Tag: nature

Things to Do in Anchorage, Alaska

The Alaska Railroad train chugs into the Anchorage station. It’s the final destination of our Alaska adventure. We end in Anchorage with plans to check a major experience off of our bucket list, walk on a glacier. With two days book ending our glacier fun, we attempt to fit in as many things to do…
Denali National Park-Eielson Visitors’ Center and Hike

“I’m so tired of roughing it,” huffs the women. Her attire appears more suited for strolling around a Caribbean resort than exploring the Alaskan Wilderness in Denali National Park. She rushes away from the tan tour bus, hoping to beat her fellow passengers to the restrooms. Though the restrooms are holes in the ground, topped…
Denali National Park-Wonder Lake and Reflection Pond

It seemed like a good idea at the time. If you are a part-time traveler, you can probably relate. While trudging through your 9-5, your trip planning grows more ambitious. While enjoying the comfort of my home sofa, catching the first shuttle bus of the day in Denali National Park, made so much sense. When…
Alaska Railroad-Budget Car vs. Luxury Car

Yay train rides. The sway of the cars and that clickity-clack sound. It’s instantly relaxing. Like many people, riding the fancy dome car with Alaska Railroad, was on our Alaska bucket list. As we lack unlimited funds, we could only afford to take the fancy dome car on one of our train journeys. We decide…
Surprised in Sitka-Alaska

At first I am alarmed. We’re meandering around Sitka, killing time before we can check-in to our hotel. “Sarah. Shannon.” The calls echo. We look around, but there’s no one in sight. Once again we hear our names, “Sarah. Shannon. Up here.” Spinning around we see two familiar faces waving out of windows at The…
Bushwhacking and Skiff Tour-Magoun Islands-Alaska

My hand sinks into the dark, previously untouched earth, of Magoun Islands, Alaska. After finding the next foothold, I reach for a branch covered in soft, fuzzy, lichen. Our group climbs, or more correctly, crawls up the hill. It’s a careful, joyous, scramble, that leaves our hands and knees covered in dirt. I hum the…
Kayaking, Bushwhacking, and Music-Saook Bay-Alaska

The paddles are in hand just after breakfast. The morning mist still dances in the sky as we adjust to the quiet serenity of Saook Bay. I can hardly believe my eyes. Saook Bay is more Alaska, than I imagined Alaska could be. The colors on the horizon are stunning. Yellows fade to greens, that…
Synchronized Whale Feeding and Kayaking Gut Bay-Alaska-Uncruise

The whale call punctures the silence, as we cruise on our Uncruise ship, through Frederick Sound, in Alaska. “Thirty seconds,” cries Ben, our Uncruise Adventure Guide. Ben uses a special device, to listen to the whale call. Exactly thirty seconds after the call, several whales rise from the water, agape mouths, devouring their fishy treats.…
Bushwhacking in The Bay of Pillars-Alaska

“Kissing a banana slug is good luck,” our Uncruise Alaska, Adventure Guide, proclaims. My love of creatures is far reaching. With a blubbery body and fun antennae, the banana slug looks adorable wiggling around in my palm. Always on board for procuring an extra bit of luck, I lightly touch my lips to the slug’s…