We've Arrived!! We're in Anchorage

Tuesday, May 17,  2016
We started our day at 4:20 am at the Quality Inn by Detroit's Metro Airport.  By 5:10 we had driven to US Park to leave our car and climb aboard the van to head to the check--in point.  Because we arrived so early we were able to go through security quickly once our luggage was checked and were sitting down for some breakfast at the Coney Island Restaurant by 6:00 am.  Once that was done we walked all the way to one end of the Delta wing (a very long walk but a chance to stretch our legs) and found a place to sit and wait for loading time which was at 7:00.

We were very lucky to have an only 1/2 filled plane for the first leg of the trip to Minneapolis which meant we didn't have anyone sitting right next to us and both of us got aisle seats.  Certainly more comfort than we expected.  Once in Minneapolis we went to the gate for our next flight (it was super close) and actually had about a 1/2 hour to walk around a bit before once again climbing aboard what was now to be a totally full plane for the trip to Seattle.  Eyes drooped alot but we again were in aisle seats across from each other and relatively comfortable.  Because of a small problem we had to return to the gate shortly after pulling away which held us up a bit so that we arrived in Seattle when our next plane was already loading.  We had to board a train, deal with several sets of escalators and TROT to make it just as the last people were getting on.  BUT we made it!!!!!  Dave and Donna Rumrill were is seats already so we were at least able to say hi to them as we passed and worked our way to the back where our seats were.  This plane too was packed with people.  But we were finally able to by a "bag lunch" which tasted mighty good since it was now after 3:00 in the afternoon -- a long time after we'd had those eggs at 6:00 am!!!

We were greeted by Princess guides at the baggage claim area and soon were on a bus to the Captain Cook hotel in downtown Anchorage.  Our bus driver took us on a bit of a tour of the area giving us some information about the area.

(this was our view of mountains as we left the terminal behind)

We passed the small plane parking area and lake they take off and land on.  He said this airport is far busier than the international airport we came in to as most everyone has their own plane and uses it to get around.

 We also drove by the Earthquake Park which is fenced off now and is an area where lots of moose give birth to their young (which is happening right now)

This is where the 9.2 earthquake took place over 50 years ago totally burying the homes and businesses in the area.  Since it is now unstable no one is allowed to build there.

The city is really in a bit of a bowl with mountains on all sides which we could see through the trees and buildings.  There was some snow on them but not nearly what we expected.  He said this past winter was very mild and they have already experienced seventy degree weather (in fact it is expected tomorrow and has already been 76) much different than May usually is.   Trees and flowers are in bloom and dandelion yellow can be seen everywhere in very green grass.

We have a lovely corner room in the Captain Cook Hotel downtown

with views of the mountains and an inlet though buildings stand between us and that and for some reason the camera doesn't seem to pick up the beauty of the mountains that our eyes see.

Because of the 4 hour difference in time we actually had a couple of hours to just relax in our room before going to a cocktail party here in the hotel for all of us who will be traveling together.  We did take a little time to just walk around a couple of blocks in the vicinity of the hotel but we really were too tired to enjoy much else short of getting a hamburger for dinner and then calling it a night.