Thursday, August 1, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Hello Again!
Just some other random thoughts ...
Even though it's Alaska, a lot of places have hot tubs and if this amazing weather holds out, you may want to take some swims in our frigid mountain lakes - so bring your swimsuits!!
Also, Cathy (the owner of Raven Glacier Lodge) recommends using 'shoe slips' if you do not have much traction on your wedding shoes as the dance floor and decks can get slippery and there are also these nifty 'solemates' for preventing high heels from slipping into dirt/grass if you're planning on wearing some! The ceremony/reception will be both in and outside depending on the weather so these may help!
Sarah :)
Just some other random thoughts ...
Even though it's Alaska, a lot of places have hot tubs and if this amazing weather holds out, you may want to take some swims in our frigid mountain lakes - so bring your swimsuits!!
Also, Cathy (the owner of Raven Glacier Lodge) recommends using 'shoe slips' if you do not have much traction on your wedding shoes as the dance floor and decks can get slippery and there are also these nifty 'solemates' for preventing high heels from slipping into dirt/grass if you're planning on wearing some! The ceremony/reception will be both in and outside depending on the weather so these may help!
Sarah :)
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Hi All!
So far this has been an epic summer - sunny and hot the majority of the time which has enabled us pasty white Alaskans to get some color!
We're keeping our fingers crossed that this amazing weather will continue but considering we got a foot of snow this year at the end of may ... you just never know :) Be sure to pack a lot of layers (including a rain jacket) as the temperature can change dramatically throughout the day. Mosquitos and 'no-see-ums' are also always bad in the summer here so plan on investing in some bug spray when you land. We are lucky enough to have two 'skeeter-vacs' which keep our house very pleasant but they're a bit hard to lug around when hiking!
For those of you planning on exploring the wilderness a bit, here is a nice reference for bear safety. Even if you're not exploring too far, it's still good information to have as you can encounter bears anywhere from our yard to downtown Anchorage :)
Can't wait to see you all so soon!
Sarah & Ryan
So far this has been an epic summer - sunny and hot the majority of the time which has enabled us pasty white Alaskans to get some color!
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| Midnight gardening with happy hooligan dogs, wine, and sunshine. |
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| Epic sunsets night after night ... come on weather - hold out!!! |
For those of you planning on exploring the wilderness a bit, here is a nice reference for bear safety. Even if you're not exploring too far, it's still good information to have as you can encounter bears anywhere from our yard to downtown Anchorage :)
Can't wait to see you all so soon!
Sarah & Ryan
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Hi All!
Just another update as we've had some questions from a few of you and thought we'd address them here :)
We are now registered at Target and at Amazon.com. We picked these because there are a lot of online options and direct shipping makes things easier.
Also in terms of dress for the wedding, Ryan and I did a google search because we had no clue ... did you know there was a 'white tie' level of fanciness??? Our wedding will fall more into the category of "semi-formal" although that term can be applied loosely to allow for comfort and extra layers depending on the weather the day of.
We hope that helps a bit and just let us know if you have any questions!
Sarah, Ryan, & Tassie-Dog
Just another update as we've had some questions from a few of you and thought we'd address them here :)
We are now registered at Target and at Amazon.com. We picked these because there are a lot of online options and direct shipping makes things easier.
Also in terms of dress for the wedding, Ryan and I did a google search because we had no clue ... did you know there was a 'white tie' level of fanciness??? Our wedding will fall more into the category of "semi-formal" although that term can be applied loosely to allow for comfort and extra layers depending on the weather the day of.
We hope that helps a bit and just let us know if you have any questions!
Sarah, Ryan, & Tassie-Dog
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Hi All!
Just a quick update:
We looked into blocking rooms at some hotels in downtown Anchorage and at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood to make things as inexpensive as possible for guests choosing to stay in those places. Interestingly enough, however, Expedia has prices either comparable or cheaper than the deals offered for blocking rooms.
Sooo ... have a look here.
In terms of downtown hotels in Anchorage, the Hilton is definitely in a great location where you can walk around downtown Anchorage. We have never stayed in any of these hotels, however, so can't recommend anything personally!
*Also we are planning some get togethers on Wednesday and Thursday the week before the wedding - very casual hiking/BBQing/etc options for anyone in Anchorage without plans. We'll be sure to give more details on the invitations!
Cheers!
Sarah & Ryan
Just a quick update:
We looked into blocking rooms at some hotels in downtown Anchorage and at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood to make things as inexpensive as possible for guests choosing to stay in those places. Interestingly enough, however, Expedia has prices either comparable or cheaper than the deals offered for blocking rooms.
Sooo ... have a look here.
In terms of downtown hotels in Anchorage, the Hilton is definitely in a great location where you can walk around downtown Anchorage. We have never stayed in any of these hotels, however, so can't recommend anything personally!
*Also we are planning some get togethers on Wednesday and Thursday the week before the wedding - very casual hiking/BBQing/etc options for anyone in Anchorage without plans. We'll be sure to give more details on the invitations!
Cheers!
Sarah & Ryan
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Well, it's been awhile. Since the last post, we appreciate your patience while we check off a few requirements on the Steps to Being a Responsible American Adult.
Now that things have calmed down somewhat and we have returned to a place of tranquility, we thought we would give you an idea of some fun things to see and do around Alaska as you start planning for your trip. Ahhh Alaska ... home of moose, bears, mountains, and beards ...
Some general tips about Alaska:
1. The term "formal" or "fancy" dining generally implies the donning of your finest pair of jeans and/or hiking pants/shorts, hiking shoes/boots (clean or dirty accepted), and any fleece/vest/coat from REI. So go for it if you feel like being fancy, but no need to worry too much about fashion up here!
2. Temperatures in the summer can vary significantly. In any given day you could be in a t-shirt and shorts during the day and bundled up in a fleece/vest/raincoat at night. It's good to have heaps of layers especially when going up/down in altitude.
3. Bears and Moose - you generally won't have any trouble with wildlife if you're walking/hiking in a small group and making plenty of noise to alert animals of your presence. We do have bear spray and/or a very noisy and excitable dog (annoying perky jingle bell on collar included) that we are happy to lend out should protection and noise be needed.
4. When you factor in driving time between destinations, we've found it generally takes longer because you want to stop so much along the way. There are beautiful lookouts, short walks, and fun quirky little towns all along that are so much fun to stop at.
Just to give you an idea of where everything is ...
Within a 5 hour drive north and south-ish of Anchorage, there are heaps of places to visit that are accessible by plane, train, or automobile.
In terms of getting around, some people prefer setting up trips on the Alaska Rail Road so that they don't have to worry about renting a car. I've heard great things about these trips but have never done them personally. We've always enjoyed driving around Alaska because you have the freedom to stop along the road to take pictures and see wildlife (and believe me, you'll be wanting to stop about every 5 minutes because it's so freaking gorgeous).
Ok so going from north to south-ish ...
Denali National Park
If you have time, the trip up to Denali National Park is absolutely beautiful. The 4.5 hours honestly fly by along the drive and the destination is well worth the wait. I don't think we've ever driven up there without seeing moose, caribou, and bald eagles along the way.
Denali/Talkeetna Visitor Centers
Food:
We can't make real personal recommendations for good restaurants in Denali as the last time I went was years ago and more often we're camping. But this NY Times article had some recommendations. Here are some more restaurant ideas ... generally I've found that if you order salmon or halibut and one of the Alaskan brewed beers you can't go wrong!
Things To Do:
Personally, I'm not a huge fan of bus tours, but the wildlife bus tours into Denali are totally worth it. I took the 'Denali Natural History Tour' (17 miles, 4.5 hours) with my mom which was long enough to really get back into the park and see heaps of grizzlies, moose, caribou, eagles, and even wolves ... but not the 8 hour tour that may have lead to a brief bout of school bus seating induced insanity.
If you want to get back into the park but aren't keen on a bus tour, there are heaps of hikes from easy flat walks to more challenging climbs. Mandatory bear safety video is included in the experience.
Here are some more Denali National Park Activities
Ryan and I have gone white water rafting which was great (definitely veering more towards "exciting" rather than "absolutely terrifying" which was unusual considering it was a Ryan "Come on, you'll love it!" suggestion). To be honest, I can't remember where we went but most of the companies listed here are highly rated.
Places To Stay:
Here are some lodging options for Denali National Park. A lot of the smaller cabins look like they would be fun to stay in, and camping is also a fantastic option if anyone is interested in an adventure! We have heaps of camping gear that we would be happy to lend out!
Talkeetna
Talkeetna is one of our favorite little places in Alaska. It's definitely not a big town, but it is full of amazing food and fantastic little shops. There are beautiful hikes along the river just on the edge of town where you can see Denali on a clear day. It's a great stopover for a night if you're headed up to or back from Denali National Park as it is about 2.5 hours north of Anchorage.
Denali/Talkeetna Visitor Centers
Food Recommendations:
The Roadhouse
This is my favorite place to eat in Talkeetna (you can also get rooms). I can honestly say that I've never had a more delicious cinnamon roll ever in my life, although their bakery in general is absolute heaven. Meals are served "family style" at great big tables and don't disappoint either. If you've never had biscuits and moose gravy, this is the place to try it. Slabs of freshly baked bread with homemade apple butter and jam ... mmm ... mmm ... mmm ...
Mountain High Pizza Pie
Great pizza, great beer, outdoor seating with live music in the summer - just fantastic on a nice night.
Although these two places are our favorite places, I don't think we've ever had a bad meal in this town
Here are all the restaurant options in Talkeetna!
Things to Do:
Flights
The majority of flights to see Denali and do glacier landings are out of Talkeetna. It is definitely an amazing experience and well worth the expense if it's doable. We've had a really great experience with
Talkeetna Air Taxi and would definitely recommend them. There are plenty of other choices however for scenic flights if you google.
Rafting/Boating/Fishing/Hiking/Biking
There are heaps of companies that do day trips and guided tours. We've never done any out of Talkeetna so we can't vouch for any specific company, but this may give you an idea of some other options!
Places To Stay:
We've only ever stayed at the Moonflower Cottage (which was absolutely lovely! although you'd need a car to get downtown) but my guess is that these cottages by the same owner are great as well!
Here are some other Lodging Options for Talkeetna - there seems to be a nice variety depending on your needs.
Palmer & Hatcher Pass
I love Palmer. I can't really explain why as it's literally a single street ... but that single street has some amazing food, amazing mountains, and a surprisingly cool little museum. It's also where Ryan and I first met, so mayhaps that has something to do with it ...
Food Recommendations:
I have a well known love affair with Vagabond Blues Coffee Shop ... home of the amazingly wonderful bird seed cookie. Their bread and soups are wonderful and a perfect meal before heading up to Hatcher Pass.
I haven't been to Turkey Red since we got back from New Zealand, but it was always delicious and still has a good reputation if you wanted more of a restaurant.
Things To Do:
Palmer is great to have breakfast/lunch and walk around the downtown shops and museum.
During the summer there are historic Friday Flings which I just now found out about but they sound exciting!
A trip up to Hatcher Pass where there is an old Gold Mine is an absolute must. I've never been to Scotland but Hatcher is what I'd imagine the Highlands would look like. Stunning on a clear day when you have one of the most beautiful views I've ever seen, but just as amazing in the fog and rain. There are heaps of hiking trails and walks that are a perfect way to see the area (and maybe find some very early blueberries).
Places To Stay:
Although there are places to stay in Palmer, it's just a beautiful 1 hour drive north of Anchorage so it's a great day trip!
Anchorage
Our home! We currently live at 12645 Glen Alps Road, Anchorage, AK 99516. Our plan is to host some open houses before/after the wedding so that we can show everyone around and people can have a place to gather if they'd like.
Wow ... this is a hard one because there is SO much to do and see and eat in Anchorage. Here is a great link of ONE HUNDRED fun things to do here. This is also another great website with lots of activity ideas.
Just to try to narrow things down for you all, here is a list of some of our favorites:
Snow City Cafe - amazing breakfast food ... personal favorite is the swiss cheese, avocado, and king crab omelet ... yum! It's always super busy and you can't make reservations, but you can call in to put your name on the seating list the morning of. It's also conveniently located by the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail which is a beautiful walking/cycling path that follows the inlet around Anchorage. Perfect for walking off those delectable breakfast treats!
Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill is one of my favorite places on earth. Where else can you get the best pizza in Alaska and hard apple ale (or other amazing beers) ... all the while watching a movie in a real theatre ... amazing. Moose's Tooth has the same great food and drinks, just without the movie. Both places are super busy but you can reserve a booth at Bear Tooth so you don't have to wait in line.
Some other great restaurants in town ...
Glacier Brewhouse
Orso
Simon and Seafort's
Suite 100
Snow Goose
Sullivan's Steakhouse
Midnight Sun Brewing Company
Bridges Seafood (actually located over Ship Creek where you can fish for salmon, take a walk down the nature trail along the river, or go to the Ulu Factory which is a nice place for gifts and Ulus!)
If you're looking for just quick bite or a simple cafe, there are heaps of fun places right in the downtown area which is a great place to walk around and shop.
Fun Activities:
Alaska Zoo
Flat Top Mountain Trail - This is one of our absolute favorites and oh so conveniently the Glen Alps Trailhead is located a mere minute drive from our house! You can tackle the summit hike or stick to Powerline Pass (flat!) or just go to the overlook to see a gorgeous view!
Bird watching at Potter Marsh
Turnagain Arm Trail - just south of Potter Marsh and an easy and beautiful trail with views of the mountains and ocean - lots of black bears though so be sure to borrow bear spray and/or noisy over-energetic puppy child.
I've never been to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, but I have been to the Anchorage Museum which had some really interesting exhibits on Alaskan history and would be a great rainy day activity.
Places To Stay:
Here and here are some lists of lodging in Anchorage. So many options that it's a bit overwhelming! We are currently looking at blocking some rooms at a hotel right downtown so will get back to you all on that soon!
Girdwood
Girdwood is a hippy happy ski town with fantastic food. In August it is absolutely beautiful with lush green forests and plenty of activities. Depending on what part of Anchorage you're coming from, it can be a 25-50 minute drive south, but one of the most beautiful drives within 5 hours. On August 17th we will be getting married at Raven Glacier Lodge which is just off the main street into Girdwood although you wouldn't know it. Here is a map showing Raven Glacier to the Alyeska Lodge which is just a 6 minute drive and also walkable so it's a pretty small town.
Food Recommendations:
Here are some restaurants in Girdwood. A personal favorite is Jacksprat where you can sit out on the deck with a beer and feast on the best sweet potato fries I've ever had and bacon wrapped, blue cheese filled, balsamic drizzled dates that are absolutely to die for. The Double Musky is also a well loved Girdwood favorite for a more formal dining option. Here is a list of all the restauranting goodness.
Things To Do:
Here is a general list of summer activity ideas around Girdwood (some surrounding areas too).
There are some beautiful walks and hikes around Girdwood and through the ski resort. There are plenty of restaurants and bakeries to stop into for snacks along the way!
We've had friends go Paragliding off the top of Mount Alyeska which was reportedly amazing and well worth the adventure! If you want to see the view from the top but not go sailing off, you can take the tram up to the top of the mountain and eat at one of the mountain restaurants.
You can also head out to Crow Creek Mine to explore and actually pan for gold. In that same area you can hike part of Crow Pass which is a beautiful trail and full of Salmon Berries!
Places To Stay:
Here is a list of possible lodging options ranging from cabins to B&Bs to the Alyeska Resort. Here is the map again from Raven Glacier through to the other end of town where the resort is to give you a sense of where some of these lodgings may be located. We've rented some of the 'vacation rentals' right in town before with groups of friends for a ski weekend and they've been a great option if you want to share with a small group.
As we get closer to the wedding, Ryan and I will look into shuttles/etc for people to get back to their cabins/B&Bs/hotels if they are not within walking distance of Raven Glacier.
Kenai Peninsula
This is a great website for all things "Kenai". The Kenai Peninsula has a wide range of fishing options from river rafting/fly fishing to ocean/halibut fishing depending on where you want to go. You can book charters through here, or just let us know if you want to go on your own and we can help you get set up with gear. We don't have as many personal recommendations for the Kenai Peninsula in terms of lodging/etc as most often we're camping!
Seward
Seward is another wonderful place to visit and just about a 2.5 hour drive (without stops) south of Anchorage. Here is a great list of activities to do while in this area.
Hiking to Exit Glacier is one of my favorites and there are options ranging from a paved walkway to see the glacier, to all day hikes up and beyond the ice fields. The Wildlife & Glacier Boat Tours are also really fun and rarely disappoint. Before even leaving the harbor, we saw otters, orcas, and a humpback whale family!
There are several hotel/B&B/cabin rental options for lodging in Seward, as well as plenty of restaurant choices. Seward is quite small so it wouldn't be hard to find a restaurant that strikes your fancy when just wandering the main streets for a bit.
Homer
Homer is a favorite place of many of our friends and about a 4 hour drive (without stops) from Anchorage. Here is a great list of activities to do while in the area.
The sea kayaking here is supposed to be amazing and there are a lot of options for guided tours even if you have no experience.
As is the trend with most of Alaska's tiny towns ... they have amazing FOOD. A few must-sees are the Homer Brewing Company, Two Sisters Bakery, and the Salty Dog Saloon.
Here are a list of hotels/B&Bs/cabin options in Homer.
Whittier
Whittier is about a 1.5 hour drive south of Anchorage (without stops) ... although that doesn't factor in the timing of getting through the tunnel :) which is always exciting! Just before you go through the tunnel, you'll come across Portage Glacier which is a great stop.
Here is some general information on Whitter and here is a list of fishing charters, wildlife cruises, and other activities available in the area.
Whittier is an extremely small town, but the jumping off point for Prince William Sound which is absolutely beautiful.
Feel free to message us through this website or e-mail with any questions. We would love to get comments on additional great things to do or recommended tours/guides if you have any suggestions!
We are looking into blocking some hotel rooms in Anchorage and Girdwood and will post on that as soon as we have more info!
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| Dog...Check. |
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| Jobs...Check. Picture proof of Sarah's job not shown ... just imagine a stunning combination of glitter, bubble goo, and kid germs all smack dab on a nice pair of dress pants. Pure class. |
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| House...Check. |
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| Worldly belongings not kept in the cheapest rotting storage container in Anchorage...Check. |
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| Classy additions to the guest room...Check. |
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| Kids...Does a puppy-child count? |
Now that things have calmed down somewhat and we have returned to a place of tranquility, we thought we would give you an idea of some fun things to see and do around Alaska as you start planning for your trip. Ahhh Alaska ... home of moose, bears, mountains, and beards ...
Some general tips about Alaska:
1. The term "formal" or "fancy" dining generally implies the donning of your finest pair of jeans and/or hiking pants/shorts, hiking shoes/boots (clean or dirty accepted), and any fleece/vest/coat from REI. So go for it if you feel like being fancy, but no need to worry too much about fashion up here!
2. Temperatures in the summer can vary significantly. In any given day you could be in a t-shirt and shorts during the day and bundled up in a fleece/vest/raincoat at night. It's good to have heaps of layers especially when going up/down in altitude.
3. Bears and Moose - you generally won't have any trouble with wildlife if you're walking/hiking in a small group and making plenty of noise to alert animals of your presence. We do have bear spray and/or a very noisy and excitable dog (annoying perky jingle bell on collar included) that we are happy to lend out should protection and noise be needed.
4. When you factor in driving time between destinations, we've found it generally takes longer because you want to stop so much along the way. There are beautiful lookouts, short walks, and fun quirky little towns all along that are so much fun to stop at.
Just to give you an idea of where everything is ...
Within a 5 hour drive north and south-ish of Anchorage, there are heaps of places to visit that are accessible by plane, train, or automobile.
In terms of getting around, some people prefer setting up trips on the Alaska Rail Road so that they don't have to worry about renting a car. I've heard great things about these trips but have never done them personally. We've always enjoyed driving around Alaska because you have the freedom to stop along the road to take pictures and see wildlife (and believe me, you'll be wanting to stop about every 5 minutes because it's so freaking gorgeous).
Ok so going from north to south-ish ...
Denali National Park
If you have time, the trip up to Denali National Park is absolutely beautiful. The 4.5 hours honestly fly by along the drive and the destination is well worth the wait. I don't think we've ever driven up there without seeing moose, caribou, and bald eagles along the way.
Denali/Talkeetna Visitor Centers
Food:
We can't make real personal recommendations for good restaurants in Denali as the last time I went was years ago and more often we're camping. But this NY Times article had some recommendations. Here are some more restaurant ideas ... generally I've found that if you order salmon or halibut and one of the Alaskan brewed beers you can't go wrong!
Things To Do:
Personally, I'm not a huge fan of bus tours, but the wildlife bus tours into Denali are totally worth it. I took the 'Denali Natural History Tour' (17 miles, 4.5 hours) with my mom which was long enough to really get back into the park and see heaps of grizzlies, moose, caribou, eagles, and even wolves ... but not the 8 hour tour that may have lead to a brief bout of school bus seating induced insanity.
If you want to get back into the park but aren't keen on a bus tour, there are heaps of hikes from easy flat walks to more challenging climbs. Mandatory bear safety video is included in the experience.
Here are some more Denali National Park Activities
Ryan and I have gone white water rafting which was great (definitely veering more towards "exciting" rather than "absolutely terrifying" which was unusual considering it was a Ryan "Come on, you'll love it!" suggestion). To be honest, I can't remember where we went but most of the companies listed here are highly rated.
Places To Stay:
Here are some lodging options for Denali National Park. A lot of the smaller cabins look like they would be fun to stay in, and camping is also a fantastic option if anyone is interested in an adventure! We have heaps of camping gear that we would be happy to lend out!
Talkeetna
Talkeetna is one of our favorite little places in Alaska. It's definitely not a big town, but it is full of amazing food and fantastic little shops. There are beautiful hikes along the river just on the edge of town where you can see Denali on a clear day. It's a great stopover for a night if you're headed up to or back from Denali National Park as it is about 2.5 hours north of Anchorage.
Denali/Talkeetna Visitor Centers
Food Recommendations:
The Roadhouse
This is my favorite place to eat in Talkeetna (you can also get rooms). I can honestly say that I've never had a more delicious cinnamon roll ever in my life, although their bakery in general is absolute heaven. Meals are served "family style" at great big tables and don't disappoint either. If you've never had biscuits and moose gravy, this is the place to try it. Slabs of freshly baked bread with homemade apple butter and jam ... mmm ... mmm ... mmm ...
Mountain High Pizza Pie
Great pizza, great beer, outdoor seating with live music in the summer - just fantastic on a nice night.
Although these two places are our favorite places, I don't think we've ever had a bad meal in this town
Here are all the restaurant options in Talkeetna!
Things to Do:
Flights
The majority of flights to see Denali and do glacier landings are out of Talkeetna. It is definitely an amazing experience and well worth the expense if it's doable. We've had a really great experience with
Talkeetna Air Taxi and would definitely recommend them. There are plenty of other choices however for scenic flights if you google.
Rafting/Boating/Fishing/Hiking/Biking
There are heaps of companies that do day trips and guided tours. We've never done any out of Talkeetna so we can't vouch for any specific company, but this may give you an idea of some other options!
Places To Stay:
We've only ever stayed at the Moonflower Cottage (which was absolutely lovely! although you'd need a car to get downtown) but my guess is that these cottages by the same owner are great as well!
Here are some other Lodging Options for Talkeetna - there seems to be a nice variety depending on your needs.
Palmer & Hatcher Pass
I love Palmer. I can't really explain why as it's literally a single street ... but that single street has some amazing food, amazing mountains, and a surprisingly cool little museum. It's also where Ryan and I first met, so mayhaps that has something to do with it ...
Food Recommendations:
I have a well known love affair with Vagabond Blues Coffee Shop ... home of the amazingly wonderful bird seed cookie. Their bread and soups are wonderful and a perfect meal before heading up to Hatcher Pass.
I haven't been to Turkey Red since we got back from New Zealand, but it was always delicious and still has a good reputation if you wanted more of a restaurant.
Things To Do:
Palmer is great to have breakfast/lunch and walk around the downtown shops and museum.
During the summer there are historic Friday Flings which I just now found out about but they sound exciting!
A trip up to Hatcher Pass where there is an old Gold Mine is an absolute must. I've never been to Scotland but Hatcher is what I'd imagine the Highlands would look like. Stunning on a clear day when you have one of the most beautiful views I've ever seen, but just as amazing in the fog and rain. There are heaps of hiking trails and walks that are a perfect way to see the area (and maybe find some very early blueberries).
Places To Stay:
Although there are places to stay in Palmer, it's just a beautiful 1 hour drive north of Anchorage so it's a great day trip!
Anchorage
Our home! We currently live at 12645 Glen Alps Road, Anchorage, AK 99516. Our plan is to host some open houses before/after the wedding so that we can show everyone around and people can have a place to gather if they'd like.
Wow ... this is a hard one because there is SO much to do and see and eat in Anchorage. Here is a great link of ONE HUNDRED fun things to do here. This is also another great website with lots of activity ideas.
Just to try to narrow things down for you all, here is a list of some of our favorites:
Snow City Cafe - amazing breakfast food ... personal favorite is the swiss cheese, avocado, and king crab omelet ... yum! It's always super busy and you can't make reservations, but you can call in to put your name on the seating list the morning of. It's also conveniently located by the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail which is a beautiful walking/cycling path that follows the inlet around Anchorage. Perfect for walking off those delectable breakfast treats!
Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill is one of my favorite places on earth. Where else can you get the best pizza in Alaska and hard apple ale (or other amazing beers) ... all the while watching a movie in a real theatre ... amazing. Moose's Tooth has the same great food and drinks, just without the movie. Both places are super busy but you can reserve a booth at Bear Tooth so you don't have to wait in line.
Some other great restaurants in town ...
Glacier Brewhouse
Orso
Simon and Seafort's
Suite 100
Snow Goose
Sullivan's Steakhouse
Midnight Sun Brewing Company
Bridges Seafood (actually located over Ship Creek where you can fish for salmon, take a walk down the nature trail along the river, or go to the Ulu Factory which is a nice place for gifts and Ulus!)
If you're looking for just quick bite or a simple cafe, there are heaps of fun places right in the downtown area which is a great place to walk around and shop.
Fun Activities:
Alaska Zoo
Flat Top Mountain Trail - This is one of our absolute favorites and oh so conveniently the Glen Alps Trailhead is located a mere minute drive from our house! You can tackle the summit hike or stick to Powerline Pass (flat!) or just go to the overlook to see a gorgeous view!
Bird watching at Potter Marsh
Turnagain Arm Trail - just south of Potter Marsh and an easy and beautiful trail with views of the mountains and ocean - lots of black bears though so be sure to borrow bear spray and/or noisy over-energetic puppy child.
I've never been to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, but I have been to the Anchorage Museum which had some really interesting exhibits on Alaskan history and would be a great rainy day activity.
Places To Stay:
Here and here are some lists of lodging in Anchorage. So many options that it's a bit overwhelming! We are currently looking at blocking some rooms at a hotel right downtown so will get back to you all on that soon!
Girdwood
Girdwood is a hippy happy ski town with fantastic food. In August it is absolutely beautiful with lush green forests and plenty of activities. Depending on what part of Anchorage you're coming from, it can be a 25-50 minute drive south, but one of the most beautiful drives within 5 hours. On August 17th we will be getting married at Raven Glacier Lodge which is just off the main street into Girdwood although you wouldn't know it. Here is a map showing Raven Glacier to the Alyeska Lodge which is just a 6 minute drive and also walkable so it's a pretty small town.
Food Recommendations:
Here are some restaurants in Girdwood. A personal favorite is Jacksprat where you can sit out on the deck with a beer and feast on the best sweet potato fries I've ever had and bacon wrapped, blue cheese filled, balsamic drizzled dates that are absolutely to die for. The Double Musky is also a well loved Girdwood favorite for a more formal dining option. Here is a list of all the restauranting goodness.
Things To Do:
Here is a general list of summer activity ideas around Girdwood (some surrounding areas too).
There are some beautiful walks and hikes around Girdwood and through the ski resort. There are plenty of restaurants and bakeries to stop into for snacks along the way!
We've had friends go Paragliding off the top of Mount Alyeska which was reportedly amazing and well worth the adventure! If you want to see the view from the top but not go sailing off, you can take the tram up to the top of the mountain and eat at one of the mountain restaurants.
You can also head out to Crow Creek Mine to explore and actually pan for gold. In that same area you can hike part of Crow Pass which is a beautiful trail and full of Salmon Berries!
Places To Stay:
Here is a list of possible lodging options ranging from cabins to B&Bs to the Alyeska Resort. Here is the map again from Raven Glacier through to the other end of town where the resort is to give you a sense of where some of these lodgings may be located. We've rented some of the 'vacation rentals' right in town before with groups of friends for a ski weekend and they've been a great option if you want to share with a small group.
As we get closer to the wedding, Ryan and I will look into shuttles/etc for people to get back to their cabins/B&Bs/hotels if they are not within walking distance of Raven Glacier.
Kenai Peninsula
This is a great website for all things "Kenai". The Kenai Peninsula has a wide range of fishing options from river rafting/fly fishing to ocean/halibut fishing depending on where you want to go. You can book charters through here, or just let us know if you want to go on your own and we can help you get set up with gear. We don't have as many personal recommendations for the Kenai Peninsula in terms of lodging/etc as most often we're camping!
Seward
Seward is another wonderful place to visit and just about a 2.5 hour drive (without stops) south of Anchorage. Here is a great list of activities to do while in this area.
Hiking to Exit Glacier is one of my favorites and there are options ranging from a paved walkway to see the glacier, to all day hikes up and beyond the ice fields. The Wildlife & Glacier Boat Tours are also really fun and rarely disappoint. Before even leaving the harbor, we saw otters, orcas, and a humpback whale family!
There are several hotel/B&B/cabin rental options for lodging in Seward, as well as plenty of restaurant choices. Seward is quite small so it wouldn't be hard to find a restaurant that strikes your fancy when just wandering the main streets for a bit.
Homer
Homer is a favorite place of many of our friends and about a 4 hour drive (without stops) from Anchorage. Here is a great list of activities to do while in the area.
The sea kayaking here is supposed to be amazing and there are a lot of options for guided tours even if you have no experience.
As is the trend with most of Alaska's tiny towns ... they have amazing FOOD. A few must-sees are the Homer Brewing Company, Two Sisters Bakery, and the Salty Dog Saloon.
Here are a list of hotels/B&Bs/cabin options in Homer.
Whittier
Whittier is about a 1.5 hour drive south of Anchorage (without stops) ... although that doesn't factor in the timing of getting through the tunnel :) which is always exciting! Just before you go through the tunnel, you'll come across Portage Glacier which is a great stop.
Here is some general information on Whitter and here is a list of fishing charters, wildlife cruises, and other activities available in the area.
Whittier is an extremely small town, but the jumping off point for Prince William Sound which is absolutely beautiful.
Feel free to message us through this website or e-mail with any questions. We would love to get comments on additional great things to do or recommended tours/guides if you have any suggestions!
We are looking into blocking some hotel rooms in Anchorage and Girdwood and will post on that as soon as we have more info!
HAPPY PLANNING!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Welcome, friends and family! We plan to keep this updated with information about the wedding (including good places to stay and fun things to do around Girdwood and Anchorage!) as well as being a center for updates and questions. Any comments get emailed directly to us, so ask away!
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| Raven Glacier Lodge - the center of the action! (Summer Picture) (Photo by Chugach Peaks Photography) |
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| Raven Glacier Lodge (Winter Picture, in case you weren't sure) (Photo by Chugach Peaks Photography) |
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