Great Alaska vacation last week (Anchorage, Kenai: live, shop, eat)

[scoobagirl]

We were in the Anchorage area from the 14th till the 22nd of this month; wow, what a beautiful piece of land. We were there to visit our son and daughter-in-law, and did a little bit of touring as well.

The 4 of us spent the first weekend on the Kenai peninsula, at a b&b in Homer. Even though the "season" was finished there was still plenty of things to see and do. We enjoyed the drive down from Anchorage, watched the rafters and fishers along the river, and really enjoyed the waves on the spit in Homer. The next day we drove over to Seward and hiked to the Exit Glacier. Awesome! The drive back to Anchorage was beautiful too.

During the week we walked parts of the coastal trail and other trails in several parks in the city. We also went to the observation point at Flat Top twice, and saw moose up there and in Kincaid park. We also drove up to Eklutna and hiked the Thunderbird Falls trail and part of the Eklutna lake trail. The weather was cool - 55 degrees - and we had some misty rain some days but it was so pleasant to be outside, that we just couldn't stay in. There were still a lot of beautiful flowers to see, as well as the fall colors beginning to show in the trees.

We also partook of many fine eating establishments and beer drinking facilities. I love a place that loves their beer! LOL Would be glad to offer recommendations, but don't know if that's "ok" to do on the board.

We also enjoyed walking around downtown, and found that the city is really pretty easy to get around. (just our opinion) People were so friendly and nice - and the "live and let live" attitude was obvious to us.

We took a glacier cruise one day, riding the motor coach to Whittier and catching the boat from there. That was amazing! What an experience... on the ride back to Anchorage we saw Beluga whales in Turnagin Arm.

We also did the mundane things - grocery shopping, going to the bank, having coffee, took our son to work a couple days so we could keep his car. I'd like to think we got a feel for life in Anchorage, and we did fall absolutely in love with the city.

Can't wait to go back next year!

Jeri in Texas

[Rance]

Awesome! Another success story. I like it when that happens! Sounds like you had a great trip.

[JavaPhil]

See, I told everyone that Anchorage is a nice town. Not as nice as every where else in Alaska, but better than anyplace else outside!