Hi, everyone, my husband and I are in the process of planning our trip to Alaska for August 1-10, 2005. We are going first and foremost to be transfixed by Alaska's wildlife. We love nature and just plan on soaking up all the beautiful views and wildlife. However, we are also going to check out Alaska as a potential place to live. The two cities I am employable in are Anchorage and Fairbanks.

We were originally planning to spend 3 days in Denali, 2 in Seward, 2 in Homer, and the end of the trip in Anchorage. However, my husband raised the idea of us running up to Fairbanks after we visit Denali, just to see it. But with that added in, it seems like we are doing too much. We can drop Homer off our itinerary (I don't want to but we could) but my husband really really wants to see Seward. Is it possible to see Denali, Fairbanks, and Seward? We don't really need to see Anchorage that much since we know it would be fine. I've read dozens and dozens of posts off this wonderful board and have a feeling that people are going to say we're trying to do too much. But I thought I'd check just in case. Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated, both about how to fit in what we want to see and how to maximize our wildlife-viewing time while we are in Alaska.

Thanks!

If the trip were only for recreation, then I'd recommend skipping Fairbanks and keeping Homer. Adding the employment screening aspect, I'd say your plan to skip Homer and look at Fairbanks makes sense.

With this amount of time and this itinerary, you may be disappointed in how much wildlife you see. Along the well traveled roads, a huge amount of wildlife is the exception rather than the rule. Enjoy the magnificent scenery and treat wildlife sightings as a bonus.

I'd really try to take a day while in Seward for the longer Fjord boat tour. You are likely to see a considerable amount of sea life, including both humpback and killer whales as well as the awe-inspiring close-up view of a large calfing glacier.

If you're spending three days in Denali, then you could jam in a Fbx visit. It might be helpful, although a summer visit might give you a skewed perspective.

Here's what that visit wouldn't show you and could help you decide if a trip is worth it:

The summers are lovely there, much nicer than Anchorage, but the springs, falls and winters are much longer, darker and colder. Figure from 30-40 degrees colder in the winter. That makes a big difference if you like winter activities such as cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Plus, there's no decent downhill skiing in FBX. There's less golf and the fishing is not nearly as good.

It is -- and feels -- tremendously smaller. There's much less to do any time of the year, both outdoors and culturally. There is no comparison in restaurant options. Anchorage is blessed by having both maritime and alpine options close at hand. There's a much better diversity of wildlife and topography in the Anchorage area.

There's definite end-of-the-road feel in Fbx and if you want to get away -- for a few hours or a few days -- it's much harder.

I too agree- if you are looking to move to Alaska, you need much more than this trip and certainly a winter trip is necessary first. What you may want to consider ideally is last couple weeks in March. Superb for the Ice Sculpture championships and a good amount of daylight and usually not at the coldest. Anyway- I too agree- you are setting your sights way too high on wildlife- it is not like the brochures. You also are too early in my opinion for a trip to Wonder Lake- the bugs just greatly hinder any enjoyment 10 fold. So you are likely only going to get to Eielson (or similar with that likely being closed). Myself- I NEVER go to Wonder Lake before the end of August. To increase your sightings- you may want to go in every day. A good pair of binoculars are necessary. With your time limits- skip Homer. Seward is worthwhile again go on the Northwestern Fjords tour ONLY with your wildlife priority- clearly my only choice after many many trips. Consider www.toursaver.com if you can use it? Anchorage- is very worthwhile, so plan on one day perhaps. Hopefully you have THE MILEPOST- otherwise purchase a copy after 3-05- it is necessary.

Thank you so much for your responses and insight on Fairbanks. I agree that a one-day trip in August will not tell me what I need to know about how I feel about Fairbanks. So we are likely going to skip Fairbanks altogether and are planning a winter trip up there - maybe March as BQ suggests.

Also, thanks for the comments about the wildlife. Actually, I meant "nature" as much as wildlife - beautiful vistas, lovely wildflowers, etc. While I would love to see the "big four" of Alaska's wildlife, I am just interested in any nature, both plant and animals. I'm sure that Alaska's birds will keep me busy and happy if nothing else, since I've never been and can't wait to have fun trying to identify them....

I'll post again later to ask for help with our itinerary - thanks again so much for your help!

Actually, I wouldn't be too discouraged about the prospects of seeing wildlife. There are a few tips that can make wildlife spotting much more productive.

1) Don't expect to see brown bears anywhere but Denali NP (unless you take a specific bear viewing trip, i.e. Katmai or McNeil). My experiences might be atypical, but on numerous trips to Denali I have always spotted grizzlies.

2) Hit a sideroad/small highway around twilight to find moose. Stop along swamps/ponds and take your time looking. The roads around Eagle River are a great option if you're in Anchorage.

3) Take a float trip on the Upper Kenai. Good chance of eagles and moose.

4) Take your time on Seward Highway just south of ANC, where you almost always find Dall sheep (hence the term: blue-haired goat gapers) and frequently can spot belugas.

5. Visit Spenard.

BTW, if you move to Anchorage, you'll have all the viewing options can handle.

I have seen moose on both my long trips to Alaska but only two on the first trip and only one the second.

On the first trip, I drove from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs and, on the way back, saw a cow and calf browsing on aquatic plants in a roadside pond. Despite driving all over the Kenai Peninsula and train trips from Anchorage to Fairbanks and back and from Anchorage to Seward and back, I did not see any others.

On the second trip, I was there for ten days and, again, drove all over the KP, up to Talkeetna, and back and out to the eastern suburbs of Anchorage. I did not see a single moose until almost the last hour of my trip when I saw an immature cow grazing in the median of the freeway within the Anchorage City limits. I also saw 4 pods of Beluga in Turnagain Arm on that trip.

Before our June trip this year, I frequently checked the Anchorage Daily News website for stories about wildlife. www.adn.com Homer is where we saw the most eagles at one time. There is a long marshy stretch between Soldotna and Kenai where we saw moose. This would only be a short detour on your way to Homer. At other times of the year, caribou are in this area but I think you will be too early for them. We have always been on the Seward Hwy at low tide so I'm envious of those who have seen whales. Both times we have seen black bear, it was in Girdwood.
You may want to purchase the Alaska WildBerry Guide and Cookbook or similar guide books. Annuals and perennials seem to grow much bigger in Alaska. The flowering baskets are gorgeous in August. There will be masses of Fireweed. You will love the sea birds and life you see on the boat trip out of Seward. There is a very nice wildflower and plant identification garden in front of the Pratt Museum in Homer. Both the rest area just before you get to Homer and the road above the town have wonderful views. In June there were quite a few different wildflowers and berry plants blooming around Independence Mine in Hatchers Pass between Wasilla and Palmer. Might be worth a slight detour on your return from Denali. This would be a much higher elevation than the town areas. There are some wonderful artists in Alaska. My favorite illustrated book is Alaska Wildflowers by Gail Niebrugge. The stories accompanying her illustrations are wonderful. Best wishes!