The southbound Hurricane Turn led by Alaska Railroad NPCU 32 (Former Amtrak F40PHR 268) departs the Talkeetna, Alaska house track and makes the half mile trip to the station as it crosses the main road in town. That's Mount Foraker in the background, all 17,400 feet of it. It's the third tallest mountain in North America.

The Hurricane Turn is the most unique train in North America, in my opinion. For 60 miles, the train travels through unspoiled wilderness not accessible by road. Therefore, the train is a lifeline for the people who choose to live off-grid. Its the only way in and out of this area, unless you fly in. Although you can sit in the dome car and enjoy the scenery, the best place on the train in my opinion is the baggage car. There, you can stand and converse with the off-gridders, the whitewater rafters, and the adventurers that are here to get all that Alaska has to offer. I rode here for most of the trip.

It must have left a large enough impression on mom, since it was her favorite train ride on the trip.

Huge thanks to John Combs for insisting that we take the train! Although it was on our list to do as such, his emphasis on the train definitely made the difference on our plans.