Adventure of a lifetime

I settled into my seat and looked eagerly out the window of the car as the conductor started his spiel of safety directions. I looked away from the window long enough to register the total disinterest of the other passengers as well (does anyone ever listen to the safety speeches)? Who could concentrate with the captivating adventure awaiting us. I could already see the mountains in the distance and the winding stream out the window begged to be followed. The conductor was dwindling down and I turned my attention back as I heard him say “you’re welcome to stand on the balcony at any time but do NOT lean to either side or put your arms over the chains as we do not refund for lost appendages” – WHAT? I assumed he was joking. 

I could see the plumes of smoke as the engine began to fire up. The black smoke and acrid smell of the coal hit my nostrils just as the train gave a sudden jolt and began to move. We crossed a swift moving stream and I reveled at the clear pure look of the water. The noise of the engine drowned out the melodic trickling of the water and I was slightly disappointed but was quickly distracted by the view as we turned to corner and began our ascent up the mountain. The view that opened before us was both captivating and breathtaking. The vibrant green of the new grass looked almost like the astro turf of the local football stadium. The spring flowers, who had been recently released from their snowy blankets, were springing from their beds. They stretched with all their might toward the warmth and brilliance of the sun in an endless kaleidoscope of blue, yellow, pink and purple. It was breathtaking. As we settled in to the clickety clack of the train and the occasional jolt as the incline increased the view only got more spectacular. The valley became more miniscule and I suddenly realized that we were going into wilderness in which many people had never ventured. It was largely untouched by civilization and many who had ventured here seeking their fortunes had never returned. I must admit it gave me a moment of anxiety to realize I was one of those adventurers and while I was not seeking gold fortunes, I felt both the trepidation and sense of adventure that those souls before me must have felt. 

As we passed an old train trestle which had carried the trains across a gorge, I was grateful they were no longer using it. It definitely had seen better days (maybe). Had I seen the one we would be using to cross, I would not have been so thankful.  I’m not sure the “new” one had many more supports. However, we made it over and I prayed it would stand until we came back.  As we rounded a curve the rock walls of the mountain were nearly touching my window and I jerked back in surprise. One little wrong jerk of the train and the window would be scraping the rough rocks. I was having a very intimate “getting to know you” party with all the brave plants clinging to the side of the mountain. I tried to see the view from the other side out over the side of the mountain and into the valley but for this next leg of the trip the other side passengers had the good view. We were assured by the conductor that we would have the better view on the way back down. For now, I could only sit and see every little detail of the mountain only inches from my face. I couldn’t help but think that this is what mountain climbers must see when dragging themselves up the side of a mountain. 

As we neared to top the train was struggling mightily to climb the steep grade and the temperature was steadily growing more frigid. The plants here were not as eager to sun themselves and only the rugged were able to survive here. Even the trees were not as eager to relocate to this neighborhood. The mountain tops in the distance were every bit as beautiful as the pictures I had seen on post cards and brochures. Their pure white, snowy tops were as pristine as bleached sheets and fluffy clouds danced above them like little tufts of cotton candy. It was everything I had imagined and more. I was grateful to share this view with all those who had come before me and seen it as I was seeing it. I felt drawn by all the souls of those who had come here seeking something that eluded them.

As we switched sides of the train I was expecting the ride down to be somewhat anti-climactic. It would be the ride up but in reverse, although we would now have the better views going back into the valley. How wrong I was. The train lurched as we started back down and the clickety clack started up again. As the train started its descent I got up, deciding to get a different perspective, never guessing it would be one of the best moments of my life.  

As I opened the door to the balcony, I felt my muscles quench as the door made a hideous scraping sound alerting everyone in the car to my departure. So much for stealing outside quietly and having a moment alone. I could feel their curiosity burning into my back as I hurried to shut the door behind me. I stepped to the right and settled into the corner of the railing and the front car wall. The train was beginning its descent and the clickety clack of the wheels grew more intense. We were picking up speed quickly and I could feel the cool air on my face, much like an ocean breeze but colder. We began hurtling down the mountainside and suddenly the train jerked sideways as we rounded a corner and I was knocked off balance, forced to grab the railing to keep from falling. We were now going down a steep grade and speed was still picking up so I managed to back myself into the corner of the railing and front wall of the car and brace myself with my legs, which was no easy feat, I can tell you. I was beginning to feel a little trepidation at having come out onto the balcony but was a little afraid to try to walk back into the car. I attempted to video the experience but couldn’t hold the railing and phone at the same time, so I quickly gave up for safety’s sake and decided to just enjoy (?) the experience. The train was bumping from side to side making it difficult to do anything but keep on your feet and hold on. The landscape was going by so fast it was hard to glimpse anything, so I attempted to lean over the rail and get a better view of what was coming. As I leaned my head over the railing a branch swept by, nearly missing my face. I jerked back in surprise and was just getting ready to try again when the mountain swept by so close it would have taken my face off (I guess that conductor was serious).  I was tempted to reach out and touch I,t but was afraid of losing my hand. I’m not sure how the train didn’t grind along the wall, ripping the sides open as we were swaying back and for so much. We continued to hurl down the mountain, crazily rocking side to side, me bracing myself in the corner, feeling the wind refreshing my face and blowing my hair and I realized that this must be much like that famous Titanic scene. I got it now – this was one of those moments of my life I would never forget. The smell of the clean mountain air, the wind blowing my face, speeding down a mountainside on a rocking train which felt like it would come off the tracks any minute and here I was, experiencing an Alaskan adventure that many people never get to experience. Gratitude.