Amanda and I are embarking on an adventure in the Last Frontier. We’ve been telling each other for years that we want to go to Alaska. Last January we decided to make it happen and bought our tickets for September right there and then! We have a loose yet ambitious itinerary, however, we are also flexible and will adapt to the transitional, sometimes erratic, weather that September usually brings to these parts of the world. We are also arriving during the end of the Summer season, when tourism is starting to wrap up in many parts of the state. The North tells us that “Winter is Coming”, and yes I’m aware it is a GOT reference quite useful in our current trip. Come with us as we get to know South and Central Alaska during a time of transition. Also, Happy Centennial to the National Park Service! What a time to be alive and travel to national parks during this celebratory and historic year!
Day 1: Anchorage 60-70 degree range, Sunset 10:15pm.
Bear sightings: 0
Other Wildlife: Birds
Bear sightings: 0
Other Wildlife: Birds
We arrived in Anchorage at 2:30pm local time. Anchorage. This is not the capital of Alaska but is one of the most accessible and thriving cities in the state. It does have a small-town feel, after all, it is in Alaska.
Stay: Checked into our first overnight stay: The Aviator Motel. This motel was very well located on 4th avenue, which turns out, is a well known shopping/tourist area in Anchorage. Also, it is relatively cheap! (compared to other places we saw) $90/night for 2 people.
We recommend you take a walk not just on this avenue but the adjacent streets, you will find a lot of local history and art (in the streets and in the stores) as you walk. We were walking distance from a number of restaurants, the visitor center, city hall, bike rentals, the Anchorage museum, a mall and many other types of souvenir stores. Nearby, you will also find an Ulu factory, where Ulu knives are made, an Alaskan pride. The train station is also conveniently located two blocks off 4th avenue.
Amanda tried the reindeer hot dogs from Tia’s cart, by city hall, she’s well known in the city for these. I’m vegetarian so I just watched her eat it in silent while I thought of Santa’s mode of transportation, but “to each its own”. I’m going to admit that, as a former meat eater, they smelled really well.
Dinner: We ate dinner at the Bubble Mermaid Oyster Bar. A funky, small oyster and champagne bar off 4th ave. Budget: Be ready to spend an avg of $25 on your dinner here. Perks: The oysters menu offers so many different types of succulent oysters and sauces, one better than the previous one.
