View above the clouds approaching Fairbanks at 10.30 pm.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Day 8 Fairbanks
Yukon River
Leanne got her wish to see sled dogs!
View above the clouds approaching Fairbanks at 10.30 pm.
View above the clouds approaching Fairbanks at 10.30 pm.
Day 8
The sun was gone but it was a soft light through the night,so blinds had to be closed so we could sleep.
Up at 6.30 and down to have the complimentary breakfast.Nice variety to choose from so left for our Arctic Circle Adventure well fed.
We boarded a Piper 2 engine plane and belted up for the ride of our lives!Climbing up and over Fairbanks city and then over the magnificent mountains..Followed the Dalton H/way,flew over a couple of remote Athabascan outposts and the famous pipeline that carries oil down from Prudoe at the top of Alaska. Saw a couple of remains of old gold mining towns that are now only inhabited by 80 or so folks.
Followed the Yukon River which was still frozen over and looked like a great white ribbon weaving it's way between the mountains.
Smooth flight again..How lucky have we been? We landed in Coldfoot which is really a truck stop for the haulers going north & south along the Dalton.
Chris was our guide on the ground.Just a young bloke but very enthusiastic and knowledgable.Because Leanne showed an interest in the sled dogs he got us all fitted out with gumboots and we walked around to the kennels..We were greeted by about 20 happy and excited doggies who just wanted to be patted,all the while taking turns howling in the air to get attention..Chris then took us to a frozen lake where we walked out a little way (nervously!).It's very isolated there but in the Summer season when the tourists arrive there is boating/hiking and a variety of attractions.
Back on the plane to Fairbanks which got a little bumpy as we neared the airport but we landed safely after a terrific and memorable day.
Up at 6.30 and down to have the complimentary breakfast.Nice variety to choose from so left for our Arctic Circle Adventure well fed.
We boarded a Piper 2 engine plane and belted up for the ride of our lives!Climbing up and over Fairbanks city and then over the magnificent mountains..Followed the Dalton H/way,flew over a couple of remote Athabascan outposts and the famous pipeline that carries oil down from Prudoe at the top of Alaska. Saw a couple of remains of old gold mining towns that are now only inhabited by 80 or so folks.
Followed the Yukon River which was still frozen over and looked like a great white ribbon weaving it's way between the mountains.
Smooth flight again..How lucky have we been? We landed in Coldfoot which is really a truck stop for the haulers going north & south along the Dalton.
Chris was our guide on the ground.Just a young bloke but very enthusiastic and knowledgable.Because Leanne showed an interest in the sled dogs he got us all fitted out with gumboots and we walked around to the kennels..We were greeted by about 20 happy and excited doggies who just wanted to be patted,all the while taking turns howling in the air to get attention..Chris then took us to a frozen lake where we walked out a little way (nervously!).It's very isolated there but in the Summer season when the tourists arrive there is boating/hiking and a variety of attractions.
Back on the plane to Fairbanks which got a little bumpy as we neared the airport but we landed safely after a terrific and memorable day.
Day 7
A day for travelling and getting to Fairbanks,,
Woke up and looke out the window to see 2 window cleaners on the high rise opposite,dangling from a thread of rope and swinging from side to side to clean..Couldn't watch...gave me the heebie geebies!!!!
We had breakfast in the hotel and decided to have stroll around the city.Same as as any other so we all said let's just drive to the airport and hang around there Arrived very early but read and snoozed until time to board.
Because we wereleaving Canada and our destination was the US we had Customs to go through and they are very very thorough..Our fingerprints were taken as well as eyes....Shoes off and bag opened and examined..All good.Phew!
Not a big plane this time..Just 2 propellers(and 2 wings too!!)but it was a great flight as very smooth.Only 1 & 1/2 hour flight to Seattle where we changed planes for Fairbanks..Seattle is a big airport but just had time for a coffee before we wereoff again.This time a big jet..Another easy smooth flight and totally awesome views of the tops of snowy mountain ranges.
Took a taxi to the hotel with a real character.She had her little dog on herlap as she drove and looked like she'd just come out of the woods.!But she was full of info about Fairbanks and we booked her to take us to our Arctic flight in the morning.
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Woke up and looke out the window to see 2 window cleaners on the high rise opposite,dangling from a thread of rope and swinging from side to side to clean..Couldn't watch...gave me the heebie geebies!!!!
We had breakfast in the hotel and decided to have stroll around the city.Same as as any other so we all said let's just drive to the airport and hang around there Arrived very early but read and snoozed until time to board.
Because we wereleaving Canada and our destination was the US we had Customs to go through and they are very very thorough..Our fingerprints were taken as well as eyes....Shoes off and bag opened and examined..All good.Phew!
Not a big plane this time..Just 2 propellers(and 2 wings too!!)but it was a great flight as very smooth.Only 1 & 1/2 hour flight to Seattle where we changed planes for Fairbanks..Seattle is a big airport but just had time for a coffee before we wereoff again.This time a big jet..Another easy smooth flight and totally awesome views of the tops of snowy mountain ranges.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Day 6 Calgary
After checking out of the hotel we loaded up the rental and headed out of town with a nervous driver at the wheel..
Unfortunately it was raining and bitterly cold but we decided we'd drive out to Lake Louise before driving to Calgary.
Good Decision..The lake was frozen and looked magical.Snow piled high everywhere and a wind that you could cut with a knife!We headed into the hotel to look around and I must admit it was pretty posh.The doormen were dressed in Austrian clothing and there was a Canadian Mountie walking around having his photo taken with guests.Well worth the visit.
Back in the car and took a few detours to get back to the highway to take us to Calgary..So lucky we did that as now we were seeing the wildlife up close..Got some great shots of moose and mountain goats..
The drive in the rain to Calgary was a bit streesful for Andrew but with help of an in built navigator,we finally made it..
On the 10th floor of the International Hotel in the city..In a 2 room apartment that's very spacious with lounge,full size dining table and TV.
Decided not to brave the cold and go out for dinner so went to the hotel's restaurant and had a great meal of filet mignon for 3 of us and a 12oz rump for Andrew.
Need a good night's sleep..Will try to put some decent photos on next blog..Not too good at it!!
Unfortunately it was raining and bitterly cold but we decided we'd drive out to Lake Louise before driving to Calgary.
Good Decision..The lake was frozen and looked magical.Snow piled high everywhere and a wind that you could cut with a knife!We headed into the hotel to look around and I must admit it was pretty posh.The doormen were dressed in Austrian clothing and there was a Canadian Mountie walking around having his photo taken with guests.Well worth the visit.
Back in the car and took a few detours to get back to the highway to take us to Calgary..So lucky we did that as now we were seeing the wildlife up close..Got some great shots of moose and mountain goats..
The drive in the rain to Calgary was a bit streesful for Andrew but with help of an in built navigator,we finally made it..
On the 10th floor of the International Hotel in the city..In a 2 room apartment that's very spacious with lounge,full size dining table and TV.
Decided not to brave the cold and go out for dinner so went to the hotel's restaurant and had a great meal of filet mignon for 3 of us and a 12oz rump for Andrew.
Need a good night's sleep..Will try to put some decent photos on next blog..Not too good at it!!
Day 5 Rocky Mountaineer
Wow!! Just unbelievable scenery all around us..The sun is out and snow is piled high beside the rails and through the pine trees..Looks like a Christmas Wonderland..We passed and travelled beside the Thompson River for many miles.Lots of rapids but also many landslides beside he river.Only the most advanced and experienced rafters go on this one when the snows are melting and feeding the river.
The service and attention to us(called The Guests not passengers)was superb.Any request was granted and any question asked was given the answer fully..Apparently if there is danger of a landslide,the army is calledin and they fire a Howitzer to create a slide controllably.
Arrived in Banff just before evening and this place is beautiful.It more like fairyland with all the shoplights on people wandering around doing shopping..Terry bought another Akubra type hat.Hope this one makes it home this time!!
Our accommodations so far have been excellent,nearly all have been 4star.
Our journey on the RM finished here in Banff and we were waved off agian with those smiling faces.
The Mount Royal Hotel here is another winner.
Tomorrow we are on our own and pick up the rental car in the morning..
The service and attention to us(called The Guests not passengers)was superb.Any request was granted and any question asked was given the answer fully..Apparently if there is danger of a landslide,the army is calledin and they fire a Howitzer to create a slide controllably.
Arrived in Banff just before evening and this place is beautiful.It more like fairyland with all the shoplights on people wandering around doing shopping..Terry bought another Akubra type hat.Hope this one makes it home this time!!
Our accommodations so far have been excellent,nearly all have been 4star.
Our journey on the RM finished here in Banff and we were waved off agian with those smiling faces.
The Mount Royal Hotel here is another winner.
Tomorrow we are on our own and pick up the rental car in the morning..
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Day 4 Rocky Mountaineer
Here we go!! Up at 6am to catch a taxi to the train station.
As we pulled up there was a line of around 6 people in their RM uniforms,all smiling and clapping as we got out of the taxi..What the???? Apparently we were the first passengers to arrive and this was the first tour of the new season..As we were escprted to the check in counter it was more of the same..Big smiles and clapping..Felt like we were royalty..Thought we'd try for an upgrade to Gold Leaf Service while we were on a roll but no such luck unless we wanted to pay an extra $400 each!
As it turned out we thoroughly enjoyed our Silver Service and had the best hosts/ guides/stewards that we could wish for.
The train travels on the same lines as Canadian Rail and they have priority,so it was a bit slow going getting out of the city area.Once we were clear we were off and running and we were served breakfast(3 courses),snacks mid morning,then a 3course lunch and then afternoon snacks!!!
The train passed through a lot of farming and dairy areas for most of the morning and some of the little towns were quite rustic and quaint.
The rest of the day was something we did not expect as we were then in mountainous desert country..It had it's own beauty and we saw some bighorn sheep perching precariously on the rocky outcrops.As the train came down out of this area,we were skirting around a huge lake with Canada Geese swimming around.On the other side was more like the brochures as the mountains were covered in pine trees and in the distance there were mountains topped with snow.The scenery was just beautiful all the way to our stop for the night at Kamloops.We settled into our hotel and on the table was a complimentary dinner for two at the restaurant downstairs plus a leather notebook.Nice surprise and a lovely meal was had by all.
Into bed and ready for what is the highlight of the journey.The Rocky Mountains!!
As we pulled up there was a line of around 6 people in their RM uniforms,all smiling and clapping as we got out of the taxi..What the???? Apparently we were the first passengers to arrive and this was the first tour of the new season..As we were escprted to the check in counter it was more of the same..Big smiles and clapping..Felt like we were royalty..Thought we'd try for an upgrade to Gold Leaf Service while we were on a roll but no such luck unless we wanted to pay an extra $400 each!
As it turned out we thoroughly enjoyed our Silver Service and had the best hosts/ guides/stewards that we could wish for.
The train travels on the same lines as Canadian Rail and they have priority,so it was a bit slow going getting out of the city area.Once we were clear we were off and running and we were served breakfast(3 courses),snacks mid morning,then a 3course lunch and then afternoon snacks!!!
The train passed through a lot of farming and dairy areas for most of the morning and some of the little towns were quite rustic and quaint.
The rest of the day was something we did not expect as we were then in mountainous desert country..It had it's own beauty and we saw some bighorn sheep perching precariously on the rocky outcrops.As the train came down out of this area,we were skirting around a huge lake with Canada Geese swimming around.On the other side was more like the brochures as the mountains were covered in pine trees and in the distance there were mountains topped with snow.The scenery was just beautiful all the way to our stop for the night at Kamloops.We settled into our hotel and on the table was a complimentary dinner for two at the restaurant downstairs plus a leather notebook.Nice surprise and a lovely meal was had by all.
Into bed and ready for what is the highlight of the journey.The Rocky Mountains!!
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