Anniversary Adventure

Today is our 26th Wedding 🥂 Anniversary and, while we'll celebrate with dinner at a local restaurant, we treated ourselves early with a 12-day Alaska Discovery land and sea adventure. This post is a brief recap (more to follow).

Since arriving home at 3 am on Monday, we've been catching-up at home in Nashua, NH. It's true that travel is full of wonderful experiences and anyone who has traveled knows, returning to everyday life takes a few days of re-adjustment. 

There was no blog posting, reading or commenting during this trip. We skipped the onboard wi-fi package which our tour guide advised was erratic and not worth the high cost. (If one person in a stateroom wanted service, everyone sharing the room had to buy it.) So, we went unconnected, aside from texts to family when in port. The free Holland America Navigator app was used to keep in contact with the tour leader and fellow travelers. 

We flew Alaska Airline from Boston to Fairbanks, AK

This trip was organized through the senior center we're members of in Hudson, NH, using the same New England-based tour company (Collette) that we travelled with for a UK trip in 2023 UK. Some former travelers on that trip also were on this one.

The largest U.S. state by area, Alaska is nicknamed The Last Frontier due to its huge unexplored wilderness and remote nature. It's one of the least densely populated states and many areas remain untouched by modern development.

Seen in Denali National Park on a Tundra Wilderness Tour

We traveled in a converted school bus through just a part of Alaska’s interior wilderness in the 6-million acre Denali National Park and Preserve. The school buses are used over motor coaches because they are better-suited for the park's gravel road and dusty conditions and are more durable. The use of these buses, not private vehicles, limits vehicles on the road and helps protect the park's environment.

Ex-school buses are the mode of transport in Denali National Park 

We managed to get a view of the park's centerpiece called Denali (the Great One, formerly Mt McKinley) which, at 20,310-feet is North America’s tallest peak. Not only did we see our first-ever moose, but other wildlife, including Dall sheep, grizzly bears, elk and caribou, and all were quite a safe distance away.

Our next mode of transportation, after the school bus excursion, was on board a domed railcar as we traveled from Talkeetna to Anchorage, AK. Seating was very comfortable, which was much appreciated for this over 5-hour trip.

Window views from the the domed train car

As you can see, the views along this train ride were vastly different than those in Denali Park on the previous day. The daytime temperatures during most of our travels were in the 70s, much cooler than the 90s left behind in Nashua, NH.

Anna, a naturalist intern, boarded the motor coach to talk about the AWCC

After an overnight stay in Anchorage, we traveled by motor coach to the port of Whittier, AK, stopping enroute at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) where many injured wildlife are cared for in a 200-acre outdoor rehabilitation site. We learned that most of these animals including bald eagles, black and brown bears, coyotes, deer, elk, reindeer, moose, foxes, muskox become permanent residents. 

This building houses most of the population of Whittier, AK

In Whittier, AK, about 90% of the town's 250 plus population live in this ↑ 14-story building, Begich Towers Condominium, which houses the police department, post office, convenience store, medical clinic, grocery store and laundromat as well as space for worship services. A school is connected to the building by a tunnel. 

The remainder of the town's residents live in nearby buildings. Because of this very unique residential living arrangement, Whittier is known as the town under one roof. Originally built by the military during the Cold War, the building was later acquired by the Alaska Railroad, which owns most of the inhabitable land in Whittier. 

The Holland America MS Noordam in the port of Whittier

The MS (motor ship) Noordam, part of the Holland America line of Vista-class ships, is named for the Northern compass point. All the ships in this line are named after a compass point, noord means north in Dutch. This ship is the fourth vessel with the same name and was christened in NYC in February 2006. (Vista-class refers to a specific cruise ship design characterized by features like more ocean views and verandas and a slightly smaller size. Noordam hosts a crew size of 800 with a 1,916 passenger capacity.)

Nightly shows presented on the World Stage and in several lounges

There was no shortage of entertainment and dining options on board the cruise ship, all of which were included in the cruise package. Comedy, magic and dance shows were presented in the main theater; the Billboard and Rolling Stone lounges featured nightly music performances.

Food choices were available in the buffet-style Lido Market and two Dining Rooms

As this was my first cruise, I was thankful for not getting sea-sick having used both anti-nausea tablets and sea-bands as a precaution. Several fellow travelers were not as fortunate especially during one day of rough seas.

Some of the captive wildlife that was available for purchase in the cruise ship's gift shop. We did see their live counterparts on the trip.

Our final mode of transpot and travel friends, Jan & Bob

After 7 days on the Noordam, our anniversary adventure ended in Vancouver, Canada. The long trip home was by way of two flights, the first landing in Seattle and the second ending in Boston, MA. Overall, this trip was a memorable anniversary experience. As always, our adventures will be continued in future posts.

Thanks, as always, for your comments and well wishes beforehand. A lot has been happening in the blog world during our time away. Unfortunately, several bloggers have been dealing with serious health problems/other issues, involving themselves, spouses or family. While they are not listed here, many of you may already have read recent posts. Their blog names are included on my side bar.