Float Plane ”Flightseeing” … it’s a thing!

Day 27 September 10

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Today is the day we fly out of Chelatna Lodge. I’m incredibly grateful that the day broke clear, sunny and calm for our flight. Our float plane came in and gently cruised to the shore line. Our pilot had to cruise right up to the banks of the lake as the dock was destroyed in last nights winds! The crew jumped into the lake and guided him in so we didn’t have to get our feet wet – I dutifully got in the plane in the back seat with the luggage – we all had a good laugh as the pilot said I definitely understood weight management!

Since it was such a clear day, the pilot offered to take us Flightseeing! (For a wee additional charge, haha). We decided to take him up on his offer and we explored the multiple glaciers in the Denali range. It was amazing but also at times a bit nerve wracking as he talked about weigh management, air intake, fuel injection and altitude. He decided that 9,000 was the max for our load. I tried very hard to get pictures without our luggage being front and center in the photo ;). Sorry for the massive photo dump but it was such a diverse landscape once we left the lake! Sadly, Denali was still in the clouds.

Sadly, it was time to return to Anchorage. Our Pilot explained to us that the Anchorage airport is the world’s busiest float plane airport and is currently understaffed – a real vote of confidence as we are starting our descent. Thankfully it was smooth landing onto the lake which is the “airport” for float planes.

We did learn that it can take over 20 years to secure a float plane dock.

BTW the reason I don’t fit in my waders any more is because each night we were each served a dinner that would typically feed Ron and I for at least three nights! Every night was some decadent piece of meat and an even more decadent desert….and hardly any vegetables. We did ask if they can accommodate vegetarians and they assured us they could. Should have told them I’m a vegetarian!

Fat and happy, we continue our journey as we enter our final week of travel. Tomorrow a glacier paddle and then the race to catch our ferry from Haines to Bellingham!