Alaska Help Needed
 

My family of 4 is planning a trip to Alaska in <BR>August. Do you have suggestions on places to <BR>stay? Any other suggestions would be helpful! <BR>Thanks!

Dear Happy Di, <BR> Our family lived in Eagle River, AK for three years and left with tears in our eyes...we really loved it! Would highly recommend that you visit Denali Park (Mt McKinley). Although you can only see Denali 30% of the year, you might get lucky. If the weather's not great, the bus ride into the park is beautiful...quite a bit of wildlife to see. <BR>Would also recommend touring the Kenai peninsula, and take the time to see both Seward and Homer. Some of the best salmon fishing in the world is in the Kenai. If you do go there, would recommend you stop at Gwinn's restaurant in Cooper Landing, AK. It's halfway between Anchorage and Homer. It is owned by friends of ours and has the best food on the road, the desserts are also to die for! Let me know how long you'll be there and we may have a few more ideas for you. Have a great time...we're going to retire there after the Air Force career is over. Cheers! <BR>Jim M. in D.C.

Thanks for the suggestions! <BR>We'll be flying to Anchorage, so do you think it <BR>would be better to rent a car, or take the train? <BR>Our stay will last about 10 days. <BR>Do you think so? <BR>Thanks!

Thanks for the suggestions! <BR>We'll be flying to Anchorage, so do you think it <BR>would be better to rent a car, or take the train? <BR>Our stay will last about 10 days. <BR>Do you think so? <BR>Thanks again!

I Live in Kodiak and love Alaska. If you go yo Anchorage, I would definitely rent a car. Anchorage is laid out over a large area and it is not cost efficient to take taxis if you will be in the city for a few days. Besides, If I were you I would drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks and stop at Denali park for afew nights, visit the park, see the wildlife, and the mountain (McKinley). Then you can proceed on to Fairbanks from the park and it is only a few hours drive. fairbanks is a much more "Alaskan " city than Anchorage and would be fun to explore for a day or two. Check the internet or the Alasak Visitors bureau fro accommodations at Denali. it is a popular place this time of year. There are many hotels in Anchorage. Summer rates apply everywhere and they are buay so make reservations in advance. Expect to pay at least 100-150 per night for a decent place. I like the following as reasonably priced, some with breakfast buffet included: Courtyard by Marriott, is only a short distance from the airport, Hampton Inn, Fairfield Suites by Marriott, Regal Alaskan (also near airport and the most "Alaskan " hotel <BR> in Anchorage. A bit more spendy but not that much higher than the others), Executive Suites, and Westcoast International ( both also near airport). If you go downtown, try Westmark or the Hilton. The Captain Cook is nice but more pricey, as is the Sheraton. Have fun in Alaska but do rent a car and explore on your own.

Jim or Brenda (or anyone else who knows)- <BR>Approximately how long does it take to drive from Anchorage to Seward (not accounting for stopping to look at all the sights) and from Anchorage to Denali Nat'l Park? My husband and I are planning a trip and having difficulty scheduling without knowing times. (I know it's probably not like driving on the interstate at 70 miles an hour). Thanks for your help.

It takes about two hours to drive from Anchorage to Seward, allow a little more on Friday evenings going and Sunday afternoons coming back to Anchorage, as there is more traffic. But if you've never taken the drive before, and like to take pictures, give yourself at least 3 hours. I think it is one of the most beautiful drives I have ever seen. <BR>You may see beluga whales in the Turnagain arm, <BR>dahl sheep, eagles, or moose, and the mountains between Anchorage and Seward are spectacular. Girdwood is a nice little place to explore, and somewhere in the area is Crow Creek mine, where you can try your hand at gold panning. The lodge at Summit Lake is a nice place to stop and eat. Also worth the extra hour or two it would take is a trip to Exit glacier. It is near Seward and marked by signs. You drive in several miles slowly on a dirt road, then park and walk in to the glacier on a fairly level, paved trail. It is fun to see a glacier close up, expecially if you haven't seen many before. There are also hiking trails in the area. Actually, now that I think about it, if I were you I would alot a whole day for that trip, especially if the weather was nice. There's lots to see and do along the way. Enjoy! <BR>

First rule about "where to stay" in Alaska: you MUST camp. Budget motels are $100 a night!! You'll have to do some motel stays, or course (even the hardiest people need a mattress now and then); but, unless you have a large wallet, prepare to camp there. <BR> <BR>The Milepost Book is an ABSOLUTE must for travelers; it will tell you everything you could want to know as you drive on the highways; including campsite locations. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your visit -- I sure did!

Any opinions about renting an RV to tour the Kenai Peninsula as opposed to staying at motels? This is for May 1999.