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A glacier walk has been on our adventure to-do list since our first bite from the travel bug. We didn’t know when or where, we just knew one day it would happen.

As soon as the decision was made to visit Alaska, we knew this was it, we had to fit a glacier walk into our plans.

Originally, the plan was to do a glacier walk in Juneau, but someone warned us,

“Juneau is where all of the cruise ships dock. Everyone wants to do the glacier walk. Book a glacier tour near Anchorage. You’ll be able to get great pictures without a million people in them.” It was solid advice.

 I can hardly contain my excitement.

As the city life of Anchorage melts away, revealing the tranquil forest scene of Palmer, I exhale. I like Anchorage, but as someone who is immersed in city life at home, I already miss the stillness that was the beginning of our trip.

As our car pulls into the parking lot of the Knik River Lodge, I immediately regret not staying here for at least a few nights before or after our glacier day. With the exception of the constant helicopter sound, it looks peaceful.

After checking in, we mill about, watching a few of the helicopters, until it’s finally our turn.

I was nervous before my very first helicopter ride over Victoria Falls in Africa, but this time, I’m bubbling with glee.

Our Anchorage Helicopter Tours pilot performs a graceful ballet. Leaning ever so gently to the left or right to give us the best views of the gorge, a few other glaciers, and the lake.

Though I loved seeing the glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park during our Uncruise, seeing the contrasting coal-black and pristine white landscape from above, is a completely different experience.

I am in awe.

Our guide helps us out of the helicopter one by one. Each person must put on crampons before exiting the chopper.

Crampons secured, we set off on our glacier walk on Knik Glacier. I’m smitten with the crunch, crunch, crunch, sound we make with each step.

Overwhelmed with delight, I know that I am so fortunate to be able to experience a new landscape.

It’s silent but for the crunching and the sound of rushing water that tingles our ears. The rushing gets louder until we’re standing at the edge of a crevasse. The water is sparkling clear. My eyes are dazzled by the glacial blue. 

Our guide dispenses glacier information, while she seeks to find the coolest crevasses for us to stare into and photograph.

I devour the unfamiliar scenery like a beauty glutton. In the moment, it feels like we might be the only people in the world.

Before we leave, our guide asks if anyone brought water bottles. Though it’s not on their things to bring list, I saw a few other glacier tour companies recommend bottles, so I packed ours just in case. I’m glad I did. We are able to fill up our bottles with pure glacier water before boarding the helicopter.

It really is the freshest tasting water I’ve ever had slip through my lips.

Glacier walk over, we’re still buzzing from the that-was-awesome vibes. We don’t want to head back yet.

Remembering the dissertation we received on the Musk Ox during our breakfast in Fairbanks, we hop in the car and head to Palmer’s Musk Ox Farm.

On the brink of extinction, the Musk Ox Project, in Alaska, started a mission to preserve and domesticate the adorable, shaggy, beasts.

What do you do with a Musk Ox?

Musk Ox wool, called qiviut, is 8xs warmer than sheep’s wool and is super soft. It’s highly coveted in the world of knitters, and highly expensive. Musk Ox are raised much like sheep or alpacas. 

We arrive at the Musk Ox Farm just in time for a tour.

Our guide leads us through the farm where we learn a lot about the Musk Ox.  

The Musk Ox is an intelligent and mischievous animal. We are treated to stories of their capers and shenanigans around the farm.

Fortunately, the Musk Ox is also lazy and unmotivated. Their propensity to laze about keeps the hijinks to a minimum.

The farm is vast and the musk oxen who live there, live a pampered life.

They even take part in organized play time.

Fun fact-Alex Trebek’s favorite animal was the Musk Ox. He financially supported the Musk Ox Project and visited the farm in Palmer every few years.

If you are an animal lover like me, I recommend visiting the farm for a tour while in Alaska.

Before visiting Alaska, I didn’t know what a Musk Ox was, nor did I know that I wanted to visit a farm full of them. On the other hand, we’ve had a glacier walk on our bucket list for years, and we were thrilled that the experience was everything we thought is would be and more.

What a spectacular day.

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