I sure could use some help with the middle of this itinerary. So far, it goes like this:

August 7 fly Boston to Anchorage
August 8 train ANC to Seward and spend two nights (visit SeaLife Center, take all-day cruise, maybe a little hiking)
August 10 bus to Homer and spend four nights staying with friends who are on a much longer trip.

August 14 leave Homer (early) and go where???

August 15 train from ANC to Denali and spend two nights near the park entrance. Horseback riding and/or ATV or just hike.

August 17 & 18 at Kantishna Roadhouse

August 19 "coach" from Denali back to ANC and leave early on the 20th for Boston.

I'm traveling solo. I suppose I'm going to end up spending the night of the 14th back in Anchorage in order to catch the train. Is there a more interesting way to spend the day getting from Homer to ANC? Can anyone recommend a side trip? Transportation will doubtless be a problem ... Any and all comments are welcome!

I wonder if you can rent a car in Homer and return it in Anchorage. Lots of things to see in between. Girdwood is supposed to be a neat place. I've looked into renting a car in Anchorage and dropping it off in Seward, and it can be done through Hertz. We spent two days in Denali three years ago and went whitewater rafting (definately worth it) and on a bus tour into Denali. The shuttle would be better I think, but please be careful hiking if you get off the shuttle. We were there in late May, but from what I'm reading, the bears are much more prevalent in August. Hope this helps.

Thanks Princess -- the car thing is a good idea but I doubt it's doable. I tried to rent a car from Seward a month ago and they were sold out; I'll try again cuz ya nevah know!

The friends with whom I'm connecting in Homer have a car and that might open another door, depending on where they're heading on the 14th.

(Don't worry about the bears -- I'll do that for you! I'll be uber careful when hiking, as I'm quite the coward)

Definitely rent a car. You could to a Kenai River (upper section) float or a combo float-fish if that appeals.

Girdwood is a nice stop and on a clear day the Alyeska tram is a wonderful trip, then dinner at the Double Musky.

There's a commuter flight between Homer and ANC. I've flown between Kenai and ANC. It wasn't very scenic but it would be a short flight and then you could rent a car in Anchorage so you could go back down to Girdwood or head north to Independence Mine and the Iditarod Museum. There's some hiking around the Mine. It's a wonderful historic area. If you take the bus from Homer it's going to be a long ride and use up much of the day but will be scenic.

I don't think you can rent a car in Homer. That leaves the commuter flight which would probably put you in Anchorage early enough to do something but you would need to a rent car to get from airport to any nearby sights in Anchorage/Girdwood.

The bus might well be your best option.

http://www.rentalcarhomeralaska.com/

Why has no one mentioned spending a day IN Anchorage? If one is traveling from Homer to Anchorage to take the train to Denali the following day, why not see the town? It has museums, at least one brew pub, restaurants, hiking trails, etc.

You can rent a car in Homer and drop it in Anchorage but the drop off fee is about $350. No, I did not type that wrong. Alaska Air and Era flights don't leave until late afternoon thru evening so that pretty much leaves the bus. I have to agree there is plenty to see and do in the Anchorage area. I always recommend a trip to the Alaskan Native Culture Center.

There's a drop fee, but it's not $350 at all companies. The choice is about $150 for a 40-minute flight or $279 for a rental including drop fee.

Now is spending the time poking around the route back to Anchorage worth $129? That's for you to decide, but there are numerous great stops along the way.

Anchorage is fine (as they say: it's just 15 minutes from Alaska) but exploring the road back has plenty of appeal.

But -- if you decide to fly -- you have plenty of options. The flights start early (there are usually two before 8 a.m.) and the last one usually leaves after 10 in the evening.