September 3, 2011

Grand Scenics of Alaska - Alaska Railroad





As part of our tour, we hopped the grand Alaska Railroad to travel from Denali National Park to Wasilla, where we were met by a motor coach. The trip took about six hours and we were comfortably seated at the top of a luxurious double-decker Gold Star railcar located right behind the engines. Once we got underway, we went to the downstairs dining area and enjoyed a delicious lunch. During our ride, we had glorious views from inside the domed car, but we also enjoyed a private outdoor viewing deck. The deck was a favorite spot for the avid photographers, and I spent at least half of the train ride out there! It was fascinating to see how the Alaska landscape changed over as the miles passed by. 

There were picturesque mountains edged with lakes and marshes. 




Meadows were tucked into forested hillsides and painted with fireweed blooms. 




Distant rain clouds hovered over expansive lakes. 




Wild ferns grew with abandon in forest edges and danced in the wind. 




On this special train journey, we couldn't help but appreciate the immensity and the majesty of the Alaska countryside. It was a trip to remember! If you ever have a chance to visit Alaska, please try to work the train trip into your itinerary!

10 comments:

  1. Awesome, Donna... I always thought I'd want to take that train ride.. Didn't know there was a deck. That is awesome. I'm sure I'd be out there almost all of the way... What was the temp. up there when you were there?

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  2. Mouth hangin open on ALL of them! Geez Donna! How absolutely beautiful!!

    The ferns! The train! Awesome.

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  3. How lucky you were to go on this trip and share with those who might never get to see the beauty there is in this world!

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  4. Lordy, these are Beautiful Donna....BUT!!!
    How To Annoy a Rabbit??????Hahahaha.....omgggg....Once I saw that, MY tour was OVER!!!Hahahaaa......geeeez...Hahahaaa
    hughugs

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  5. Wow, those are beautiful. Gorgeous scenes, wide open spaces, what could possibly be better than that

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  6. I'm drooling over here about these beautiful photos and the scenery you were enjoying! Wowzers! It's truly beautiful. We've been kayaking lately and I'm hoping the photos I'm about to download will show even half of how pretty it really was, like yours. :)
    Hugs! Jackie

    P.S. I'm always happy to help Marty with a little less of "being noticed", lol.

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  7. Ah! What an exquisite wilderness. I never would've wanted to get off that train. The cobalt blue against the green is so perfectly wonderful!

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  8. Wow! Now that truly has been a dream of mine. To ride in one of the luxury trains across Canada to Alaska. How beautiful!

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Marty, here! Donna loves comments, and I faithfully pass them on to her. Thank you so much for visiting!