Random Thoughts

Alaska 2005 Trip

Random Thoughts

• Hostels can be great places to stay. I met people from Austria to New Zealand to Korea. It can be a great way to get ideas of things to see. Hostels have the reputation of being for college students, but hostelers come in all ages. Many hostels have private rooms available, so you don't have to bunk with others if you don't want to.

• If you plan on renting a car, keep in mind that many car rental companies won't allow you to drive the car on gravel roads, take the car on a ferry, or drive into Canada.

• I took the Park Connection bus from Anchorage to Seward. I arrived in Anchorage in the morning and the bus didn't leave til 3pm, and I didn't want to lug my bags around all day and I couldn't find any place to leave my luggage by contacting the bus company or the visitors' center. The bus departed from the Anchorage Museum of History and Art (the bus fare include admission to the museum), and the Aspen Hotel was only a block away, so I called the hotel the day before and asked if could leave my luggage there for the day. They said I could if they had room, which they ended up doing. I don't know if I just lucked out and the person I talked to was in a good mood or what, but I really appreciated it. Also, after the fact, I saw that the museum had lockers, I don't know if you can leave stuff there all day, but that might have been another possibility.

• I couldn't find a detailed Alaska map in any local bookstore or map store, so I ordered a copy of the Milepost, which has detailed maps and descriptions. It's almost too detailed and also has ads mixed in with the content. Mile markers on most of the roads are few and far between, so you can't depend on them to keep track of where you are.

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