Tour Seattle to Anchorage to Princess Mt. McKinley Lodge to Princess Denali Lodge to Whittier 9/5 - 9/18

Seattle was the typical Seattle, sun then gloomy with bits of sun peeking through. We did the touristy things, Pike's Place market and the Space Needle. Best tip for Seattle, go to Beecher's and get some cheese for your trip. We rented a car and it was very convenient to get around Seattle. There is also an elevated train that takes you downtown from the airport as well if you don't want to drive it. We booked the Seattle Air Advantage through Princess. Princess arranged for transportation to the airport, a short 5 - 10 minute ride. We were met at the Anchorage airport by a Princess rep and taken to the Captain Cook Hotel. We walked around downtown Anchorage and just had a great time in all of the shops. We took the trolley tour and this is where I learned that all of the tour drivers tell you to be ready for the wildlife that was on the last tour I just took around. By the way, they never showed up until the TWT. I found a great antique shop downtown near the hotel that had some great Native American and Wild West memorabilia. I can't remember the name but is was very unique; they had a Native American war vest with scalps sewn on. We were shuttled to the train depot for our 1st train ride to Talkeetna and Mt. McKinley lodge. The train ride was spectacular and shouldn't be missed. The service was great and the food was pretty tasty. The scenery was beautiful even through the clouds and fog. The transfer from the bus depot to Mt. McKinley Lodge is about 45 minutes. If you have the opportunity to stay in Talkeetna and explore the town you should it has it's own personality.

Mt. McKinley Lodge was in one word GREAT! We were in building 9, we had a short walk to the lodge but with all that fresh air, it was just refreshing. My friend and I went fishing on a tributary to the Talkeetna River the water was very clear and the fishing was good (8 salmon between us). It was catch and release because the salmon were deteriorating because of the spawn and not much for eating. Our wives went ATVing and absolutely LOVED it. Neither have the daredevil gene in them but they certainly enjoyed it. The food at the lodge was very good. Our last evening there we got "lucky" and saw the silhouette of Mt. McKinley. We were in awe but would soon realize how awestruck the mountain can make you feel. So far no wildlife, but it isn't a zoo. The bus ride from Talkeetna to Denali Lodge was rather unspectacular, our driver made it a better bus ride with his stories and his love for Alaska. He talked about how on one repositioning trip he was impressed by the scenery so he started America the Beautiful. He says he had no complaints from the passengers but then he was the only passenger. Read more