The Nenana river is located immediately adjacent to Denali National Park and Preserve and passes by the McKinley Village where the Host had an overnight stay. The river is glacier fed. There was a sign saying that a Grizzly bear had recently been seen immediately by this property. This river and the surrounding territory is both beautiful and dangerous.

Alaska

A place of beauty, danger and wonder.

"As a member of an escorted tour you don't even have to know the Matterhorn isn't a tuba." Temple Fielding, Fielding's Guide to Europe, 1963

NATIVE ALASKAN CULTURAL CENTER Anchorage, Alaska was the first stop on the host's trip through Alaska. One of the highlights of this city is the Native Alaskan Cultural Center. It is a short bus ride from the downtown area to the center. While there you'd meet many native Alaskans who were knowledgeable about their own history and culture; you watched native dances, movies of native culture; and had a opportunity to purchase quality native art.. They provided a tour of a variety of typical native households. Out front was this giant, symbolic sculpture. You can find out more about the Center by double clicking on Cultural Center.

DENALI TRAIN DEPOT

A friend and fellow traveler waits for the train at the Denali National Park Train Depot. The train arrived around 3:30 p.m. and one crowd of tourists got off the train and those leaving got on. It was a beautiful train that provided a great view from the top of the car and a first class restaurant on the bottom.

McKinley Explorer

This is one of the cars on the McKinley Explorer that serves the Holland America Line, Inc. The window section, the top half of the car, is a wonderful area to watch the scenery. There is a rail guide who provides interpretations of the sites that is generally quite knowledgeable and usually funny. The lower floor, the dining room, is very elegant. They provide filling and attractive meals. On the back of the car is a small store that sells souvenirs. You can find out more about this special train at Alaska Rails.

ALASKAN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER

While traveling by bus from Anchorage to Seward we stopped at a conservation center where a variety of Alaskan wildlife was kept. They usually ended up here because of injury. It was wonderful to get so close-up to these animals. It was just the opposite when traveling through the Denali Park Wilderness. Animals were seen from a great distance. We needed binoculars to see the animals.

GLACIER BAY SIGHTS

The Amsterdam, a Holland America cruise ship, passing our cruise ship while in Glacier Bay Alaska. It is warm out but the ice made it seem quite cold. What a wonderful way to explore the inland waters of southeastern Alaska.