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Alaska 2
Tuesday, September 11, 2001 Sherry called us at 7am. When a groggy Reba answered, all Sherry would say was to turn on our television. It was 11am back East and all hell had broken loose. Flight AA77 had slammed into the Pentagon, and that was the flight we took on Saturday morning. Moreover, I used to work in the Pentagon, just one side further around from the western exposure hit by the liner. We spent most of the morning glued to the TV. We went on to Denali by coach rather than by train -- the trains were cancelled going North although they were running temporarily going South. (The train tracks run through Elmendorf AFB. The weather was still excellent and the scenery fantastic but most of the joy was lost.
Wednesday September 12, 2001 We spent most of the day on a bus going through the Denali State Park. The single road in this primitive park goes about 189 miles and then quits in the middle of the area. The foliage had begun to turn and we saw some wild animals, so something was gained, but 6 hours on a school bus was too much.
Thursday September 13, 2001 The Coach is taking us to Seward to pick up the Rhapsody of the Seas. It is a long drive and we end up in Girdwood, staying at the Aleyeska Prince Hotel a 4 star hotel, having a superb dinner at a ski slope restaurant at the end of a steep tramway. A good stop for a dull day.
Friday September 14, 2001 We left the Aleyeska Prince Hotel and took the coach to Seward to rendezvous with the ship. Along the way we stopped at the headquarters for the Iditarod dog team Race and saw a preserve for injured and orphaned animals. The ship is the Rhapsody of the Seas. We have a large comfortable stateroom with a balcony. Plush by cruise standards. After dinner we sampled the entertainment -- the Hills Brothers, jugglers. They were good but went on for an hour when 15 minutes would be ample. The Cruise Director announced that the ship was going to Juneau and would then scrap the rest of the trip, shortened to five days and take us directly to Vancouver. Lots of grumbling.
Saturday September 15, 2001 The original trip plan was reinstated at 9am. Moreover, each stateroom was given a $200 credit. Many smiles. We arrived at Hubbard Glacier in Yakutat Bay and the ship gingerly got within a mile or so of the glacier. Most impressive.
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