Every summer Alaska is over-run by tourists trying to accomplish in short order, what many residents have not attained in a lifetime. Namely, to see everything there is to see in the largest state in the nation.

With this boom in the industry, almost every community on the road system has geared itself toward cheesey gift shops and overpriced accomodations. For many, this will be their "Alaskan experience."

However, there are still plenty of places that are as yet unspoiled by the gimickry.

Take an extra day or two in your research and check out what is out there off of the beaten path. You might be surprised to find that the real Alaska is no more expensive than the plastic one.

Moreover, you will be pleased to find that the further you get from the road, the closer you'll get to the heart of Alaska.

Wake up in silence, view the bears and other wildlife, wet a line, and enjoy.

Oh, how I would love to come back to Alaska this year!

You're post didn't help any

Utahtea

Utahtea, what is stopping you? Not to rub salt in the wound, but for most of the last two months, (except one retarded day of snowfall), Southcentral has been in the midst of a sun storm. Blue skies accented by the quickly melting snow, this would be the time to bring a camera!

I was in Talkeetna on Friday, and the temperature was 45 degrees. The bears are going to be busting out any day now.

AHHHHHHH SUMMER!

Get off the road? That's the best header you could do?

I wish people would get off the road when talking on cell phones.

ABSOLUTELY! Cellular phone drivers are the worst.

Now, back to Alaska.

Alan,

This year it's a 5 week trip from West Coast to South Carolina to visit our son. He just moved out there and we want to see his new house and meet his wife's family.

Next year!

Utahtea

Oh so true, Alan...thanks for your post!

To quote Rick Steeves, "...so many people just 'see' as area, rather than experiencing it." Although we may have to include a few "overnights" just to get from place to place or be near an airport, we really have found it's so much better to stay 3-4 days in a place and get to know the area. Then it's like coming home at night. Although we used to do more encompassing trips and maybe "saw" more, I love spending the extra time, and it really makes me feel exhausted to read what some people try to squeeze into a few days.

It's also why I post a lot of questions about an area I plan to visit. I'm trying to decide what really interests me and finding a good base to explore from. For example, this summer we plan to visit the Kenai and Veldez. After looking at the logistics, we decided to eliminate Denali just because to go there would end up being "we went to Denali," and didn't take time to notice all that was around us.

What do you suggest for an off the beaten path experience near Anchorage?

Check out events in the Anchorage Daily News go to www.adn.com. There's a farmers/craft market on Saturdays in downtown Anchorage. See if Hobo Jim is singing at the local bar. I like gardening and lucked out on a neighborhood open garden day in Anchorage where I got to see some backyards and talk with some local gardeners. We also happened to show up to visit friends just when they had 2500 lbs of salmon to put in the freezers. They kidded us about experiencing 'the real Alaska'. Try reading some books before your visit. Our favorite was 'Tisha', the biography of a young woman who went to teach in a small, remote town back in the 20s. Look for non-cheesey shops. While exploring a fabric/quilt shop in Skagway, I had the chance to ask the owner questions about living there. And inexpensive souveniers don't have to be cheesey. Todd Salat note cards feature wonderful photographs of the northern lights with a story on the back of how and where he took the shot.

I forgot that I started this conversation and have since neglected to check it. My bad.

I too dislike the cell phone users, and Alaska has too many of them!

Someone wants to be off the road, but their email address suggested "not in mud please." Must we make everything so difficult? There is nothing wrong with a little mud when you are seeing some of the most remarkable sights of your life!

Within a short flight from Anchorage would be places like Bentalit Lake Lodge. www.bentalit.com which is a bit on the high end, but caters more to those wanting a mud free Alaska wilderness.

Another option, if a little mud is okay, would be Clearwater Creek Camp. This would be considered something of a premium camp with the fire going every night and an on-site sauna bath. Excepting the airfare, this is a very affordable way to see bears and catch fish in an overwhelmingly scenic area. They can be found at www.alaskabears.com

If you're just looking to step outside of the normal tourist hubs, there are communities like Hope or Sutton within a few hours drive of Anchorage. These places are often bypassed by travlelers whose itineraries basically keep them locked into the primary towns within the spending triangle.... Drawn with Denali as the top and the borders falling to the south which encompass the Kenai Penninsula, and Prince William Sound. Ironically, this is also the same region in which the cruise lines have attempted to turn into Disney North.

This is not to say that those areas are not worth seeing. They really are! But, it is in your best interest to learn how to separate the summer "Alaskans" from the real ones. Then, you will be able to choose the proper host for your time in that respective community.

That's my two cents on the subject.

I completely agree with you Alan! I spent 3 mths in Anchorage (I was deployed there with the military) during the winter (Jan-early Apr) and I have to say I am so glad I was able to experience "living" in Alaska, other than just visiting. I would certainly like to come back during the summer, but the winter was beautiful (I happen to be one of those strange people that likes alot of snow :0) While I was there, I had a rental car and would just drive to different places. Seward, Wasilla and Palmer, Portage and Talkeetna. Just to drive on the Seward Highway was great! I've never seen so many wild animals right there off the side of the road. Also while I was there I was witness to probably one of the most beautiful Aurora's there ever was. I love Alaska and am praying that my husband will get orders there, just so we can go "back".

Thanks Alan