The Alaskan Adventure - October 2020
There is a first time for everything, they say. There was no better place to be this October than in the gorgeous small town of Girdwood, Alaska. This was our chosen location because of the stunning foliage and the private cabins surrounded by tall trees. My favorite thing waking up, was the smell of the morning dew and the slow rising sun slowly lighting the sky up for the day of scenic wonders.
This was our first look from the ground across the bay, driving from Anchorage to Girdwood at approximately eight o'clock at night.
Girdwood
We started our first day rather slowly, just waiting for the sun to get high enough to where we could see clearly. That first hour at our cabin was spent making hot drinks and enjoying the morning by the fireplace. We were both quite surprised to see that when the sun rises, it does so at about half the speed of back home, hence the slow morning in our Pj's.
After dressing in multiple layers for our first hike, we headed out on a beautiful 5 mile nature walk, through a luscious forest full of trees, streams and mini waterfalls.
Winner Creek Nature Trail
In about an hour, we came upon this huge, rickety bridge, stopped to take some photos and almost decided to turn back....but so glad we didn't.
Just around the corner, there was a stunning waterfall with a pool of blue water just waiting for us.
After enjoying this beauty for a while, we turned back, making a total of about 5 miles in 3 hours, give or take.
Eating out in Girdwood
We found the cutest little place, with the best hot soup, ever - mostly because we were cold after coming down from our hike. This was a perfect lunch.
Scenery Throughout Girdwood
Virgin Creek Falls, Girdwood, AK
Double Musky Inn
Woodsy Cabin
Heading out to Seward
We got on the road around 6:30 in the morning, so the entire hour and a half drive to Seward was switching between blackness and white fog. It was only about the last 15 minutes that anything out the window was even visible. We found this awesome family business called Seward Ocean Excursions to take us out, and man - we could not have picked a better, clearer, more perfect fall day to do this!
And, because there were no trees in the way, we actually got to see our first Alaskan sunrise straight from the Lost Lynx.
Is this scenery just magical, or what? We truly couldn't get enough, despite the piercing cold wind in our faces - this was one of my favorite boat trips that we have ever done.
Kenai Fjord and Resurrection Bay
Lunch and a little souvenir shopping (we only found one actual souvenir store open, although, I am sure all the many others are open during the tourist season)
Exit Glacier
Nearby Seward we found another local treasure, the Exit Glacier hike. Although we just hung out by the gray river and the river bed flats, we were able to see the glacier clear as day and enjoyed our time walking the beautiful little trail along the river.
and back to Girdwood...
Kincade Park, Anchorage, AK - Coastal Trail
We wanted to spend a little time in Anchorage since that is the bigger city and the artsy hub. We came on this gorgeous park with miles and miles of trails that led to the ocean and back up the hill. It was here, that we saw our first, Alaskan moose, just feet away. She was a friendly one, and just to think, we almost missed her because of the thickness of the trees. She was just off the trail, to our left and we only noticed her because of another passer by.
Walking mostly downhill along the paved path, we spent some time on the black sand beach. We came at low tide, so we didn't get to touch the freezing water, but we did take some beautiful pictures, watched some planes land just to the right of us at Anchorage airport, enjoyed some snacks and the falling leaves. Afterwards, we had a delicious, homey meal of reindeer sausage sandwiches, which are a visitor's must. It was yum yum!
Beluga Point, Seward Highway
Rust's Air Service
For our final, adventure packed day, my dreamy-dream came true! We chartered a small, Rust's Air Service seaplane and they were able to take us up to the skies. Prior, I hadn't ever flown in a small plane such as this, so this has been on my bucket list - and it was so worth it! We flew over Anchorage, up above the snow capped mountains of Chugach state park, over a gorgeous turquoise lake at a little lower altitude, over Palmer and the gorgeous river running through, and then had an excellent water landing back at Lakehood Seaplane base. Weeeeeeeeeee! I mean, it was totally magical!
Thank you to my one and only for this amazing trip. Alaska truly is mesmerizing and we got so lucky with the best weather. We loved every second of this trip, and I am wanting to come back to explore some other cities and what they have to offer. Dreaming of our next time, already!
