The pilot on our flight from Seattle to Anchorage warned us our Seattle sunshine would turn into Anchorage rain, so we knew our weather luck had run out. We were just grateful for all the fabulous weather we experienced on our previous tours. If you look back on my previous blog posts, you will see just how lucky we were during our travels.

For that matter, we were just happy to be traveling again! We were supposed to go to France for a month last spring with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT); however, an unexpected medical issue arose with Bruce that required canceling the trip.

(As a side note, although we prefer the smaller group size with OAT—16 rather than 24—we chose Odysseys Unlimited for this tour because we preferred their itinerary. They also did a great job on our Canadian Rockies Tour.)

We arrived in rainy Anchorage with just enough time to settle into our hotel room, walk to a restaurant for dinner, and then relax back at the hotel before bed. Sometime between leaving the restaurant and returning to the hotel, downtown Anchorage lost power. Fortunately, we were able to take the stairs to our third floor room and get in with our card key. Our room had a huge window, and even though it was raining, it was still light enough in our room. It doesn’t get dark in Alaska during the summer until nearly midnight!

Relaxing in bed with nothing to do but talk, Bruce started singing, “Hello darkness my old friend…” I don’t know how Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel would have reacted, but I laughed hysterically. What else could we do but laugh at the situation? Thankfully, a couple of hours later as we were falling asleep, the lights came on and woke us up. Figures.

The following morning, we met up with our Odysseys Unlimited tour group and guide, Julie, for breakfast and introductions, before departing by bus for Talkeetna to catch the train to Denali. We arrived early, so we had time to take a wander through the little town before boarding the train. It was cold and rainy, so Bruce and I opted to duck into a bakery to warm up. Having just eaten breakfast, we passed on the incredible looking cinnamon rolls and opted for a small bag of cookies instead. I couldn’t stop staring at the bakery case, though; it sure was tempting!

For all photos, click on the image for a full screen view.

Our group boarded the private dome car of the Wilderness Express, pulled by the Alaska Railroad locomotive on the Denali Star train route. Although it was raining, the ride was still beautiful, and the service outstanding. We tried not to think about what it could have been like on a beautiful day. All was forgotten, though, when we went to lunch in the dining car and tasted the smoked salmon chowder. It was delicious; the best chowder of the trip! And there were many during our two weeks in Alaska.

Watching the scenery pass by as we enjoyed our chowder, we were grateful for the wonderful experience!

Scenes shot outside from the train’s platform, and getting wet in the process!

Upon arrival at the Denali Park Village Lodge, we had learned that July had already been the wettest July on record in Denali, and it was only July 22. Would the rain ever stop? Stay tuned, I promise there are sunny days ahead!

Coming up next: SEATTE & ALASKA #5: DRIVING THROUGH DENALI