Alaskan Adventure Teaser

I’m excited to introduce our very first guest blogger, Allison. She is a very dear friend of ours and is an avid traveler and adventurer. Allison, along with her husband Pete, just came back from an amazing Alaskan vacation and they were kind enough to share a peak into their journey. Stay tuned as Allison continues their Alaskan adventure in upcoming posts.

Written by Allison:

Interested in visiting the 49^th state? Alaska should be on everyone’s travel bucket list, especially if you are up for an adventure. The vacation possibilities here are endless, as she definitely lives up to her nickname “The Final Frontier.”

The best time of year to visit Alaska is in the summer (mid-May through mid-September). We planned our trip in August and were greeted by crisp mornings and comfortably cool day time temperatures, with a high in the low-60s most days. While exploring Alaska in the summer, it is best to dress in layers and always have a raincoat on-hand. Pete and I found it important to live by the moto “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear.” We would have missed out on so much of our trip if we hid inside from the rain. From our experience, Alaska rain is nothing more than a light drizzle anyway.

We found these items to be an absolute must on our journey:

Raincoat (Ensure your raincoat is waterproof, not water-resistant. There is a difference.)
Light warm jacket
Long sleeve shirts for layering
Light winter accessories (a beanie, scarf, and gloves)
Comfortable walking shoes
Chap-stick
Camera
Binoculars

If you have the time, it is best to plan an itinerary that allows you to explore Alaska by land, air, and sea. After all, did you know much of Alaska can only be reached by plane or boat? This includes cities like their state capital, Juneau. It is this remoteness that makes the Alaskan way of life so different from the lower 48.

Our trip was two weeks long. We spent the first half taking in the sights of Anchorage, Denali, and Seward. We chose to travel between these areas by train, and loved it. A rental car or chartered bus is another viable option, however, if you prefer the freedom of the road or do not like the leisurely pace of the train. We capped off our trip with a weeklong cruise through Southeast Alaska from Seward to Vancouver. There are also plenty of options for an aerial excursion on a sea-plane or to experience a glacial flight no matter where you visit in this great state. Through pricey, you will experience breathtaking views and obtain a unique appreciation for the natural beauty that is Alaska.

Stay tuned for additional blog entries highlighting our favorite sights, food, and activities!