Chicago to Woodbury - OK, I never have to do an overnight flight again. Although the flight was smooth, 6 hours is along time to sit in your seat, and try to sleep! 
On the interstate headed home. It's a beautiful day, at the end of a wonderful trip. We reached so many of our goals(wishes) on this trip. The guys fished, each catching salmon, we got to see dall dolphins, both killer(Orca) and humpback whales, sea lions, otters, bald eagles, trumpet swans, Dall sheep, moose, bear, caribou, reindeer, spruce grouse, one friendly Alaskan squirrel, took a flight around Mt. McKinley, a a riverboat cruise. The only misses were no glacier landing and we didn't get to see the Aurora Borealis. Something to look forward to when we go again!
My thoughts:
1) Everyone should see Alaska. Don't wait until you are older, you will be able to see and do so much more now!
2) I would do the land portion first, finishing with the cruise. There's a little more effort in unpacking/repacking, when you move every couple days, and you're already starting to wear down.
3) Princess is one well oiled machine. They have this down to a science! You are provided all info needed, itinerary, excursion tickets, and room keys at every stage. You never have to check in at a resort, as it's already been done for you. Makes it super simple to go straight to your room, and find your luggage already waiting for you. You literally only handle your bag, to place it in the hall for pick up. Sweet!
4) Food- be willing to try new foods! It doesn't cost you anything, while on the ship. If you don't like it, they'll bring you something else.
5) Be aware that alcohol, soda, and specialty coffees, etc., are NOT included in your cruise price. Also the same applies to any land portion, as well as no food. You must purchase all of your food on land. It's a little pricey, but you're on this vacation of a lifetime, so it shouldn't come as a shock.
6) Timing - Be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of when you schedule your trip. Every time has something that would make it special, and maybe, not so special. Early trips, cooler weather, and possible rain, summer, get to experience those super long days, but mosquitoes are said to be horrendous! Late fall, rainy season, but no mosquitoes, and better chance of seeing the Northern Lights. The other downfall, is that things are starting to close down. We were on the last trip of the year, and found some restaurants were closing, and several local gift shops had closed for the season.
7) Attitude - In my opinion every trip is what you make of it. You can always find something to be unhappy about. I choose to enjoy myself. Don't dwell on the negatives. We all understand that nothing is going to be perfect. Just go and enjoy!
I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy the beauty of this wonderful country we live in, whether it be Alaska, or some where else. Get out and explore!
Thanks for following along with Dave & I on our adventure! I hope you've enjoyed it, as much as I enjoyed posting.

Fairbanks, AK-Final Day

Fairbanks, AK - final day in Alaska. Able to print boarding passes and check our luggage right at the Fairbanks Princess Lodge. Super convenient! Left our carry on at the hotel desk, an caught the downtown shuttle. Walked the river walk, and went to eat at Big Daddy's BBQ, which was featured on TV's Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. Food was excellent! Walked some more, then caught the shuttle back to the lodge. We get another shuttle to the airport from there. Short flight to Anchorage, then leave for Chicago, to arrive around 8:30. tomorrow morning. My first time being on a plane overnight! Hope I sleep!

Fairbanks, AK

Fairbanks, AK - Another long day of traveling! Motorcoached up the George Parks Highway, a scenic drive, that would have been wonderful if the sun was shining. Our driver talked the entire trip, around 3 hours. We did the Discovery Riverboat excursion, which is an antique sternwheeler. About an hour downstream, getting local history, then stopped at an Athibascan village replica. Narrated by native college students. Very interesting! Back upriver, and back on the bus to our final lodge. Checked in, and found out our tour for tomorrow is cancelled. Don't fly home until 7:45. Not sure what we will do all day! I'll let you know!

Denali National Park, AK-SUPER FANTASTIC DAY!

Denali National Park, AK - WHAT A DAY!!!! First, the sun is shining! Second, we went on our park tour. 30 miles into the park. Super day for animal sightings! We saw maybe 7 moose, both cow & bulls, a grizzly, a caribou, and a spruce grouse. Whoo hoo!!
And guess what?! We booked another flight tour for this afternoon! No landing, but it sunny, so we should get a chance to see Mt. McKinley.
OK, let me just say that an hour long flight in an 8 passenger plane, with the sun shining, is absolutely amazing! We took off on a gravel run way. I wasn't quite sure that we were going to lift off! Skies were full of white fluffy clouds, and the snow glistened! It was gorgeous! We got to see both, the North and South summits. Full video and pics for everyone to see. It's hard to get a perspective of size from the air, but the South summit is at 20,320 feet. Our pilot Dan returned us safely (after a little turbulence, which I was thankful for my seatbelt!). We were the last flight of the season. Could only have been better, if we could have landed on a glacier!
Got back to the lodge just in time for the Music of Denali dinner show. Great food and fabulous entertainers. Walked to the river view for some last pics, then to the room to pack up again. Off to Fairbanks in the morning.

Denali National Park, AK - Left Mt. McKinley Friday morning via the Alaska Railroad again. This time we have the glass dome rail car, seating on top, with unrestricted views, and dining below. This trip was even prettier than the first. Food was great! Saw eagles nest, beaver lodge, but no moose, bear or caribou.
Arrived at Denali lodge. It's alot larger and more compact. Buildings are close together, but it's still very nice.
Went for pizza and a drink after. Another early morning tomorrow with our Denali Park tour.

Mt. McKinley, AK

Mt. McKinley, AK - Not so good today. Rain this morning, which cancelled our flight seeing tour this morning, trying again this afternoon. Had a phenomenal breakfast at the Roadhouse, where you could shower in the bathrooms, for $4, $5 with their towel! Strolled around some more shops, and a museum, waiting on the weather to turn. John bought a fishing license, and took off for the river with his pocket fisherman!
Continued to rain, so we were unable to do our flight. Many of you were aware that I shipped a bowling ball to Alaska, so that Dave could bowl on a glacier. Had to tell Dave about the whole thing, he was surprised and then disappointed that it didn't work out. Good folks at Talkeetna Air Taxi will keep the ball for our next trip up here! A big THANK YOU to everyone involved in getting the ball and banners from the bowling ball companies, to me!
Took the shuttle back to the lodge, and saw another moose! Driver slowed to a crawl so we could all get pictures.
Planning on a nice dinner tonight, then back on the road in the morning. Heading to Denali Lodge.

Talkeetna, AK - Mt. McKinley

Talkeetna, AK - Had to be up at 5 this morning to disembark the ship. Our Alaska Railroad train pulled out at 7:10. 4 1/2 hours to Talkeetna. Raining when we left, but stopped shortly thereafter, remaining cloudy all day. Beautiful scenery, once again. A couple of moose sightings, which I missed. Saw a group of hunters with a fresh moose kill, alongside the tracks! Then saw a dead moose in some water. He will be bear lunch, soon. Got off the train, boarded a motor coach, the 3 miles to Talkeetna. Ever see the show Northern Exposure, in the early 90's? This is the town it was based on. I think 400 residents, one main street and a couple of side streets. On the bus, we finally saw, and got pics of a female moose, on the side of the road. Mark another item off the list!
Ate at the Twisted Creek Restaurant, and then hit the shops til we could catch a bus to McKinley Wilderness Lodge. Another hour ride, and we finally arrive. This is my kind of place, very rustic decor, northwoods, etc. So far, Mt. McKinley has stayed hidden behind the clouds.
Tomorrow is our flight seeing! I'll be in touch after that.