Free Alive in Alaska by T. A. Martin Page A

luggage tags from the Holland American Cruise Line and it seems most of the people were, let's just say mature.   She stood out as the only twenty-something in the crowd.  
    "Headed to Fairbanks?" said a pleasant looking older gentlemen.
    “Yes, headed back to school.”
    "My name is Bill, and this is my wife, Betsy."
    "Danielle." She replied only giving what she had gotten.
    “All aboard.”
    Danielle had not noticed that the baggage was loaded and was surprised.   She quickly moved to step up on the little stool and onto the steps of the car.
    Bill and Betsy had gone ahead and turned the corner.   She thought she may not have a chance to talk to them again soon then her thoughts turned elsewhere.
    Ah yes, there is 12C.   Since it is a dome car it had no overhead compartments but there was plenty of room for the backpack under the seat.   She pulled out her new Kindle Voyage and sat down.   She looked across the seat to her right and out the fabulous curved ceiling to shoulder level window.   Hopefully, her row mate won't have a big hat.   She turned her Kindle on to read while she waited for the start of the train.
    "Welcome onboard the Denali Star.   I am Christen Watermaker, your car docent on the Denali Star.   You can ask me any question about our trip through some of the most beautiful land in the world.   I will be with you during the entire four days of the journey from Anchorage to Fairbanks.   Of course, we will be stopping for two of those days in the Denali National Park where you will stay overnight.   I will be staying with you, so I will be available throughout."
    Christen turned her microphone off and began walking through the car chatting with the passengers.   Danielle turned her focus on the ebook she was reading.   She had observed many of the passengers in front of her as she was making her way to her seat and they were all much older, and she wanted not to have to think of an age-appropriate topic of conversation. Considerable time had gone by, but no one had come in to sit next to her.   That was good.   She looked up from the Kindle to realize that the train was moving.   Very smooth she thought.   We are under way.
    ~~~
    It was six months ago that Bill and Betsy Bigelow were in Worldwide Travel setting up their anniversary cruise to Alaska. They remembered the conversation with the smiling travel agent as she went over what various itineraries were available. It was no doubt in their minds that Alaska was their choice for this anniversary cruise, but there were so many options for Alaska cruises alone.
    "I've taken the sea-land trip three times now on the different cruise lines and each occasion the personal part of the journey was spectacular. Of course, I had quite a bit of business related things to attend to, but they had given us plenty of time to enjoy the cruise on its own which, of course, is good business for them."
    Bill and Betsy nodded.
    "Now the option I most recommend for you is the Vancouver to Seward cruise on Holland-American's ms Maasdam, which will place you in the Glacier Bay National Park on your anniversary day. Then, in Seward, when you disembark you will take the bus, and these are unbelievable buses, for your ride from Seward to Anchorage where you will board the Denali Star the glass-top trains for the land portion of the trip."
    "That certainly sounds fantastic," said Betsy.
    "I see there are several excursions to choose from also." Said Bill.
    "That is certainly the option that I would recommend, and you will be able to plan those excursions with your group director during the land portion, but I do have one more thing to discuss.   Since you are already going to be in Fairbanks on your last day, I strongly recommend you fly to the Gates of the Arctic and visit the Eskimo village there at Anaktuvak Pass. The day trip is an additional cost, but I think it is worth it. That village is 180 miles above the Arctic Circle. Now in August, when you will be