Good evening,
My name is Zoe.
Tonight we'll be taking a journey through the Arctic Circle aboard a glass train.
Prepare your body by snuggling into your bed and wrapping up in a cozy blanket.
Take a nice deep breath and hold it at the top for four seconds before releasing it.
Climb aboard the night train with me.
Your journey begins in a small Alaskan town called White Mountain in the Seward Peninsula.
The peninsula is a remnant of the Bering Land Bridge,
A roughly thousand mile wide piece of land that connected Siberia to Alaska during the Ice Age.
Before and during human existence,
This land bridge aided in the migration of plant and animal species from Asia to North America.
Today you stand bundled in your biggest downed parka outside the White Mountain train station.
It's a small crowd this morning.
Only about five other travelers will accompany you on your journey.
It's not surprising.
In the last census,
The population of White Mountain was only 190.
Each traveler is similarly wrapped in a downcoat,
But unlike you,
An Alaskan tourist,
These locals don't seem to be the slightest bit chilly.
Out of nowhere,
A white plume of steam appears from around the snowy mountain bend.
You get out your ticket from inside your purse and watch the train as it slowly pulls through to your stop.
There's a muffled all aboard in combination with a low metallic steam whistle.
Unlike back home,
There's no mad rush to board the train.
Everybody finds their way,
Falling in line,
And it only takes a matter of seconds to get your ticket scammed.
You climb the stairs of the small train,
Scanning to find the perfect seat in the back of the third car.
You only need a few moments before you find what you're looking for.
The forest green headrest and cushion is nestled right in the corner,
Perfectly aligned with the largest glass window in the whole row.
Settling in,
You notice that there actually isn't a bad seat on the train.
That's because the entire body of the locomotive is one shiny looking glass window.
It's almost as if you'll be flying through the Alaskan mountains on a cloud.
Just as you lean your head into the cushion,
The train begins its journey.
It only takes a slight rumble to get going,
Before you know it,
You and your fellow travelers are off,
Descending into the bright night under the glow of an arctic moon.
The area that's present day White Mountain actually begins as an Eskimo fish camp,
And that's Uravik,
Meaning mountain look up point.
And it isn't hard to see why.
Although the train's path is a flat icy sheet,
Massive mountain ranges surround it on all sides.
They break out of the earth like freak giant icicles shining and glittering under the moonlight.
An announcement comes over the loudspeaker,
Alerting passengers that the train is preparing for its first stop.
The voice also lets people know that the refreshment service will be making its way through the aisle.
You find a few bills in your pocket and prepare for the warm service card to arrive at your seat.
You can easily smell it before you see it.
The passenger seated across from you lets you know that a specialty will be coming around,
And that as a visitor,
It's something you have to try before moving on to your next destination.
As promised,
The cart arrives with the tea in tow,
And you gladly hand over your money for a small painted teacup.
The warm liquid defrosts your ungloved hands,
And you can smell the wild blueberry as you take your first sip.
If Alaska had a state fruit,
Your guess would probably be the wild blueberry.
They're everywhere in the Alaskan mountains,
And can be found across the state in the late summer and early fall months.
Although smaller and more tart than their cultivated counterparts,
You think they're the best blueberries you've ever tasted.
As the journey continues,
Your train ducks through icy tunnels and skates across frozen lakes.
In combination with a belly now filled with warm tea,
You can feel the low vibration of the train's engine slowly lulling you into a deep sleep.
And that's just fine.
Your ticket allows for you to ride the entirety of the line,
So there's no need to be on the lookout for your stop.
In about a half an hour,
You'll be arriving at the end of your journey for today.
You imagine what your final destination will look like.
A small bed and breakfast in the final town the train will hit.
Will the little house be lit up with hanging lanterns like the pictures you've seen in your research?
You hope so.
But for now,
You allow the rocking of the train to relax your body and mind,
Letting your eyes grow heavy and your breaths grow longer.
