May 24 was, in summary, our air travel day. From the time we left our house to our hotel in Fairbanks took about 14 hours. Both flights were full. On our second flight I think the crew were the only folks I talked to that weren't booked on a cruise.

The idea of arriving in Fairbanks, doing a land tour somewhere in the Denali TUNDRA (I love that word. TUNDRA. It sounds so manly to me I get testicular goose bumps every time I say it) and the train ride down to Anchorage isn't unique.

Another option I see in the brochures here at the lobby of the River's Edge Resort is a tour up to the Arctic Circle. According to the brochure, a "friendly, informative Alaskan" will accompany you on your flight up across the Arctic Circle and on your drive back to Fairbanks. In the map of the brochure I'm reading, the town where the plane lands, which is north of the Arctic Circle, is named Coldfoot. North of that is Coldknee, then Frozenhipburg, and Kentokormoofmalips. (Just kidding. Coldfoot is for real, though) On your drive back down to Fairbanks, you drive through the Arctic TUNDRA. (I had to use the T-word again)

Today I got up at 3:15 AM, TUNDRA time. I have yet to see any darkness.

Our next adventure is to travel by train from Anchorage to the Denali TUNDRA, which should provide material for a more interesting blog entry.