Two week alaska trip report. Our Alaska trip began in Fairbanks on August 27,2005. We arrived around 11:00 PM, picked up our rental car from Hertz(one way) and headed to the Princess Fairbank for a two night stay. I had already booked the first two nights at $99.00/night but was unable to book the third night because they were sold out. August 28th-went to Sourdough Sams for a good and reasonably priced breakfast and then to the Museum at the University of Alaska. The museum was quite nice. After spending two hours at the museum, we headed to the large animal research center on campus to see the Musk-ox.The weather was great and the smoke was already gone. Next we drove to the Creamer's Field which is a refuge for migrating birds and ducks. We took pictures walked the trail and headed to the visitor center to get additional info. We checked out the downtown area and got dinner at Gambadelli's (?spelling). Good italian food..August 29th-My two traveling partners went to Gold dredge #8 and I took the Northern Alaska Tour Co. trip to the Arctic Circle. It was a fly up and drive back trip. We flew up to Coldfoot at 1:00 PM and drove back in a motorcoach. The trip was awesome. We stopped for dinner at the Yukon River Diner, walked along the river and then headed for the Arctic Circle. We stopped at the Arctic Circle took a few pictures in cerimonial style and continued on our way back to Fairbanks. We arrived in Fairbanks at 1:00 AM. but it was worth every minute. We were able to stay at the hotel for the third night which was great because I didn't want to more to another hotel. August 30th- We headed out of Fairbanks, stopping at the North Pole Post Office to sent a letter to my kids and then headed down the Richardson Hwy to our destination Copper River Princess. Along the way we stopped to view the pipeline and a don't miss Rika's Roadhouse State Historical Park at Delta Junction. We grabbed a bite to eat at Rika's and had awesome coffee. We strolled around looking at the different buildings for a hour or so and then continued on our way. We arrived at the Copper Princess early evening.

Thanks for your interesting trip report.

I have two suggestions:

1- Post all parts as replies to this original post. That would make it easier for your readers to follow your whole trip.

2- It would be easier to read if the report were in paragraphs.

Jed, Thanks for the input. I realized after I wrote it it was confusing. Oops.I didn't know if I could write that long of a trip report in one sesson. Is there anyway to link the info or do I need to repost. Thanks.

It really isn't necessary to post all parts in one session. In fact, I think that leaving a day or two between parts can increase interest by letting people digest and respond to the various parts.

It might be easiest just to copy and paste your other parts as replies here. Or you can wait until next time.

August 30-We checked out the trails around the lodge. The Copper River Princess is beautiful and worth a stop. We used the toursaver coupon and got one night free.August 31-Went to the Copper Center Lodge/Roadhouse and museum. The museum is small but well done and enjoyable. We then drove to the Wrangell St.Elias National Park Visitors Center where we watched a movie, hiked a two mile trail and looked at the exhibits.September 1-Took the one day tour with Backcountry Tours to McCarthy and Kennicott Mine. This is a must see place. It is like going back in time. We had a quick bite to eat at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge.The food was awesome and fresh. I had roasted red pepper soup. My dad went on the tour of the mine.You have to go with St.Elias guides as no-one is allowed in alone. My friend and I hiked to Root Glacier which was nice. The weather was good and the sun was shinning. We only spent 4 hours at Kennicott and my advise is to stay for two days and enjoy this area. Sept.2-Drove to Valdez stopping at Worthington Glacier for a leg stretch and photos. Checked in the Aspen Valdez for tow nights. Nice hotel and online rate of $69.00/night. We went to the harbor and then to watch people fishing on the pier. Got a Pizza at No-name Pizza which was very good and just relaxed. Sept. 3-Raining off and on but hey that's Alaska. Took a hike and then drove out Mineral Creek Road to see the water falls. Checked out Old Valdez spotting an Eagle in a tree.Sept.4-Ferry from Valdez to Whittier.Beware.The seas were rough and I was not feeling so good.Actually alot of people were not feeling good with me. But I made to Whittier and we then drove to the Kenai Princess for two nights. We used a toursaver and got one free night.Sept.5-Went river rafting and used the toursaver coupon. The raft trip was great and our guide Gary was a local who is loaded with info on the history of the area. We saw eagles and a nest and of course Salmon. My dad however went to Russian River Campground and watched two orphaned bear cubs play in the river. Gary had told us that the Mom bear was shot and killed by someone not in defense but just because he wanted to kill a bear with his new gun. So the cubs are on their own and hopefully will survive. Sept.6-7 Drove to Homer for two nights.Last year when we were in Homer the smoke was so bad we couldn't see anything.This year the weather was great sunny and clear. We stayed at the Ocean Shores Motel and what a view.The ocean view rooms are worth the small upcharge. We had a balcony looking right at the water. Disappointed though because Halibut Cove was already closed. We ate at Sourdough Express-breakfast and Cafe Cups-lunch both of which I recommend. Went to the beach and watched the Sealife center release three rehabbed seals back into the ocean. Sept.8-9 Drove back to anchorage and stayed at the Ramada -used tour saver coupon.The Ramada downtown location is great. We ate at two great places-Orso(italian)and Sacks Cafe. Sacks has a variety of foods.I had the butternut squash ravoli and it was incredible.They also have seafood and steaks.The atmosphere at both of these restaurants is great. Orso had heated toilet seats-yeah!!! I'm saving the best for last--continued part 2-3



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September 8th -I forgot to mention we turned in the rental car at the airport and also payed to store some of our luggage at the airport as we were not going to need it for our trip to Katmai National Park. Sept.9-caught the Ramada shuttle to the airport and checked in with Penn Air for our trip to Katmai National Park where we had reservations at Brooks Lodge for two nights. I was very excited but my traveling buddies were a little hesitant. We flew to King Salmon and then took a float plane to Brooks Lodge. When we arrived we were told to go to the National Park Visitors Center where we would get Bear Schooled. Everyone who comes here goes to bear school. After our schooling on how to behave around the bears and how far to stay away from them I was ready to go take pictures. The weather was great and the sun was out.I say this because it had rained for two weeks straight and alaska weather can change on a dime so I wanted to take the photo opportunity. My traveling partners however were now thinking they must be crazy to have allowed me to talk them into this. We checked in and were shown to our cabin.The cabin has bunk beds, a heater, shower,toilet and sink but is all you need considering where you are. The beds are surprisingly comfortable. I grabbed my camera garb, my two traveling partners and headed down the path with the platform being our destination. There is always a ranger on either side of the walkway and platform . They are there to direct people and I call them bear traffic controllers. The reason for this is if the bears decide to walk on the walkway or better yet take a nap you must wait until the coast is clear to pass. Well we made it to the platform with ease and to view these beautiful animals so close and safe is unbelievable. We watched several mama bears with cubs teach the cubs to fish and they all do it differently. After about an hour of this some other guests were going to walk to the upper falls. This is the big photo place in July when the salmon are spawning up the falls. Well safety in numbers always make you feel better so we walked with seven other people. The upper falls is a little over a mile and the trail is somewhat intimidating because it lush with trees and trust me everything that is brown looks like a bear. We sang the mantra Hey Bear and clapped our hands and we were taught in bear school. When we arrived to the walkway we entered a series of gates which you lock behind you and then there is a two tiered viewing area. There was a big male bear who was getting agitated with a sow and her cubs so doing what bears do he huffed at her and she and the babes swam downstream. We finally mustered up the courage to walk back to the lower viewing area and my two partners headed back to the lodge to eat. Meals are buffet style and are served at certain times. I stayed at the platform to take more pics and ended up stuck there for four hours while mama and the cubs napped on the trail. I enjoyed my time though and learned alot about photograpy and I felt as though I was on a National Geography Expedition with all the camera gear present. This place is a wonder.If you want to know more let me know. These three days/two nights were the highlight of my trip . Thank you to everyone who always gives me input. Your advise is invaluable..



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Jed, Thanks for giving me the info to repost. I appreciate it...