One month in Alaska 2015: July 27, 2015-Arrival Anchorage, Historic Anchorage Hotel, Hard Rock Shop, dinner at Ginger

BUFFALO TO ANCHORAGE

Our flight to Anchorage is on Delta Airlines ($759 for 2 adults) and departs at 10:00 am. Arrives in Detroit at 11:14 am, departs Detroit at 1:50 pm, arrives in Seattle at 3:36 pm, departs Seattle at 5:18 pm and finally arrives in Anchorage at 7:48 pm. There were only minor boarding delays but we still arrived on time in Anchorage. Seats were comfortable and we had enough time between flights to have lunch in Detroit. Shamefully I admit to going to the MacDonald's where we had fish filet sandwiches and some drinks. Cost around $12. We have to make adjustments for the time difference which is 4 hrs. It should feel like a long day and we should be tired but we're not. The Ted Stevens Airport welcomes us with a huge figure of a moose. Of course I ask my husband to take my picture with this creature that has topped my list of wildlife I want to see in Alaska. Others on my list are the brown/grizzly bears, otters, and puffins.

Our first flight #3370 Buffalo to Detroit 10:00 am-on time

Lunch-Detroit Airport-husband not a fast food fan

Our second flight #542 Detroit to Seattle 1:51 pm a bit later than scheduled 1:50 pm

Our final flight #2329 Seattle to Anchorage is leaving early by a few minutes

Welcome to Alaska!

I make some souvenir purchases. Items that I always get on my vacations-Alaska coffee mug, Alaska magnet, and some postcards. The only item I have to get now is an Alaska pin. I'm feeling good as normally I'm running around at the end of a trip to purchase these items!

We get a Yellow Cab taxi ( $22 which included a tip) to take us to the HISTORIC ANCHORAGE HOTEL which is in a great location downtown. Our room #211 was as expected. There were 2 full size beds, a desk, a coffee maker with supplies, flat screen TV, a chair, a small dresser, closet with plenty of hangers. The bathroom had a tub, hair dryer and Aromae Botanical toiletries were provided. Very happy with our room. Our view looked out onto 5th Street. This hotel is on the national registry of historic places. We decide to not unpack anything as we leave the next morning for Homer. Luckily I had packed items for sleeping tonight plus clothes for tomorrow in our carry on bag.

Hotel entrance

Hotel lobby

Our comfy, good sized beds

Desk and coffee maker

Chair, flat screen TV, and small dresser

Bathroom with tub-sweet!

Bathroom toiletries

Hair dryer

We decide to explore and seek out a place for dinner at a place that I had noted-GINGER. My step daughter collects Hard Rock shot glasses and the HR was a 5 minute walk from our hotel. Mission accomplished-shot glasses purchased. I'm on a roll! Easy few minutes walk over to Ginger which offers Thai food items. It is now 9:30 pm. We are not used to eating dinner so late (if we were back home it would be 4 hrs. later!) so we decide to have a light meal. Sweet and spicy pork egg rolls (6) and 2 house salads. Refreshing glasses of water to drink. (Bill $26 + $5 tip). Now there is a light drizzly rain. We walk around-log cabin visitor center area. There's a bench with a moose sign to announce Anchorage's 100 yr. celebration 1915-2015. I stop at an open gift shop where I purchase my Alaska pin!! I am thinking this trip is off to a great start. We walk back to our hotel. A relaxing bubble bath and in bed before midnight. These beds were so comfy. We had a great night's sleep.