Alaska

We have been planning this extended family vacation for about a year and a half now. My family is very much into the great outdoors like fishing and hunting. That’s what happens when you grow up in Eastern Oregon. Although that is not what I love to do, I do really enjoy hiking and just being outside.

Let me just say this, Alaska is beautiful. In some ways it reminds me of Western Oregon and it some ways it reminds me of the Alps. As you can imagine, we loved it.

We did a few excursions, then we just spent the rest of the time relaxing and taking in family time. Here are the excursions that we did.

Nova Glacier Hiking on the Matanuska Glacier

It’s something to see a glacier it’s something amazing to walk on a glacier. The company outfits you with boots and spikes and you are on your way. The whole thing is guided, which I loved because they shared with us some interesting facts about glaciers, but also pointed out a lot of dangers of glaciers along the way. One the the dangers the tour guide had fallen into just the week before. So even the pros need to be extra careful on the glaciers.

 

I would very much recommend this hike. As you will see a glacier in a way you may never see it again.

Knik Glacier Tour

This excursion was perfect because we had my mom and dad with us and we needed something that any age could do. We also needed something that didn’t have a lot of walking since that is hard for my folks. This tour fit the bill perfectly.

You load up in either vans with big ol’ tires or in our case you pile in the back of a military truck. Doesn’t matter which rig they put you in because both will cross over a few rivers. The road is bumpy, but fun.

From there you jump into boats that take you up to the glaciers.  Once you are at the glaciers they drive you around them before they drop you off on land to take in the views. We also rented kayaks and went right up into the glaciers. I highly recommend doing that. Spectacular!

Our guides were great and accommodated all the needs we had with our family. This was probably my most favorite excursion because it just felt like a full on adventure. Which it was.

Hatcher’s Pass

One of the last things we did was hike up to Reed Lake in Hatcher’s Pass. The was some of the most beautiful country we saw on this whole trip. We had a few people tells us we needed to head up there and I am so glad we did. Our hike was about 8 miles and it involved a lot of crawling over boulders. Some of my favorite things to do.

 

Alaska was very good to us. We had nice weather all but the last 2 days. We spent time paddling around on the lake next to the house we rented and just enjoying the extra, extra long days.

I should also add that one night at the last minute a bunch of us piled into a car to do a midnight hike. Just because you can in Alaska in the summer. We got off the trail just after midnight and it wasn’t even that dark.

Until we meet again Alaska!!!