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| Moose Meadows along the pedestrian/bike path between the Alyeska Hotel and Girdwood Township |
Our goal for today was a pretty simple one. Sit in the hot tub, enjoy the hotel amenities, roam around Girdwood a bit and do our laundry. This is the eleventh day of this adventure and while quite a few articles of clothing had been rinsed in the sink it was time for a real washing with real laundry detergent.
Our priorities were in proper order so of course we started with the hot tub. Just like yesterday we met several couples who are from Anchorage, which is just 37 miles away. They told us they like to use the Alyeska hotel as a quick getaway, their version of a "staycation". It's interesting to talk with them and learn what it's like to live here, especially in the winter. The consensus seemed to be that you just hunker down and survive it, although there are numerous outdoor activities such as skiing, snow shoeing, dog sledding, etc. Every time we're in Alaska I always think it would be fun to experience in the winter. I also think that as soon as I stepped out of the airport that I'd be thinking "just exactly what was I thinking". Who knows it may happen one of these days.
Next up on the agenda was laundry and lunch in town. Now when I say "town" keep in mind that Girdwood is absolutely awesome but it is also very small (less than 2,000 residents) and downtown is a square block with a few shops, restaurants a post office and the world famous Girdwood Laundromall. Don't take my word for it, just look at the picture below. It was even voted #1 in America by those who vote on such things!
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| It just doesn't get much better than this! |
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| The ceiling of the Laundromall was painted by three artists from the lower 48 states (one from Texas and two from Maryland). It has all the constellations seen in the Alaska sky in March. According to the information provided they are in their correct celestial position. The Sistine Chapel has nothing on the Girdwood Laundromall! |
We've done laundry all over the globe and I will have to say that without question the Girdwood Laundromall is the most full service laundry we've ever seen. We could have taken a hot shower (greatly appreciated by the many campers and hikers in the area), had a massage, got our hair done, surfed the web, withdrawn some cash from our bank, admired artwork, eaten some Thai food and smoked a little pot all before the clothes were washed and dried! As I looked around the very clean, well decorated building I thought to myself "they certainly would get my vote for the top laundry facility.
Needing only to do laundry and not needing a shower, massage, a hair cut, internet, money or a craving for Thai food or pot we had lunch at the Chair 5 Restaurant which had come highly recommended by every local. It not only lived up to it's advanced billing but the King Crab Cakes were out of this world! If you're wandering through Girdwood on your travels check out the Chair 5 as well as the Laundromall.
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| If you're in Girdwood check out the Chair 5! |
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| Amazing King Crab Cakes! |
After all the excitement of the Laundromall we came back to the hotel and enjoyed relaxing outside on a sunny Alaska day. Later in the day we walked the two and a half miles along a great bike/pedestrian path back into Girdwood. We strolled around the town square, stopping to take in great views of the surrounding mountains from a bench in Town Square Park. Of course, we saluted the Girdwood Laundromall as we ambled past. Little did we know we were in the presence of greatness when we woke up this morning with dirty laundry!
Supper tonight was a little different than last night. Microwaved Teriyaki Chow Mein noodles in the hotel room. Somewhat different than last nights meal at the Seven Glaciers, although the room has a nice view and the company was equally fantastic!