olesouthernbelle

Then, the next question is this: We could stay in Girdwood 2 nights. This would mean we would drive to Seward and back to Girdwood. Is that a good idea? Agenda thus far in Seward is to visit the AK Sealife Aquarium and Tour Exit Glacier as sdpryde suggests. Maybe a walk thru Seward - not sure how high to rank this on our list??

olesouthernbelle

I have no idea how I missed your post earlier today, sdpryde.

Like I think I explained initially, on the dates we will be there, the Wonder Lake bus had only one seat available - we are two. But they did have 2 seats available for Eielson, so we booked that.
Touche' on the confusion b/c I never understood your references to Denali Hwy vs Roads in Denali Park itself. lol. But, I do appreciate your trying.

I think I did specified it was b/f the closing (or shut down to use your phrasing), but these posts get long and details get lost.

- "the W.L. shuttle is 'booked'; then they still have seats available for purchase on site at Denali (no guarantee you get them though)."
Please explain.

I do have a permit application in hand that I printed out. Called Denali National Park and preserve
Road Travel Permits
PO. Box 9
Denali Park, AK 99755
On it, you must explain what modifications on the bus they could provide to assist you? Have you driven the restricted portion of the Park Road before? Etc.
Surely it's the after season application? It doesn't plainly say that on the form.

Yes, I do know about the shut down of tour operators.

olesouthernbelle

Creekside Cabin B&B is suddenly unavailable.

sdpryde

Permit...
The form/permit you found has nothing to do with access to the park for the general public. It is for persons taking their private vehicle (i.e. RV) past Savage River to the Teklanika Campground for camping there.

W.L. sold out...
They do not sell every seat online, there are some available on a walk-up basis (1st come 1st serve) at the park (these might sell days before the actual travel day to people who appear at the ticket counter in the park).


Seward/Girdwood...
I wouldn't base myself in Girdwood to travel to Seward (or vive-versa) for a day trip (or two). I'd decide what activities I wanted and if it was better to stay in one town and just do activities near that town.

All the places you listed in Girdwood seem ok & it's just what ever you think you prefer. Girdwood is small, so there's really no significant difference in distances between locations within Girdwood.

Dates...
You did specify "b/f closing" but that's not what I asked. I asked for 'specific' dates as there are a multitude of date related travel items in AK's short 'tourism season'. Frequently this becomes important in one way or another.

sdpryde

some more notes...

"Creekside Cabin B&B is suddenly unavailable."
- You are booking very late for a 2015 vacation and this will happen the further you get along.


motor vehicle/roads...
"We have been open and direct with the rental agency and understand all bases to be covered in that respect.

I do understand that locals and some travelers use these roads, they wouldn't form the ruts I've read about in some areas if they didn't. And woe to Denali Cabins and the like as well if that were the case. What I've read though, is that these roads (Glen, Richardson, Denali) are not as widely used by travelers as SOME others - say maybe Parks Hwy? Is that agreed or do we still differ?"

- I wouldn't count on being "upfront/direct" with the car rental company. In many cases you are dealing with a nation wide call center. It's plain and simple, the national chains prohibit use on the Denali Hwy and several other dirt/gravel roads in AK. You can still choose to drive on the Denali Hwy, but you would likely be in breach of your rental agreement and not have any of the protections your contract then offers.

- The Glenn Hwy, the Richardson Hwy, and the Parks Hwy are fully functional paved roads that will not have any issues (other than possible construction and traffic). These are the main highways in AK and are widely used.

olesouthernbelle

Thanks for your reply, sdpryde. I went ahead and booked another place in Girdwood. Have the car all set. Am done for a while, I think. Thanks for everyone's help/assistance!

sdpryde

Good luck and thanks for your tourism dollars!!

sludick

sdpryde - earlier last year, you gave us some advice that was right on point. We really enjoyed dinner at Seven Glaciers Restaurant at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood - thanks so much.

We spend a lot of tourism dollars there, btw...

olesouthernbelle, have a wonderful Alaska adventure.

olesouthernbelle

Thank you so much, sludick! I've read some of sdpryde on another board (starts with a T) and realize he is very knowledgeable. He is the reason we are spending two nights in Girdwood.