Day Fourteen - Alaska Railroad to Fairbanks

I got up early this morning, and with great apprehension, I pressed the power switch of my laptop, mentally preparing myself for a blank screen.  I cannot describe my joy and relief when my wonderful hardy robust device kicked into life.  Fingers crossed that it stays this way.  I promise dear laptop to never do that to you again!

This morning we were ready for a final breakfast at The Roadhouse at 8am.  We are saying bye to Jon and leaving Talkeetna on the Alaska Railroad headed for Fairbanks.  It’s an eight hour trip and we will pass through some spectacular scenery.

We had time for a quick reccie to the shops to buy a thankyou card for Jon before we head to the train station at 10:45 for an 11:20am departure.  Jon had been absolutely awesome the last five days, he has put in super long hours to make all this work for us.  We would head off to bed late, and he would be out plowing his neighbours drive before heading off to bed.  That’s how it works here in Alaska, everyone helps everyone else out.  

Some of the stunning scenery we had to suffer today

The train ride north was spectacular, and we saw lots of the native wildlife.  In fact, we broke a new record for the number of moose sighted on-route, 151 in total !  Twice we had to slow to walking pace, as there were moose on the tracks, just trotting along in front of the train.  The driver was blasting away on the horn, but the moose just kept trotting along.  This went on for about 5 minutes until he (or she) eventually turned and went trotting off into the woods. 

We also saw dall sheep, which are a bit like mountain goats with big curly horns, and a bald eagle, perched up in a tree.  Passengers used to be able to open the windows of the train where the carriages join, but Warren the conductor was telling us that two years ago, the senate introduced legislation that said it was dangerous and should not be allowed.  The have imposed a ten thousand dollar fine on the train conductor if a window is opened.  Warren is not happy about this new law, in the 46 years he was worked on the railroad, there hasn’t been one incident.  So almost all of our photos have reflections in them, which is very irritating.

But the time passed pleasantly enough, we managed to snaffle a couple of extra seats between us and spread out.

We arrived in Fairbanks, collected our bags and the girls in the group piled into the shuttle van and headed to Pikes Waterfront Lodge, while the boys waited for the next shuttle van.  By the time we had faffed and checked in, the boys had arrived anyway.  We schlepped our bags to our room, had a quick toilet stop and then headed to the bar for a drink with the group.

Tonight we have to “pack down", we are heading north to Coldfoot Camp in a ten seater cvn, and there is very little luggage room.  Also the plan is to fly back to Fairbanks, and the charter flight can only accommodate limited luggage.
So by the time we had been social with the group, and done our re-packing it was very late.