I’ve been thinking about wrapping up what I thought was best about our Alaskan trip during our 4 1/2 month journey. There was so much beauty every single day that I thought it couldn’t get any better or anymore beautiful. But little did I know, that’s typical of Alaska. Just when you think you are blown away by the beauty, the mountains, the animals, the people-you come around a bend in the road and your jaw drops and you find yourself running out of adjectives to describe what you are seeing ! And the same goes for British Columbia and the Yukon.
Cassiar Highway-next time we head to Alaska it will be round trip on this highway-I think it’s much more adventurous and much prettier than the other route !The bears along the Cassiar were some of my favorites
One of the best views on our way to Alaska-we watched storms and rainbows for hoursIf you are going up the Cassiar or returning that way, you should do the road to Telegraph Creek, just outside Dease. You ride through pine forests for a bit, but when it opens up, it’s breathtaking. And some of the best boon docking available.Good Hope Lake was one of those magical, sparkling, emerald green lakes we passed along the way.The Yukon River was wild-I stood on the suspension bridge over it and imagined all the dreamers who came West in search of Gold.
Going to Skagway-don’t miss this train ride. We usually don’t like to do touristy things-but this ride is worth it, up over White Pass. And take the late afternoon one, you will miss all the tourists.Boon docking in Haines, just off the highway-how perfectI would have to say the Haines Highway blew me away-it was my favorite. The mountains come right down to the road, and on some days you are driving through the clouds.
We discovered this boon docking site using iOverlander-and we returned to it later in the trip. Surrounded by forests, hills and blue skies-just beautiful. Off the Takhini River Road.
My most unforgettable moment-forever burned into my heart and soul. In Kluane National Park.
Fielding Lake Campground-along the stream, surrounded by mountains, no one around!
Denali-nothing more to say !Teklanika Campground, Denali National Park-ahh-we rode the shuttle every day through the park-spent 10 days here, because we loved the park so much!
Another tourist thing we did-and I highly recommend it. Fly over Denali and land on a glacier ! We flew with K2 Aviation-great company
Try Hatcher Pass Road-what a beautiful drive-packed dirt and gravel-not bad. It is accessible and well-marked from both the Parks Highway in Wasilla and the Glenn Highway, just north of Palmer.
Moose’s Tooth Pizza in Anchorage-we made three trips to this spot-it was soooo good !Resurrection Bay in Seward-another gorgeous spot-the mountains come right down to the sea.And another tour you shouldn’t miss doing if you have the time.Kenai Fjords TourKenai Fjords TourBest cinnamon rolls in Alaska can be found in Girdwood at The Bake ShopI do not recommend this spot unless you have 4 wheel drive. We took the RS Adventurous down here and didn’t think we would make it out, but we did. It’s one of my favorites because of the halibut ! We met a doctor, fishing from a Hobie kayak, 2 miles off shore, he came in with about 40-50 lbs of freshly caught halibut and shared some with us-great memory.
We didn’t do the Katmai trip to see the bears. Instead I found Sasquatch Alaska Adventures, liked what I saw and so glad we used them. Took us out where there was no one but our small group and the bears, surrounded by mountains and a volcano. Another day I will never, ever, forget.View from our flight with Sasquatch Alaska AdventuresGlaciers seen from the planeNothing more fun and heart stopping than landing on a narrow gravel bar on the beach
And the best ever camping experience. We camped along the Gerstle River outside of Delta, AK-just off the Black Veterans Memorial Bridge. And our first night we were treated to the absolutely jaw dropping show of Northern Lights.Gerstle River Northern LightsAlaskan Range views from our site along the Gerstle RiverMany sweet sunsets along the GerstleOur Northern Lights treats along the Gerstle
Another find via iOverlander- just off the East End Rd above Homer -we had our own private view of Kachemak Bay and all the glaciers.
Shhh, stealth camping, and if you go, please be very very stealth-Bishop’s Beach, HomerAnother moment I won’t forget-on the Skyline Drive overlook above Homer Spit -we joined 5 travelers from Italy (the fifth was taking a nap) for wine and cheese and lots of laughter.Homer SpitTop of the World Highway in Autumn-beyond unforgetttable
Treated to another Northern Lights show in the Yukon ! So blessed.
Our first trip to Jasper and it won’t be the last.
Fell in love with Jasper-plan on returning for a Winter trip soon !
It was difficult to keep from posting every singe photo I took on this trip-every moment was a favorite. If we never get the chance to return to Alaska (and I hope that doesn’t happen) I will be content with our incredible journey and feel so blessed for the lovely travelers we met along the way.
I have been following several of you who are traveling to or are in Alaska now and I’m very jealous, in a good way ! Your trips are bringing back so many wonderful memories. We didn’t know what to expect on our journey to Alaska and we were totally surprised by it all. Breathtaking, gorgeous, incredible- don’t even begin to describe it. If you are there now, enjoy every single moment-if you haven’t been yet-what are you waiting for ?
Wandering Under the Stars 