Nelson

mlgb, Thanks. Although I was pretty sure what you meant I had to look up "termination snow", and found this with a beautiful picture that makes me want to go:
https://www.valisemag.com/guides/ala...mination-dust/

The dates I'm looking at would be roughly Aug 20. - Sep 10. Seems like there are things still open then, enough lodges closing around Sept 10-15. TBD.

christy, I have been spending a lot of time on the Alaska Wildlands site. Very informative. Was that third lodge you mention the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge? If so, that is actually the one at the top of my list. It looks like the route stays in Resurrection Bay then turns into Aialik Bay, when seems even more sheltered. But maybe I have to rethink this.

Homer is still on the list. I think it was mlgb who mentioned some of the Anchorage activities and Potter Marsh. My list of bookmarks is getting long.

Thanks Madam397, we will hope for calm water and a whale alongside. Lucky you!

christym907

yes- Kenai Fjord Glacier Lodge. You have to go into the Gulf of Alaska to get to Aialik Bay. that's the issue. Our family went on a day cruise this past summer and the water was so rough in the Gulf that at least half the people on the boat were sick. Or, it could be much calmer--you just never know.

Nelson

Thanks for the follow up Christy. This morning I sent an email to Alaska Wildlands with a couple questions and their answer to this one echoed yours:

“The Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge is a wonderful and unique experience, though I will be honest, there are occasions where the 4.5 hour boat ride to/from the lodge can be choppy at times and we have had guests succumb to seasickness while en-route.”

Unfortunately that means this lodge has to come off the list, not worth the risk. I’ll look closer at their other offerings.

MichelleY

We thought the setting of Resurrection Bay and Seward was so beautiful. I was meh about Homer, but it was a rainy overcast day, so I try not to compare. You will love whichever you choose.

We stayed at Sauerdough Lodging. This was over 20 years ago and it was rickety and interesting. It appears it has been upgraded and remodeled. Right in town, so may not be what you are looking for.

christym907

Their other lodge across Skilak Lake is really interesting. the main building is an old hunter's house , I think. I don't remember the lake being particularly bumpy to get to that lodge, but you can talk to them about that as well. their other lodge in Cooper Landing is really nice. On the road. I would be happy to hang out there for awhile and experience the comings and goings of a summer fishing community. As someone said, Homer was meh. I think anywhere in Alaska can be meh when there are so many clouds you can't even see the mountains! We stayed at Homer Seaside Cottages. they are right across the road to a great beach and very comfortable, especially for two people. Come to think of it, they may be for a bigger group. There used to be some great BnB's .

Gardyloo

I've been on Skilak lake numerous times including some when you had to hold on for dear life when the wind came up and things got very choppy.

So this is going to sound totally OTW but who knows, maybe not so awful.

You can fly round trip from Anchorage to Nome (Alaska Airlines, around 90 min.) for around $350 or less most of the summer. Nome is an historic goldrush town located on the Bering Sea, and while it's not going to win any beauty contests (understatement there) it's unusual for bush communities in that there's a pretty extensive road system that radiates from Nome out into the Seward Peninsula bush. There are three main roads, each around 70-80 miles in length, that can give you a wide range of landscapes to see, some pretty spectacular, and the chance to see LOTS of wildlife including a bazillion birds. (Nome is along a couple of migratory flyways.) In August you'll probably have the tundra starting to show autumn color (it can be fantastic) and the mosquito situation should be minimal.

If your wife is okay driving, you might give some thought to a few days in Nome. There are a couple of local car rental companies (tied to some accommodations in at least one case) and I guarantee you the experience would be vey memorable. Nome itself is still a very active gold mining center, but there's a lot of history in the area, lots of memorable people, historic sites.. And if you want to hang out by a beach, well, bring a gold pan with you and try your luck. You're not going to find luxury accommodations (they'll be adequate) but you WILL see a face of Alaska that most visitors miss. Maybe worth some thought.

Nome Scenic Drives | Driving The Nome Road System | ALASKA.ORG

Wildlife Viewing on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Madam397

Hotels we stayed in during our 2021 Alaska trip:
Anchorage - first night at Sheraton Anchorage -now part of Marriott so we got points but it easy walk for our afternoon Park Connection bus to Talkeetna the next day at the Anchorage Museum. They took our luggage at noon and that allowed us time to visit the outstanding Anchorage Museum. Bus took us directly to Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge

Talkeetna-Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge- awesome lobby and viewing platform from which you can see Denali, if visible. Lovely grounds and comfortable room. We had dinner outside at the casual restaurant. They took us by shuttle van the next day for our trip to Denali

Denali Bluffs Hotel - comfortable, shuttle to bus depot for transit shuttle in Denali the next morning, casual restaurant one night but the other night we had an excellent meal at their sister hotel, Denali Grande which has pretty spectacular view. Walking distance to shops and a breakfast place, Black Bear which was good but most expensive breakfast in our entire trip but we probably over-ordered. Hotel will take your orders the night before you go to Denali for bagged lunch. Shuttle back to train depot for our domed car trip back to Anchorage. Did not handle our luggage at all. Train arrangements through Alaska Tour and Travel
Anchorage - arrived back in Anchorage around 8 or so, having had dinner on the train.

Cab to Hyatt Place Midtown, large comfortable room, better than average hotel provided breakfast, indoor pool and hot tub which was great after sitting for eight hours on transit school bus shuttle in Denali (just about two weeks prior to landslide), shuttle to airport to pick up rental car after spending time touring Anchorage

Seward - Harbor 360, comfortable room but could not get harbor view room, booked in April for August and asked to be notified if harbor view room became available, but none did. Discount on Major Marine cruises as same company and they depart from harbor in front of the hotel, we did 4 hour Resurrection Bay cruise, enjoyed Seward for two nights and did all the Seward activities

Homer - Bay Avenue Bed and Breakfast - comfortable, nice breakfast. Not much of a B & B person but not many options in Homer actually. Family wedding so we were there for 3 nights and were told not to stay on the Spit, maybe concern about traffic, about a mile from the Spit so not walkable but the Farmers Market is just down the road, Dinner one night at Captain Pattie's and rest of time was wedding related

Girdwood- Alyeska Lodge - comfortable room, nice meal in casual restaurant, nice pool and hot tub, since then they have opened a spa. Alyeska Tram and lovely grounds to walk around. Morning stop at Wildlife Conservation Center before driving back to Anchorage for red-eye flight.
Enjoy!

mlgb

Bristle-thighed curlew is a very difficult hike over bowling ball tundra for a bird that looks a lot like a regular Whimbrel. I suggest you save that bird for Hawaii where you can find it on a golf course on the north shore of Oahu. Willow Ptarmigan can be seen in Denali. The scenery doesn't hold a candle to the Alaska Range.The roads, by the way are not paved once you are outside of the town. If you want to risk going on an unpaved road, the Denali Highway between Paxson and Cantwell would be a better choice for scenery.

Nelson

Thank you all once again! I have read and am digesting it all. As mentioned in the first post, I though Alaska could be intimidating, and it is lol.

gardyloo, appreciated the Nome idea, but I have to do a realism check, Any moving part is a risk for my wife's vertigo, so I'll have to scratch that one. (Even train travel is risky, she got very sick when we took the California Zephyr form Denver to Sacramento. The upper deck of those cars were swaying at a perfect seasick inducing cadence. We didn't expect it so she hadn't put on her patch in time.)

I'm still back to my original plan of Anchorage, Kenai, Talkeetna / Denali road, with some modifications. The modifications are more time in Kenai and add a couple stops.

- Drive anchorage to Seward, but spot for 2-3 nights in Girdwood. Then we could do a day trip to Whittier for the "exclusive No Seasickness guarantee" 26 Glacier cruise. Thank you gardyloo for that one, which I found on another thread.
- Stop for a few nights in one of the Alaska Wildlands lodges. christy, I have an email out to them about the Skilak Lake crossing.
- Then a few nights in Seward for the Exit Glacier hike, and if calm maybe do a Resurrection Bay cruise. We can hopefully decide that on the spot.
- Then up to Talkeetna area for 3-4 nights. I get why people don't like to town but if we have a car it could be a fit for us. For example even a short distance on the Denali Highway mentioned by mlgb looks good. I found a site showing where all the good spots are located. Denali State Park seems worthwhile, too.
- Also, September 2nd is new moon, if we are there around that date we'll have dark skies. We've long thought of trying to see the auroras some day, this could be the trip. It's a better than zero chance, and we are in an active period the next couple years, so they say.
- Some time in Anchorage on both ends.

Coming back to what Michelle said, "You will love whichever you choose."

christym907

Gardyloo is right about Skilak! My husband reminded me when I mentioned it to him. It's a huge lake--like everything in Alaska is huge. On your way to Talkeetna you could go up to Independence Mine outside of Palmer. and you can ask around about the condition of the road from there to Willow which is on the highway to Talkeetna. Otherwise , just backtrack on the paved road. I haven't been on the other road in a long time but it's a beautiful drive. You can also go on a walk on the Matanuska Glacier which might be interesting for you. and since you'll be there end of August you could see giant cabbages at the Alaska State Fair! I had forgotten about 26 glacier cruise. It's really nice. Have a great trip!!!

Nelson

We have a plan, somewhat modified, but still similar to my original post.

My wife decided that if we go to Kenai / Seward she wants to put her patch on one day and do a cruise to see the wildlife and sights. She is starting to stock up on patches that have worked in the past. Given that, we may as well take the risk and go to the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge.

Alaska Wildlands Adventures has a package where they pick you up in Anchorage, bring you to their Riverside Lodge in Cooper Landing for one night. The next day it's off to the Glacier Lodge, where we plan to spend 5 nights. Then return to Seward and they have already booked the train back to Anchorage. Most people do that the same day, but we will stay in Seward one night to break it up and check out the town.

Then up to the Talkeetna area for another 5 nights, (sorry gardy!). But since we can time it to be there near the new moon it becomes a chance to see both Denali and the aurora, so a two-fer bucket list in one trip! I am looking at a couple hotels that are 5 miles or so from town. There seems to be more than enough outdoor activities to keep us busy. Christy, the Independence Mine looks really cool, we love those kind of places.

Anyway, that's the big plan, still working out some details. Thanks to all for your suggestions and information. Wish us luck!

mlgb

I will repost the direct link to a lodging that I recommended in Cantwell, on the other Alaska trip planning thread. We stayed (2021) immediately next door in the Perch Cabins, and ate at their Panorama Pizza Pub (excellent).

https://www.mckinleycabins.com/

They also have some trip planning advice as well as an option for a guided self-drive Jeep tour on the Denali Highway (round trip). So possibly your wife can drive to avoid any issues.

Resurrection Bay I have done only early season (May-June and it was calm inside the bay both times). The longer cruises such as to the Northwest Glacier go outside into the Gulf of Alaska which can be rough. Quite often there are whales inside Resurrection Bay, you may wish to ask Major Marine about that. The good thing about going on the shorter cruise if more interested in wildlife, is that they focus on wildlife, versus spending a lot of time waiting for the NW Glacier to calve. You probably will see wildlife just along the edge of Resurrection and other bays/fjords where you drive along the shoreline.

The longer cruise from Whittier does get you to College Fjord , which I saw this year in May from a regular cruise ship. See photo. Not sure if I would stress to do these glacier/whale watch cruises in August. Do check in with the SealIfe Center in Seward. I was skeptical but we could have spent hours at the seabird pool (make sure it is not closed to the public due to any avian flu outbreaks). You shouldn't need to buy far ahead of time for that, but you may want to call Major Marine ahead and ask if advance purchase is a good idea (probably is). For Major Marine in Seward, they can tell you if there have been recent whale sightings. I'm not sure that August will be peak whale viewing
Spectacular College Fjord (Harvard Glacier) May 12, 2023, from bow of Grand Princess, with the extra snow.

Nelson

mlgb, McKinley Cabins looks excellent. I have made note of it. Thanks.

We will be hoping for calm water and/or that her patches are working for our cruise. The rough spot looks like where they turn into Aialik Bay.

Definitely planning to visit the Sealife Center on our day in Seward. From what I've read late August should be decent whale viewing if not actual peak.

Fabulous photo of College Fjord! We've seen big glaciers but this will be something different.

christym907

I"m so glad you decided to risk it and go to the Glacier Lodge. There is a hike up the mountain--beautiful view at the top. I did it and I"m not the mountain hiking type. They have canoes on calm lakes so not too much movement. We saw bears and otters. It's a very comfortable place. Your itinerary sounds great. and you may luck out with the Aurora! Let us know how it all works out!

Nelson

Thanks Christy, and for your help above!

The trip is taking shape, the Kenai portion is booked with the Alaska Wildlands package. We tweaked it a bit, adding two nights in Seward. The full itinerary is looking like this, suits our travel style:

Anchorage - 2 nights
Cooper River Riverside Lodge - 1 night, they shuttle us there
Glacier Lodge - 5 nights
Seward - 2 nights, for Sealife center, maybe Exit Glacier, Harbor 360 hotel
Anchorage - 1 night, must stop due to return train schedule
Talkeetna - 4 nights, arriving just after Sept 2 new moon so it should be really dark at dark o'clock. Settled on Talkeetna for a variety of reasons that work for us. Have tentatively booked Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, while waiting for some other places to release rooms. If we stay there my wife says she may never leave. Probably drive to Talkeetna so we can stop at places like Independence mine if we want to.
Anchorage - 2 nights

I'm going to work on travel insurance now so we qualify for pre-existing conditions.

It's scary exciting. Thanks again. I will report back next year.

christym907

that sounds like a great trip. not to burst your bubble but it doesn't get dark at dark o'clock. You'll still have to get up around 1am or so to catch sight of the Aurora. I bet the hotel staff does wake up calls if she's out. or I bet there's an app or some group that does wake up calls for various areas. It's supposed to be an active year. I'm excited for you!

Nelson

christy, Oh yes, Dark O'clock meant 1-3:00 AM. We often wake up then anyway, you know. Lol.

Whatever sliver of moon we've had will be set by then. The hotel says they do wake up calls, one of the reasons it was selected as an option. But looking for an app is a good idea. Thanks!

christym907

oh-- sorry! yes- I completely understand about waking in the night! the staff there is great and they really want you to have a great time. The cabins there are built on the diagonal so that when you are on your back porch, it's like you're the only cabin there. Can you tell I like that place? ! lol. have a great trip

HappyTrvlr

Does your trip need to be in August? We were advised to go to Alaska in early to mid July so we could see the bears. We did and watching the bears catching salmon in the waterfalls is my favorite memory of Alaska.

Nelson

Hi HappyTrvlr. Thanks for your input and suggestions. Our trip did not have to be in August. It was time around a significant birthday, but the actual travel dates didn’t really matter.

However, we have now decided that a chance to see the aurora has become an important part of the trip. For that reason, among a couple others, we are scheduling it around the new moon in early September. That date gives us a slim chance, at least better than a July date.

We might still be able to see bears at the falls around that time, from what I’ve read online. Or, maybe that is something we miss. But i”m also thinking that this doesn’t nave to be an only trip to Alaska!

Thanks again.