Alaska 2006 Plans
 

Hello-

Thanks to everyone for all of their input in helping us plan our trip. We are planning on spending the last night in Girdwood, should we do 4 nights in Homer instead and just drive back to catch our red eye flight home? Or is Girdwood really worth the overnight?

Also, we have reservations for June 19-21 at the Holiday Inn Express in a King, balcony bay view room for $259 a night, I have ready many rave reviews, but is it really worth the $$$$$$$?

June 15: Arrive ANC,pick up rental car overnight Kingsview BnB

June 16: Drive to Denali, overnight Earthsong Lodge

June 17: Denali bus trip to wonderlake, overnight Earthsong lodge

June 18: Denali Free Day, overnight Earthsong lodge

June 19: Drive to Talkeetna, overnight Talkeetna Chalet BnB

June 20: Drive to Seward, overnight HIExpress.

June 21: Kenai Fjords trip, overnight HIExpress

June 22: Exit Glacier, overnight Kenai Princess

June 23: Fly fishing, overnight Kenai Princess

June 24: Drive to Homer, overnight at Surf Shack

June 25: Bearviewing Emerald, overnight Surf Shack

June 26: Kayaking, overnight Surf Shack

June 27: Drive to Girdwood, dinner Double Muskey, overnight Timberline Drive BnB

June 28: 5:00pm Red Eye Back to Vermont

This is a very nice itinerary, plenty of time to do activites. As for the Holiday inn in Seward. Your viewing will be partial industrial area and the marina- meaning boats docked. This is the north end of the bay, so nothing to your "left" either. I guess it depends on how much difference in price this "bay" selling point is??? Is it worth it- for me, who is a cheap lodging person- no. :)

As for Girdwood, yes I would stay there instead of Homer. This last day will then have opportunites for some Anchorage touring, again very worthwhile activities to consider.

Thanks for the advice Budget Queen-
I think we're going to go with a cheaper option for Seward, save our $$$$. Im not interested in anything industrial and we can see plenty of boats in a marina at the Cape :)

We'll keep the night in girdwood too. Thanks again.

Sarah

Hi Squirrel. We based out of Girdwood last summer..great middle ground. It seems like it only took about an hour to get to Anchorage..really not far. If you have time, the tram behind the Aleyska Resort is very nice. The restaurant is wonderful; however, the Double Muskey was even better. We hate there twice even though it is $$$, and make sure to arrive early or get reservations!! They do have a very nice bar/waiting area. If time permits, you can paraglide off the mtn. too. It is a tandeum glide down..my kids loved it!!!If you're leaving Girdwood in the am, there's a wonderful bakery on your way out of town..right at the Girdwood turnoff. We were killing time in Anchorage..awaiting our flt. home...The Brewery, downtown was terrifc..very popular. Also, fun to go to the end of the airport runway before going to the terminal and watch the planes right over head...watch for whales...beautiful view!!! One last bit of advice...we were there end of July...take a good waterproof windbreaker..:) Have a wonderful trip! PS. Seward..dog sled trip was a lot of fun!!! The aquarium there was nice for a rainy day.

Is the above referring to the Glacier Brewhouse??? A great resturant. Also drive around Lake Hood and Spenard, the busy floatplane area. If you bike the Coastal trail you also go under the flight paths for some great landing/take off viewing.

Squirrel, Budget Queen is absolutely correct. You know, she basically planned my entire intinerary based upon this site :) We didn't have time to bike, but just parking and watching was great fun. We also killed a little time a Lake Hood...so interesting seeing all the little airplane "huts" and watching the floatplanes come and go...and A LOT of them!!!! You don't have to like beer (I don't) to enjoy the Glacier Brewery...but my hubby does and boy did he reeeeaaaallly enjoy his meal..:)

Try to the Root Beer at Glacier Brewhouse. We thought it was great!

Keep an eye on the time in the evening, especially if you're thinking of going somewhere special for dinner. Although the sun may be up and you're busy doing great outdoor activites, the restaurants, fast foods, etc., will be closing even though there's still a lot of daylight outdoors.