We took a trolley tour of Anchorage today. Sure, it’s touristy, but if you only have one day in a city, it’s a great way to get a general sense of the place. The only downside? Everything went by so fast, there was NO TIME TO SNAP A PIC. The trolley whisked us through several neighborhoods, showcasing Anchorage’s economic diversity, from trailer parks to mansions.
As we trundled down 4th Avenue, our guide explained how the street was dramatically altered by the 1964 earthquake. This 9.2 magnitude quake still holds the record for the largest in U.S. history and the second largest in the world. The North American Plate and the Pacific Plate run right down the middle of the road, splitting it in half. During the quake, the Pacific Plate side sank a full story. Today, some buildings have their original second floors at street level.

Next, we visited Earthquake Park, which used to be a neighborhood of elegant homes. During the quake, the ground liquefied, washing all the homes out to sea. It’s a sobering reminder of nature’s power.
The highlight of the tour was the Lake Hood Seaplane Base, the busiest seaplane base in the world. The road winds around the natural shore of the lake, with slips for planes and little storage huts dotting the landscape. In total, there are 781 aircraft here. The 500 float slips cost just $105 per month, but there’s a catch—the wait time to get one is 3,352 days (that’s over nine years!).

Jen’s Restaurant did not disappoint.

Grilled Kodiak Scallops
Citrus and pistachio quinoa, whipped feta, sugar snap pea and red bell pepper salad.

We’re up early tomorrow (at the crack of dawn?) to catch the train to Denali.