Even though the train car was cozy and warm - and had a great view - we spent nearly 3 hours of the trip on the outdoor platform. The sights are still spectacular at eye-level and the air is very clean and crisp.

Points of interest included the town of Wasilla. Some say that this town is the true starting town for the Idtarod.  It's actually where it re-starts.

After the first day on the train, we were dropped of at the Denali Princess Lodge, just outside of Denali National Park. We stayed at the lodge for one night, then got back on the train for Fairbanks.