something different in Alaska
 

We are going in September and would like to try something a bit different...perhaps a smaller yacht tour for a week and then a week in the interior. Any suggestions?<BR>(Is that better?) ;)

Cathy,<BR><BR>Notice how quick people are to nasty but can't take the time to respond in a helpful way? Have a great time.

No suggestions on a yacht, but the most "different" thing we did up there last month was dogsledding on a Glacier in Seward. GodWin Glacier dogsled tours has an operation there which takes you via helicopter from Seward, over Resurrection Bay, to Godwin Glacier where they have a camp with several hundred dogs. The experience of driving a dogsled was definitely one of the most memorable of our trip.

The possibilities are many...<BR><BR>Go on a fly-in fishing excursion - float plane (many in Anchorage) takes you to a roadless lake with a cabin and boat then picks you up a few days later. In the meantime it's just you and the loons and the moose (and hopefully the trout); you can do river float trips with the same idea; the plane drops you off, you float downstream for a couple of days, then the plane picks you up. There are also less "independent" versions of this - lodges rather than cabins, with people to cook and clean so you don't have to.<BR><BR>For an affordable seagoing expedition, take the Alaska State Ferry from Seward or Homer to Kodiak. This is definitely off the beaten path for tourists, but you'll find Kodiak a fascinating place - Russian history, amazing wildlife and fishing, beautiful countryside, interesting people. <BR><BR>Go on an excursion to Kotzebue and Nome, easily managed through Alaska Airlines. September is an interesting time of the year (getting on into autumn - very busy) in the arctic and subarctic. Gold mining and fabulous history in Nome, eskimo culture in Kotzebue (above the Arctic circle) - dip your toesies in the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean before they (the oceans) freeze. Well worth the investment.

I second the motion for going to Kodiak. It is really neat.

Thank you everyone! I will check them all out right away. :)

For yacht cruising see Cruise West. They have yacht cruising in the day and hotel stays at night. They will plan any excursion you want.

I'd definitely recommend going north, although not for a full week. Several years ago we flew Fairbanks-Barrow and stayed overnight. A full day or two there or Nome would be enough to experience a place that seems a million miles away from Anchorage. We also loved the area around Denali for the scenery and wildlife.