Alaska... The Last Frontier

Did you know that tourist season in Alaska ends about mid-way through September?  Well it does.  Apparently it gets cold, quick.  If you go there planning on taking a short cruise to see the glacial cliffs, or a float plane to soar above the tops of the glaciers and swing around the peaks of the snow capped mountains, don't fly into Anchorage on a whim at the end of the month - because those things aren't available to you any longer.

However, what you will experience is pristine wilderness, crisp air, clean water, wildlife on city streets, breathtaking views, and the sounds of silence.  I have never felt so small in such a large place before.  There are more people in 1/8th of the island of Manhattan than there are in the entire state of Alaska which, in area, is nearly as large as the continental United States.  There are more float planes than cars, and more pilots than in any other state.  We explored Anchorage, took the Seward highway down the Kenai peninsula to Homer, Seward, and Whittier, stayed in a nice hotel in the city & car-camped off the beaten track.

my travel buddy, Melissa

We ate scallops and halibut and salmon that were caught within a few miles of the restaurant.  Captain Patties fish house in Homer was yummy, but the not-to-miss foodie spot is Snow City Cafe in Anchorage.  It was there that (PETA, close your eyes), I ate reindeer - and it was delicious.  I'll let the rest of the story be told visually.

Flights on this trip: LGA-MSP-ANC-MSP-LGA