During my first visit to Alaska, way back in 2007, we’d planned to travel by train from Seward to Anchorage. If we had, there’s a good chance it would have made it’s way into the upcoming book about my Alaskan adventures, Jaspa’s Journey 4: The Hermit of Kennecott.
Seward, 2007
On that occasion we got as far as boarding the train in Seward, only to be told to disembark a couple of hours later. A landslide in the mountains had blocked the track, and we had to make trip to Anchorage by bus (which was still pretty spectacular, too be fair).
When we returned to Alaska this year, we were determined to set matters straight. And so we did, riding Coastal Classic the opposite direction from what we would have done in 2007, from Anchorage to Seward.
Here’s the photographic story of our Journey:
The Giant locomotive of the Coastal Classic
A ‘Dome Car’ with its glass roof
Leaving Anchorage in the early morning
Entering the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet
Hanging off the train
Tracks alongside Turnagain Arm
Looking backwards along the train towards the Cook Inlet
Upstairs in our Dome Car
I wonder why it’s called the Coastal Classic?
The mouth of Turnagain Arm
The white blob in the foreground is a beluga whale!
Approaching the village of Portage
What a landscape!
A dead forest, killed by the 1964 earthquake, near Portage
The branch line to Whittier
Heading into the mountains
Just one of dozens of waterfalls we saw along the way
Not a bad view for breakfast!
Rich just had to pop outside to get a photo without a window in the way
Climbing up the pass
A pristine lake in the mountains
Believe it or not the red things in the stream are salmon heading upstream to spawn
The narrowest stretch of our journey
One of several eagles we saw along the route
Entering Seward
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This week’s post was inspired by the photo themes Things People Drive from Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, Through Glass from Nancy of Nancy Merrill Photography, Giant from Patrick of Pix to Words, and Public from Fandango.
I would also strongly recommend Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Banff. It’s spectacular!
It’s certainly on my list, Fandango!
Still haven’t made it to Alaska, but it looks as if a train ride is definitely the way to see the beauty of that state.
I’m certainly glad we finally got to do it!
We’re thinking 2019 just might be a good year to put an Alaska trip together. Thanks for the inspiration!
I hope you make it! It’s a wonderful part of the World.
Great Post. Check out my blog when you have a chance
What an amazing adventure! Even through the glass of the train windows, these are stunning. Thanks for joining the challenge!
The dome car really was magical, Nancy!
What a great adventure. I do want to ride that train someday. 😀
You won’t regret it, Cee!
beautiful photos! I drove that route a few years ago, it was amazing.
I’d do it again in a heartbeat, Capt Jill!
Wow!
Thank you so very much for taking me along on this marvelous journey 🙂
My pleasure as always, Hammad!