So Many Travel Guides...

The internet - limitless source of information and black hole of free time. When planning a trip it is tempting to say, "Nah, I don't need to purchase a book - there are plenty of sites to use for information that are free and full of information."

While it is absolutely true that informative sites abound, (think chamber of commerce sites, state park sites, even planning sites for numerous cities & tourist locations) be warned, you will pay with your time. From one you hop to another to another until you feel you have been all over the place and have so many bookmarks you can't find the one you want.

Starting with a great website helps to keep virtual wandering at a minimum. After a few misses, Sis and I stumbled across Alaska.Org. Here we were able to click through various locations, being virtual travelers without a destination this was key to helping us choose locations we would visit based on what we wanted to see. This site contains abundant links and tips, or create your "dream trip" to save in an optional profile. There is information ranging from remote fly-in lodges to RV rentals plus "expert advice" section that gives the traveler even more background.

It was at this juncture that the RV versus hotel issue came to the forefront. Sure, hotels are easier, but what were we really traveling 4800 miles to see? The inside of the Hyatt or the natural environment? Obviously we chose the torturous adventurous route and needed to plan the road trip. This would definitely require more planning.

For travel in Alaska, there is a definitive guide, The Milepost, It was ordered post-haste and has proven to be the backbone of our detailed planning. I have personally never seen a book quite like it. For major routes and areas there are actual milepost updates that include items like, "S106.9/A20.1 Scenic viewpoint to west; popular rock climbing face..." (541). And vital information like, "Do not go out on the mud flats at low tide. The glacial silt and water can create a dangerous quicksand" (541). Seriously - there are 3 warnings of quicksand in 2 pages. Not to mention all the bear warnings... It'll be an interesting trip!

So far this book has saved a ton of money, simply by assuring us that there are bears in many places and to be very bear aware here, there, and there so we do not need to spend hundreds of dollars to fly to them. Yea, us!

I know the real test comes when we arrive and use the guide, but indications are great already. I recently met a woman from Anchorage who was sharing must-see locations, and when I checked my notes the next day, they were included in my optional stops list! So, with 2 weeks until departure I am feeling pretty confident.

If only Denali National Park didn't post an announcement of an aggressive grizzly encounter this week.

Experiences over Extras

Here at the Seashore there are homes big enough to house a museum and small enough to feel like a shoe box, especially when housing 4 kids, 2 parents, and their array of pets. Maybe it is this that makes me consider each gift carefully. How much space does it take? Will it be used enough to warrant the space? Often times we opt instead for an experience: camping near a natural spring; visiting a local (or not so local) attraction; taking a trip. Most all of our trips are family oriented and designed with the family in mind. So, it is no wonder that when offered opportunities to travel with friends or sisters my answer is typically - no thanks. I like to share my experiences with my children.

But this time, I couldn't say no. My sister and my husband had schemed and planned without my knowledge and the next thing I knew I was scheduled to take a trip to Alaska with my sister, my niece and Oldest. Wow! Yes, I am leaving Sunnyville for 10 days in Alaska.

And not just some hop on and off the cruise ship to see cool things trip. Nope, not us. We are doing the fly in, land, and travel via RV trip. I guess we figure we have this down - having driven over 3000 miles last summer in a rented RV with 6 of 7 kids (Oldest was taking a class) and only Sis and I piloting a much larger RV. (Here is a quick summary of that trip) Of course we left from and returned to home - we were not in brand new territory - there are no moose sightings in the areas we traveled, let alone collisions - grizzly bears weren't in the areas we camped - what the heck are we thinking?!?

We are thinking experience, nature, adventure (but nothing action-movie or worse yet, survivalist-movie worthy - I hope).

We are traveling an estimated 850 miles - less than 1/3 of our last trip, but a whole lot busier. We will depart from Anchorage, make our way south to Seward and the Kenai Fjord then meander north eventually arriving in Denali National Park (aka Mt McKinley). This is our longest scheduled stop, keeping us there for 3 nights within the park itself. Afterwards, we will travel south eventually arriving in Anchorage where we will at long last I'm sure have the comfort of hotel beds and restaurant meals.

Two sisters, two cousins and the wilderness of Alaska - what could go wrong? On second thought - don't answer that!

In case you ever want to try something equally out of the ordinary, I will be posting prep info as well as a travel journal. So check back often! We depart on July 17th and much of the planning has been done. I will share some tips I have learned from the process as we move toward departure day!

*Your comments, questions or prayers are welcome - post below!*