just plastic. I bought the meat
and noodles package. Smooth flight and I finally relaxed and
decompressed. The last check point was done and passed. It was all
downhill for the next ten days. All the work and worrying and
planning about this adventure was behind me. Now it is time to
enjoy my Alaska adventure.
On approach to Anchorage.
Arrived in Anchorage on time at 4:15 PM local
with time set back one hour. My next flight was to Fairbanks in
three hours at 7:00 PM. This left time to eat and explore the Ted
Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC).
GPS: 61
10.513 N, 149 58.784 W.
The weather outside looked very familiar.
Winters in Southern California brings cold storms from Alaska and
the north down the west coast.
After an orientation walk around the terminal
went up to Observation lounge on the second floor. Nice place to
hang out, watch the tarmac, get on the internet and charge your
batteries.
Then it was time for my last flight of the day. Flt 191 to Fairbanks
with boarding at 7:00 PM. Everybody
was in the cabin and ready to push back ten mins early except for
one traveler so we waited. With only one min left the wayward
passenger arrives so we left on time but not early.
Arrived on time (7:40PM) at Fairbanks
International Airport (FAI). Didn’t spot or recognize any traveler
in the terminal so proceeded outside to taxi stand. Got a taxi and
went to the convention hotel, Westmark Fairbanks Hotel and Conf.
Center.
After arriving at hotel I proceeded to check
in. The hotel desk clerk said they had no reservation for me. Is
this a sign of things to come? I couldn’t find my confirmation
letter that I was sure I printed it and brought it with me. The
clerk searched several different ways but could not find anything.
She said she would get me a room and knew I was with the NRHS and
gave me that rate and the breakfast meal ticket. The clerk also
told me the ticket for the continental buffet breakfast was good
for Fri, Sat and Sun mornings. As I was in LA on Fri morning I
could not use it for the first day. Nor was it good for the last
day on Monday.
I was assigned a room on the seventh floor and
farthest away from the elevators. Nice room with view of Denial in
the daylight.
Now it was time to find the NRHS check in desk.
At the desk I showed my ID and signed the wavers and received my
convention badge and tickets to the daily advents for the upcoming
week.
A short while later I was in my room and ready
to lay my head on a nice pillow. The end of a long day that
started in Southern California and ended 2646 miles away and now
less than 200 miles from the Article Circle.
Contact info:
http://www.meetup.com/rtmeetup/
http://www.nrhs.com/
http://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/
http://www.lawa.org/welcome_lax.aspx?id=292
