Posted on 06/25/2010 1:29:42 PM PDT by Cowgirl
I live in Alaska and just spent several days taking a friend to see different parts of our great state. I thought it would be nice to let you'all know of a great deal here in Alaska. The Alaska Railroad is so wonderful. It is very low key with no hassles like you get at the airport. The seats a very comfortable, there is an observation dome, a nice bistro that serves drinks which they refill for free if you keep your cup. The cars a air conditioned and have huges windows for site seeing. I could actually sleep a little which I can never do on a plane. They aren't crowded either. You needn't sign up with Princess Tours or other tours that haul you around on a schedule and make you miss the real Alaska. There are a lot of things to do of course, but if you want a very nice vacation at a reasonable price, spend some time shopping for you hotels and check your maps for areas you would like to explore.
Here is a sample of what I would call a wonderful Alaska vacation. You fly into Fairbanks and stay at a hotel with a shuttle. Shuttle to the Railroad station in Alaska and take the train to Denali National park (about a three hour trip). Stay at a hotel that shuttles to a cabin or hotel at Denali (you can find all of that on line). The next day shuttle to the park and take a bus shuttle that takes you throughout the park with a guide that tells you all the history. Everyone is very friendly and the bus costs about $30 per person. We saw five grizzly, numerous carabou, gold eagles, three dol sheep herds, moose, and wolves which went right by the bus. The next day shuttle to the park and take the railroad to Talkeetna (about four hours).
Talkeetna has around 500 people and 13 historical houses. I stayed at the original Talkeetna Roadhouse which is very old and has a wonderful Alaskan atmosphere. The Twister Creek restaurant across the street was excellent with great steaks and halibut. The Roadhouse has it's own bakery and restaurant too. We walked there from the Railroad station, about a half mile. The town has gift shops with local artists. One lady we met, Laura, had lived there since l987 and had stories to tell about the time it snowed 27 feet and she was in a cabin with three small children. "I cried a lot that winter" she said.
Then, I would travel on down the coast to Anchorage, Seward, Whittier, etc. and then travel back to Anchorage for a flight out. The coastal area has beautiful scenery right along the ocean and you could stay as you long as you wanted just exploring that area.
The railroad system runs even in the winter and they have wonderful trips up north too. The lady on the train said they were running with lower numbers than usual. You can also think of using it as a fishing trip as one of the trains will actually drop you off in primitive areas and I'm sure they have guides if you need one. That area is called Curry or Chase.
I just thought I would pass this along. If anyone has any questions and I can help, I would be glad to help out. We are having wonderful weather right now with no night so things stay open a lot later.
Thanks and ping for later
Now if I can just talk the wife into it.
That’s a wonderful itinerary. Thanks!
Sounds great—perhaps others will post some good vacation ideas, too. There’s so much so see!
Sure sounds like one could want to stay forever. That is one fine set of suggestions, CG. With the economy headed as it is, however, I would prefer a gold prospecting trip, stake a claim (if there areas yet unclaimed) and dig and sluice every day.
My wife and I honeymooned in Alaska. We flew into Anchorage and rented a Jeep (total coverage) and drove for 10 days.
We fell in love with Valdez. Went up to Denali (took the bus tour -— great!) and Fairbanks.
Then we drove the pipeline up above the arctic circle...WOW!
You have a great state!
My husband is a gold miner and we live a historical section called Tenderfoot. They mined this area starting around l910.
Thanks. Im trying to snag a driving permit for Denali.
My husband is a gold miner and we live a historical section called Tenderfoot. They mined this area starting around l910.
Stalking the wild McGinniss?
Very cool. Thanks.
I totally agree with your itenerary. However, i would suggest starting in Anchorage. Drive down to Homer across the Kenai peninsula and see Seward and the glacier close by. Then go back to Anchorage, pick up the AK Railroad. Stop and spend at least 2 days in Denali. Then continue on to Fairbanks. I’m not a big fan of fairbanks, but then you can take a flight up to Coldfoot and a bus back down along the Dalton highway which runs parrallel to the Alaska pipeline. Then stop and eat at the little truck stop on the Yukon river, and then back to Fairbanks or on to Anchorage. Alaska is a beautiful state. One of my favorite places in the world.
Thanks for posting your thoughts.
I will be in Alaska in a few days for a CRUISE, (rush little time etc). One of my goals for going this way was to get an introduction for what I want to see later on the REAL next trip that will definitely include Denali and the railroad trip you mentioned.
Next time I plan to stay awhile, probably the whole summer.
Looks like fun Cowgirl!
http://www.evtv1.com/player.aspx?itemnum=1552
Good ideas, it could certainly be varied any number of ways. I’m interested in hearing of other neat places up here as I have several friends coming this summer and we plan on exploring. Thanks.
Ketchikan a quaint drinking town with a fishing problem is my favorite.
Ketchikan a quaint drinking town with a fishing problem is my favorite.
I spent a couple of weeks in the Anchorage/Wasilla area in 2006 while working on a project and simply fell in love with the state. I’d move there tomorrow if I could talk my wife into it.
When planning your trip, did you have help from a travel agency, or just do it all yourself?
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