Seattle-Alaska

May - June 2022

An exciting trip- our third attempt. This time for sure Read more

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Traveler Seattle-Alaska
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- May 25, 2022, 7:00am
- ☁️ 11 °C
- Altitude: 107 m
- United States Washington King County SeaTac Seattle–Tacoma International Airport 47.4448, -122.303447°26’41” N 122°18’12” W
Day 1
Travel Day
May 25, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
Travel Day- Uber to the airport. We flew First Class- only because our rescheduled & rescheduled cruise resulted in HAVING to use all our Alaska Airline credit by TODAY. So instead of a round trip, we get one way comfort.

Landed, went to lunch & the hotel. Had a chill and early-to-bed evening.Read more
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Traveler Seattle-Alaska
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- May 26, 2022, 1:00pm
- ☁️ 5 °C
- Altitude: 2,841 m
- United States Washington Pierce County Little Tahoma Peak 46.854452, -121.70658246°51’16” N 121°42’24” W
Day 2
Mount Ranier
May 26, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C
We had a foggy, drizzly day, but lovely

We drove a couple of hours to Mount Ranier National Park. Tall trees, snowy mountainsides, and a hiding 14,000 foot mountain.

We were able to see the area where the base camp is located. A nice tour guide, when asked where the mountain was, said, "You're standing on it.". And sure enough, we were, as it started about a thousand feet lower than we were.

We were excited at the prospect of lunch at the lodge restaurant- which wasn't opening til the next day. So a snack of peanut butter and jelly (from the hotel breakfast bar) spread on a leftover breadstick from Olive Garden, kept body and soul together until we get a restaurant.

On the way back, we stopped at Bruno's- good food.Read more
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Traveler Seattle-Alaska
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- May 27, 2022, 1:00pm
- ⛅ 16 °C
- Altitude: 32 m
- United States Washington City of Seattle Pike-Market 47.609397, -122.3414147°36’34” N 122°20’29” W
Day 3
Pike Place & Seattle Aquarium
May 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
We went to the Pike Place Market and saw all the things, including the fish-slinging. It was pretty busy- pleased to see so many handcrafted items. I picked up some lovely hand-dyed yarn.

We went to the Aquarium which had some impressive displays. In addition to fish, there were puffins, otters, and seals, and some other maritime birds. The main tank featured a diver feeding some very hungry salmon, and answering questions from the visitors.

The high point was Julianna's arrival in the afternoon. Life is good.Read more
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Traveler Seattle-Alaska
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- May 28, 2022, 12:00pm
- ☁️ 13 °C
- Altitude: 54 m
- United States Washington King County Belltown Chihuly Garden and Glass 47.620513, -122.34930447°37’14” N 122°20’57” W
Day 4
Space Needle and Underground Tour
May 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
We had a drizzly day, but clear enough when it needed to be.

We had reservations through City Pass, so stood in line, and eventually made it to the top. There are great viewing spots inside and outside. Great sights of the Harbor, Chihuly, Norwegian Bliss,. We knew that Mount Ranier was out there, somewhere. I walked on the glass floor- not everyone:d cup of tea.

We proceeded to Pioneer Square for our Underground tour. After floods and fires, and things too fierce to mention, the decision was made to raise the street level to the second floor. This tour tells the whole story of the roles of the flush toilet, the ladies / seamstresses who took care of morale, and some of the sketchy decisions that made Seattle what it is today.

We found Meredith Grey's house, and went to Gasworks Park to see Tom Janks' Sleepless in Seattle houseboat.Read more
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Traveler Seattle-Alaska
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- May 29, 2022, 1:00pm
- 🌧 12 °C
- Altitude: 7 m
- United States Washington City of Seattle Downtown Seattle Fisherman Supply Company Pier 4 47.604895, -122.34007247°36’18” N 122°20’24” W
Day 5
Harbor & Chihuly-with a side of Hendrix
May 29, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 12 °C
The Harbor Tour was well worth it. It was part of the City Pass package which also included options for the Space Needle, Chihuly Gardens, Aquarium, MoPop Museum, and the Zoo.

Our tour guide grew up on the boats, and had a broad knowledge of harbor ships and wildlife.

It started raining as we arrived at Chihuly Gardens. Several short films gave background on Dale Chihuly's work as a glassblower and artist. The cafe has a really good wood-fired pizza- enough for 2 at $12. Surprising for museum eats.

Then to the Jimi Hendrix statue- just hanging out on a street, because, why not?Read more
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Traveler Seattle-Alaska
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- May 30, 2022, 1:00pm
- ☀️ 20 °C
- Altitude: 138 m
- United States Alaska Fairbanks North Star Borough Graehl 64.859519, -147.70127964°51’34” N 147°42’5” W
Day 6
On to Fairbanks/Memorial Day
May 30, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
Had a lovely flight from Seattle to Fairbanks. The mountains were quite impressive. We got settled into our hotel, and set off to explore.

We were a bit outside town, but across from a shopping center that had a Sonic. We were very excited, but then very sad- there was no way to "Sonic" if not in a car. The inside was closed, and no outdoor seating. So we went to a pizza shop and sat outside a smoothie shop that was closed for the day. We walked over to Walmart and loaded up on some necessities.

It stays light. Really late. I went to bed at 1:30, and it was still light.Read more
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Traveler Seattle-Alaska
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- May 31, 2022, 10:00am
- ⛅ 17 °C
- Altitude: 134 m
- United States Alaska Fairbanks 64.837845, -147.71667564°50’16” N 147°43’0” W
Day 7
A Fairbanks Day
May 31, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
We did the Hampton Inn Breakfast thing, then got a taxi to the visitor Center. The Morris Thompson Visitor and Cultural Center is well worth the visit. There is good background on the different Native Alaskan tribes.

We went for a walk through the Antler Arch, and in to town. Lunch was at The Crepery- quite good. We saw the Lend/Lease memorial. We also saw the start of the Yukon Quest dogsled race. I "bought a bootie" to donate to a team.

We went back to the hotel by Uber, and passed by the FarthestNorth Girl Scout Council. Julianna and I headed to the airport via shuttle to pick up a rental car. Dinner was at the Pump House- reindeer sausage and clams, reindeer meatballs, salmon glazed with maple and blueberries, and fried fish & chips.

And then to bed.Read more
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Traveler Seattle-Alaska
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- Jun 1, 2022, 9:00am
- ☁️ 16 °C
- Altitude: 250 m
- United States Alaska Fairbanks North Star Borough Sheep Creek 64.92516, -147.95120764°55’31” N 147°57’4” W
Day 8
Fairbanks-Reindeer and Joining Jewel
June 1, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
In the morning we dropped our bags at our new hotel (Bear Lodge) and headed out for the Running Reindeer Ranch. What a great experience. After getting bug-sprayed, we learned a lot about the life cycle of reindeer, their antlers, gestation, etc. Tyrone gave us the lowdown, as the owners were away.

Then they brought out the reindeer. We made friends, and were off for a walk around the Ranch. We were encouraged to pat and stroke the reindeer. They were shedding their winter coats. Our hands- and everything else- were covered with huge big wads of the hollow fur that keeps the critters warm in the 40 below. We were part of the herd as we walked- so amazing to be amongst these beautiful animals. Our walk ended, and we were treated to cookies and lemonade.

Then on to North Pole. Not THE North Pole, but the Santa and Christmas-themed town. We went to The Santa House- home of all things Christmas, and had a lovely conversation with Santa, who says he's going to run for president, and establish a position for the Commissioner of Common Sense. Sounds like a winner.

We dropped Wayne at the Bear Lodge, and checked in with our Land Tour guide, Aaron.

Dinner at the hotel, and then to bed.Read more
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Traveler Seattle-Alaska
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- Jun 2, 2022, 10:00am
- ⛅ 18 °C
- Altitude: 166 m
- United States Alaska Fairbanks North Star Borough Little Nugget Creek 64.9227, -148.023964°55’22” N 148°1’26” W
Day 9
Land Tour-Riverboat and Big Daddy's
June 2, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
We took the Riverboat Discovery tour on the Chena River. Don't miss it! We got some history, saw a sled dog demonstration by Susan Butcher's daughter, Tekla.
We saw a demonstration of salmon prep for drying and smoking, and found out that the chum salmon is used for the dogs. (King Salmon is the best- and we were treated to some yummy salmon snacks.) We visited Chena village which is a reconstruction of an Athabaskan people's town. There were demos on different furs, clothing, and up-close with some sled dogs, as well as more reindeer.

Then on to the Pipeline. Gained appreciation of what was involved in its construction, and its value to Alaska and the nation. A lot of features make it more environmentally friendly than it might have otherwise been.

We were bused to downtown Fairbanks, where we headed to Big Daddy's BarBQ-- another winner. Stopped at Fudge Pot for some frozen coffees.

Ordered pizza from the Great Alaskan Pizza Company.

And then to bedRead more
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Traveler Seattle-Alaska
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- Jun 3, 2022, 9:00am
- ☀️ 10 °C
- Altitude: 547 m
- United States Alaska Denali Borough McKinley Park McKinley National Park Airport 63.7302, -148.92776463°43’49” N 148°55’40” W
Day 10
Wilderness Express and on to Denali
June 3, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
Luggage pickup was at 6, and we were transported to the train depot for our trip to Denali.

Have I mentioned that Alaska is breathtaking? All of it!

The Wilderness Express was a great way to get to Denali. We had breakfast onboard-blueberry pancakes, reindeer sausage omelet- really good. There were coffee drinks, and scenic beauty that wouldn't quit.

We arrived at the Denali train depot, and were met by our bus, which took us to lunch. Lunch was at 49th State Brewery. I shared a huge salmon BLT with The Daughter. It was pretty amazing.

Next, a Wilderness Tundra bus tour in Denali National Park where we got our first glimpse of Denali. She was mostly covered by clouds, but the North and South summits were peeking out the top. Our guide, Peter, gave excellent commentary on geology, flora, and fauna. We saw a bear near the river, some moose, a lot of caribou, a few pterigan, and some artic ground squirrels. And again, more beauty all around.

We checked into our rooms in the Denali Bluffs resort- very comfortable, and a view of mountains through trees. Wayne and Julianna had dinner in their restaurant. I was not hungry, so had a snack.

And that was that.Read more
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