Literally.
Actually, 1,015 miles, to be exact. That’s how much Alaskan ground we covered in our short 5-day jaunt through the great state of Alaska.
When our friend Frank told us that he would be working in Alaska this summer, texts started flying. Bjork and I, along with our friend Joe, did not waste any time planning a reunion “to visit Frank” in Alaska. You know how that is, right? Your friend goes somewhere awesome and it is a requirement that you go visit? That was this. From the start, it was destined to be the ultimate adventure – Rendezvous in the Midnight Sun, we called it.
Bjork and I are high school sweethearts (if that term doesn’t make you gag a little bit, you are rock solid), and Frank and Joe are two of our high school friends, so the high-school level inside jokeage on this trip was out of control. We’re talking sore-abs level laughter. It has been a long time since I laughed that hard.
And that’s really the best part about Alaska, for me – the time spent laughing and adventuring (slash misadventuring) with friends.
But we also did really see a lot of Alaska.
Like, more than a thousand miles’ worth.
I cannot be a minimalist in this moment, so this post is just a blast of pictures from our journey through Alaska. Mostly because I like to document, and because this is a blog, and because sometimes it’s fun to see what other people are doing in the world. Please, all of you, go start blogs and post your vacation pictures. I promise to look at all of them. This is a thing for me.
At the bottom of this post, I will list out a few favorite places that we hit up for those who might be planning their own Alaskan trek.
And for the rest of you, may these pictures prove to you that even short trips are worth the time and energy, that old friends are hilarious, that Alaska is sparkling with magic.
First stop: Seward!
If I could only go back to one place in Alaska, it would be Seward, hands-down. As much as I love the mountainous wonder that is everywhere in Alaska, it is the mountainous wonder + crystal clear blue ocean that really puts stars in my eyes.
Also, humpback whales and puffins and orcas in the wild … that doesn’t hurt, either.
Number one most amazing experience of my life. Or at least REALLY high up there, along with road-tripping through Big Sur and motorcycling across the island to Moalboal when we lived in the Philippines.
My love for this little 6-hour, 100-mile, glacier-viewing cruise was just unstoppable.
Oh, and by the way, I GOT A TATTOO.
Oh, you know, just casually hiking to look at a glacier.
13 hours on a school bus national park tour = 13 grizzly bear and cub sightings, dozens of caribou in a “nursery herd,” one moose mama and baby, many mountain-climbing curly-horned dall sheep, and views that I cannot figure out how to make look NOT fake.
This place is on a whole ‘nother level.
The bus situation:
Moose mama:
SO MUCH WILDNERNESS.
It is remote beyond remote.
After 13 hours on a school bus with nothing but trail mix and pretzel crisps, we grabbed pizza and beers at the little place next to our cabin. I have never tasted cheap, greasy pizza that was as delicious in all my life.
What an adventure. It was everything a Rendezvous in the (literal) Midnight Sun should be.
Here’s a list of our stops:
- Seward, Alaska – HIGHLY recommend. The drive from Anchorage to Seward is totally magical.
- Kenai Fjords Tours – HIGHLY recommend. The 6-hour tour was perfect for us. In addition to the landscape – fjords, glaciers, mountains, and ocean – we saw humpback whales (many), orcas (many), puffins (many, and so adorable), and seals and otters in the harbor.
- Seward Brewing Company (Seward)- that picture of the halibut curry up there? yeah. good, good food.
- Smoke Shack (Seward) – yummy for breakfast.
- Exit Glacier – a nice lil’ hike.
- Last Frontier Brewing Company (Wasilla area) – a good stop on the way from Anchorage to Denali. Surprisingly good pizza and burgers.
- McKinley Creekside Cabins and Cafe – an easy and comfy place to stay close to the entrance of Denali National Park.
- Denali National Park – yes, yes, and yes. If I did it again, I think I would go for the medium-long bus ride instead of the long-long one, because my favorite stop was about halfway – Eielson Visitor Center. Please note that if you are nervous about bus rides over steep cliff drop-offs on one way dirt “roads,” you may need to struggle through for a hot minute. (HI.) But you will make it and it will be so worth it.
- Panorama Pizza Pub – so basic, so good. Still trying to figure out why it was so good, actually. I think it had something to do with 13 hours on a school bus in the wilderness.
Okay, so who’s been to Alaska? Experienced any of the same, or something different? Tell, tell, tell! ā”
If you’d like to see/read more, I have some videos on my personal Instagram account – @lindsaymostrom – including one of the bus tour that will probably make you sick. Whee! Enjoy!
More Travel Pictures and Posts:
Austin Vibes
Europe Trip
Girls’ Weekend Getaway: Scottsdale, Arizona
West Coast Road Trip (San Fran To Seattle)
New Orleans In The Summer
Looks like you packed a lot into 5 days! I definitely want to return in the Summer/Fall. I had the opportunity to take a 10 day Alaska WINTER adventure this December and it was a blast! I wrote about the first part of it where we also road-tripped to Seward here: http://adventuretramp.com/2020/03/24/adventuring-in-alaska-part-1/ Can’t wait to go back! Great photography btw. š
Loved both yours and Landsay’s photoshoots! Alaska packs a lot of places you can have good time š Especially in the summer, but I’ve had plenty great times ice fishing there over the years!
We just finished booking everything for our trip in 3 weeks! Copy-catted most of your trip. Thanks for this post!!
I entered! This looks amazing!
Ah, you’re making me homesick. Grew up in Anchorage and try to go back at least once a year! On your next visit… Girdwood! Stop for sourdough pancakes at the Bake Shop and do the Winner Creek hike (hand tram!). It’s on the way to Seward. š I just moved to MN from California… hoping the winter here reminds me a tad of home.
If ever there’s a place that will revitalize, it’s Alaska. I just returned from my 5th trip there. The first time I was stationed in Bethel with the Public Health Service. My wife and I took a cruise there on our honeymoon and then went back again a year later. We took the kids there 4 years ago, and just returned from a big family reunion cruise a few weeks ago.
We love Anchorage with its museums and the farmers market.
We’ve done Denali twice via rail and love doing the bus and hikes.
We stayed in a yurt in Seward with the kids and that was memorable. The fjord cruise gave us such incredible views of scenery and wildlife.
My wife and I stayed in the Kenai to do some fishing and it was just as beautiful as Seward.
On this latest cruise, we fished in Juneau (punctuated by eagles doing fly-overs of our boat), enjoyed the train ride in Skagway, hiking and zip lining in Ketchikan. At sea, the sunsets intense.
We’ve also caught the state fair in Palmer and Fairbanks for more down-home feel, plus all those food vendors you’d hope for at a fair, but with an Alaskan seafood twist. The Alaska State Museum in Juneau was a great one. I should also mention the Alaska Native Center in the Anchorage suburbs…and the Alaska Zoo is a favorite of my wife.
We can never tire of Alaskan adventures!
And, since you’re a food blogger, yes, so many great hole-in-the-wall restaurants all over with great seafood. One of our favorite meals, though, was in Seward when we bought some halibut and salmon from one of the dockside markets and we took it back to the yurt to barbecue it for dinner.
Such an amazing experience, and those views – WOW! I’m a huge fan of traveling in general, so even if it’s a short trip I love just going and being there no matter how long <3
Green Fashionista
I totally get it – I LOVE looking at travel pictures and I wish everyone around me would blog about their adventures. I would so be into that.
My high school sweetheart (yep I did it) and I started our own little blog to share our travels with family & friends – http://www.the-wanderlusters.com … it’s way too much fun, it makes me wish we could travel year round!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful trip highlights!
xo,
Sandra
Hi Lindsay. Awesome work. I sent a private message via FB regarding a specific project. I hope to hear back from you.
Seward is magical! I have family in Alaska (currently in Petersburg) and they used to have their boat docked in Seward. Absolutely gorgeous!
1000 miles! Looks fun and the photos…super awesome!
Hi, what I’ve enjoyed mostvin your blog is going through the crisp picturesque photos. It’s true, photo speak 1,00 words.
Lindsey – can you please comment on your travel friend’s relationship status?! Asking for my sister!
Never mind my question about the vest, I saw your reply to the same question and now I know to shop at Athleta š thanks!
Cute burgundy/maroon vest jacket you’re wearing, Lindsay. Please share where you got it! Thanks š
I’m so glad you visited Alaska! I actually started reading your blog for the first time when I moved here two years ago. Next time you visit,
make sure to put Valdez and Talkeetna at the top of your list. Valdez is by far the most beautiful place I’ve seen (highly recommend doing a glacier kayaking tour with Anadyr). It is also filled with incredible history, an adorable feral rabbit population, and the best tacos in Alaska (No exaggeration– check out the Nat Shack). Talkeetna is the tipping off point for a lot of Denali expeditions. Words can’t describe the magic of this town, but it’s incredible. I met the nicest people and had the second best tacos in Alaska there (good tacos are hard to find here). I hope you get to make it back one day!
Beautiful! Absolutely breath taking!
Thank you for taking us with you on this fantastic trip to Alaska. The view is breathtaking, and you guys look so cute and sweet together. I love to see that!
I like how you dropped that tattoo on us. Love it!
Wow! Just WOW! This looks like one of the most wonderful vacations you can have! Alaska really is a beauty. Your photos gave me really intense wanderlust (or Fernweh as we say in Germany) I almost gave into just booking tickets and flying there student budget or not!
For our 10th anniversary (#12 is tomorrow) we went on a cruise to SE Alaska ( Juneau, Sitka, & Ketchikan) and Glacier Bay which is my absolute favorite place we went. I was also absolutely smitten with the mountains meeting the ocean. I have been dreaming of going back for the 2 years since. I really want to go to Denali next time, and it look like Seward as well. Maybe I just need to go twice! I’m so glad you had a great trip, thanks for sharing!!
gorgeous pics -have been hesitant to go bc it’s cold but your pictures are very convincing! love the tattoo – beautiful way to keep Afton close. xo
Yay Alaska!!! My husband, 15 mo old son, my parents and I went on a cruise in May 2005. It was a totally different Alaskan experience BUT Alaska is just awesome. We would love to go back. My parents had a balcony room and we got to see a glacier up close. Just amazing! Yay also for HS friends. My husband & I were good friends in HS and didn’t start dating until we were 25. We still have a circle of HS friends that we see at least 2x per year. It’s the best!!! So happy to see your smile! Hugs to you and Bjork!
I love you new little tattoo.. is it your son’s name? So sweet š
Yes, it is! š
1) loved every picture
2) bjork looks so cute with his face in his hands!
3) love the tattoo <3
lol, he made me take that one out!
My husband and I lived in Fairbanks, AK for a couple of years. We have lived all over the US due to his job and Alaska is our favorite state by a long shot. Though living there year round definitely comes with its difficulties, but it is all worth it. Next time you visit be sure to visit 229 Parks and Tavern Restaurant. It is right outside of Denali park and the chef is James Beard nominated. It is farm-to-table and is just a lovely place, one of my all-time favorite restaurants.
Oh, wow! That sounds amazing! I wish I would have known. Just have to go back. š