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 Excellent May weather in
Alaska's Homer Spit by jumpingnorman
May through September is the tourist season, with the peak at Memorial day and Labor Day weekends. Southsentral is generally mild (40-70 degrees) and in the interior, temps may rise 80-90.
In the middle of summer, there will be a lot ofvisitors of course. Hotels are scarce and cruise ships stack up at the Inside Passage and highways filled with Rv's.
Also, visiting too early means that some services may not be available like the Denali National Park shuttel buses only onpen from May 20-Set 17.
The salmon runs occur in the rivers in late May, especially at the Kemai Peninsula. King salmons continue running through June and July. Halibut fishing is available throughout the whole of summer.
And if you want to see the Iditerod Dog Sled Race, then that would be during thw inter. There will also be lots of opportunities for the Northern Lights at this time. Leave a Comment
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 Girdwood used to be Glac ier
City by jumpingnorman
It is considered the Resort Town and was called Glacier City before due to the - what else, glaciers. So, my sister decided to book the helicopter tour that she wanted to take here in Girdwood. As you can see from our Alaska pictures, we were definitely not disappointed.
From Girdwood, you could explore Prince William Sound and the huge Chugach Mountain Range (we drive and drive and see Chugach written everywhere - it encompasses a wide area).
You can also ride the Alyeska Tram here for a bird's eye view at 2000 feet - we did not do this but you can call 754-2275.
And from the chopper, our pilot Marcus pointed out the Twentymile River and the Twentymile Glacier. Why 20 mile, I really don't know....
Girdwood also has Spencer Glacier, where you can go rafting and canoeing through the Chugach Adventure Guides at 783-2004.
And best hotel here - the luxurious Hotel Alyeska. But we preferred to stay in Anchorage itself....Enjoy your stay at Girdwood! Leave a Comment
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 by jumpingnorman
For my sister and I, this was where we witnessed a lot of wildlife from mountain goats to killer whales on our cruise! But for most people, this is where you will go fishing (big salmon!), hiking, river rafting and canoening.
We saw the kenai River and there are several viewpoints but we enjoyed the one at the back of the Soldotna Vistor center which is just beside Kenai itself.
And although we took the boat cruise on Resurrection Bay, you can also do the ice-slicing yourself by kayaking (well, not really ice but glassy waters, hehehe)
If you want to sleep in a cabin, you can go ahead and book one of eight available cabins at the Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge (276-6249) which can only be reached by boat! Awesome - so inaccessible - cool... Leave a Comment
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The culture in Alaska is that you start to experience Alaska when you leave the ground! I'm not sure about that because I felt Alaska when I saw a big rat crossing the road and a bald eagle spreading its seven foot wingspan on top of our car...wilderness.
But there are so many planes around that are available for your renting pleasure -- and I do suggest you do go up the sky at least once! Like what we did - we chose the helicopter glacier tour....
But the drama of the glaciers can truly be experienced from the sky - I cannot deny that. From the boat, it just looks like a big m,ountain, but from the sky, you do appreciate how it formed and how maginificent it is.
If I muster the courage, I might consider landing on a lake next with a float plane! Leave a Comment
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 bobby engrossed with the
Milepost (kind of) by PA2AKgirl
It’s not expensive and can be found online or in bookstores. Definitely the most comprehensive, useful and accurate publication for Alaska. Leave a Comment
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 moose near Delta Junction by PA2AKgirlLeave a Comment
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 Hubbard Glacier in the
background of Hubbard Bay by TheTravelSlut, 4 more photos
Summertime in Alaska is warm, colorful and the people are all happy, friendly and welcoming to visitors.
I don't know what was more captivating--the snow capped mountains, the blue glacier lakes or extreme vastness and desolation of the Alaskan interior.
The day I was to see Hubbard Glacier Bay the ship was able to navigate through icebergs to get within 1 to 1 1/2 miles of the glacier face which is 5 miles wide, 1,500 feet deep and 76 miles long. Watching and especially hearing the crack of ice and calving was awesome--simply awesome. The water was calm, the air crisp and the views magnificent.
Alaska is too full of eye candy to pick and choose just one fond memory.
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 by PA2AKgirl
I am not entirely sure how I feel about the pipeline but that doesn’t matter. It still is something worth seeing, based on its engineering alone. Building the pipeline was not easy and certain measures had to be taken for the permafrost and harsh climate that make it impressive. Coming up toward Fairbanks, you get a good view of it crossing the Tanana River at mile 275 of the Richardson Highway. Here, there are interpretive signs (along with a questionable business that sells risqué fur bikinis and stuff) and a view of just how massive this project must have been. And now, how difficult it is to maintain the pipeline. There are of course other places to see it—following the Dalton Highway (more about that highway later), down at its terminus in Valdez and a few other places. We stopped at the one in Big Delta (at mile 275), so I can tell you about this one in the best detail. The way it’s set up across the river here, it looks more like the Golden Gate in San Francisco or Verrazano/GW bridges in NYC. You’re able to get out of your car, walk to the shore and see it up close, read the interpretive signs and also the large sign that tells you the FBI investigates any tampering or defacing of the pipeline. Leave a Comment
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 All Aboard The Alaskan Railway by Sassy417
Riding the Rails from Anchorage to Seward. The ultimate highlight of our Alaskan vacation was the 4-hour scenic train ride from Anchorage to the town of Seward. Aboard the Alaskan Railway, we saw stunning glaciers and beautiful snow-covered mountains, wildlife, all in the comforts of riding inside the plush passenger car. We dined in "The Coastal Classic Club Car" and enjoyed some good food and a nice glass of Cabernet Sauvigon aboard the train provided by NANA Marriott.*Bon Appetit*Relaxed and soaked in this truly unique experience. Took plenty of pictures, and had a great time* A must-do while in Alaska, is to enjoy this wonderful train ride. Thumbs-up* Leave a Comment
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 How about a picnic table next
to this? by pchamlis
The whole place is like some incredible picture postcard. Like Iceland, Alaska is one destination where it's tough to take a bad photograph.
Finally getting to see Denali (aka Mount McKinley), the highest mountain in North America. It had spent several days hiding from us, behind a cloak of clouds. Leave a Comment
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