It’s another glorious day in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. From Anchorage, it’s an eight-hour drive to McCarthy, gateway to the park. We took our Honda Pilot (see below).
It has some extra clearance for the gravel road between Chitina and McCarthy. Take it slow on this portion of the road, since you’re driving on an old railbed.
Just before you arrive at the footbridge to McCarthy (no cars are allowed to cross into town), there’s a parking lot and a phone to call Kennicott to come pick you up.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the nation’s largest park–and includes the historic mining district around Kennicott, which once was the largest and richest copper mine in the world. Kennicott Glacier Lodge sits in the midst of the old company town of Kennicott–and it’s a great base camp for your adventure.
You have to take a tour of the old 
Mill Building (pictured here) and learn more about the area from the park rangers–they offer several other historical tours of the area.
But then it’s time to strike out into the wild country surrounding the town. Continue Reading »
I’ll be off the grid for a few days with our friends from Alaska HDTV. In fact–check the post below for some great shots of the Fly-In from Valdez!! Headed out to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park for some ice climbing and flightseeing with our friends at Wrangell Mountain Air and St. Elias Alpine Guides. Here’s a shot from the air looking down on the Kennicott Glacier.
We’ll be visiting the historic mining district at Kennicott. And, of course, checking out the comfy accommodations at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge. This is the view from the deck of the lodge.
So watch for some live reports from the road!
If you’re traveling in Southeast Alaska, you M-U-S-T see Glacier Bay National Park. It’s about 60 miles from Juneau–and it takes some planning to get there. There’s plenty of ice to go around, as this photo shows!
Right now there’s a new package available from Juneau, Skagway or Haines. It includes roundtrip air fare to/from Gustavus, airport transfers to the cruise dock at Bartlett Cove and a full-day Glacier Bay cruise (whoo-boy!).
I’ve taken the cruise. Here’s a photo of a humpback whale:
Watch for bear (brown and black), eagles (lots of ‘em), puffins, sea lions, seals, sea otters…oh….did I mention the glaciers? The captain and the park ranger know which glaciers are really active–and they cruise up close! It’s really a great trip.
Cost from Juneau is $242 per person. Again–this is a great cruise deal. Check the site right now, or call (888) 229-8687.
Bound for Homer? Make the leap across the bay to my favorite “Tent and Breakfast”. Right on the beach! Nope, it’s not a b-n-b. You actually stay in big wall tents. Oh, they’re built on platforms, with beds, heaters and plenty of blankets. And wait until you see what they’ve done with the outhouses. Too cool! Here’s a photo of kayaking on Kasistna Bay. Kayaks are available right there on the beach. Take half- or full-day trips!
Your hosts, Tony and Mary Jane Lastufka, host a variety of workshops throughout the summer. Prices listed include water taxi transportation from the Homer Spit to Kasitsna Bay, sturdy wall tent accommodations, meals, and workshop participation. Kenai Borough sales tax is not included in the price. An extra day can be added to the trip for kayaking, biking or hiking for an additional charge.
To sign up or learn more, call (907) 235-3633, or check online and click on workshops on the top menu bar.
Waterfront Watercolor Workshop: Friday - Sunday, June 13-15
Alaskan watercolorist and multi-media artist Paula Dickey offers her 9th annual watercolor workshop for new and seasoned artists. This year’s theme is “Surround Yourself With Color,” using color theory to create and express mood. $365 per person.
Nature of Yoga: Friday - Sunday June 20-22
Instructor Margi Clifford MS, RYT, will lead yoga sessions in the protected environs of Kasitsna Bay near MacDonald Spit. Sessions will be outdoors near the shore, weather permitting, or indoors in a room with a commanding a view of the ocean and nearby islands. $360 per person. Continue Reading »
There’s no better way to see some of the “real” Alaska than by ferry. The ferry maintains an extensive route network in Southeast Alaska, or the “Inside Passage”. I snapped this shot between Wrangell and Petersburg:
Check out some of the new options:
a. Golden Circle Route. This summer, the m/v Malaspina sails each day between Juneau, Haines and Skagway. It’s a great opportunity to build a road trip through the Yukon, including these two cities. Stop off in Whitehorse, the capital of Canada’s Yukon Territory. Visit Haines Junction in the midst of the Yukon’s wilderness. Continue Reading »
