Wednesday, June 26, 2024

A Day of Trains and Tranquility: Two Alaskan Adventures

For the first time during all our Alaskan excursions, Terry claimed a "me day," and it was a delightful contrast to my typical railway-focused adventures. While I pursued my passion for trains, Terry embarked on a day of friendship and creative exploration with Renee.

Their day began with a healthy start at 9:00 a.m., driving to a local track where Renee ran, while Terry walked. Terry impressively logged nearly 10,000 steps during their hour-long workout. Afterward, a refreshing stop at Starbucks for a lo-cal fruit drink fueled them for the day's main event: sewing!

Renee, a skilled seamstress, introduced Terry to the art of appliqué, starting with an adorable frog design. Despite the slow and meticulous nature of the process, Terry was completely absorbed, enjoying every moment in Renee's inspiring sewing room, filled with a vibrant selection of fabrics. A midday break for sandwiches and watermelon on Renee's porch provided a moment of relaxation and conversation, before diving back into their creative endeavor. From 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., they diligently worked on the frog, successfully completing the appliqué. The quilting phase, however, is still to come.

Meanwhile, my day unfolded amidst the rumble and whistle of trains. Armed with my camera and video equipment, I aimed to capture the essence of Alaska's railway system, meticulously staying off private property. I began my photographic journey around the Anchorage yard, documenting the freight train activity. My next stop was the Anchorage Depot, a prime location to capture the iconic Denali Express.

Unfortunately, my chosen vantage point – atop the Jersey barriers erected to keep people off railroad property – drew unwanted attention. As someone with muscular dystrophy, these barriers offered a much-needed place to rest while filming. However, a railroad security agent politely informed me that even sitting on the barriers constituted trespassing. He explained that safety was paramount, especially after two train-related accidents this year, one of which was fatal. While sympathetic to my situation, he had to uphold the rules. After a friendly discussion about my website and a promise to discontinue sitting on the barriers, we parted ways on good terms.

Undeterred, I found a solution. Backing my pickup truck about 100 feet to the edge of the railroad crossing allowed me to comfortably sit on the tailgate, providing an even better, less obstructed view for filming the AS&G gravel train. The realization hit me: I should have thought of this sooner!

My railroad exploration continued as I checked on the beloved caboose 1075, a potential purchase Mary Krull had inquired about, only to be turned down by its owner who cherishes it as his office. A short drive further led me to the iconic "North to the Future" billboard boxcar, a piece of Alaskan railway history. I concluded my day by capturing freight train movements at the far end of Ship Creek.

While Terry found joy in a day of creative collaboration and relaxation, I reveled in the sights and sounds of Alaska's railway. Two very different adventures, both filled with passion and a deep appreciation for the unique beauty of this remarkable state.

18606 flat car	18606 flat car	Trailers on Flat Cars (TOFC)
Trailers on Flat Cars (TOFC)	SD70MAC #4006	Hopper 6404
SD70MAC #4002	Gondola 43288 - How did it get graffiti so fast?	String of locomotives at the refueling rack
Three SD70MACs in the yard near Whitney Road	Video: At the Tutor Road Crossing SD70MAC #4012 pulls a gravel train as #4013 brings up the rear.	Video: The Denali Express (DEX) at the Anchorage Depot. Princess continues to repaint its passenger cars. In this string, 8 of 9 wear the near (boring) paint scheme. SD70MAC #4323 pulls the Eklutna, Nenana, St. Elias, Wrangell, Pioneer, Chulitna, Talkeetna, Sanford and Blackburn.
Video: So I did film elsewhere. I moved 100 feet into the train crossing area. I got a nice video of the AS&G gravel train sandwiched between two SD70MACs.	I decided to check on caboose 1075. It is still there serving as an office for Alaska Auto Auction.	You will find this caboose at N 61° 13.108' W 149° 51.661', Post Road and Latouche Street.
Lots of barrels and junk surround the caboose unlike when I first encountered it in the early 2000.	The "North to the Future" boxcar is just down the street from the caboose.	Video:I caught some interesting video of a freight train at Ocean Dock Drive.
Video: More video of a freight train at Ocean Dock Drive.	Video: More video of a freight train at Ocean Dock Drive.	Video: GP38-2 2001 heading through the crossing and into the Anchorage yard.

There's truly nothing quite like the simple joy of spending an evening with good friends. It's a balm for the soul, a chance to reconnect and recharge after a long day. My recent visit with Casey Durand and his family was a perfect example of this, a delightful mix of laughter, delicious food, and fascinating conversation.

I've known Casey for almost two decades. He's not just a passionate railfan and a master modeler, but also a walking encyclopedia of Alaskan history, flora, and fauna. His depth of knowledge is truly impressive, and any conversation with him is sure to be enlightening.

We met up with Casey, his wife Katie, and their adorable daughter Phillis at Moose's Tooth Pizza, a local institution renowned for its incredible pies. Casey, ever the thoughtful friend, had arrived early to secure a table, a necessary move at this wildly popular spot. Despite his efforts, we were still looking at a 50-minute wait. Thankfully, the time flew by as we sat outside, catching up and enjoying some cheesy bread and ice water. In fact, our table was ready even before we finished our appetizer!

We dove into a culinary adventure, ordering a large pizza split between the Garlic Lovers and the Backpacker, alongside a small classic. The pizza was, as always, absolutely amazing – a testament to Moose's Tooth's reputation.

The real highlight of the evening, however, was spending time with the Durands. Their 11-month-old daughter, Phillis, was a complete delight, and we enjoyed hearing about their new ventures. They're diving into the world of glamping, offering a unique and comfortable experience in Chugach State Park with wall tents, queen-size beds with memory foam, and communal cooking and shower facilities. They're also catering to the needs of backpackers and climbers, providing filling meal orders. They certainly have their hands full, but their passion and dedication were evident in every word.

After nearly two hours of pizza and conversation, Phillis started showing signs of needing a change of scenery. We said our goodbyes, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated by the evening. On the way home, we managed to snag a geocache, adding a little adventure to our already enjoyable day.

Back at our "home away from home" by 8:00, Terry caught up on my journal entries, while I spent some time connecting with my Alaska train friends via text. As the day drew to a close, we turned in around 10:30, feeling grateful for the simple pleasures of good company, good food, and the beauty of the Alaskan landscape. It was a soul-soothing end to a wonderful day, a reminder of the importance of friendship and the joy of shared experiences.