As soon as we arrived at the Talkeetna train station, my son's eyes lit up with excitement. We showed our tickets and climbed aboard The Hurricane Turn train - the last flag-stop train in the United States.
The train was surprisingly empty, which made it easier for us to find a seat and settle in for the 7+ hour journey. The conductor, who welcomed us on board, gave us a brief history of the train and its route as we rode along.
Throughout the day, we stopped at various scenic spots - including rivers, streams, an abandoned hotel and an art gallery - all accessible via the train tracks. The train would pause for a few minutes at each stop, allowing passengers to get down and take pictures of the breathtaking views.
One fellow passenger was reliving her trip from 25 years ago to visit a cabin her husband had stayed in during a hunting and fishing trip. To our surprise, she was able to locate it along the tracks!
The most striking feature of the train was its Adventure Car - a beautiful car with all-glass windows that provided panoramic views of the Alaskan backcountry.
Although it was a long day on the train, filled with sights and stories, we were glad we took The Hurricane Turn ride. We're already considering trying out the winter version of this unforgettable journey in the near future.