"Northern Lights" - Alaska
	Day 4: Saturday, July 20, 2002

The first flutter of eyes and feathers was probably a little before 5am in the morning, given we have an eastern-facing window, and the curtains aren't exactly tailored (a) for the window, and (b) to prevent light from coming through.  Some well-practiced lounging led it to become a little after 8am before we actually stirred and got up, and checked out of our luxury suites.

There was one of those Alyeska Pipeline company trucks outside.  Maybe it's just me, but I don't get their motto or slogan or whatever it is that's painted on all of their trucks.  Any ideas?

Owing to a rare stroke of genius, the boy had fed the car last night before we checked in, so we were promptly on the way.  The road between Greenallen and Anchorage (Alaska Highway 1) is not too populated with new and interesting sights.  We passed a large number of mountains covered with trees (which isn't new to us), or snow-capped mountains, again, nothing new.  Hence, we rarely stopped prior to arrival in Alaska's largest city.  (For those of who aren't keen on such things, the answer here is Anchorage.  There will be a quiz at the end of this update.) 

There were the usual, pretty valley pictures to be had, though, as seen here and here.  We reached Anchorage a little after 11am, and after feeding the car and ourselves, we headed out to Seward, after looking at one of the older style police cars.

Again, along the way there, not much in the way of new scenery, although there were pockets.  We also ran nearly parallel with some train tracks all the way to Seward... which makes me wonder, is there a train tour available, and if not, to whom should we make the suggestion?  It'd be quaint, the speed limit would be about the same (55 MPH), minus all the silly people who want to slow down (or stop) to look at the pretty mountains -- ugh!

We did stop at one point (along Turnagain's Arm) to learn about tides, and why the water is so murky.  The murk is due to glacial sediment.  The tides are due to a combination of the moon and the sun (caution, there is some light reading involved).

At last, though, we arrived in Seward, a bit after 2pm.  Of course, if we'd taken the cruise that was discussed early on, we'd have already been here.  We wandered around, and checked into my first choice of hotels, and the boy's third.  (I rank them by overall offerings and accommodations, the boy is strictly by price - cheap-skate.) The bay, just a block away, offered a decent view of... well, the bay.  And sure enough, there is a train that comes to town -- so maybe a train tour already exists. (I also sneaked a peek at the back of the train, despite what my mama told me about never looking at a lady's caboose.)  

We were there by 2:30pm, but the room wasn't ready yet, so we went over to the Alaska Sealife Center (and their web site).  First, we popped by the harbor seals, then the bird area (ooh, a Puffin!), and then back to the Stellar sea lions (those big brutes).  Back at the sea otter pool, one guy decided to take a nap, but every 10-15 seconds, he'd turn his head, open his eyes, look at us, and go back to napping.  For another 10-15 seconds.  It was very cute.  The place also offered a decent view of the bay opening up to the ocean, which of course, is foggy at that point.  (For the curious, the bay was formed by glaciers once upon a time, and the bay, at points, is up to 950 feet deep -- perfect for the previously-noted cruise ships.)

They also have way-cool dumpsters amidst the myriad of RVs and campers.  (I'd bet the RV-to-hotel-room ratio is 1:1, unlike Valdez, where there were probably 3 RVs to each available hotel room.)  Unlike Valdez, though, here, they warn you to get movin' if there's an earthquake.  Amidst the RVs were a handful of markers about the town's history, including the methods of doing land surveys.  (Yes, I'm a dork for such things... the sign is here and here.)

For the two or three of you (worldwide) who may have been concerned, the room tonight is much nicer, as you can observe as seen here from the doorway, and the far wall.  We ended the day by trying to find food, eventually settling on a trip to the local Safeway-like store (it's called Eagle or Carrs, I think here in town, despite the Safeway-logo all over, and them accepting the Safeway rewards card -- which saved me 12¢, yessss!).  I made the tubby one take me on a walk around 9pm (heck, it's bright enough out), and now, we're off to sleepy land... Ta!

And now, the quiz:  What is Alaska's largest city (in terms of population)?

Alyeska
Anchorage
Fairbanks
Glennallen
Seward
Valdez
West Virginia

Please take note that this form doesn't do anything, which is why there are no buttons at the end of it... but isn't it fun just to click things?  I think so, too.