It's not as epic of a display as you'd see in a major city down south, but I wouldn't say it's a downer--I think there's actually something uniquely interesting about fireworks going off at midnight and people complaining that it's too light to see them.

The video I linked to in my previous post gives you a feel for the level of light. The fireworks are clearly visible, although the oohs and aahs of the flashes lighting up a dark sky certainly are diminished (as are the colors). But it's still a unique sight you won't see in the Lower 48.

Just returned from 3 1/2 months in South America. Got Engaged at Macchu Picchu. Going to get marriried in February in Thailand in 2015.

congratulations, macchu picchu...very nice. where at in thailand? Railay I would guess? Thats where me and my wife first met, on the tonsai but same same. I spent a winter their climbing and know the islands between phuket and krabi pretty well. Let me know if you need some ideas or trip planning info.

Congrats.

Get your fill of Inca Cola?

For my June trip, I don't think there will be time to meet up with anyone. I just signed up for the 26 Glacier cruise out of Whittier. Train leaves Anchorage at 930ish am and doesn't arrive back until close to 10 PM and my flight is at 12:55 AM. I sure hope the weather is not bad that day.

I've been to Railay twice and it's beautiful. We chose Koh Tao for the wedding.

Bring a rain coat for Whittier, I'm sure your aware of this. Shouldn't be a problem with the "tight connection", lots of taxis greet the train and worst case if the train is running late (the AKRR isn't the most punctual railroad) let the conductor know your situation and they could possibly have a bus or van meet the train somewhere and take you directly to the airport.

Awesome way to get hitched.

The AKRR does cross Spenard Road about 3 miles from the airport, which would be a quick 10-minute cab ride to the airport (you could call a cab at 907-222-2222 and have them meet you in the parking lot of the adjacent Brown Jug liquor store; a bus does run down Spenard, too, but at the point you're having the train stop for you, I don't think you'd have time to wait for the once-an-hour bus). That said, having worked for the AKRR in a past life, I'm fairly sure they wouldn't just make a willy-nilly stop at Spenard and let someone off there. Plus, the passenger trains are given highest priority and--while they do occasionally run a bit late, it's not more than a handful of minutes, and you'd still have plenty of time to get to the airport.

But test it out and see...I'm curious to know if they'll stop a train for you on Spenard. We once stopped a freight train next to the Monderosa Lodge north of Nenana to run in and grab a quick burger to go. Dispatch wasn't happy that they couldn't get a hold of us for about five minutes on the radio. We were, uh, going through an area of poor reception...

When we did the Seward cruise a couple of Alaska DO's ago i was the one person who decided to stay outside when it started raining. I nearly got pneumonia as what I thought was a waterproof jacket wasn't waterproof at all. I froze so bad so don't worry i wont make that mistake again

I think its a fairly good buffer. Hoping i can pack light enough i don't have to head back to the hotel first but don't really want to drag the laptop out to Whittier and back.

How long ago was this? I've worked at the akrr since 2006.

In what department? I was in T&E from April 2006 until I was laid off in October. I went back to school for the spring 2007 semester but was unexpectedly recalled to service in February, but since I'd already started classes, had passed the refund date, and didn't want to get trapped in a cycle of never having a chance to finish college, I turned down the recall and resigned.

I still miss it, though--certainly the most fun job I've ever had, although if I'd have stuck it out more than a couple more years, I'd probably have gone insane...I like variety in scenery, and the same 500 miles of track over and over and over again would have eventually gotten old. At least that's what I tell myself to console myself when I start to get nostalgic for the ol' life on the rails...

Nothing's ...... than Whittier

Planning to be in ANC June 25 for a couple days before taking cruise, if work out love to meet some of you there. ^

Cool. Please give us an update next month