This is Day 3 in our series from our recent Alaska Land Tour trip with Royal Caribbean.
Make sure you read about Day 1 here and Day 2 here.
Today we transitioned from Seward to Talkeetna…
Just outside the small and delightful city of Seward, travel down the winding road that leads to the spectacular Exit Glacier, towering mountains, fragrant spruce trees and the rush of the Resurrection River, your senses awaken! The Seward Windsong Lodge was cozy and quiet. It is surrounded by breathtaking scenic beauty and offers incredible opportunities for exploration. You might even catch a glimpse of local moose!
We had vouchers and had breakfast at our leisure. After setting our bags outside our doors for bag pull, I took the opportunity to walk the property, snap some photos and take in this lovely little lodge.
Our next stop was a site inspection at the gorgeous Hotel Alyeska! Wow, this resort is nestled in a lush valley surrounded by mountain peaks, hanging glaciers and spectacular ocean views. This resort is truly a playground for all levels of skiers and riders. Whether you are just starting out in the sport or looking to challenge yourself, you will find it here! One of the highlights during my visit was the 42 passenger scenic aerial tram. This gave me some spectacular views of the property!
Just before lunch we departed for Anchorage to spend some time at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. This center offers a unique experience to learn and explore traditional and contemporary ways of Alaska’s indigenous cultures.
Alaska’s native people have 10 universal values and I took these away with me:
- show respect to others
- share what you have
- know who you are
- accept what life brings
- have patience
- live carefully
- take care of others
- honor your elders
- pray for guidance
- see connections
It was an honor to visit and learn more about Alaskan heritage.
Our next and final stop for today is the quaint town of Talkeetna. Talkeetna was founded during the construction of the Alaska railway. Talkeetna is the starting point for many Denali, formerly known as Mt. McKinley, ascents. There are about 1000 mountaineers from all over the world that try to clamber the tallest peak in North America!
In the evening, we arrived at the majestic Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, which is set on a ridge just above the town of Talkeetna. The highlight of my trip was this lodge and the natural beauty surrounding it. It’s the best of Alaska, outside and in.
