Alaska Vacations: Adventure en Masse

Alaska Vacations

Have you ever thought of going to Alaska? Every step along the way offers sightseeing and touring opportunities in such a wide variety you’ll never lack for choices. From whale watching, wildlife and glacier tours to historical towns and gold mines to cultural experiences to pure Alaskan wilderness adventure, you’ll find much to experience and savor. From the Inside Passage to Fairbanks in the heart of the state to the frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean to the tip of the Kenai Peninsula you’ll discover the best Alaska has to offer.

If you’re looking for adventure, Alaska has it all from the mild to the wild. Raft a world-class river, kayak along rugged coastlines, hike or bike a mountain trail. All are available on your own or with an experienced guide. Out of town adventures include charter fishing trips, sightseeing cruises and flightseeing tours. The railroad can take you in comfort through some of the world’s most spectacular scenery.

I must admit it was not on my “bucket list”, but thankfully it was on my husbands list. So off to Alaska we went! We traveled through Alaska via train and car. My first and last word to describe Alaska are “WOW”! Alaska is an incredible place with so much to offer. We started off in Anchorage and took the kids to the Anchorage Museum, might as well get a feel for Alaska and its history.

We spent time in Talkeetna riding with the sled dogs of the man that came in 16th in the Iditarod Race, saw humpback whales breaching in Seaward and met a national Geographic photographer shooting the migration of bald eagles in Homer Alaska. Homer Alaska is the Halibut capital of the world, so yes, we flew home with 37 pounds of fresh Alaskan Halibut caught by the men in my life!

Now that I have been to Alaska, I am dying to go back.

On the top of my list in Alaska is to win a permit to view the brown bears at the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary. McNeil River is Alaska’s most famous bear viewing area. A number of brown bears can be observed every year as they congregate at McNeil River Falls to feed on salmon. There are no commercial outfitters to this site. Everyone must apply through a highly competitive State of Alaska lottery system (only about ten applicants wins the lottery each year).

I am not much of a camper, but this would be an opportunity of a lifetime. I submit an application every year. I still haven’t been awarded a viewing permit but I know my day is coming, then back off to Alaska I will go!