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A trip to Alaska
A trip to Alaska
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/wbwPZ7.jpg My trip last year was all about going west, way west, as far as Hawai’i. This year I set about pushing north, in Alaska. Inspiration for the trip came essentially from a TV show on the Discovery Channel, and from the reports of an acquaintance in Switzerland. So, if you read this, ‘tis your travels I was inspired by. Planning and booking started around six months out, with the whole itinerary built around the single unmovable and inflexible dates: the AMHS ferry’s departure from Kodiak and arrival at Dutch Harbor. The whole itinerary initially looked like this: Positioning flight home-Panama City, Copa Airlines Y Flight Panama City-Fort Lauderdale, Copa Airlines Y A couple of days in South Florida Flight Fort Lauderdale-Chicago-Fairbanks, UA Y+ Overnight in Fairbanks Drive to Denali National Park Denali National Park Return drive to Fairbanks Flight Fairbanks-Anchorage, AS Y Two nights in Anchorage Flight Anchorage-Kodiak, AS Y Two nights in Kodiak Kodiak-Unalaska, by sea, Alaska Marine Highway System Two nights in Dutch Harbor/Unalaska Flight Dutch Harbor-Anchorage, Aleutian Airways Y Two nights in Anchorage Flight Anchorage-Utqiaġvik, AS Y One night in Utqiaġvik Flight Utqiaġvik-Atqasuk-Wainwright-Utqiaġvik, Wright Air Service Y Flight Utqiaġvik-Anchorage, AS Y Overnight in Anchorage Red-eye flight Anchorage-Chicago, UA F Two nights in Chicago Flight Chicago-Panama City, Copa Airlines C Copa Club Lounge at PTY Flight Panama City-home, Copa Airlines Y The long distance portion of the trip: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/6...924/9oK7dk.jpg The segments within Alaska: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/6...924/5lN50j.jpg Maps generated by GreatCircle Mapper – copyright © Karl L. Swartz I do not travel frequently enough to accrue sufficient miles on any airline alliance nor any hotel group, so there were no point accounts to draw from for any of the flights and hotel stays, which were all paid out of pocket. Accommodations were researched and booked by myself online about 6 months out as I mentioned, and flights were booked through my travel agent. I usually do the research, let the agency know exactly what I want, and let them deal with the airlines. This way I don’t have to worry about refunds - as we shall see during the course of this trip - and can make a single payment, regardless of how many separate airlines and tickets are involved. |
Traveling in times of prohibition
About a month before the planned start of the trip the guys that call the shots in Panama said something the powers that be at home didn’t take too well, so the locals threw a tantrum and retaliated by prohibiting all flights between SOT and PTY. Flights to and from Peru and the Dominican Republic met a similar fate. High politics… Since I wasn’t going to lose all those carefully planned segments from PTY onwards and up to the return to PTY as well as the booked and largely paid accommodation over a temper tantrum, I had to resort to plan B. Copa Airlines sent a message notifying that the fare for the segments home-PTY-home would be reimbursed (the refund was credited in late October), so instead I booked a return ticket home-BOG-PTY on Avianca in Y. In order to ensure a seamless transition to the main part of the itinerary, I had to leave a day earlier than planned and spend a night in Panama City on the outbound, and spend a night at BOG to connect from one flight arriving at midnight to the next one leaving at 7:14 the next morning on the return. The beginning and end of the itinerary would now look like this: Positioning flight home-Bogotá, Avianca Y Flight Bogotá-Panama City, Avianca Y Overnight in Panama City Flight Panama City-Fort Lauderdale, Copa Airlines Y … Flight Chicago-Panama City, Copa Airlines C Copa Club Lounge at PTY Flight Panama City-Bogotá, Avianca Y Bivouac at BOG Flight Bogotá-home, Avianca Y[/c] The final long distance portion of the trip https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/6...924/l3HERf.jpg Map generated by GreatCircle Mapper – copyright © Karl L. Swartz Some may wonder why not take a direct flight from Somewhere Out There to the U.S. and save yourself all that trouble? Well, that’s because there is another layer of prohibition preventing that. Five years ago the U.S. Department of Transportation ordered the suspension of all commercial passenger and cargo flights between the two countries over security concerns. So that’s that. |
Let the trip begin
Ready for departure Somewhere Out There https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/TlZtRN.jpg The positioning flight to BOG was totally uneventful. After emerging from chapter 11 proceedings, Avianca have changed their business model significantly, lowering their standards for domestic and regional service from those of a full service legacy carrier (among the world’s oldest!) to that of an LCC or even LLCC. Tighter legroom, no free snacks or beverages, not even water, are the new norm. There are few J class rows at the front of the bus, but they strongly resemble Euro Business, with just the middle seat blocked off. Upon arrival at BOG I spotted an A320 in AV’s 1960’s retro livery at a nearby gate. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/oRzpHB.jpg Our flight had parked on a remote stand, so it took a lengthy bus ride to get to the terminal. Once there, in the transit security control, my belongings were selected for secondary screening, the only instance during the entire trip. Back airside I went looking for the gate to my connecting flight, which was changed just as I was on my way to the originally posted gate and had me go back all the way to the opposite end of the concourse. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/QSzUXz.jpg The new gate was also a bus gate. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/hJS8Gl.jpg After giving us a comprehensive bus tour of the apron, we finally reached the remote stand where our A320neo had only recently arrived. Passengers from the previous flight were still disembarking, three busloads of them. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/UG6x28.jpg Meanwhile, our driver was in frantic radio contact with his dispatcher to clarify whether we should return to the terminal or not. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/j2Lk3V.jpg In the end the instruction was to stay put right there and so we waited on the bus for 20 minutes until all previous passengers were on their way to the terminal and then all the time the cleaning squad needed to prepare the cabin for the next flight. Some brake cooling on a neighboring plane. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/qbUtMY.jpg Bogota BOG – Panama City PTY Avianca AV 060 STD: 15:00 / ATD: 15:35 STA: 16:45 / ATA: 16:59 A320N HK-5366 Seat 30A Eventually we were allowed to board and I found my seat towards the back of the bus. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/FTIoAK.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/m9jQsI.jpg So, is it Avianca with a capital A or avianca with a lowercase a? https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/0pa0Yr.jpg On the way to the runway we passed by another one of AV’s special livery jets. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/xAEn0F.jpg The flight was uneventful, only interspersed with some turbulence from the storm clouds on the way to Panama City. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/W8sGSr.jpg I pondered whether to get something from the BOB offerings, but as I just had something to eat in the terminal there was no business from me today for the crew. Among the uniform elements the cabin crew can choose from nowadays are white sneakers. I guess this is a very comfortable option for the flight attendants on a long working day and is also in line with the LCC model AV is following now. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/Dh3s5D.jpg Immigration and customs at PTY were a breeze and I soon was at the pick-up point for the Crowne Plaza hotel’s shuttle. This bus unfortunately only runs once an hour so if you arrive at the pick-up point shortly after it left, the wait until the next round is long. I had to wait for about 20 minutes. After dinner with a friend and former colleague and sleeping in the morning after, I was ready for the continuation of the trip. The view from the hotel room to the swept roof of PTY’s new Terminal 2 and the older Terminal 1. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/YCn1Rh.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/CZczx0.jpg I had breakfast at the hotel, packed up and then took the 10 a.m. shuttle to the terminal for my 12:03 departure. |
A delay in 20 minute increments
Check-in at the kiosk did not work for me, probably because I was travelling to the US and a document check was required. Anyway, I was seen to immediately at the counter and later at passport control and security I didn’t encounter any delays either. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/DTxr5o.jpg Still some “Coming soon” signs… https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/kcMZ2S.jpg I’ve seldom seen the terminal this empty. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/XuTXBR.jpg Panama City PTY – Fort Lauderdale FLL Copa Airlines CM 265 STD: 12:03 / ATD: 12:03, then 14:18 STA: 16:16 / ATA: 18:48 B738 HP-1526CMP Seat 29F Obligatory legroom shot on this sold out flight. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/j0UWMR.jpg Push-back was bang on time at 12:03, but after taxiing halfway to the runway the plane stopped. A rainstorm was fast approaching the airport area and at first we thought that this was the reason for our halt. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/Hx6ZdF.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/rsHOTz.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/CMkPq9.jpg 12:25: The cockpit crew came on the P/A to inform that they were having an issue with one of the communication instruments, and promised to revert within the next 10-15 minutes. 12:50: “We will be returning to a gate in 5-10 minutes to have the problem fixed”, i.e. the comm device replaced. Meanwhile, the cabin crew did a service run offering cheese snacks and beverages. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/51PMx7.jpg At 12:58 we were at a gate again. 13:35: “The problem has been solved but now the plane has to be refueled and the electrical activity in the area is preventing any operations”. Refueling under a downpour. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/OFnSj3.jpg 14:15: “It will be 10 more minutes until departure”. Surprisingly, just 3 minutes later we were actually being pushed back from the gate, taking off at 14:28. IFE without earphones… https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/wWkZhU.jpg …and more storm clouds along the way. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/304Mkz.jpg The cabin crew outdid themselves and offered another round of snacks and beverages, even a different snack than a couple of hours earlier while still on the ground. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/IhzZFf.jpg The island of Marathon, one of the Florida Keys. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/jOlhH2.jpg At around 6 p.m. the plane turned left, out to the Gulf of Mexico, instead of right towards Fort Lauderdale. Outside massive storm clouds could be seen and soon enough the cockpit crew informed that we should be flying a holding pattern for 20-25 minutes due to severe weather at FLL, though we were circling in a relatively sunny area. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/DmFKNa.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/TmcU1k.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/6...922/hvYmHk.jpg To me it seemed as if we had flown halfway out to the Gulf but checking the flight track it turned out to be just a bit. Eventually we made it to the destination, landing 2:30 hours late. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/Nvt8If.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/6eXVjp.jpg Just like last year, FLL turned out to be an excellent port of entry. Even though I was seated way back on the plane, by the time I reached immigration there was no line at all and I wasn’t even asked any questions. That’s a first! |
Great work. Excellent start. Looking forward to reading along. Never flown COPA - looks better than UA!
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Now to the real trip
With the errands I had to run in South Florida done it was time to actually fly to Alaska. The airport didn’t feel too crowded on this late Wednesday morning and both check-in and TSA were a breeze. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/tMqFsp.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/9UoJVu.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/2ZzPaz.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/27FiJV.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/Aodfl1.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/Edk55L.jpg Fort Lauderdale FLL – Chicago ORD United Airlines UA 1755 STD: 12:25 / ATD: 12:22 STA: 14:50 / ATA: 14:22 B39M N47569 Seat 8F https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/dtTUPm.jpg Someone vented their wrath on the poor safety card. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/oXOTUC.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/0IHaP7.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/BNYiKU.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/iZpU7A.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/Ls6bbV.jpg Descending over Indiana towards ORD. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/MurmHY.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/Z5nGeT.jpg Gorgeous view of downtown Chicago. Hopefully the weather is as good in a few weeks when I’ll be back. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/duRJmT.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/4xcZs6.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/D8kAwE.jpg A loop around DuPage airport west of Chicago… https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/x2Z6Ax.jpg …and landing in ORD nearly half an hour early. Since the airport is a massive construction site, it took us more than 20 minutes to reach the gate, but we were still early. According to the signage, it was about 20 minutes’ walking time to get from my arrival gate to that of my connecting flight to Fairbanks. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/xjYyT1.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/xMMJ1b.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/qLAmQv.jpg Chicago ORD – Fairbanks FAI United Airlines UA 2023 STD: 16:20 / ATD: 16:30 STA: 19:53 / ATA: 20:04 B38M N17347 Seat 7F https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/fWQ8Zn.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/Gg9sNZ.jpg The cabin crew on this flight was especially cheerful, but the purser treating all passengers as “my friends” and congratulating them on “an amazing boarding process” was a bit over-the-top. Anyways, after that amazing boarding process we were soon on our way to… ? https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/rGoIHM.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/EXhsH1.jpg Getting closer to our destination there were nice views of the Rocky Mountains in the late afternoon light. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/alS1UK.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/Dw9jQr.jpg We landed in FAI within the range of what is considered as on time and after getting my rental car I went off to the hotel I had booked for the night. The room was clean, warm and spacious, and the reviews I read beforehand were also not bad, although on my way to the hotel and later in the trip I heard some remarks that should have raised a few red flags. Check-in was off-premises at another location. As I did not find it right away, I asked around and one person replied, “Ah, that sh**ty hotel! It’s over there”. I also learned that the place had made it into the newspaper a few times, always for the wrong reasons, but I felt safe and had a good night’s rest after a long traveling day. |
Can we get to the Alaska part already? Yes, here it comes - Denali National Park
The next morning, I packed up, had breakfast in town and then drove south towards Denali National Park. The road was in very good condition and I did not encounter much traffic. Sometimes 5 or 10 minutes would go by without any vehicle coming from the opposite direction. Fall colors were already showing here and there. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/xhuXpm.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/dbVj9T.jpg After about 2 hours I reached my destination, the Aurora Denali Lodge in Healy, close to the park entrance. The room was fitted with a small fridge, a microwave oven and a coffee machine. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/mbMVfZ.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/OIqpUA.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/1Q3A6F.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/zq4Kno.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/KaLyam.jpg As the hotel doesn’t offer breakfast service per se, they provide a small plate with yoghurt, a fruit, a hardboiled egg, a granola bar and a juice drink, which is left in the fridge every evening. I found this to be a nice gesture; at least you don’t have to leave the place with an empty stomach in the morning. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/WTiZ4T.jpg Once settled in, I went off to the park, which was still a few miles further south. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/7Hxwbl.jpg As the park road is only accessible to private vehicles for the first 15 miles or so, my first order of business was heading to the park headquarters to secure a ticket for a bus ride further inwards the next day. Space was available only from 1:00 p.m. onwards, but since I was just a party of one it was no problem to get a ticket for that time slot. After that I went to see the sledge dogs at the park’s kennel. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/dSLhUc.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/tl9Bff.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/YLbnlY.jpg Funny that one of them is named Nucha; our last family dog was named Nacha. There is a complete show with the dogs pulling a sledge and all, but this would certainly be more impressive in winter when there is actually snow. After the dog exhibition I took the car and went as far into the park as private cars are allowed. The fall colors had already set in and provided an amazing backdrop, but Denali/Mt. McKinley remained hidden in the low clouds. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/sNvT2B.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/R1C7nV.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/YiZ8eH.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/OHGBy9.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/aM2rev.jpg The following morning, with improving weather and the bus tour starting only in the early afternoon, I ventured into the park again and lo and behold, Denali – “The Tall one” - was cloud-free for a few moments. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/oQ1fj7.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/cuV3pA.jpg At the end of the road accessible to the general public, by the bridge crossing the Savage River, is a curious rock formation, the Savage Rock, which to some – with a generous dose of imagination – resembles a face. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/QPTB6g.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/8Btpjn.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/zo8hhq.jpg From there I headed back at a leisurely pace towards the bus depot to catch the green transit bus for my afternoon tour, which would last about four hours, roadside and restroom stops included. Though they resemble school buses, these offer a legroom more suitable for adults and are not too uncomfortable to ride on. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/l6vol3.jpg In several instances our driver would stop and point out wildlife on the roadside or at a certain distance. We were lucky enough to see a willow ptarmigan, several Dall sheep, and a grizzly bear. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/FhEk4I.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/sXGnHq.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/jIHMS5.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/1xw7CR.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/SvEnP1.jpg The furthest the transit bus would go was the Toklat River East Fork, where we had about 20 minutes until heading back. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/jhZSLa.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/7z0RIf.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/QQaDsT.jpg On the return trip we were also treated to a brief view of a moose cow, though I was sat on the wrong side of the bus and did only get a wee glimpse. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/LG5NKW.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/YXKuF0.jpg That makes sightings of three of Denali’s “Big Five“: moose, caribou, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, and wolves. Not bad at all. And who knows how many caribou and wolves saw us without us noticing them?! Close to the park headquarters and bus depot, already on the accessible road, we passed a larger group of cars parked roadside and several people carrying cameras with lenses longer than my forearm, staring intensely into the forest. Once at the buses’ point of departure, I took my car and drove the few miles back into the park to where the group had gathered. It turned out that they had spotted a couple of moose bulls, but these had lain down in the brush to ruminate. I waited for about half an hour and even got to (barely) see the antlers of one of the animals with my binoculars, but their digestion went on and on and they showed no intention to get up and showcase themselves in their entire glory. Tough luck! All in all I have to consider myself very lucky though in having seen some of the signature wildlife in the park and in having been blessed with several hours of sunshine during my visit. |
On to Anchorage
Which way? https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/KGwIja.jpg No, not right, left! Back to Fairbanks to return the car and take a flight to ANC. Now that it wasn’t important for me anymore, the weather in the park area deteriorated considerably and it was raining cats and dogs. The return drive took a bit longer than on the way down due to the rain, but I arrived at Fairbanks around the time I guessed I would. In order to have that out of the way, I passed by the airport to check in for my flight and be able to get back there just shortly before the flight’s departure. Because I was set to meet up with legendary trip reporter Seat 2A for an early lunch. It was a real pleasure meeting you. Thanks again for the invite and the good exchange of travel stories! https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/TH087x.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/XGZnYT.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/v76MZM.jpg The security control at this airport was the most inefficient I have experienced so far, but in the end I was through in time for the flight’s departure Fairbanks FAI – Anchorage ANC Alaska Airlines AS 2373 STD: 14:40 / ATD: 14:30 STA: 15:44 / ATA: 15:23 E75L N648QX Seat 7F https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/r7qZyb.jpg The passenger load was very light and most all of the seats around me remained empty. That UA purser from the other day would have congratulated us “friends” again for an amazing boarding process… https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/CXwUsh.jpg After some interesting sightings on the way to the active runway we were off and crossing the Tanana River for the 45 minute hop to Anchorage. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/8mImSO.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/f7eIB2.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/IWWder.jpg The flight was quite short, yet the cabin crew offered beverages. We cruised at FL250 for a mere 5 minutes before descent commenced. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/WXkhwZ.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/xez3mM.jpg The highlight of the flight was undoubtedly the sight of Denali / Mt. McKinley rising above a carpet of clouds. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/wScle9.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/B3Ramx.jpg In Anchorage I stayed in a hotel near Merrill Field. As the weather was not great again, I used the free day between travels to do laundry and otherwise laze around, as it was a Sunday anyway. The Chugach Mountains were barely visible. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/vftBOQ.jpg |
That looks like quite a trip. Thanks for taking the time and effort to do the Trip Report and post pictures. I'm looking forward to the rest.
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What a fantastic time of year to be there. Great pictures!
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Beautiful pictures in Denali Park.
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Originally Posted by eightblack
(Post 36639123)
Great work. Excellent start. Looking forward to reading along. Never flown COPA - looks better than UA!
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Originally Posted by Loose Cannon
(Post 36639401)
That looks like quite a trip. Thanks for taking the time and effort to do the Trip Report and post pictures. I'm looking forward to the rest.
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Originally Posted by LAX2Anywhere
(Post 36639440)
What a fantastic time of year to be there.
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Originally Posted by zip10001
(Post 36639941)
Beautiful pictures in Denali Park.
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And on to Kodiak
With the rental car return taken care of, I made my way to the terminal in order to check in for my next flight. The line at the AS counters was pretty long, but the agent to the left of that bag drop sign offered to print boarding passes for those passengers who were traveling with just carry-on baggage. Check-in and security thus took just 25 minutes in total, and the TSA agent was actually friendly. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/lsncS5.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/6azWd7.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/FKtptn.jpg Once airside I even got to see the moose bull that had eluded me a few days earlier in the national park, albeit stuffed. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/cZKWpr.jpg Anchorage ANC- Kodiak ADQ Alaska Airlines AS 089 STD: 13:45 / ATD: 13:53 STA: 14:21 / ATA: 14:50 B737 N614AS Seat 7F Nothing to be seen outside. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/tIVM2D.jpg Service on this 45 minute flight was limited to a beverage round and before we knew it we had landed on rwy 26 in rainy Kodiak. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/Wj3rDf.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/Nnfwrz.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/BxylZn.jpg I quickly found a taxi for the 10 minute drive into town. My accommodation was right off the main square in downtown. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/ILxsBR.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/Emw9pD.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/PYCZtX.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/Cgf9OH.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/kM8e1k.jpg Though the weather hadn’t improved at all yet, after checking in and leaving my things in the room I went to explore St. Paul Harbor, the nearby fishing port. Right in front of the harbormaster’s office is a memorial for the Kodiak fishermen that perished out at sea. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/rPnvxb.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/WDmLsf.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/F6wugM.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/EaksU1.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/bMIjPs.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/vGkaNl.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/ZwJ2Gw.jpg A quick look out the window at dawn the next morning gave reason for hope regarding the weather. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/ey8AEF.jpg I needed to stock up on some supplies for the ferry trip and asked my host for directions to the closest supermarket. “It’s far”, she replied and promised to take me there later in the day, but as she then got busy with other things I looked it up on Gmaps and headed there on foot, thinking “What do I have two healthy legs and lots of time for?” On the way, the sun actually came out, however briefly. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/VbUuP4.jpg It was a nice 40 minute walk out and another 40 minutes back, but it didn’t seem to be that far. In fact, the supermarket appeared just as I was thinking that I must be about halfway there. Not only in Kodiak, but all over Alaska, reminders of the early Russian settlements are omnipresent, and many inhabitants still practice the Russian Orthodox faith. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/YT01Hb.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/unRYeD.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/fRzLbr.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/6v4aea.jpg Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral, Kodiak Taxis here are mostly these massive pick-up trucks. Gasoline seems to be of no concern. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/KvYSz7.jpg From downtown I crossed the bridge over to Near Island and hiked through a forest to a point with views towards the town. My ferry, the M/V Tustumena, was moored at City Dock No.1 while a Seabourn cruise ship had docked for the day at City Dock No. 2 in the distance. I came across several of its passengers during my wanderings. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/zRsyLi.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/3dZdjo.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/mXxGba.jpg Further along was yet another fishing port, St. Hermans Bay Harbor. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/bTvxE2.jpg In fact, most everything in Kodiak revolves around the fishing and the seafood processing industries. There is an incessant stream of fishing boats unloading their catch at the processing plants and then an incessant stream of refrigerated containers being loaded onto freighters. A fishy smell also wafts through town at all times. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/I7Mnyj.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/8SCU4b.jpg As it was on the way, I dropped by City Dock No. 1 to inquire of the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) staff whether the ship would sail on time the next day. The disheartening reply was that at that point they didn’t even know if the ship would sail at all. There were some issues with the Coast Guard or other authority that needed to be ironed out and only once these were duly signed off they would be able to give an estimate. I was told to come back at 4 in the afternoon to get an update, as by then they should know. With some time on hand I went to the nearby Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, which had excellent exhibits of the local fauna. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/v5Uh3w.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/TWElDG.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/uiOlcE.jpg Later that afternoon I went again to the AMHS office to learn that the ship would actually sail the next day, but not at 1:00 p.m. as scheduled. The new departure time was around 12 hours later, at 1:30 a.m. Before the trip to Unalaska the ship first had to go to Homer – the starting point of the route – and then return to Kodiak. I was told to show up at the office by 11:30 the next evening. Now I had to discuss options with the inn’s landlady. Official check-out time is noon and she had reservations for all rooms for the following night. I was offered to stay in one of the other rooms until the party that had reserved it arrived at around 6 p.m., and to wait in the common areas for the remainder of the time. The next morning dawned with rain again and would remain like that all day. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/AQzKPn.jpg Although the city dock was only a few hundred yards away, the innkeeper offered to take me there after closing the restaurant for the night, an offer I gladly accepted. Just as I arrived at the AMHS office, the ship was docking after its journey from Homer. Only a few more hours to wait! At 11:30 the purser handed me my boarding pass and up I went the gangway of M/V Tustumena. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/e4FBti.jpg |
The sea passage Kodiak-Unalaska
The route from Kodiak all the way to Unalaska is only served once a month during the summer period, from May to September. This one being the last trip of the season you may understand how all previous and following flights and accommodations hinged on this sailing, with no room for temper tantrum hiccups. M/V Tustumena was built in 1964 and since then underwent several modifications. They say that she is set to be decommissioned as soon as a replacement ship is built, but I’m afraid that may take some more years. The crew were all extremely friendly, from the officers to the purser, from the waiting staff to the janitor and the operations staff on the car deck. The ship has 6 four-berth and 17 two-berth cabins plus 1 wheelchair-accessible two-berth cabin. The cabins have no en-suite facilities; these are communal. It’s a state ferry and not a luxury cruise ship after all. Though there are cabins for up to 60 passengers, the ship is designed to carry 160 passengers. Many don’t need a stateroom for a short trip from one port to the next and several passengers set up camp in different areas of the ship, which is explicitly permitted. On the first leg we were only 28 passengers in total, but I’ve read that on busier trips there is a mad dash by those without a cabin to claim the best “camping sites”. I had booked an outer two-berth cabin on the bridge deck, and the shared facilities were on the same deck within the area reserved for stateroom passengers. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/E8KmHP.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/cLfxdu.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/XoLiOE.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/EWKH0G.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/lRiYRw.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/ssflzT.jpg All common areas and especially the bathrooms were kept squeaky clean throughout the whole trip. Once on board and in the cabin I hit the hay right away. There would be enough time to explore the ship the next morning. I didn’t even notice when we sailed from Kodiak. At dawn the weather looked quite promising, though – the rainbow reveals it – the next shower is never too far away. Just as announced on the screen the previous evening, by 9 a.m. we were arriving at Old Harbor. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/74OG62.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/ruiIJP.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/BHZBtK.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/WFGpuP.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/55E9Pt.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/2oTnDi.jpg After this first stop was a good time to further explore the ship. The solarium deck, right by the funnel, is a popular place for passengers without a cabin to set up camp. The area is protected from the wind and is fitted with heating coils to keep people warm. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/RQNvUG.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/nhbFGe.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/RzYEyx.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/ctjC0C.jpg Up front on the promenade deck is the forward lounge – the main passenger lounge – and on the starboard side, on the way to the dining room, there is another smaller side lounge. Off the forward lounge is also a small play area for kids. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/mV1WnH.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/uY73oL.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/RrQg5r.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/9Yb3gA.jpg Vehicles have their space down below on the main deck, with a big turntable to aid with loading and unloading. One party came all the way from Maine, some road trip! https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/yvt1WC.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/HKZRej.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/H2NNR1.jpg We left Old Harbor right on schedule at 10 a.m. for one of the longer segments of the trip. Next stop would be Chignik, from 1:30 to 2:30 a.m. that night. The weather was gorgeous, so all passengers were enjoying it while it lasted. Once we got out of the bay to the open sea, the waves got higher and the seas a bit rougher. At the end of the day we were treated to a gorgeous sunset. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/ynW8iD.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/6Shcuy.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/tDseS4.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/gLSYsX.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/bZTFRL.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/Ri6nqw.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/sPvMkF.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/G0dQGn.jpg Not exactly IFE, but in the front corners of the forward lounge there are monitors that allow passengers to follow the ship’s position and progress. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/U9OiGk.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/dfcGPH.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/7MGFt9.jpg At noon the next day, right on schedule, we arrived at Sand Point, another fishing port. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/4ou8Q8.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/5tTUp3.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/ssRYxR.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/krn6n6.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/Ss0iSy.jpg Two high school sports teams boarded here for a competition in King Cove, the following port of call, and all of a sudden the joint was jumping again. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/Ka9hbb.jpg Once the vehicles for this port were rolled off and the ones joining us here were loaded, the car elevator was stowed again and the hatch cover closed. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/cQ3uio.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/9F02e8.jpg The meals on board were, how should I say, institutional. Lunch and dinner offerings were the same, consisting of burgers, sandwiches, salads and soups. For today’s lunch I had a tomato soup and a salad. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/kRgefX.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/DW8yZx.jpg An update on the schedule: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/KhOpUY.jpg En route to King Cove we got to see some whales, though too far away for a true wow factor. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/5zzYoh.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/Oyvb0O.jpg We were also treated to nice views of Pavlof Volcano and Pavlof Sister on the Alaska Peninsula followed by interesting rock formations in the background. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/i79zx0.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/OZ0D5S.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/PYBFEB.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/H4HDIa.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/di51UN.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/1g1Dnc.jpg The way to King Cove led us through some narrow passages, and the weather started to deteriorate too. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/AAbaQ0.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/oSbixm.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/YRON4c.jpg As mentioned, the high school students left the ship here and passengers were also allowed to go ashore if they so wished. While checking out the fishing pots I was treated to the sight of a pair of bald eagles that landed atop a light post. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/zSTmNy.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/Uxrltu.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/KZBUFB.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/egVpaM.jpg By the time we left King Cove it started to rain. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/RMuuO5.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/W89GcD.jpg As time went on the seas got rougher and the ship’s pitch motion increased. To me it was not unpleasant, but it certainly could be felt. As if it were a lullaby, the movement contributed to me falling asleep rather quickly (to the thought of “the hand that rocks the cradle” or the ‘70s song “Rock the Boat” by The Hues Corporation– I’m giving away my age here…). During the night and early morning, the ship had called at Cold Bay and False Pass, both stops going unnoticed. The next morning it was foggy and windy, and ten-foot waves were pounding against the hull. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/thyMU9.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/bluseG.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/xcfKMk.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/NzA37X.jpg With the boat rocking a lot, most of the passengers had retreated to their cabins or camping sites, leaving the forward lounge remarkably empty. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/AKb4B0.jpg Not at all prone to sea sickness I went for lunch (smoked salmon chowder and salad) hoping for the weather to improve. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/gfK6x7.jpg Fortunately, by 2 p.m. the fog actually started lifting, allowing for a silver lining on the horizon. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/GMT7JP.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/0vGUH7.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/W2cthn.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/WUaVJU.jpg Approaching Akutan Island with its volcanic caldera clearly visible straight ahead. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/IM9nPK.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/mPqkaz.jpg The port of Akutan is right around the corner. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/BJzs5I.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/zLQf2J.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/2bCQHN.jpg The first ten houses of Akutan, the town’s church and also a small chapel. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/gXTGdb.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/Xkt8Ec.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/5Lgu5p.jpg At this port of call we were not only allowed but encouraged to go ashore, this time via the car ramp and not the gangway, as a group of native people in traditional costumes had assembled to offer a singing and dancing performance right on the pier. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/gc1Iwh.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/sTnCwX.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/eBsoLm.jpg I wonder whether the sneakers were also part of the original attire. Time for the last leg of the trip, just three and a half more hours until Unalaska. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/i23WOs.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/7Y02Cw.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/0LBuko.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/rWhuJN.jpg Slowly approaching Dutch Harbor. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/ZEG7vT.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/lYkHmw.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/UFxMLv.jpg We docked remarkably on schedule at Dutch Harbor and the time came to disembark. Several of my fellow passengers stayed aboard, as they were continuing all the way back to Kodiak. I and another passenger went looking for a taxi to take us into town, but there were none. We then asked a van driver who had just dropped off some passengers if he could give us a ride to the Grand Aleutian Hotel, to which he replied: “That’s us!” So by a lucky coincidence we got the hotel shuttle to take us where we needed to go. Thanks for the ride, “Trusty Tusty”. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/LZ4Bu2.jpg There are only two hotels worth mentioning in Dutch Harbor, and both are run by UniSea, the same seafood processing company that practically runs the whole town. Though pricier, I chose the Grand Aleutian over the other property as the reviews on that one were not stellar, mainly because it is located right next to the processing plant (high seafood smell component, noise) and has a bar close by (more noise). Check-in at that hour was immediately and painless, and soon I had my room for the next two nights. The lobby and the room. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/auLnsV.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/kuTdZA.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/RX7Pqd.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/xwir3J.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/ZBjzJP.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/mpk3LK.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/65W7Sv.jpg |
An incredible effort so far. Just amazing photography. We have a ferry that runs between Tasmania and Melbourne daily and those bunk rooms remind of that ferry. Never been sicker in my life! :)
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A day and a half in Unalaska/Dutch Harbor
A view of the hotel in daylight. It is a very dominant structure. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/qqaiUD.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/UrERQU.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/o70TVK.jpg The next morning I went to explore the town. Just like in Kodiak: What do I have time and two healthy legs for? As it was a Sunday, unfortunately both the Museum of the Aleutians and the Museum adjacent to the Aleutian Islands WW II National Monument were closed. The latter even opens just by appointment. My urban wanderings took me first through the seafood processing plant’s headquarters and industrial buildings in Dutch Harbor and then across the “Bridge to the Other Side” to the town of Unalaska. And remember: The next rain shower is never too far away. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/ndfSeE.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/QzdHvn.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/81k1xX.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/2oy9CZ.jpg Crossing the Isaalux footbridge I was treated to a natural spectacle that occurs every year. Salmon were returning to their birthplace to spawn and then die, providing a feast for the seagulls. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/1OMiLu.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/cemhAe.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/2qFSJf.jpg Not far from this bridge is the Holy Ascension of our Lord Russian Orthodox Church. Being a Sunday I hoped it would be open, but no. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/Rg7Un0.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/l6UU9A.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/GfUBmL.jpg Back on the Dutch Harbor side I took a wander up Mt. Ballyhoo behind the airport. On the way there I passed the site where a Penair Saab 2000 came to rest after overrunning the runway a few years ago. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/Uell2S.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/0pDu9P.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/JjS4SL.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/5arWqj.jpg A few berries for sustenance, but keeping the fingers off those mushrooms. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/kKyXwg.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/4OtWXy.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/6oiUGH.jpg The regions’ processed catch (red king, golden king, and opilio crabs, cod, halibut, pollock) is shipped out by the containerload. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/cCSeBm.jpg Closer to the hotel again, a panorama sight from Strawberry Hill. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/Eub8gs.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/8aWvVy.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/jhC3nV.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/GeoI0O.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/xOmuu7.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/udo6j4.jpg In Margaret Bay, right behind the hotel, I spotted one of four resident sea otters. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/iU6xeI.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/RdlmUI.jpg They say that when in Rome, do as the Romans do; when in Dutch Harbor, eat king crab! First with drawn butter as an appetizer, followed by an entrée of creamy, garlicky, yummy crab & artichoke chowder. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/KpF077.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/RiTE6D.jpg |
The following day it was time to travel back to Anchorage. I had originally booked this flight with RAVN Alaska, but 3 weeks before my trip started I received an email from them notifying that service had been suspended. The fare was reimbursed very quickly, but that still left me to scramble for an alternative on short notice. Fortunately it was no problem to find space on one of Aleutian Airways’ flights that same day, and for less than what RAVN had charged.
After sleeping in and having leisurely breakfast I checked out and took the hotel’s shuttle to the airport at 9:30. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/cQcIwZ.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/zi5NZX.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/MDigIx.jpg Check-in went smoothly, though we were advised that the incoming flight would be late due to strong headwinds. As there is no room for hand luggage in the cabin, I checked my carry-on. Baggage here in DUT is not handled on carts, but on a contraption that resembles the bucket of a wheel loader and is carried by a forklift. It was reassuring to see that my bag would not be left behind. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/yMzupW.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/cEgC67.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/NKuDqs.jpg I spent the time having a look at some of the photographs on the wall in the holding pen and watching the traffic outside on the ramp. Aside from the ships, lots of cargo is flown in every day. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/Yvm7cN.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/S5Vx7t.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/TaksBK.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/5789ty.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/rtWujr.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/zN9UME.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/lDzJta.jpg Eventually Aleutian’s inbound flight from ANC arrived as well. The cheat line reminds me somewhat of British Caledonian and the tail logo resembles Air France’s from back in the ‘60s. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/mEq8tD.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/cLqUBw.jpg Dutch Harbor DUT - Anchorage ANC Sterling Airways dba Aleutian Airways VC 1102 STD: 11:30 / ATD: 12:05 STA: 13:45 / ATA: 14:20 SB20 N25UE Seat 15F Boarding was called at 11:40 (no TSA at this airport) and I soon found my seat on this full flight. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/Le053K.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/pqKU5R.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/cUBNQS.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/Q1aRkI.jpg Taxiing to the active runway we passed two aircraft that didn’t make it, the Penair Saab from 2017 among them. To me they looked a bit like roadkill on the side of the runway. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/HxWP6t.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/B3UT7N.jpg After take-off and a sharp left turn to the north, this promontory was the last sight of land – or anything – for most of the flight’s duration. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/aebGHb.jpg The cabin felt stuffy at first, but as the flight progressed it got cooler. A very cheerful flight attendant first offered coffee and later, on a second service round, snacks and beverages. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/jJwB7V.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/4AWdqH.jpg First sight of land again, with some glaciers (Katmai National Preserve?) first and Kalgin Island in the Cook Inlet later. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/hUVIhC.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/gKm0WI.jpg Touch down on ANC’s runway 15 at 14:16. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/JiMgWq.jpg Our bags were already on the conveyor by the time we reached baggage claim and from there I called the hotel I was staying at for the next 2 nights – the Alex Hotel close to the airport – to send the shuttle to pick me up. The building has a triangular shape at one end and my assigned room was located precisely at that pointy end. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/Ii70YO.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/lS1yIG.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/804hCX.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/3u9WC5.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/q12i8G.jpg The following day I had to take care of some administrative work, buy a CityPass and make some reservations for the destination after next, and do some laundry again. In the afternoon I went on a wander around nearby Lake Hood. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/xw3ELw.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/Frb4Qb.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/28qDA1.jpg Fall foliage was starting to show here and there too. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/aXErJy.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/AvlTEL.jpg |
Pushing north
The day had now come to venture way north, to Utqiaġvik/Barrow. Around noon I checked out and took the hotel shuttle to the airport terminal, which was not very busy at this hour. Something that caught my attention was that an oil company has scheduled flights up north as well. Upon enquiring with the check-in agent though I learned that these are only for company staff and not open to the general public. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/VlgF97.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/fsNqfq.jpg Check-in went smoothly, at security there was no one else in line and I got again a very friendly TSA agent. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/tOiM6Y.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/z13Nmw.jpg Anchorage ANC – Utqiaġvik BAR Alaska Airlines AS 051 STD: 14:30 / ATD: 15:09 STA: 16:43 / ATA: 16:59 B738 N546AS Seat 26F Boarding started 15 minutes past the scheduled departure as the aircraft had come in late from the previous flight. In the 10 rearmost rows there were only 5 passengers, so I moved from 26F to 28F, which was better aligned with the window. In the take-off lineup we had freight jumbos ahead and behind us, evidencing ANC’s important role as a cargo hub. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/156LMb.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/sfozlt.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/fnQew7.jpg Mid-flight the cabin crew did a service round offering pretzels and beverages https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/56FXcH.jpg At some point traffic crossed our path (or we crossed theirs), but otherwise there wasn’t much to see apart from a solid cloud carpet until our final approach. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/FcnENd.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/z6x1wd.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/zCelJp.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/w5v73B.jpg Welcome to Utqiaġvik / Barrow, local temperature: 39ºF / 4ºC https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/2XXAJF.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/qPgUMd.jpg Years ago AS used to have two flights a day to Barrow, so that one could fly up in the morning and return to Anchorage in the afternoon. Now there’s only one daily flight, making an overnight in BAR necessary. Though there is a bigger hotel near the coast on the other side of town, my choice of accommodation fell on the King Eider Inn, a mere 50-60 meters from the Alaska Airlines terminal, mostly for the convenience. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/VJsqaP.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/dKoz1A.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/m665kx.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/vCny5e.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/13SdDY.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/biWRtk.jpg The view from the room though… https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/F2FnU4.jpg Once settled in, I went to explore the town a bit. The former name Barrow was restored to the original Utqiaġvik in the native Iñupiak language following a referendum approved by residents in 2016. On my wanderings through town I couldn’t help but think that Einstein’s theory of relativity was once again being proven: while I, a child of the tropics, had four layers of clothing and would otherwise have felt relatively cold, some youths were wearing just shorts and a T-shirt, probably feeling relatively warm on a balmy end-of-summer evening. The town’s main landmark is a whalebone arch placed near the coastline. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/AxWHfZ.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/VV9poW.jpg Up close and personal with the Arctic Ocean, and a stroll along the beach. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/RKJskE.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/iyUfMD.jpg A taxi stand near the “other” hotel. In New York yellow cabs, in Bangkok pink Corollas, in Kodiak sturdy pick-up trucks, in Barrow SUV’s. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/VGekoN.jpg Unfortunately sights like the one out my hotel window were recurrent throughout town; with very few exceptions, everything gave the impression of being run-down and dilapidated. Maybe the people here have other priorities than to keep their lots straightened up. My landlord explained that if people tidied up their sites they would have to pay higher property taxes, but that reasoning only sounds halfway plausible to me. Being prepared to try whale or walrus meat or blubber or other local specialties, I asked my landlord whether these could be had anywhere. Unfortunately, local culture forbids selling such foods, so they are not available in restaurants. If a whale or a walrus is caught, the prey is shared among the community, but not sold. Thus I ended my city tour with a pizza large enough to guarantee the next day’s breakfast as well. |
Flying above the tundra
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/ulS9Cz.jpg At daybreak the weather looked promising. I was told to be at the airline’s offices at 7:30 a.m. for the 9:00 a.m. departure, so after breakfast I walked over to the Wright/NAC shed a couple hundred meters from the inn. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/J3J2o3.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/92kRBJ.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/PIr1yw.jpg Upon check-in both myself and my backpack had to be weighed and since I was flying round-trip it was determined that my daypack should better stay at BAR in order to allow other passengers with a proper destination to take more baggage, or the airline to take more cargo. It was only a few pounds, but in these remote regions every available pound counts. Passengers were told to take a seat and wait for the pilot to call out the flight once the plane was ready for boarding. Check-in and “gate”/waiting area. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/DtZkuI.jpg Utqiaġvik/Barrow BAR – Atqasuk ATK – Ulġuniq/Wainwright AIN Wright Air Service 8V 651 STD: 09:00 / 09:35 ATD: 09:06 / 09:40 STA: 09:20 / 09:55 ATA: 09:25 / 10:10 C208B N143WA Seat 3rd row, right window https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/3ixtjx.jpg As promised, around the scheduled departure time the pilot came in and asked passengers for Atqasuk and Wainwright to board. It was – again – a full flight with all 9 seats occupied. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/Fb5kCV.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/vswe70.jpg Initially we flew at 2.500 ft above a solid fog layer but later the fog in that area dissipated somewhat, permitting views of the tundra below. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/ZIwCDW.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/KDkkTZ.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/E9acYu.jpg After a short 20-minute hop we landed on Atqasuk’s muddy runway 7 and a quick exchange of passengers and cargo ensued. Continuing passengers were asked to stay on board. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/9HNG5M.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/Lvfszj.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/0wk4sl.jpg Soon enough we were airborne again towards Ulġuniq/Wainwright. Initially some landscape could still be seen below, but a few minutes into the flight we were totally engulfed by the fog. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/44YFBS.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/HcNvh9.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/IChf4c.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/oElzUA.jpg Most passengers disembarked at Wainwright though a few others boarded here too for the segment back to Barrow. AIN in all its glory. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/PDAgEQ.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/zHeOcN.jpg While the arriving passengers had already left the plane and the new passengers hadn’t boarded yet, I asked the pilot if it would be ok if I sat up front. After some pondering permission was granted and I was as happy as can be. Ulġuniq/Wainwright AIN – Utqiaġvik/Barrow BAR Wright Air Service 8V 650 STD / ATD: 10:10 / 10:27 STA / ATA: 10:40 / 10:59 C208B N143WA Seat: front office, copilot seat On take-off, a snow fox crossed the runway but fortunately we were already airborne by then and I barely saw it. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/eHzwkX.jpg The pilot was very nice and you could sense that he loved his job. In fact, he said more than once that his was the best job in the world. I like it when people are so passionate about their work. Enroute the weather deteriorated rapidly and an instrument flight plan had to be filed for the approach to Barrow. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/X2uU5D.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/egLbwx.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/RjqOQV.jpg Don’t be fooled by the sight of the coastline; we needed to head into the murk beyond that. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/KxdFoP.jpg The weather was close to or at minimums by the time we were on final for BAR’s runway 8 and for what seemed an eternity nothing could be seen outside. The pilot asked me to tap his shoulder if I saw the runway lights, but obviously his experienced eye caught them first. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/aZEouU.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/aCGjLh.jpg After our arrival the plane was quickly being loaded for its next flight. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/cfZRex.jpg Once back in Barrow I returned to the nearby inn and prepared for check-out at 11. After that I hung out in the lobby reading and enjoying a cup of coffee or two, as the weather wasn’t too conducive to any outdoor activities. Sorry, eightblack, for this new slip into the netherworld of small airplanes, and twice at that in the same report. I can’t even promise that it won’t happen again. There is no road leading from “civilization” to Barrow, so I asked the landlord how the town gets their supplies. Alaska Airlines sends a cargo plane up from Anchorage at least once a day, and Northern Air Cargo/NAC and Everts Air Cargo also send planes several times a week. These flights bring in mostly perishables and urgently needed supplies. For everything else people place their orders – from sewing needles to cars - online and once a year the orders are shipped on a large barge to Prudhoe Bay, from where a smaller barge takes them to Barrow. On arrival the day before I asked the airline staff at what time passengers were supposed to show up for check-in and was told that check-in opened at 1:00 p.m., so at that time I took the short walk from the inn to the Alaska terminal. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/YTnzmU.jpg Check-in went smoothly, though the security check was a bit slow, which I attribute to space constraints. After the TSA check, passengers are led to a tent/holding pen with wood benches along the sides, located on the ramp between the building and the plane. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/2XXAJF.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/5Qsc2j.jpg Utqiaġvik/Barrow BAR – Anchorage ANC Alaska Airlines AS 050 STD / ATD: 17:20 / 17:26 STA / ATA: 19:09 / 19:13 B38M N805K Seat: 30A Boarding took forever as this was again a full flight. Among the passengers were also the local high school boys’ and girls’ football teams on their way to a state tournament in Homer. As the temperature was around the freezing point, the plane had to be de-iced before departure. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/0RLvym.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/E11grU.jpg Snack service. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/5WLVZ3.jpg During most of the flight there was a solid cloud layer below but closer to Anchorage there were a few breaks in the clouds allowing nice views. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/nntEq0.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/WO7t3a.jpg At first I had no plans to rent a car again for just one day, but then I remembered that check-out time at the hotel was at 11:00 a.m. and my flight would not depart until midnight. Without a car I would be stuck either at the hotel reception or at the airport for way too long, so I opted to take a rental car for 24 hours. A nice sunset from my room back at the Alex Hotel. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/81x8gT.jpg After settling in I went for dinner at a nearby restaurant that had caught my attention during my previous stay a couple of days ago, ‘Chopped and Chowdered‘. To start, a sampler of three chowders (clam, salmon, and sea harvest: lobster, scallops, clams, shrimp, salmon & halibut) followed by a main of salmon with a red cabbage & mango salad. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/piPZCU.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/Hmma4U.jpg |
What a great report so far. Loving the photos from Alaska, and looks like an awesome trip. Thanks so much for sharing!
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Wow, this is definitely off the beaten track, and incredibly interesting! Thanks for sharing your trip with us - must have been a great experience :tu:
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Amazing trip, thank you! I saw some places I didn't even know existed, such as Unalaska. Thanks!
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Originally Posted by Trekkfugl
(Post 36640425)
The port of Akutan is right around the corner.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/BJzs5I.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/zLQf2J.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/2bCQHN.jpg The first ten houses of Akutan, the town’s church and also a small chapel. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/gXTGdb.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/Xkt8Ec.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/5Lgu5p.jpg At this port of call we were not only allowed but encouraged to go ashore, this time via the car ramp and not the gangway, as a group of native people in traditional costumes had assembled to offer a singing and dancing performance right on the pier. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/gc1Iwh.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/sTnCwX.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/eBsoLm.jpg I wonder whether the sneakers were also part of the original attire. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a8f61637dd.jpg The picture was taken at a major whaling station located in Akutan where a number of local were employed as well as workers from elsewhere. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8abba917e1.jpg Here's the church ca. 1979, when I was a frequent visitor to Akutan, working for the local Aleut corporation and the City of Akutan. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...feb89725bc.jpg |
Originally Posted by 757
(Post 36644087)
What a great report so far. Loving the photos from Alaska, and looks like an awesome trip. Thanks so much for sharing!
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Originally Posted by SKT-DK
(Post 36644287)
Wow, this is definitely off the beaten track, and incredibly interesting! Thanks for sharing your trip with us - must have been a great experience :tu:
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Originally Posted by 13901
(Post 36644448)
Amazing trip, thank you! I saw some places I didn't even know existed, such as Unalaska. Thanks!
I still remember vividly your report of the trip to Kashgar and Xinjiang of a fwew years ago, one of the most amazing TR's I've read on here! |
Originally Posted by Gardyloo
(Post 36645573)
The original attire was made of seal gut, as shown in this picture from ca. 1910.
The picture was taken at a major whaling station located in Akutan where a number of local were employed as well as workers from elsewhere. Here's the church ca. 1979, when I was a frequent visitor to Akutan, working for the local Aleut corporation and the City of Akutan. These men seem to have a huge job to look forward to. Back then the church was a free-standing building, now it is surrounded by other buildings and - unfortunately - also some waste lying around, similar to what I saw in Barrow. |
Last day in Alaska
For this day I had planned a visit to the very interesting Anchorage Museum. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/plV6RW.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/xg2LE5.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/NRnFjF.jpg Exhibits ranged from totem poles to paintings, kayaks, sleds, and typical attire, lightweight waterproof gut parkas made from the intestines of sea lions, seals, whales and grizzly bears, and hunting hats. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/aRM3qK.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/UtbVMP.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/mFeN4p.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/rGV9fY.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/eck2Bg.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/dEy2tQ.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/tIIeaK.jpg A view of downtown Anchorage, taken from a point aptly named Downtown Anchorage Viewpoint, where there is also a whale observation station run by marine biologists. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/2Atd3v.jpg After some spotting at Point Woronzof Road I went to the airport early in the evening to return the car and check in for my red-eye flight to Chicago. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/87aopO.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/yy32nQ.jpg I swear it wasn’t me they were after! (Teaser for later in the trip) In order to get some decent sleep, I booked this flight in F. Two days prior to departure I received an e-mail from United prompting me to pre order the meal, but as none of the choices were something I would jump at without hesitation I just ticked the option “I will decide on board”. Anchorage ANC – Chicago ORD United Airlines UA 531 STD / ATD: 23:59 / 23:52 STA / ATA: 09:08 / 08:59 B38M N27273 Seat: 2A My hopes of spending the waiting time in the lounge were shattered when the check-in agent told me that UA have no lounge at ANC. I guess that would give me enough time to get acquainted with every nook and cranny of the Ted Stevens terminal… The very orderly boarding by groups started at 11:25 p.m. After boarding in group D or 5 on most of the segments on this trip, getting to board in group 1 was a welcome change. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/PI3b4M.jpg The six or seven meal options offered for pre-ordering shrank to just two on board, of which I took the chicken for lack of a better choice. After the late dinner I went into lie flat mode and slept for around four hours. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/sD1SQi.jpg Next stop: She-cah-go |
I am glad you got to meet Seat 2A. What a nice guy. I have had the pleasure to meet him a few times when he has come through Denver. Your trip through Alaska sounds incredible.
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Originally Posted by Trekkfugl
(Post 36646038)
Thank you, 13901 for stopping by and leaving a comment. The name Unalaska sounds so un-Alaska, but it is very much Alaska. While the airport code is DUT for Dutch Harbor, each car on the ferry had a destination card on the dashboard, visible through the windshield, and the card in the cars with destination Dutch Harbor said "UNA".
I still remember vividly your report of the trip to Kashgar and Xinjiang of a fwew years ago, one of the most amazing TR's I've read on here!
Originally Posted by Trekkfugl
(Post 36646064)
Back then the church was a free-standing building, now it is surrounded by other buildings and - unfortunately - also some waste lying around, similar to what I saw in Barrow.
|
Originally Posted by Gardyloo
(Post 36647750)
The word "Alaska" is derived from an Aleut word alaxsxaq or "mainland," which the Russian slavers changed to "Alyeska." The Aleut word for the village (various spellings) is Ounalashka.
It's not like there's a landfill you can drive the stuff to. And stuff takes a LONG time to decay in the local climates. It's a problem all across Alaska. |
Originally Posted by HawaiiTrvlr
(Post 36646400)
I am glad you got to meet Seat 2A. What a nice guy. I have had the pleasure to meet him a few times when he has come through Denver.
|
OP great report and enjoyed reading all of it.
Barrow looks like a dirty, barren, vast wasteland. I would never want to visit that place. |
Reading this is making miss home (I'm Alaskan born).
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Originally Posted by enviroian
(Post 36648150)
OP great report and enjoyed reading all of it.
Barrow looks like a dirty, barren, vast wasteland. I would never want to visit that place. |
Originally Posted by wrp96
(Post 36648507)
Reading this is making miss home (I'm Alaskan born).
|
A weekend in Chicago
As my return trip was also via ORD, I thought I might as well build in a weekend stopover in Chicago to explore the city a bit. Until now it had been a gaping blank in the list of U.S. metropolises I have visited. Though we landed 30 minutes early on runway 27R, it took us 20 minutes and a grand tour of ORD to reach our gate. Once in the terminal I followed the signs to ground transportation, bought a Ventra ticket for 3 days and hopped on the first available Blue Line L. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/oz7qmf.jpg At Logan Square I changed to a bus that would take me right to the doorstep of my hotel for the next two nights. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/yzkPxc.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/1pqqOn.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/s818Wf.jpg Though check-in only starts at 3 p.m., an early check-in was possible against a fee. The elevator had a quirky décor, as had the room. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/vmxks3.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/03Rpg5.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/LY6PLj.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/jBcYxf.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/VIxOHx.jpg Time to explore! While in Anchorage, I bought a CityPass and made online reservations for those attractions I wanted to visit that required one. With a CTA station only a few hundred yards away on the same avenue as the hotel, I was quickly on a southbound Brown Line train. First stop today was the Shedd Aquarium. On a Saturday around noon the place was pretty packed, but while most visitors were attracted by the dolphin acrobatics show, I was more drawn to stranger creatures. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/yfBJRG.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/compdw.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/KYiyTU.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/Aw8JYd.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/Bcrswk.jpg From there I took a wander in the general direction of downtown. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/ynZo9B.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/1cqpX4.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/MIXbMR.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/vp1vA3.jpg Having worked up an appetite, I thought: When in Rome… eat Chicago style hot dogs! https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/HKRAsk.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/sdgAjm.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/V8199E.jpg Get your kicks... https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/Uitz6e.jpg My next reservation was for the SkyDeck high up on the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower. Though I showed up a bit early, with the CityPass and its priority access it was no problem to change the time to an earlier hour. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/mgup0h.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/b4yYrg.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/KCZWLD.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/92AJQ9.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/VyIcYU.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/cHaPca.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/eAANWh.jpg For dinner I tried the famed deep dish pizza, which I guess is a matter of taste. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/z679XX.jpg In stark contrast to the previous bright and sunny day, the moment I set a foot out of the hotel entrance the next morning it started to drizzle. In all honesty this came as no surprise, since I had checked the weather forecast for the weekend in previous days and that’s what was predicted. I still made it relatively dry to the CTA station and onto the train, but very soon it started pouring. Getting off the Brown Line at one of the Loop stations the first thing to do was to get an umbrella. Try chasing such an item on an early Sunday morning in the deserted downtown of any big city! The department stores were all closed for at least one more hour, but I found an open Walgreens that had umbrellas. This must have been the hottest-selling item that morning. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/vSmaC3.jpg Now better equipped to dodge the rain it was time to head to Millennium Park. The crowds were luckily kept to a minimum by the bad weather, and the sprinkled “Bean” certainly wasn’t your usual sight of the Cloud Gate. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/AIUyKx.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/agPOC6.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/3wLCqy.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/9ZSjV1.jpg No children were floundering about in the reflecting pool between the two towers of the Crown Fountain either. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/yCRgwt.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/EsxYtC.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/A6C4iR.jpg Later that morning I had a reservation for the River Cruise Architecture Tour, so I walked over to the jetty where my line departed from. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/KSfw5H.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/D4xFms.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/laHVV5.jpg Though interesting, the tour itself was only half as fun as it would have been in bright sunshine. The rainy weather certainly provided an unusual ambiance. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/G7FmAg.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/a1JTst.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/yhY2oX.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/hBMBxL.jpg Once off the boat I went for a stroll along the Riverwalk, which was also eerily empty. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/1eGqUd.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/Y8wUyj.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/D93o9v.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/dY0H1M.jpg In the afternoon I had a reservation for the 360 Chicago Observation Deck in the John Hancock Center. Some may wonder why go up two similar buildings for a panorama sight of the city from a vantage point, but I reasoned that the buildings were in two different areas and, as it turned out, the rainy and cloudy weather in this instance made for a completely different experience. Furthermore, the admission was already paid with the CityPass. I showed up at the time of my reservation but was told that the upper half of the building was completely engulfed in clouds (and shown a live photo of the current view – nil, nada!). A change to a later time slot when the weather would hopefully have improved (no guarantee on that) was no problem at all, so I went up a couple of hours later. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/wkr2L2.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/kq6xHq.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/jq8B8q.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/SGPR9M.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/OgxBlS.jpg The epitome of a skyscraper By the time I returned to the hotel in the late afternoon the rain had finally subsided. https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/dNvF87.jpg |
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