Day of Departure...We're off to meet Seymour the Moose

It's been fun sharing some of the fun things we plan to do during our short visit to Alaska.  Our first stop is in Houston, then onto Anchorage.  Once we arrive in Anchorage, we'll be met by Flat Seymour the Moose.  Look for him in our pictures....

Jet Boat Tour

On this most popular trip we'll travel 10 miles up river with a sweeping view of Denali and the Alaska Range.  We are likely to encounter wildlife such as moose, bears, beavers, bald eagles and many other species of birds. Our guide will acquaint us with the wildflowers and plants that grow along the rivers edge. We'll take a short nature walk (1/4 mile) to view an old trapper's cabin.

Iditarod

We'll be driving through several towns that are involved in the Iditarod.  Not sure I want to visit a kennel due to the husky pups.  My husband wants a Husky, but I don't want their shedding habits.  Therefore, I don't want them to win my heart.  ;)
Anyways, I think it would be neat to take a Iditaride.  We'll see how we do for time on this one.

While we're in Denali National Park, we will take in a Sled Dog Demonstration.

Kenai Fjords National Park

We'll be visiting the Kenai Fjords National Park, taking in the sites of Exit Glacier and the ice fields.

 

There is alot of wildlife in the Kenai Fjords area.  I'll soon have my own photos of these beautiful Puffins.

Salmon...I love to eat it.

 

Alaska offers five different species of wild salmon including
king, sockeye, coho, silverbrite, and pink salmon.

Being from the lower 48, I think I've only enjoyed the king and pink salmon variety.  I am hoping to get to try the others in this fashion...

 

Yum.  Can you taste it?  One of the enjoyable activities of vacationing...trying the different foods from the locals.

Alyeska Resort Tram...Five days to accent

It snowed above the glaciers while it rained in the valley yesterday.

We'll be visiting the Alyeska Resort and riding the tram to the top of the mountain.  Hope to make it to the top for lunch.

Wow, we are going to experience all kinds of weather while we're in Alaska.  The weather report is forcasting rain/snow everyday.  Lovely!!!  Where are the gloves and scarves?  Better put them in the suitcase.

ALYESKA AERIAL TRAM FACTS
The Alyeska Tramway, designed by Von Roll Tramways, Inc. of Switzerland, has a regenerative drive system. AC power is converted to DC, allowing the tram to operate at varied speeds (slow to fast)

In the winter, the tram operates at full speed. In the summer, the tram is operated at half speed, allowing ample time to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

The tram operates two cars on a counterweight system -- as one car goes up the other car comes down.
Maximum Speed : 26 miles per hour or 42 kilometers per hour
Average Time: winter - 4 minutes, summer - 8 minutes
Capacity: Each of the two cars holds a maximum of 60 persons. 800 persons per hour maximum in the winter
Elevations Lower Tram Terminal: 306 feet or 93 meters
Glacier Tram Terminal: 2,334 Feet or 711 Meters
Vertical Rise: 2,025 Feet or 617 Meters
Length of Span: 3,869 Feet or 1179 Meters

Wildlife...Six days and counting

 

I can see it now!

One week until departure for Anchorage

WooHoo!!! Anyone else excited? 3,800 miles to the big city of Anchorage. Can anyone say "road trip"? NOT, glad we're flying to the 49th state.
After reading several sources about Anchorage, it sounds like a pretty diverse place. I'm looking forward to experiencing thier tagline "Big Wild Life".

• Anchorage is the largest metropolis in Alaska. Over forty percent of the Alaskan population lives here.
• Anchorage has been named All-America City four times, in 1956, 1965, 1984/85, and 2002, by the National Civic League.
• Anchorage is home to 250 black bears, 60 grizzly bears, 250 moose, 30 wolves and some dall sheep. Wonder how they keep track of this?!
• Anchorage is as far north as Helsinki, Finland(been there) and as far west as Honolulu, HI.
• Six mountain ranges can be seen from Anchorage.
• More than 60 glaciers and 30 ponds and lakes are within 50 miles of Anchorage.

Let the fun begin!!!

Priceline...Gotta Love It

Gotta love the "Name your own price". We are renting a hotel room for 42% of the listed price. Hotel rooms in Anchorage...or Alaska, for that matter, are not cheap. Thanks Priceline.

Music in the Park: Midnight Starlight

Music in the Park is an hour long concert during the lunch hour designed for locals, office workers and visitors. This popular family event is part of the "Summer In The City" event series and is held in Peratrovich Park on Wednesdays & Fridays every summer between 12:00pm - 1:00pm.
Click here for the 2009 Music in the Park schedule of performers.
Summer in the City
The "Summer In The City" concert and theatre programs are spread over the three months of summer and provide a safe and family friendly environment for both residents of Anchorage and visitors. Each event is staffed with an information table and greeter with Summer In The City rack cards, What To Do In Downtown Anchorage brochures and Anchorage Parking maps. Security is provided by the Anchorage Downtown Partnership, Ltd. Security Ambassadors.

Alaska Scenic Byways

"Recognized for its scenic, natural, historical and recreational values, the 127-mile Seward Highway holds triple designation: USDA Forest Service Scenic Byway, Alaska Scenic Byway, and All-American Road.

The first 50 miles of the Seward Highway skirts the base of the Chugach Mountains and the shore of Turnagain Arm, where it's common to see beluga whales, Dall sheep, waterfalls and eagles. The remainder of the drive courses through the mountains, offering dramatic views of wild Alaska"

Fifteen days...I'm jumping up and down.

I am totally looking forward to our visit to Alaska. They have a blueberry festival going on this weekend in Girdwood at the Alyeska Resort. It seems weird to be harvesting blueberries in August. The heat would have gotten to anything alive in Oklahoma in August.

Sixteen Days to go

This week was quite busy so I didn't have a chance to even think about Alaska. Our church hosted the ADMIT conference and I coordinated the childcare that is offered during the sessions. As my husband says, this is our annual form of birth control. There were approximately 50 kids in attendance this year. We have them for about 30 hours over two and a half days. All I can say is Thank you to everyone who helped. I sure could not have been there the whole time, 3-5 hours each night is enough for me.

Twenty One...Three Weeks and we'll be traversing through the 49th state

Wow! Time is flying by. Before long, we'll be trekking up a hiking path at Denali National Park.

Twenty Two...BONUS...Girdwood Fungus Fair

For the love of mushrooms, I never knew there was such following for these water absorbing creatures. Just last year they located 89 varieties in the Girdwood area during the Girdwood Fungus Fair . Didn't know I was going to be going to such a "fun" place. They even offer a 5 course meal...each course contains, yep you guessed it, fungus. We don't have plans to attend this event, but thought it very interesting. I wonder if they have fungus followers in Oklahoma?!!!

Twenty Three...Girdwood, AK

We'll be making a stop in Girdwood, AK at the Alyeska Resort and taking the tram up the mountain.

Rebekah is getting married

My little sister is getting married this fall. Congratulations!

I just have to brag a bit...My Husband is quite a craftsman

We've been wanting a pergola on our patio for quite sometime. Well, we finally have it. My husband built it. Check it out!

Twenty Six...Alaska State Fair

They say the vegetables at the fair in Palmer are the heftiest. Chalk it up to 22 hours of daylight! Can you even imagine a cabbage that weights 80 pounds or a carrot at 20? All I have to say is I've got to see it. Yes, we'll be visiting the Alaska State Fair. Maybe Sarah will be there the same day?!

BTW, did you know Alaska turns Fifty this year? I wish I was turning 50 for the simple fact that you can get all kinds of free stuff if you turn fifty this year with Alaska. Not fair. If your 50th birthday is this year and you're still looking for a place to vacation, Alaska should be your destination.

Twenty Seven....Do you think there's a chance I'll meet her?

The one person I'd love to meet while I'm in Alaska is Sarah Palin. What do you think my chances are? I did go to a rally in Colorado Springs last fall and was within 150 ft of her.

Twenty Eight...seeing the Northern Lights

One of the things I've always wanted to see is the Nothern Lights or aurora borealis. While researching things to do in Alaska, I found out that September is one of the best months for viewing the lights in Alaska. I'm looking forward to seeing them in person. When living in Colorado, we could see them on occasion, but they were very faint.

This picture shows a view above the Talkeetna Mountains. We will staying two nights in Talkeetna. I hope to have a view like this.

Twenty Nine and counting

Have you ever considered the awesome God who created this earth? It sure is filled with "his wonder and majesty." I can't even imagine what heaven is going to be like. For now, I'll settle for Alaska.

Thirty Days until departure

One day closer to our destination. Most of the planning is complete. I like to research a destination before I go so I can get the most value for the money I'm spending. I came across a coupon book of BOGO offers. It makes no sense to have to pay for a coupon book, however, I succumbed to purchasing the Alaska TourSaver. All in all, it will save us around $1,200.00.

Countdown to our visit in the 49th State

We're on the final countdown until we depart for Alaska. I can hardly wait. Got any tips or stories about your travel to Alaska? I'd love to hear about them. This girl is bound for Alaska on August 31st.