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Great Day, Thanks to the Alaska Railroad

1/31/2016

We saw it all: mountains, frozen rivers, moose galore and had lots of laughs along the way. While Mr. Denali didn't show us the full monty, we got some dramatic views between the cloud layers.

I doubt anyone got out of their comfy Fairbanks beds last night to catch it, but the "lights were out" at about midnight. Hopefully we'll get a similar (or better) showing tonight at Chena Hot Springs. The resort will take us out by snow coach at 10:00 pm to hang out on a mountain-top yurt to watch the show.

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All Aboard!

1/29/2016

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The gang's all here in Anchorage and already sharing laughs, making memories, and settled in like the big 'ol happy family that we are. Tomorrow we board Alaska Railroad's Aurora winter train for the day-long trip up to Fairbanks. Forecast calls for clear skies over Denali NP, so looking forward to some great views of "the Big Guy."

The highlight so far has been the warm weather. The lowlight? NOT getting into the speakeasy!

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The Lengths We Will Go To

1/24/2016

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So, just what kinds of tasks are left to the tour director less than one week before the Arctic Quest tour? Weekend duties included the following:

Beg, borrow and steal numerous provisions and housewares from friends
Research snowshoeing routes ONE more time
Prep food for the coming long nights of aurora watching
Attend the Yukon Quest fundraiser dinner; it was pretty much Cat Herder, Collin and the entire mushing community of Interior Alaska. It was held at the Musher's Hall (all Alaska towns of any significant size have one), and DJ music was provided, primarily ABBA tunes. (Maybe mushing has some distant ties to Sweden?) Mama mia!
Ascertain whether or not a 14-foot trailer holding Dave, the reindeer, can turn around in our driveway
String twinkling lights around the house
Assemble an "Animated Buck"
Answer lots of last-minute emails from participants who pose such vexing questions as: Will we be able to watch Downton Abbey on Sunday night?
Ponder what it would be like to have a Parkwest tour experience a 7.1 earthquake, like the one that rocked Anchorage this morning
Review various preparations of moose and caribou meat for our Farewell dinner

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Tough Duty

1/12/2016

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Cat Herder rounded up her staff for a little river reconnaissance this afternoon. We are scoping out the best route for our snowshoe outing with the Arctic Questers. I saw a moose out there last week and many tracks today. I figure, if the river ice can hold those huge ungulates, it can certainly hold us!

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T Minus 3 Weeks Until the First Ever Arctic Quest Tour

1/8/2016

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We are getting very excited to kick off this winter tour in the 49th State. The locals have sled dog fever as the start of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race draws near. Our Questers will have easy access and great views from their hotel across the street from the starting line. The Northern Lights have been putting on spectacular shows at night, and the Tanana River has frozen nicely for a great snowshoe outing. Dave, the reindeer, has been booked for our private party, and local experts have been scheduled to inform us about topics like the aurora borealis and climate change. And I haven't even mentioned the dog sled rides, the snow cat tour, the local beer-tasting, the curling class, the all-day trip through the Alaskan wilderness aboard the Alaska Railroad's "Winter Aurora" train!

We are greatly looking forward to seeing everybody in Anchorage on January 28th; for those of you attending via this Cat Tales blog, I'll do my best to keep you in the loop!

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Great Day, Thanks to the Alaska Railroad

All Aboard!

The Lengths We Will Go To

Tough Duty

T Minus 3 Weeks Until the First Ever Arctic Quest Tour

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