Tag: Alaska

Driving the Denali Highway (WOW, just WOW)

The Denali Highway should not be confused with Denali National Park.  The Denali Highway does not run directly through Denali National Park, nor directly to the entrance of the park, but on a clear day you can get incredible views of the Denali Mountain (aka Mt. McKinley), the highest mountain in North America from the …

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Awesome Things to Do in Fairbanks in Summer

Fairbanks, Alaska is popular for its winter activities like soaking at Chena Hot Springs, dog mushing, and marveling at the Northern Lights.  But Fairbanks is a great summer destination too.  Fairbanks is a perfect access point to Denali National Park, with the national park entrance only a 2 hour and 15 minute drive from Fairbanks.  …

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A Fun Day on Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8 in Fairbanks, Alaska

Ask anyone to name some things that Alaska is famous for, and you might think glaciers or mountains or hunting.  But a couple things that are part of the history and future of Alaska are gold mining and sled dogs.  While there are multiple opportunities around the state to learn about sled dogs and gold …

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Anchorage to Whittier, Alaska (A Day Trip Via the Whittier Tunnel)

Whittier, Alaska is a strange place.  With history as a portage for native people and fur traders, the village started as a military base in world war 2 and is only reachable by boat or car/train via a tunnel.  I wasn’t originally planning on visiting Whittier as it involved yet another dead-end drive , it …

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Russian Orthodox Churches on Kenai Peninsula

One of the nicest surprises in driving from Anchorage to Homer was discovering the Russian Orthodox Churches on Kenai Peninsula.  I knew nothing of these churches before I went to Alaska, but it was great to visit the history and architecture of these churches.  These are the best Russian Orthodox Churches on Kenai Peninsula: Holy …

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Anchorage to Homer Driving (Driving the Sterling Highway and What to Do)

Anchorage to Homer Driving takes just over 4 hours for 222 miles if you drive straight through, but why would you want to?  There are so many things to see on the drive from Anchorage to Homer, on the so called Sterling Highway.  These are my favorite things to do on the drive from Anchorage …

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Best Things to Do in Seward, Alaska

As part of my 2-month trip to Alaska, I spent three full days in Seward, Alaska.  Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.  Unfortunately, it rained two of the three days, but I still found plenty of things to do in Seward, AK. Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center Most of this National …

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Kenai Fjords Tours Northwestern Tour (Wildlife + Glaciers = Fun)

Kenai Fjords Tours in Seward, Alaska has multiple boats and multiple tours that visit Kenai Fjords National Park and surrounding areas.  Their longest tour is the Kenai Fjords Tours Northwestern Tour.  I arrived into Seward, Alaska on a Thursday morning at 7:40 am since I had been camping at the Turnagain pass and the cold …

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A Day at Kennecott Copper Mine and the Root Glacier

Kennecott Copper is a business that still exists today, thanks to profit of $100 million earned from copper mining at the Kennecott Copper Mine in Alaska, now part of Wrangell St. Elias National Park.  I spent a day in the McCarthy and Kennecott area, enjoying a Kennecott Copper Mill Tour and a hike to and …

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Best Things to do in Valdez, Alaska and why it’s my favorite town in Alaska.

On my roadtrip to Alaska, I spent about 4 weeks in the state, and I have to say that Valdez was my favorite city (town).  And driving around and talking to other tourists, any of them that had been to Valdez also said it was their favorite.  I will never forget the first time I …

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