Next up – we’re off to Fairbanks! (Part 1!)

So. Where were we? Ah, yes. Suffering the after effects of Holly’s lovely margaritas! (gleefully, I might add!) The next day dawned bold and bright, and the two perpetually happy in the morning people I was traveling with bounced out of bed and forced me to drag my carcass up and out as well to get breakfast at the restaurant. With a heaping helping of Mocha on the side. We were early enough to take it easy, relax, and even have a second mocha while we got packed up and ready for the tram ride to the train, with our buddy – a real Alaskan Man:

We arrived at the depot with plenty of time of course- see:traveling with perpetually early to everything people (Love you Mama!)

Though there was a bit of worry because the Lodge, which was to bring down our luggage, was late in getting there – but they too arrived and we still had 20 minutes or so to spare before the train arrived from Anchorage, to pick up our Talkeetna group.

Once aboard, after confirming that I did, indeed, look pretty fucking fabulous

We were off for the longest bit of the train ride, to Fairbanks! We saw a lot of interesting things – like this sign by the emergency windows, which made us laugh and laugh and laugh…

We saw Sherman City Hall, where the Shreman’s stepped out to wave at us..

We crossed over the Susitna River Bridge, which was built in 1921 and is a whopping 504 feet long…

The Indian River – which is green because of copper deposits. we crossed this one over and over and over again – 4 times in all.

And then came Hurricane Gulch – which is the longest bridge on the railroad, at 914 feet. And is also a staggering 296 feet tall. They made us feel OH SO SAFE though, as they told us about it, and mentioned that it was subjected to a Stress Test twice daily….

…then thanked us for our cooperation in participating in the first Stress Test of the day.

– and, more to come… but it’s bedtime for Tired Lessa’s that have to be at work at 7am! Stay tuned!