Today started off with a very rainy day in Denali. It rained all night and when we went to pick up passengers, it was still raining.

There were puddles everywhere. New pools of water had formed in areas near the tracks. Massive, flowing rivers with newly formed albeit temporary tributaries jutting off. I had never seen the rivers this full.

We got down the track a bit and were approaching a landslide area where the train always goes slower. I could feel the train slowing. Then it stopped. Today, there indeed was a landslide blocking the tracks.

To clear the tracks, the train had to back up to a siding to allow for crews to come from Denali.

Some passengers were frustrated. I tell people it adds to the adventure. When they tell their friends, it’s even more of an adventure! I believe this to be true. Life is about the journey.

We waited for the crews to arrive. Our manager told us all guests would receive a complimentary, non alcoholic beverage. This isn’t the usual protocol in my experience on the train. But today it was for whatever reason.

This was when I lost control of the 73 passengers.

I love a freebie as much as anyone. Yet, I like to think I am less greedy and I’m definitely kinder than most of these passengers were.

I devised a plan to keep track of the free drinks so I wouldn’t give away drinks that should be paid for.

As I went down the aisle, the most popular drink ordered was cocoa, followed by hot tea and coffee.

I’ve never made so much cocoa in my life. I filled a coffee pot with hot water and mixed several packets at once. Whipped cream for all, of course.

The problem that arose was that some guests were headed downstairs to eat lunch. I was trying to keep drink orders upstairs in the dome so as to not double serve a free drink to someone. (People often will try to get more than one freebie). Things were getting mixed up, despite my efforts.

I circled the seats that hadn’t received a free drink yet and later set out to serve them one.

(Note that while I’m serving these free drinks, I’m still tasked with serving paid drinks. No item is paid for until we are an hour out from our destination. I keep a tab open based on seat numbers. No card is given until payment since no one is going anywhere.)

For whatever reason. The weather or just a “bad” batch, I had already had it with a few of the people onboard.

There is one of me. I am outnumbered with 73 of them. To me it’s obvious that it takes time to serve this many people.

Not to these passengers.

I’m walking up the aisle to the bar and several people are yelling out drinks orders at me. One person tugs on my pocket.

As I am on my second long day of work and haven’t cried for my daughter in a few days, I can feel it creeping in.

I can’t with this nonsense. I announce to the passengers that everyone needs to calm down because I’m going to have a breakdown. Half joking, hoping to gain some control and some laughs.

This didn’t work. The chaos continued.

I did take the time to go out on the platform and see the slide. See picture below!

A little over an hour later, we are
on our way again!

…..to be continued