From Glaciers to Grizzlies: My Family's Unforgettable Alaskan Adventure!

Alaska. The very name conjures images of wild beauty, towering peaks, and untamed wilderness. For our family of five, a 9-day Alaskan odyssey wasn't just a trip but an immersive plunge into the heart of the Last Frontier, packed with thrilling adventures and breathtaking encounters. And with near-perfect weather gracing our entire journey, it truly felt like a dream come true!

Here's a day-by-day recap of our epic Alaskan family escapade:

Day 1: Fairbanks Welcome & Pike's Perfection

Our Alaskan journey began with a flight into Fairbanks, where we immediately checked into Pike's Waterfront Lodge. This hotel was a perfect introduction to Alaska. Not only was it super convenient for arrival, but its on-property amenities offered a taste of Alaskan charm right from the start. We appreciated the welcoming atmosphere, setting the tone for the adventures ahead.

Day 2: Golden Views & Denali's Wild Side

Rise and shine! We boarded the Alaska Railroad's GoldStar Service from Fairbanks to Denali. The second-story dome seats provided unparalleled panoramic views of the passing landscape, and enjoying a delicious breakfast in the first-floor dining car felt like a truly classic Alaskan experience. Upon arrival in Denali, we checked into the Crows Nest. While it offered an "authentic Alaskan experience," we wouldn't necessarily recommend it for future stays, but it certainly added to the adventure! That evening, we kicked off our Denali exploration with a private ATV experience through Healy. Off-roading on side-by-side ATVs, we had the incredible opportunity to spot moose in their natural habitat and even ride through refreshing rivers, which was a thrilling start to our time in Denali!

Day 3: Traverse Alaska's 5-Star Adventures

Day three was dedicated to the expertise of Traverse Alaska, a company we truly rate as five-star! Our morning began with a fantastic family raft float down the Nenana River, offering a unique perspective of the surrounding wilderness. Afterward, we embarked on a captivating hike through Denali Park, which culminated in a visit to Denali Park Husky. We got to meet these incredible working dogs and learn about their lives, even discovering that their journeys can be followed online – a fascinating insight into Alaskan culture.

Day 4: Soaring Over Denali & Talkeetna Charm

This was a definite highlight! We took to the skies with Fly Denali out of Healy on an 8-seater plane. Our flight soared us through Denali National Park, providing awe-inspiring aerial views of the vast wilderness. A true magical moment came when Mt. McKinley (Denali) peaked through the clouds, allowing us to see its majestic summit. The adventure continued as we landed on Ruth Glacier, spending time exploring its icy expanse before flying back to Healy. From there, we began our drive to Anchorage, making a delightful stop in the quaint town of Talkeetna to stroll its charming streets.

Day 5: Anchorage Urban Delights & Girdwood Bound

We dedicated our fifth day to exploring Anchorage. We immersed ourselves in Alaskan history and culture at the Alaska Museum, enjoyed a delicious lunch, and indulged in some sweet treats at Wild Scoop for some truly delightful ice cream. After soaking up the city's vibe, we picked up our rental car and drove south to Girdwood, where we checked into the luxurious Alyeska Resort for the next leg of our journey.

Day 6: Glacier Dogsledding & Wildlife Wonders

Prepare for an unforgettable day! We embarked on an incredible helicopter tour with Alpine Air Adventures to Punchbowl Glacier. Here, we experienced the magic of dog sledding with the dedicated team who live and work on the glacier during the summer. We met the friendly mushing dogs, enjoyed exhilarating sled rides, and even had the immense pleasure of meeting their newest mushers – 11-day-old puppies! Sledding down the hills surrounding the glacier was an absolute thrill. The helicopter ride back offered equally stunning views of the surrounding glaciers and towns below. Later that day, we took the Alyeska Mountain Tram to the summit for breathtaking panoramic views and a lovely lunch. To cap off the day, we drove to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where we encountered an incredible array of Alaskan animals, including black bears, wolves, foxes, coyotes, brown bears, muskox, and more!

Day 7: Scenic Rail to Seward & Coastal Hike

Another scenic rail journey awaited us! We took the Alaska Railroad from Girdwood to Seward, once again treated to spectacular views of glaciers and abundant wildlife along the way. Upon arriving in Seward, we enjoyed a delightful lunch at Ray's Waterfront before spending the afternoon exploring the charming coastal town. In the late afternoon, we met our knowledgeable hiking guide for a wonderful wilderness hike to Lowell Point and the stunning Kenai Peninsula Borough, immersing ourselves in the coastal beauty.

Day 8: Whittier's Wonders & Humpback Whales!

Today brought us through the fascinating, almost 3-mile, one-way tunnel to the unique town of Whittier. Here, we met our captain with Lazy Otter Charters for an incredible 6-hour boat ride through the Kenai Peninsula. The wildlife sightings were phenomenal: we spotted a black bear, huge flocks of bald eagles, playful tufted puffins, and to top it all off, a magnificent humpback whale putting on a show! During our boat ride, we witnessed the Blackstone Glacier calving into the water, creating "burgies" (small icebergs) and seeing other "growlers" (ice fragments) floating in the water – a truly dynamic display of nature's power.

Day 9: Alyeska Leisure & Spa Serenity

Our final full day was a much-needed day of leisure at Alyeska Resort. We took advantage of the resort's amenities, enjoying some hiking and walking around the beautiful property, taking a refreshing dip in the indoor pool, and for the moms, indulging in a wonderfully relaxing day at their Nordic Spa. Each of our five nights in Girdwood was capped with wonderful meals, both at Alyeska Resort and in the charming town, including memorable dinners at Jack Sprat's and Spoonline Bistro.

Day 10: Farewell Alaska!

With hearts full of incredible memories and cameras full of stunning photos, we headed back home, reflecting on an truly amazing Alaskan adventure, made even more special by the near-perfect weather we experienced throughout our journey.

Alaska, with its wild beauty and endless opportunities for adventure, proved to be the perfect destination for our family of five. It's a trip that will undoubtedly be talked about for years to come!