Alaska: Day 1 - Anchorage to Seward

After landing at midnight or so, we found a tax and took us to a hotel, and we finally settled in around 2:00 in the morning. We then woke up at 5:00 am to take a taxi to take us to the train station. From there, we took a ridiculously long "scenic train ride" from Anchorage to Seward that took most of the day.

Bright and early at the train station:





Taken from the domed car, which has a domed, clear-plastic roof to let you take pictures... glare is annoying.





All the dead trees make for an interesting story:



The Great Alaska earthquake, also known as the Good Friday earthquake, of 1964 lasted five minutes, caused a tsunami, and dropped part of Alaska down to sea level. These trees, which were originally growing above sea level, were killed by the intake of salt water when the sea rushed in. Interestingly enough, these trees were not only killed, but were preserved by the salt water, creating vast expanses of dead trees still standing.





Breakfast with parents.



Reindeer sausage really doesn't taste that much different...

Then I discovered the vestibules and proceeded to freeze off my extremities taking pictures.


(Picture courtesy of Mike Ross)


(Picture courtesy of Mike Ross)

Um...


(Picture courtesy of Mike Ross)

Now for some prettier pictures.

Glacier from afar!











My spree of attempts of documentary photography of the train ride...















We arrive in Seward!





Next, we trot off to the Alaskan Sealife Center. :)