Getting Started

A trip to Alaska had not been my plan for 2015.  I had planned a 9 week trip to Europe when I developed some medical issues and my doctor advised against such a lengthy vacation.  Alaska was on my "bucket list" so it became my second choice vacation for 2015.  I started my planning around December 2014.

The only thing I knew going into this planning was that I believed a land/cruise combo was the only way to visit Alaska so I went to my local AAA travel agency and got information on Holland America and Princess cruise trips to Alaska.    My husband and I finally decided on Holland America's 13 day Triple Denali Journey.  A one week cruise from Seward to Vancouver, BC/Canada (southbound with Glacier Bay) and a land portion which began with 1 night in Fairbanks, 3 nights in Denali, and 1 night in Anchorage before heading to Seward for the cruise.  I booked a verandah suite on the port side of the ship.   Looking through the brochure for Holland America I added on the Arctic Circle Overnight Expedition and the Anchorage and Kenai Fjords Sampler.  I also added 1 extra night to Fairbanks and 1 night in Vancouver instead of flying home right after arriving in Vancouver from the cruise.  

Our HAL trip would begin 8/10/15 and end on 8/24/15.  Done I thought.

Then I went to the travel forum for Alaska on Trip Advisor and Fodor's as these forums had been so helpful in our 2014 trip to Southeast Asia.

All too soon I decided I needed more time in Alaska and since my husband and I normally take DIY trips I decided to do just that.  I would add a DIY trip before our Holland America trip. Our DIY trip was from 7/27/15-8/10/15.  Our HAL trip began on 8/10/15.

I booked a flight from Buffalo-Detroit-Seattle-Anchorage for 7/27/15.  We would pick up a rental car in Anchorage on 7/28.  I decided to add nights in Homer, Seward, Whittier, Anchorage, and Fairbanks.  I booked a flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks for 8/9/15 and a rental car for Fairbanks. Our return home flight was booked for 8/24/15.  Vancouver-Newark-Buffalo.  My doctor was not happy but gave me the ok for the trip as long as I would take things slow and easy.

About us:

My husband and I would be ages 70 and 73 on this trip.  I am a former teacher/social worker and my husband was a union painter working on bridges, schools, churches.  We are both retired so are finally able to take vacations of more than a week.  I am an avid photographer.  I especially love places with lots of history, beautiful scenery, wildlife, good food.  My husband is the adventurous one.  He enjoys scuba diving, golf-outdoor sports.  My back and shoulder issues hindered me from some activities I would normally do with my husband.   Prior long trips since retirement have been China, Kenya/Tanzania, London, Costa Rica, Egypt, Greece, Cambodia, Myanmar/Burma, and Thailand.

Activities planned:

I planned and booked a bear viewing trip; a fishing trip for my husband;
day boat trips to Katchemak Bay/Seldovia, Kenai Fjords, and Prince William Sound; a dog sledding trip out of Seward; a McKinley/Denali flight seeing trip with landing; a white water rafting trip and an ATV trip for my husband in Denali; a shuttle bus to Wonder Lake/Denali for me.  For the ports I booked the fast ferry from Haines to Skagway and back, the WPYR train/coach from Skagway, a whale watching trip from Juneau, and a Misty Fjords flight seeing trip from Ketchikan.
I was really starting to get excited about this trip!!

Packing:

This was very hard for me as we had to pack for the cruise (2 formal evenings) and our DIY trip.  I ended up taking too many clothes that I had packed specifically for the cruise that I really didn't need.  I did pack for the formal evenings on board and I'm glad I did that as I really enjoyed them.  What I got the most use out of was the medium weight thermal top and bottoms I bought, my Columbia 2 in 1 jacket, gloves, neck warmer.  It gets cold on the boat trips and was cold on our Arctic trip.  Our fleece jackets also came in handy.  For shoes I wore my Keens waterproof hiking boots that I've had for years and packed comfortable sneakers, flip flops for the pool, and a pair of black dressy flats.
I also had a separate carry on suitcase designed to hold camera/video gear.  I brought my Canon EOS Rebel and its 100-400 telephoto lens, a Panasonic Point & Shoot, a Canon Point & Shoot, and a SONY video camera.  That weighed 16 lbs. easy!  We had less clothes/suitcases for our 3+ month long trip to SE Asia!

Hotels:

For our DIY I booked Historic Anchorage Hotel, Pioneer Inn (Homer), Breeze Inn (Seward), Inn at Whittier, Springhill Suites at University Lake-Anchorage.  I was very pleased with all the hotels I had pre booked and would most likely stay at them all again.

Car Rental:

The best deal I got was from Hertz.  Anchorage to Anchorage 11 days 7/28/15-8/7/15 $639.07
Fairbanks 1 day $50.41

Miscl:

I ordered some books-The Milepost for the DIY and The Alaska Cruise Handbook.  I contacted the visitor websites for Alaska and all the cities we would visit and received brochure/pamphlets in the mail full of really helpful information.  I had a ton of reading to do!!

I also had a small notebook around 7" x 5" where I wrote down information on our flights, hotels, car rental.  Also made notations of restaurants, excursion/activity websites.  Loaded all this information also into dropbox on my computer and I Pad.  I kept a day by day journal.

I made a 2 page calendar spreadsheet for the months of July and August where I could make note of every detail of this trip.  This really helps me even if some think this is too OCD.  Did I follow this schedule verbatim?  Of course not.  Things don't always work out the way you plan and I was perfectly fine with that.  Some things I wanted to do we didn't have enough time for them but on the whole I thought this trip was what I wanted it to be.  Lots of fun, doing and seeing some amazing things, falling in love with Alaska!

July 27, 2015-Arrival Anchorage, Historic Anchorage Hotel, Hard Rock Shop, dinner at Ginger

BUFFALO TO ANCHORAGE

Our flight to Anchorage is on Delta Airlines ($759 for 2 adults) and departs at 10:00 am.  Arrives in Detroit at 11:14 am, departs Detroit at 1:50 pm, arrives in Seattle at 3:36 pm, departs Seattle at 5:18 pm and finally arrives in Anchorage at 7:48 pm.  There were only minor boarding delays but we still arrived on time in Anchorage.  Seats were comfortable and we had enough time between flights to have lunch in Detroit.  Shamefully I admit to going to the MacDonald's where we had  fish filet sandwiches and some drinks.  Cost around $12.  We have to make adjustments for the time difference which is 4 hrs.  It should feel like a long day and we should be tired but we're not.  The Ted Stevens Airport welcomes us with a huge figure of a moose.  Of course I ask my husband to take my picture with this creature that has topped my list of wildlife I want to see in Alaska.  Others on my list are the brown/grizzly bears, otters, and puffins.

Our first flight #3370 Buffalo to Detroit 10:00 am-on time

Lunch-Detroit Airport-husband not a fast food fan

                             
                                    

Our second flight #542 Detroit to Seattle 1:51 pm a bit later than scheduled 1:50 pm

Our final flight #2329 Seattle to Anchorage is leaving early by a few minutes

                       
                               

Welcome to Alaska!

I make some souvenir purchases.  Items that I always get on my vacations-Alaska coffee mug,  Alaska magnet, and some postcards.  The only item I have to get now is an Alaska pin.  I'm feeling good as normally I'm running around at the end of a trip to purchase these items!

We get a Yellow Cab taxi ( $22 which included a tip) to take us to the HISTORIC ANCHORAGE HOTEL which is in a great location downtown.  Our room #211 was as expected.  There were 2 full size beds, a desk, a coffee maker with supplies, flat screen TV, a chair, a small dresser, closet with plenty of hangers.  The bathroom had a tub, hair dryer and Aromae Botanical toiletries were provided.  Very happy with our room.  Our view looked out onto 5th Street.  This hotel is on the national registry of historic places.  We decide to not unpack anything as we leave the next morning for Homer.  Luckily I had packed items for sleeping tonight plus clothes for tomorrow in our carry on bag.

Hotel entrance

Hotel lobby

Our comfy, good sized beds

Desk and coffee maker

Chair, flat screen TV, and small dresser

Bathroom with tub-sweet!

Bathroom toiletries

Hair dryer

We decide to explore and seek out a place for dinner at a place that I had noted-GINGER.  My step daughter collects Hard Rock shot glasses and the HR was a 5 minute walk from our hotel.  Mission accomplished-shot glasses purchased.  I'm on a roll!  Easy few minutes walk over to Ginger which offers Thai food items.  It is now 9:30 pm.  We are not used to eating dinner so late (if we were back home it would be 4 hrs. later!) so we decide to have a light meal.  Sweet and spicy pork egg rolls (6) and 2 house salads.  Refreshing glasses of water to drink.  (Bill $26 + $5 tip).  Now there is a light drizzly rain.  We walk around-log cabin visitor center area.  There's a bench with a moose sign to announce Anchorage's 100 yr. celebration 1915-2015.  I stop at an open gift shop where I purchase my Alaska pin!!  I am thinking this trip is off to a great start.  We walk back to our hotel.  A relaxing bubble bath and in bed before midnight.  These beds were so comfy.  We had a great night's sleep.

Souvenir shot glasses for my step daughter

Dinner

Yummy sweet & spicy pork egg rolls

House salad

Me and Mr. Moose

Free shuttle sign

Our first day in Alaska has gone so well.  Let's hope our luck continues!  Tomorrow we pick up our rental car and head south.  First stop-Homer.

July 28, 2015-Breakfast at Snow City Cafe, Hertz rental car, driving/sightseeing to Homer, Pioneer Inn, dinner at Fat Olives

HOMER

I have made a reservation for breakfast at the SNOW CITY CAFE-a place highly regarded by Trip Advisor posters.  We had originally planned to walk there from our hotel but the receptionist tells us we should take a taxi.  It is raining fairly hard.  I agree and within minutes we arrive at Snow City ($6 including tip).  Even at 7:45 am the place is packed.  We are quickly seated and I look around.  I see HUGE plates of food.  Everybody enjoying what they've ordered.  Our pleasant waiter brings us coffee and tells me I can order just one blueberry pancake. Normal order is 3 pancakes.  I do this along with a side of bacon.  My husband Richard has a hearty appetite and orders the special-Snow City hash.  Cost $27 + $5 tip.  Even with one pancake it was so huge I could barely finish half.  It was so good!

Breakfast!

Snow City Hash is the special

Busy place

Husband's Snow City hash

My expression says it all!  How am I going to finish even just this one pancake!  It was full of blueberries-yummy!

The rain has let up a bit and it's only a short walk over to the Hertz car rental office.  Paperwork completed and we pick up a red new Chevy Spark.  We drive back to the hotel, pay for meter parking.  Check out is a breeze, bags packed in our car and off we go.  I have my copy of The Milepost open as I am in charge of directions.  Opps!  Missed Gamble.  Back track, on the right road and destination Homer is our target.

Car rental office

Chevy Spark

We will take the Seward Hwy. and then onto the Sterling Hwy. to reach Homer.  Scenic stops of course-Beluga Point (no whales spotted), Bird Point.  I like to take pictures but my husband is running out of patience with all my stop requests.  The views are lovely on the Turnagain Arm route though.  There are some road construction delays.

Very cloudy

Amazing scenery

Road construction

Cooper Landing, Sterling,  I ask my husband to stop at The Moose Is Loose in Soldotna.  This is a bakery and sells moose themed souvenirs like books, clothing, etc.  I get an apple fritter and a blueberry muffin to go.  This will be our breakfast for tomorrow.  There's a Fred Meyer store in this town so we also pick up a few items.

I just love moose

Clam Gulch.  I tell my husband to stop in Ninilchik as I want to visit the Transfiguration of Our Lord Church.  It is so quiet here.  The church is lovely.  Views from up here down to the town of Ninilchik. Mae opens the church for us and tells us its past and present day history.  I leave a donation.  Selma is in the small gift shop where I make some purchases of stationery with the church's picture and some religious magnets that I know my brother-in-law will like.  Anchor Point.

Church and cemetery

View to town from the church

Inside of church

Gift shop

Finally Homer!  I have booked 4 nights ($726.70) here at the PIONEER INN.  This well regarded place on Trip Advisor is small with only 7 rooms.  I chose this place due to reviews which gave high marks for being clean, in a good location, having great hands on owners, and a reasonable price.  Rich and Amy are the friendly owners.  When we arrive they are sitting out front with some other guests.  Amy shows us our room #1.  Wow!  So much more space than I expected.  Not luxuriously furnished but this is just perfect for us.  A separate bedroom with king size bed.  Bathroom with tub-yay! One huge area containing the living room-another single size bed, couch, TV; dining area-table and chairs; complete kitchen with electric stove, microwave, full size fridge.  Amy has even provided coffee/coffee liners/cream/sugar for the coffee maker.  Paper towels, trash bags, dish washing liquid.  Dishes, utensils, pots, pans........While she is talking to us I'm congratulating myself for booking this place and am unaware that a good size earthquake is taking place.  Amy and my husband are both taken aback.  We go outside and Rich and the others said they could see the building shaking.  I was oblivious to the whole thing!!  We unpack and decide to drive over to the Spit as we have to check in for our bear viewing trip which takes place tomorrow.  I have booked us the short and sweet trip which will last 4 hrs.  I did this instead of the longer trip due to my back issues.  My doctor had advised me not to do a lot of strenuous walking so this is a compromise.  I hope I won't regret this decision.  Cost for this is $589 pp.

Entering Homer

Pull over area had all these lovely small garden plots

Our rental car drives great and is just big enough for the 2 of us and all our luggage!

Our home for the next 4 nights

Living room area with extra bed

King size bed in the bedroom

Bathroom

Stove and coffee maker

Well equipped kitchen

The Spit is very touristy.  Lots of restaurants and shops.  Small boat harbor.  It's really a neat area and very busy.  We easily find the Alaska Bear Adventures office.  Our weights are less than I first reported-great!  We get our check-in form that shows that the time of our trip is 3:30 pm.  I was expecting a morning time but this is fine.  I'll just switch things around that I had planned for the day. Also I learn we will be going to Hallo Bay/Katmai and not Chinitna Bay/Lake Clark National Park.  We are given directions to where the plane is located-K Bay Air-and we decide to drive there to make sure we can find it tomorrow.

Office on the Spit

K Bay Air where we will meet for our bear viewing trip on 7/29/15

Boy, I'm really hungry now.  On my list of restaurants is FAT OLIVES.  It is not far from our hotel.  We have to wait a bit as the place is packed.  Amy from the hotel is also there with friends.  I can smell pizza!!  We order a small pepperoni/mushroom/banana pepper pizza and 2 Mediterranean salads, drinks-all for under $30 which includes the tip.  The pizza was great but the salads took the prize.  They were delicious.

Dinner

Menu

Mediterranean salad

Pizza with pepperoni, mushrooms, and banana peppers

Back to our room (apartment really) and sweet dreams!!  This day couldn't have been any better.