In September 2022, daughter Jill and I traveled north to Alaska – a 12-day adventure from Seward to Fairbanks. Click HERE to read a short introduction to our epic trip.
This story is the second in a series about the sights we saw and the experiences we had as we traveled through The Last Frontier.
This story is the second in a series about the sights we saw and the experiences we had as we traveled through The Last Frontier.
Girdwood, Alaska (Sunday, September 4, 2022) Jill and I arrived in Girdwood last evening – a 90-minute drive north from Seward, where we cruised the Kenai Fjords on a catamaran. It was an exhilarating excursion – brisk air, a bit of rain, some sunshine, lots of orcas and other marine wildlife, and beautiful blue ice glaciers. We had a great time, to be sure!
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It sprinkled off and on as we drove from Seward; after all, it was still the rainy season in Alaska. But from time to time, the sun shone through, and when it did, we were treated to beautiful rainbows...like this one. (Yes, we did look for the pot of gold further up the road but did not find it.)
As Jill and I learned this past Friday, the only road to from Anchorage to Seward was the Seward Highway. And so, this was the only road north from Seward to Girdwood, located just 25 miles south of Anchorage. As we drove north, we eyeballed more of the incredible scenery we saw on Friday – mountains, lakes, streams, forests, and more. |
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Travel Tip
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I felt that we missed one important stop as we drove to and from Seward: the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This 200-acre sanctuary, located 90-minutes north of Seward at the head of Turnagain Arm, was home to hundreds of animals, including moose, elk, reindeer, black and brown bears, and bison, in near-natural habitat. How fun it would have been to spend an hour or so strolling through this conservancy. Oh, well…no time this trip, but a definite ‘yes’ when I get back this way. (Will you visit it before me?)
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Just past Glacier Creek, we turned onto Alyeska Highway, a two-lane road that we followed into the town of Girdwood, rated “one of the ten most beautiful small towns in Alaska.” Just past downtown Girdwood, we reached Alyeska Resort, where we lodged for two nights.
Somehow, I missed taking a photo of the resort from the front, so the only pic I have was this one that I took from an aerial tram. This chateau style resort, with 300 rooms, opened in 1994.
I roamed the large atrium while Jill checked in…and it was there that I encountered a polar bear. I wasn’t afraid though, because it was on a 20-foot-high ledge…and stuffed. Still, it looked mighty fierce to me!
Somehow, I missed taking a photo of the resort from the front, so the only pic I have was this one that I took from an aerial tram. This chateau style resort, with 300 rooms, opened in 1994.
I roamed the large atrium while Jill checked in…and it was there that I encountered a polar bear. I wasn’t afraid though, because it was on a 20-foot-high ledge…and stuffed. Still, it looked mighty fierce to me!
So far, we seemed to move from city to city at dinner time – Friday night we arrived for a late dinner in Seward and last night the same in Girdwood. We rolled our suitcases to our room and headed to Forte, one of several onsite restaurants.
From the menu, we learned that most dishes were made from locally sourced ingredients, including house made pastas. You’ll find a new favorite for everyone, the menu said. Well, I did…or at least thought I did.
From the menu, we learned that most dishes were made from locally sourced ingredients, including house made pastas. You’ll find a new favorite for everyone, the menu said. Well, I did…or at least thought I did.
Jill was determined to eat fish as often as she could on this trip, so she ordered halibut; I had no such compunction. So, when I spotted Reindeer Bolognese with house-made pasta…. Well, why not, I thought. I’m certainly not going to find this dish back home in Show Low.
I loved the first several bites – something new and tasty. But then it started tasting ‘gamey’, and then it was simply too much for my taste. As I finished my meal, I thought, Reindeer Bolognese is one and done for me!
We finished dinner about 9:30. With a full day of activities ahead, we called it a night.
I loved the first several bites – something new and tasty. But then it started tasting ‘gamey’, and then it was simply too much for my taste. As I finished my meal, I thought, Reindeer Bolognese is one and done for me!
We finished dinner about 9:30. With a full day of activities ahead, we called it a night.
Even though my energy flagged a bit the last few days of our trip (probably the cold I caught), every evening I looked forward to the next ‘tomorrow’ with the same excitement as I had the evening before. Last night was no different, as I thought about the experiences that Jill and I would have this day.
I woke early, showered and dressed, and left the room to give Jill a couple of hours to herself. (It wasn’t always easy for an adult daughter and her old man to share relatively small living space!)
I used my time to walk the grounds, where I crossed paths with a moose and grizzly bear.
I woke early, showered and dressed, and left the room to give Jill a couple of hours to herself. (It wasn’t always easy for an adult daughter and her old man to share relatively small living space!)
I used my time to walk the grounds, where I crossed paths with a moose and grizzly bear.
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What do you think? Impressed?! Debra wasn’t either when I sent these pics to her.
My phone rang; it was Jill. “I’ll meet you in the lobby,” she said, “and we can go to breakfast from there.”
“Ok,” I replied. “But let’s go off site.”
“Sounds good.” Jill agreed. “I’ll Google options on my way down.”
A few minutes later, we were both in the lobby.
“Well, what did you find?” I asked.
“The Bake Shop in Girdwood gets great reviews,” she answered with a smile.
My phone rang; it was Jill. “I’ll meet you in the lobby,” she said, “and we can go to breakfast from there.”
“Ok,” I replied. “But let’s go off site.”
“Sounds good.” Jill agreed. “I’ll Google options on my way down.”
A few minutes later, we were both in the lobby.
“Well, what did you find?” I asked.
“The Bake Shop in Girdwood gets great reviews,” she answered with a smile.
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And so, we were off to The Bake Shop, a short drive from Alyeska Resort. It proved to be a great choice, both for the food and the gift shop next door! Food first, though.
It’s always bright and sunny
at The Bake Shop |
The Bake Shop was a counter-service restaurant that served breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Of course, we were there for breakfast, and with so many “breakfast delights” on the menu, Jill and I were glad for the short line of customers ahead of us – more time to peruse the entrees and sides.
This restaurant was well-known for its Alyeska sourdough pancakes, so this part of our breakfast order was a no-brainer – a short stack of three pancakes for Jill and me to split.
Their sourdough, by the way, came with this interesting story:
This restaurant was well-known for its Alyeska sourdough pancakes, so this part of our breakfast order was a no-brainer – a short stack of three pancakes for Jill and me to split.
Their sourdough, by the way, came with this interesting story:
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The foundation of every good bakery is its starter. Ours is a true sourdough, nursed and nurtured for almost 100 years, originally ‘mothered’ from a sourdough miner who mined for gold in our beautiful valley.
For over forty years we have cared for, fed, and doubled our starter every day, and like any loved thing, it has its own unique temperament that tests and challenges our bakers daily. It is a labor of love we are happy to share with you! |
I thought, If I create my own sourdough starter when I get home, it will still be immature, on a comparative basis, 31 years from now when I reach my centenarian birthday. Yowzer!
We paired our pancakes with spinach, mushroom, and grilled tomato omelets (after all, we had to be mindful of eating healthy!) and I added “the perfect cup of Alaskan coffee.” The oh-so-good (!) pancakes were large, so Jill stopped at one…which meant that I ate two.
We were off to a great start!
We were off to a great start!
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There was an art gallery next door – The Girdwood Center for Visual Arts. It was a coop that hosted “more than 30 Alaskan artists who work in a wide variety of media.” Artist Carrie Payne, who quilted and created fiber art, was minding the gallery this morning. She told us a bit about the shop, the artists, and her work before we wandered from display to display.
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In the 1990s, Debra and I owned an art and gift gallery in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. It was called Artcrafters. Jill worked part-time for us while she was in high school. There was nothing commercial or foreign in our store – our art and gifts were handmade by artisans from across the United States, including local crafters. We never figured out how to make a living from our store – we kept our doors opened for almost four years before we moved on to other endeavors – but it was fun working with and getting to know our artists. From this experience forward, Debra and I were always interested in and supported local artisans. And so, it was a joy for me – and it brought back great memories of the years we owned our store – as I strolled through this artists’ coop.
In addition to Carrie’s work, there were paintings and photography, stained glass, pottery, wood and metal art, and jewelry – really fine work, which was a bit of surprise in a small town. Both Jill and I bought earrings – Jill for herself and me for Debra. I can tell you that the pair I bought were a big hit when I got home!
In addition to Carrie’s work, there were paintings and photography, stained glass, pottery, wood and metal art, and jewelry – really fine work, which was a bit of surprise in a small town. Both Jill and I bought earrings – Jill for herself and me for Debra. I can tell you that the pair I bought were a big hit when I got home!
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We enjoyed beautiful weather all day long – perhaps the best of our trip. Plenty of blue sky, which meant plenty of sunshine. The temperature hovered in the low 60s. All of this made for some great outdoor pictures, which started with this photo of Jill as she gazed east towards the 4,300-foot summit of Penguin Peak.
Jill and I had scheduled two activities for the afternoon. The first stoked my sense of adventure. The second stoked my sense of…what? In hindsight, I would say it was self-indulgence. Read on. |
Alyeska Resorts is located at the base of the north face of Mt. Alyeska, which rises to almost 4,000 feet at its summit.
Best view of any U.S. ski resort
~ Conde Nast Traveler
~ Conde Nast Traveler
Mt. Alyeska was not the tallest mountain in the area (Big League, for example, topped out at over 4,800 feet), but with 76 named ski runs, the world’s longest double black diamond run, and 650 inches of annual snowfall, it was known as THE top ski destination in Alaska.
No snow today, though, so Jill and I could not ski. Good thing, too, because neither of us ever have, could, or would!
Instead, our “adventure” (I say this tongue in cheek) was a four-minute, 2,300-foot climb up the mountain…on the Alyeska Aerial Tram! (I know. You aren’t impressed with our derring-do).
No snow today, though, so Jill and I could not ski. Good thing, too, because neither of us ever have, could, or would!
Instead, our “adventure” (I say this tongue in cheek) was a four-minute, 2,300-foot climb up the mountain…on the Alyeska Aerial Tram! (I know. You aren’t impressed with our derring-do).
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As you can see from this selfie, we were all smiles before we started up the mountain. I have no pics to prove this but rest assured that we smiled all the way up, too.
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I took a video that I wish I could share so that you could experience the views we had as we travelled nearly 4,000 feet diagonally from the lower tram terminal to the upper one. This photo, which I took about two-thirds of the way up, will have to do. A jaw-dropping view, right?!
The scenery from the top was picturesque, with magnificent views of the countless peaks of the Chugach Mountains. (By the way, in the photo at the bottom right, I shared these views with Debra via a Facebook video chat. She, too, was in awe!)
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We also spotted Turnagain Arm, a waterway that empties into the Gulf of Alaska. It looked like low tide, given the number of sandbars we saw in the water.
Jill hung out near the tram terminal while I walked along some of the trails above it. Then we met up to have a peek inside the Roundhouse, a museum and gift shop built in 1960, before we made the return trip on the tram to Alyeska Resort.
In my book, the ride up, the ride down, and an hour or so on Mt. Alyeska with picture perfect weather was an exceptional “adventure!”
In June, when Jill and I first looked at optional activities for Alyeska, I thought I would hike some of the trails near the resort, including the trail down from the upper tram terminal, while Jill went to the spa. But then…
“Dad,” implored Jill, “you can hike anywhere, but at Alyeska you can join me in a unique experience at Alaska’s first Nordic spa.”
“I am not a spa kind of guy,” I reminded her. “I never pamper myself.”
“Trust me,” she promised, “you’ll love it!”
I won’t lie; I was skeptical. But I put my trust in Jill...and, in hindsight, was oh-so-happy that I did!
The spa, an adult-only facility located on-site at Alyeska Resort, offered a series of cold and hot pools, saunas and steam rooms, and an exfoliation cabin to “invigorate and detoxify the body.” (Truth be told: Until I reached the cabin, I had no clue what an exfoliation entailed!)
We used the locker rooms to change into our bathing suits – packed specifically for this activity – and donned resort branded bathrobes and slippers. Then we stepped through a set of double doors into a 50,000 square foot “modern alpine sanctuary.”
In my book, the ride up, the ride down, and an hour or so on Mt. Alyeska with picture perfect weather was an exceptional “adventure!”
In June, when Jill and I first looked at optional activities for Alyeska, I thought I would hike some of the trails near the resort, including the trail down from the upper tram terminal, while Jill went to the spa. But then…
“Dad,” implored Jill, “you can hike anywhere, but at Alyeska you can join me in a unique experience at Alaska’s first Nordic spa.”
“I am not a spa kind of guy,” I reminded her. “I never pamper myself.”
“Trust me,” she promised, “you’ll love it!”
I won’t lie; I was skeptical. But I put my trust in Jill...and, in hindsight, was oh-so-happy that I did!
The spa, an adult-only facility located on-site at Alyeska Resort, offered a series of cold and hot pools, saunas and steam rooms, and an exfoliation cabin to “invigorate and detoxify the body.” (Truth be told: Until I reached the cabin, I had no clue what an exfoliation entailed!)
We used the locker rooms to change into our bathing suits – packed specifically for this activity – and donned resort branded bathrobes and slippers. Then we stepped through a set of double doors into a 50,000 square foot “modern alpine sanctuary.”
Set within the jaw-dropping scenery of the Chugach Mountains…
this unique spa experience invites you to enjoy the benefits of
hydrotherapy as you take some time to disconnect to reconnect.
Revel in a relaxing moment without pretense, connected to nature.
~ Alyeska Nordic Spa
this unique spa experience invites you to enjoy the benefits of
hydrotherapy as you take some time to disconnect to reconnect.
Revel in a relaxing moment without pretense, connected to nature.
~ Alyeska Nordic Spa
And revel we did! We made two complete circuits of the hydrotherapy stations – 12 by my count – in two and one-half hours. It was total relaxation!
Much to my chagrin, the spa had a no picture-taking policy. (I get it – we aren’t all beautiful people in our swimsuits.) Hopefully this narration, along with the diagram and legend above from Alyeska’s website, will paint a picture of our experience for you.
Jill and I moved clockwise through the stations, as we invoked the spa’s mantra: Hot, cold, rest, repeat.
We started with the hot pool, shown at the bottom left corner in the diagram above. (Initially, I skipped the first station, the Finnish sauna, which I came back to later.) The water temperature felt a bit warmer than a hot shower – maybe 100, 105 degrees. My muscles relaxed as the tension drained away. Fifteen minutes or so, and then I moved to the cold plunge pool.
I stepped onto a ledge below the water line of the pool and froze. Literally! Fricking freezing, I thought. Abort, abort!
At the time, I didn’t know the temperature of the water – later I learned it was about 50-55 degrees – but my two-minute plunge was a shock to my system! In a good way, mind you, as the cold water reinvigorated me and released whatever tension I still felt. I stepped further into the pool and, halfway through, dipped my body full into the cold water – like a participant in a Polar Bear Plunge. It was INVIGORATING!
(Full disclosure: Jill was not the adventurer I was – she opted out of the cold plunge pools and most saunas and steam rooms.)
I moved from the cold pool to the Rainforest Steam Room, where the ever-present steam “stimulated blood flow and relaxed muscles.” (Could I be any more relaxed, I thought. As I discovered, the answer was “Yes!”) I had no proof of the former, but I can tell you that after 15 minutes of steam therapy, my body felt like jelly!
Next, another cold plunge pool, but with an added feature – a waterfall to walk under. Fifty-degree water cascaded down on my head and shoulders to rapidly cool my body after the steam room. I managed a full five minutes in this pool.
I went from a cold plunge to a warm (not hot) relaxation pool. It was just what the doctor order. Jill joined me, and we talked as we luxuriated in the soothing water.
“So, dad,” Jill observed, “it looks like you are having a good time.”
“I am,” I confessed. “The closest I’ve come to a spa experience was that massage I had when we spent the better part of a week at the Skyterra Wellness Retreat in North Carolina a few of years back. But that was nothing compared to this. I’m so glad you talked me into joining you!”
I saw a knowing smile creep across Jill’s face.
Jill and I moved clockwise through the stations, as we invoked the spa’s mantra: Hot, cold, rest, repeat.
We started with the hot pool, shown at the bottom left corner in the diagram above. (Initially, I skipped the first station, the Finnish sauna, which I came back to later.) The water temperature felt a bit warmer than a hot shower – maybe 100, 105 degrees. My muscles relaxed as the tension drained away. Fifteen minutes or so, and then I moved to the cold plunge pool.
I stepped onto a ledge below the water line of the pool and froze. Literally! Fricking freezing, I thought. Abort, abort!
At the time, I didn’t know the temperature of the water – later I learned it was about 50-55 degrees – but my two-minute plunge was a shock to my system! In a good way, mind you, as the cold water reinvigorated me and released whatever tension I still felt. I stepped further into the pool and, halfway through, dipped my body full into the cold water – like a participant in a Polar Bear Plunge. It was INVIGORATING!
(Full disclosure: Jill was not the adventurer I was – she opted out of the cold plunge pools and most saunas and steam rooms.)
I moved from the cold pool to the Rainforest Steam Room, where the ever-present steam “stimulated blood flow and relaxed muscles.” (Could I be any more relaxed, I thought. As I discovered, the answer was “Yes!”) I had no proof of the former, but I can tell you that after 15 minutes of steam therapy, my body felt like jelly!
Next, another cold plunge pool, but with an added feature – a waterfall to walk under. Fifty-degree water cascaded down on my head and shoulders to rapidly cool my body after the steam room. I managed a full five minutes in this pool.
I went from a cold plunge to a warm (not hot) relaxation pool. It was just what the doctor order. Jill joined me, and we talked as we luxuriated in the soothing water.
“So, dad,” Jill observed, “it looks like you are having a good time.”
“I am,” I confessed. “The closest I’ve come to a spa experience was that massage I had when we spent the better part of a week at the Skyterra Wellness Retreat in North Carolina a few of years back. But that was nothing compared to this. I’m so glad you talked me into joining you!”
I saw a knowing smile creep across Jill’s face.
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Time for me to confess: I took a picture. Not while we were in the sanctuary, but after we left, from a second story window in the reception building. Let’s keep this our secret, ok?
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The building in the center background is the Halotherapy Signature Sauna, which was my next stop.
A halotherapy sauna produces a dry heat with “a high concentration of micronized salt in the air.” There were warning signs on the walls – “don’t touch – extremely hot.” Very good to know, I thought as I took a seat on a tiled bench. The microparticles of salt, when inhaled, were a therapeutic treatment first used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, the salt was thought to offer relief from pathogen agents, digestive issues, skin conditions, and other ailments. Sounded good…although I can’t say with any certainty whether I realized any of these benefits or not. Still, when in Rome…or in this case, when in Girdwood.
The sauna was hot, so the next station was… Right you are, another cold plunge. (As Herman’s Hermits sang, Second verse same as the first. In other words, same experience, same outcome.) And then, it was time to experience the exfoliation cabin. But before I did…
“Jill,” I began, “what is an exfoliation cabin and what am I supposed to do when I go inside?”
Jill grinned as she replied, “Go to the desk near the locker rooms and grab a cup or two of Alaskan sea salt. It’s a scrub, so rub the salt on you when you go inside the cabin – especially on your elbows and heels, but not your face – and then wash it off. Rub, scrub, rinse, and repeat.”
I must have had an incredulous look on my face because she continued, “Trust me – you’ll love it!” Famous last words, I thought. Heck, though, why not!
And so, I did, and it was an interesting experience, as my prior encounter with sea salt was as a seasoning to tenderize a chuck roast. Well, maybe this was what I was doing to my elbows, heals, arms, and legs – tenderizing my skin. In truth, as Jill told me, the salt rub removed dead cells on the outer layer of my skin to improve its appearance. And perhaps it did because l LOOKED MARVELOUS when I emerged from the cabin!
The last station for me was the first station in the sanctuary – the Finnish Sauna.
“Ha!” I said as I winked at Jill. “I’ll finish with the Finnish Sauna.”
With a groan, Jill said, “Another dad joke.”
The inside surfaces – paneled walls and double-tiered benches – were made of dark wood, and the room was lit by ambient lighting. Unlike the halotherapy sauna, a Finnish sauna produced steam when ladled water was thrown on hot stones. The steam caused me to sweat, and the sweat (so I was told) cleansed my skin and body of toxins.
Fifteen minutes later, I exited this sauna to begin a second circuit of the stations – cold plunge pool, hot pool, etc., etc.
Here’s the bottom line on my experience at Alyeska’s Nordic Spa: As I moved from station to station, I found that…Time…Slowed…Down. Hot. Cold. Rest. Repeat. Relax. Relax. Relax. At each station, I breathed deeply and stayed in the moment.
The Nordic spa was definitely an act of self-indulgence, and time well spent!
Jill had scheduled a massage and I was ready for a snack, so we went our separate ways for a couple of hours. Then, about 6:30, we headed to Sakura, an Asian bistro at Alyeska Resort, for dinner. The food was delicious. And, we had an interesting experience.
The restaurant was crowded – no tables, but there were a few seats at the sushi bar. Sushi bar it was. Jill sat in the second seat at the far left and I sat to her right in the third seat. (Stay with me on this seating arrangement.)
“So, Jill,” I asked, repeating my question at dinner last night, “what’s it going to be?”
“The Bento Box for me,” she replied. “And you?” (Geez – this was the conversation we had last night!)
“The Ramen entrée looks good,” I answered. “And I’ll add Alaskan-caught pork belly,” I said with a smile. Was that a groan, I wondered, from the second seat?
We ordered and soon a fellow sat down in the first seat, to Jill’s left. He had long curly hair and a beard…and a big appetite with a big thirst, as he ordered an appetizer, entrée, and bottle of wine. After a bit of casual conversation, mostly with Jill, he introduced himself (Phil) and we did the same.
A halotherapy sauna produces a dry heat with “a high concentration of micronized salt in the air.” There were warning signs on the walls – “don’t touch – extremely hot.” Very good to know, I thought as I took a seat on a tiled bench. The microparticles of salt, when inhaled, were a therapeutic treatment first used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, the salt was thought to offer relief from pathogen agents, digestive issues, skin conditions, and other ailments. Sounded good…although I can’t say with any certainty whether I realized any of these benefits or not. Still, when in Rome…or in this case, when in Girdwood.
The sauna was hot, so the next station was… Right you are, another cold plunge. (As Herman’s Hermits sang, Second verse same as the first. In other words, same experience, same outcome.) And then, it was time to experience the exfoliation cabin. But before I did…
“Jill,” I began, “what is an exfoliation cabin and what am I supposed to do when I go inside?”
Jill grinned as she replied, “Go to the desk near the locker rooms and grab a cup or two of Alaskan sea salt. It’s a scrub, so rub the salt on you when you go inside the cabin – especially on your elbows and heels, but not your face – and then wash it off. Rub, scrub, rinse, and repeat.”
I must have had an incredulous look on my face because she continued, “Trust me – you’ll love it!” Famous last words, I thought. Heck, though, why not!
And so, I did, and it was an interesting experience, as my prior encounter with sea salt was as a seasoning to tenderize a chuck roast. Well, maybe this was what I was doing to my elbows, heals, arms, and legs – tenderizing my skin. In truth, as Jill told me, the salt rub removed dead cells on the outer layer of my skin to improve its appearance. And perhaps it did because l LOOKED MARVELOUS when I emerged from the cabin!
The last station for me was the first station in the sanctuary – the Finnish Sauna.
“Ha!” I said as I winked at Jill. “I’ll finish with the Finnish Sauna.”
With a groan, Jill said, “Another dad joke.”
The inside surfaces – paneled walls and double-tiered benches – were made of dark wood, and the room was lit by ambient lighting. Unlike the halotherapy sauna, a Finnish sauna produced steam when ladled water was thrown on hot stones. The steam caused me to sweat, and the sweat (so I was told) cleansed my skin and body of toxins.
Fifteen minutes later, I exited this sauna to begin a second circuit of the stations – cold plunge pool, hot pool, etc., etc.
Here’s the bottom line on my experience at Alyeska’s Nordic Spa: As I moved from station to station, I found that…Time…Slowed…Down. Hot. Cold. Rest. Repeat. Relax. Relax. Relax. At each station, I breathed deeply and stayed in the moment.
The Nordic spa was definitely an act of self-indulgence, and time well spent!
Jill had scheduled a massage and I was ready for a snack, so we went our separate ways for a couple of hours. Then, about 6:30, we headed to Sakura, an Asian bistro at Alyeska Resort, for dinner. The food was delicious. And, we had an interesting experience.
The restaurant was crowded – no tables, but there were a few seats at the sushi bar. Sushi bar it was. Jill sat in the second seat at the far left and I sat to her right in the third seat. (Stay with me on this seating arrangement.)
“So, Jill,” I asked, repeating my question at dinner last night, “what’s it going to be?”
“The Bento Box for me,” she replied. “And you?” (Geez – this was the conversation we had last night!)
“The Ramen entrée looks good,” I answered. “And I’ll add Alaskan-caught pork belly,” I said with a smile. Was that a groan, I wondered, from the second seat?
We ordered and soon a fellow sat down in the first seat, to Jill’s left. He had long curly hair and a beard…and a big appetite with a big thirst, as he ordered an appetizer, entrée, and bottle of wine. After a bit of casual conversation, mostly with Jill, he introduced himself (Phil) and we did the same.
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His food arrived, our food arrived, and as we ate, Phil and Jill continued to talk. I caught snippets from time to time but missed hearing most of the chit-chat. No problem because I was focused on my meal, which was quite tasty and filling.
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Phil, Jill, and I finished our meals at about the same time. He asked for his check, we asked for ours, and when the checks arrived…he insisted on paying our tab! Really? I thought. It’s over $100 and Phil doesn’t know us.
Well, Jill was thinking the same thing, because soon I heard her say to Phil, “Thank you, but no need for you to do that.” He insisted, though, and after a moment’s hesitation, we thanked him. Phil stood to leave, and before he did, we shook hands and wished him well.
It was an interesting encounter to end an interesting day, a day that was low-impact and stress free, with all activities at or near the Alyeska Resort. It was a day to rejuvenate…and we loved it!
Tomorrow we will drive north past Anchorage to the historic village of Talkeetna, where we will spend two nights at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. We have another cruise on tap, as well as other activities. I look forward to sharing our experiences with you.
Well, Jill was thinking the same thing, because soon I heard her say to Phil, “Thank you, but no need for you to do that.” He insisted, though, and after a moment’s hesitation, we thanked him. Phil stood to leave, and before he did, we shook hands and wished him well.
It was an interesting encounter to end an interesting day, a day that was low-impact and stress free, with all activities at or near the Alyeska Resort. It was a day to rejuvenate…and we loved it!
Tomorrow we will drive north past Anchorage to the historic village of Talkeetna, where we will spend two nights at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. We have another cruise on tap, as well as other activities. I look forward to sharing our experiences with you.