Originally Posted by
skipaway
I doubt you can book with Wendy, but if she's working, maybe you can get off your bus and on to hers if your driver isn't much fun. (They don't have to do anything but drive.)
Don't forget our very own
Seat 2A on FlyerTalk is more infamous for being a Denali driver. If you get him, I understand you're in for a treat.
Originally Posted by
skipaway
Trappers * (maybe junction? two word town) coming back toward Anchorage, with no fuel,then another 5 or 10 miles to the Tesoro station at Talkeetna turn off.
Trapper Creek, probably.
Originally Posted by
skipaway
Try to eat grocery food instead of restaurant food a couple meals a day. I didn't go that far, but two of us easily spent $100/day on meals, many of which were mediocre.
In Anchorage and Fairbanks, there is plenty (even avoiding fast food) to eat for under $10 per meal. Outside of the bigger cities, it's not quite as easy, but most roadhouses will have burgers and sandwiches for probably $15 total (with a soda and tip). If you're going between Denali and Fairbanks, stop at the Monderosa Bar just north of Nenana--probably the best burger in the state.
Anchorage (and even Fairbanks) has some world-class cuisine, though, and if you have a few extra dollars, it's definitely worth splurging on a meal or two. Check out Simon and Seafort's, Orso, Glacier BrewHouse, Kincaid Grill, Jens, Southside Bistro, Moose's Tooth, and Bear Tooth. Even a good meal at most of those won't set you back more than $30 (maybe $50 with drinks and tip at Simon's or Orso).
Originally Posted by
skipaway
(It's 6th Avenue, just head toward the mountains and it turns into highway 3).
Highway 3? What's "Highway 3"?
Never heard of such a road. 
Originally Posted by
skipaway
In Anchorage, don't park in the pay lots. You can pay $1.00/hr at Penney's, or feed the meter on the streets. In the lots, you have a choice of $5 or $10 for up to 2 or 4 hours, respectively. Of course, 3 hours would have been perfect at the Alaska Museum, but we had to rush as they threaten truly draconean repercussions if you're late.
I'm actually not sure what the Penney's garage charges (I'll take your word that it's $1/hour), but the transit center garage (owned and operated by the Municipality) is only a couple blocks west (on 6th between H and G), and I know for sure it only charges $1/hour. The 5th Avenue Mall garage (on 5th between B and C) is also not unreasonable (it's also operated by the Muni, if I recall correctly), but I probably use it once a year. Both of the the Muni-operated garages are MUCH better deals than the Diamond Parking-operated surface lots.