Our Third Deaf Red Hatters Cruise was enriched by an Alaska
land tour prior to the cruise. We flew in to Fairbanks where most of us were
dazzled by the long summer nights and the midnight sun. After getting settled into
our hotel in Fairbanks and a good night sleep, we discovered Alaska's second
largest city via a city tour including the Museum of the North. The museum has
a marvelous display explaining the history, culture and wild life of Alaska. Hopping
on the Discovery Sternwheeler for a river cruise in the afernoon allowed us to
experience how the rivers were the state's original highway system in the past.
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Museum of the North
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With much excitement, everybody was looking forward to the morning train ride
to Denali. Via coach, we transferred to the Wilderness Express train for our journey south.
Our car had a restaurant on the lower level and an upstair sitting area with a glass-domed roof. We started our
voyage with a breakfast while passing the beautiful scenery. Back on the upper level of the car, we
appreciated our tour guides commentary regarding Alaska's history, nature, and culture. At lunch time,
we disembarked the train. The afternoon was free for additional activities.
Our overnight hotel was the Grande Denali Lodge. |
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Having a wonderful time on the Wilderness Express train |
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We learned many interesting facts about Alaska, its wildlife, fauna and flora during the
Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali Park. We traveled via bus and were very lucky to see a lot of wildlife. At
one time, all trafic had to stop for bears crossing the road.
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Wildlife at Denali National Park
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Cabin Night
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Many in our group joined an entertaining "Cabin Night" evening. While enjoying a cabaret show,
we had a family style dinner with all you can eat food.
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The next day, we had free time in the morning in Denali. But most of us decided to go to Husky Homestead,
home of Iditarod Champion Jeff King. We were greeted by cuddly puppies and we enjoyed a very educational lecture about
the training of the dogs. Jeff King's compelling stories about the Iditarod allowed us to share an intimate view of the
Alaskan Husky.
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Husky Homestead, home of Iditarod Champion Jeff King
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We reboarded the Wilderness Express train shortly before noon. While enjoying
a delicious lunch, we marveled at the snow covered mountains. Later, we enjoyed a narrated presentation about
the areas that we passed. Talkeetna was our final destination for this day. We stayed at the
Talkeetna Alaska Lodge for one night. |
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the onboard restaurant on the Wilderness Express train
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View to Mt. Denali
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of time to discover Talkeetna. It is a small town that once served as a miners supply center and a riverboat
station. Main Street is the only paved road in town. Late in the afternoon, we returned to the
Wilderness Express where a delicious dinner was waiting for us. We departed for Anchorage where we arrived
in the evening. The bus took us to the Marriott. Still, we had time for a stroll through Anchorage, the
city that is located between the Chugach National Forest and the Cook Inlet.
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The next day at noon, we left Anchorage via coach and drove to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. There we had
a "wedding ceremony" Alaskan style for our newly-weds Daniel & Chang Wu Wang. Afterwards, we continued to Seward. In the
down town area, some of us visited the Alaska SeaLife Center. Afterwards, we went to the pier and had a
smooth check-in at the ship. Then, we had plenty of time to explore our ship, the Celebrity Millennium.
The ship set sail at 8 PM, still in broad daylight.
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Our newly-weds: Daniel & Chang Wu Wang
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Approaching Hubbard Glacier |
We enjoyed a Day at Sea by participating in different onboard activities in the morning. During the early
afternoon, we started to slowly approach Hubbard Glacier. After getting to the closest point of the glacier, the ship stopped
and we had many opportunities to take pictures. The weather was perfect: sunshin and blue sky. |
This cruise was sponsored by the Columbus Buckeye Red Hatters with Queen Mother Julie Crossen. We had
a lot of fun during the Pajama Party with a reward ceromony for the best "Red Hatter Pajama Outfit". Everybody was welcomed
to participate. |
Red Hatter Pajama Party |
Red Hatter Pajama Party |
Patsy Ann
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Most of us went on a tour to Mendenhall Glacier during our stay in Juneau, Alaska's capital. After the
termination of our tour, there was still time to discover the town that was founded during the gold rush in the late 1800s. The
city is the home of the Patsy Ann dog statue that was erected at the waterfront in 1992. Patsy Ann was a deaf dog who could
tell when ships were on the way to Juneau before they sounded their horns. She loved to meet the ships at the docks and soon
became known as the "Official Boat Greeter of Juneau".
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Skagway is a town that reminds visitors of the Klondike Gold Rush era. It is a place that offers visitors
a nice variety of activities and entertainment. Our group embarked the White Pass Scenic Railway at the Skagway train depot and traveled
up the mountains to the White Pass. After arriving back in town, an enjoyable stroll through Main Street offered many opportunities
for shopping or for learning about the history of the town. During the course of the years, shop fronts and other buildings have
been restored. Thus, the visitor has the impression as if they were walking through the boomtown of the late 1890s.
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Ready for the tour in Skagway |
A young eagle welcomes us in Icy Strait Point |
We embarked a tram in Icy Strait Point that took us through the southeast Alaskan rainforest and along
the shoreline where Chichagof Island meets the waters of Icy Strait. We learned about the ecological and cultural significance of
the forest and the daily life of the Native Tlingit people. Icy Strait Point was originally built as a Salmon Cannery. The old
cannery closed in 1999. Then, the area was changed into a cruise port area with shops, historical displays and outdoor activities. |
Ketchikan, the "Salmon Capital of the World" was our next port of call.
The town is also known for the world's largest collection of standing totem poles. One of the places where many totem poles can be found is
Saxman Village that we visited during our tour. Members of the native community welcomed us at the Beaver Clan House with traditional
songs and dances. At the Saxman Totem Park we saw the largest gatherings of totem poles in the world. Back in town, we walked along
Ketchikan Creek that is framed with a wooden boardwalks, a nice pedestrian area with small shops and galleries. |
Ketchikan Creek |
Formal Night
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What our clients said after the tour:
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Hi Kerstin
I had a blast time with you and the great group... You did a fabulous job in making trip arrangements smoothly...
Alaska is one of my favorite trips....
Melinda
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Hello Kerstin,
We had a wonderful time in Alaska land and cruise. Thank you for helping me to reserve the seat at any place.
You are the best agent for deaf travelers. I did not know you well until we know you now. We would like to say,
thank you for everything,
Diane and Gary Fortier
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We both want to thank you again and again for all the wonderful works you did for us!!! You are awesome !!!!
Thomas & Shirley
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Kerstin-
Thank you for the info! Bob and I really enjoyed our trip. You are super and I was impressed by your patience!
June McMahon
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Hi Kerstin,
Yes, we tremendously enjoyed Alaska. I enjoyed more by land from Fairbanks to Anchorage. It was really fun riding
on the train with different friends. I think David and Richelle are very good interrpreters. Thank you very much
for your wonderful service.
Martha
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