Alaska 2015 Getting/Being There and Return

[SpyderAnn01]

Patti, I thought the trip to Seward was part of the 3 days in Eagle River. Are you saying that an additional day is needed if we want to see Seward? Also, Joe and I will have a jack with us.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Patti, I thought the trip to Seward was part of the 3 days in Eagle River. Are you saying that an additional day is needed if we want to see Seward? Also, Joe and I will have a jack with us.

I'm not sure about that, Ann. Maybe Dwayne will jump in on that.

For a glacier-viewing cruise, I think I like the Blackstone cruise from Whittier. I may take one of the days from Dwayne's excursions to do that. The cruises from Seward are more wildlife-oriented. I'll post separately about my research on glacier cruises.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Glacier Cruise research

I contacted Major Marine, http://www.majormarine.com, about cruises from Whittier. For Glacier viewing she recommends the Blackstone Cruise. The Surprise Cruise also includes a couple glaciers, but is more wildlife-oriented.


Both Prince William Sound cruises (Blackstone and Surprise) are $119 from Whittier right now. The Surprise cruise is normally $149, but they have an early booking special on.


They have a Cruise/Coach combo from Anchorage, and we can get 20% off if booked by the first of March (I think). They pick up at 3 locations in Anchorage, about 9am, take you to Whittier for a cruise, and return to Anchorage about 530pm. Blackstone Cruise/Coach combo is $163.25; Surprise Cruise/Coach combo is $185.75. The coach picks up in Anchorage at 3 locations: Embassy Suites (9am), Comfort Inn (915am) and Egan Center (930am).


For all these, they have an on-board buffet for $19 that includes salmon and prime rib. (Sounds good!)


Major Marine also has some Kenai Fjord cruises for $80-$200, depending on the length of the cruise. These leave from Seward. Some include a complimentary light breakfast (if an early cruise) and complimentary deli lunch. If the complimentary lunch is not provided, the $19 salmon and prime rib buffet is available.


The Major Marine cruises can also be booked through the Alaska Railroad. http://www.alaskarailroad.com/Desti...lackstoneGlacierCruise/tabid/110/Default.aspx These include round-trip rail transportation and the cruise by Major Marine. There are rail classes: Adventure class, normal rail car seating with 2 on each side of the aisle; and Gold Star class, with a dome car and bar service. I got this info from the Major Marine gal because the Alaska RR office is closed for the holiday.


Kenai Fjords, http://www.kenaifjords.com/day-cruises/, cruises out of Seward only. They have a 9-hour NW Fjord Tour for $184+tax that views 5-6 glaciers. But it’s a great distance from Seward and the actual glacier/wildlife viewing amounts to only about 4 hours.


They have their National Park Tour, 6 hours, that starts at either 8am or 1130am, for $149+tax, for $163. It views only 1 glacier and wildlife, and includes a light lunch (chicken caesar wrap).


The NP Tour can be accessed by train for $257.78, departing Anchorage at 645a, 1130a cruise, returning to Anchorage at 10pm. This is adventure class. Dining car is available on the train. The Gold Star class includes breakfast and dinner for $442.


Kenai also has a cruise/lodging deal for $372.30 per person, staying at their Renfro Lodge. The normal lodge rate is $259/night.


They offer a train/cruise/lodging deal for $497/person single or $382.06/person double. The itinerary is train to Seward, 1130am NP Tour, overnight at Renfro Lodge, train return to Anchorage.


I’m thinking my preference would be the Major Marine coach/cruise combo of the Blackstone Cruise. Eagle River is about 15 miles from Anchorage tto catch the coach for the day trip to Whittier and the cruise.

 

[ARtraveler]

Originally Posted by SpyderAnn01 Patti, I thought the trip to Seward was part of the 3 days in Eagle River. Are you saying that an additional day is needed if we want to see Seward? Also, Joe and I will have a jack with us.
I'm not sure about that, Ann. Maybe Dwayne will jump in on that.

Originally posted by Prairie Spyder
For a glacier-viewing cruise, I think I like the Blackstone cruise from Whittier. I may take one of the days from Dwayne's excursions to do that. The cruises from Seward are more wildlife-oriented. I'll post separately about my research on glacier cruises.

I did not recommend a Glacier Cruise out of Whittier because you have to pay a toll fee to go through a tunnel to get there. I believe it is $15 or $20 per motorcycle. You get to drive down some railroad tracks, and I am not sure they are Spyder friendly.

I am including a great Seward trip day for those who choose to travel with me. All day, two great roadhouses (Lunch & Dinner) as well as a visit to a glacier that can be viewed without taking a multi hour cruise. I also promise you the Million Dollar views that all those coming to Alaska crave.

I will give the option of viewing from a distance or you can hike the mile or so trail hike to view the face of the glacier.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Originally Posted by SpyderAnn01 Patti, I thought the trip to Seward was part of the 3 days in Eagle River. Are you saying that an additional day is needed if we want to see Seward? Also, Joe and I will have a jack with us.
I'm not sure about that, Ann. Maybe Dwayne will jump in on that.

Originally posted by Prairie Spyder
For a glacier-viewing cruise, I think I like the Blackstone cruise from Whittier. I may take one of the days from Dwayne's excursions to do that. The cruises from Seward are more wildlife-oriented. I'll post separately about my research on glacier cruises.

I did not recommend a Glacier Cruise out of Whittier because you have to pay a toll fee to go through a tunnel to get there. I believe it is $15 or $20 per motorcycle. You get to drive down some railroad tracks, and I am not sure they are Spyder friendly.

I am including a great Seward trip day for those who choose to travel with me. All day, two great roadhouses (Lunch & Dinner) as well as a visit to a glacier that can be viewed without taking a multi hour cruise. I also promise you the Million Dollar views that all those coming to Alaska crave.

I will give the option of viewing from a distance or you can hike the mile or so trail hike to view the face of the glacier.

Thanks, Dwayne.

The cruises out of Whittier can be accessed by coach from Anchorage. (See glacier cruise research post, above.) I want to see all you want to show us. I've seen mountain glaciers and in Iceland we drove out onto a glacier. But I've never seen calving glaciers from the sea.

 

[ARtraveler]

Akspyderman's Trips

I have purposely stayed out of a lot of the conversation as this is not my trip.

The plan, as I understand it, is that the group would be offered some rides within a 200 mile or so radius of Eagle River home base for the days they will be there. I was asked to come up with the rides.

I have purposely not made an itinerary as weather can sometimes play an important part. It may be raining South and not North. We will head in the "best" direction daily. My goal is to provide the best rides possible each day I get the opportunity.

We are fortunate in that we have million dollar scenery within the parameters I mentioned above. Those going beyond the area are also going to see the "good stuff."

:ani29:: For sure, I am going to do an all day ride to Seward. Two fantastic roadhouses, scenery to die for, and I will fill you in on the local lore. Seward has a plethora of great tourist shops, is a beautiful Alaskan fishing town, etc. etc. etc.

:ani29:: An additional ride is planned on the Kenai and I guarantee you will like where we are going. Another great roadhouse too!

:ani29:: Another day, we are going mountain riding. You will be able to see for miles. Another glacier to view, and did I mention, another great roadhouse.

:ani29:: Another day, we are going to visit a quaint town, a closer peek at Denali (if she is not hiding), and did I mention, another great roadhouse. Actually, you will have a couple choices.

There are four great rides for those that are interested. I gar-ron-tee all should have a great time on the rides.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

I don't want to miss any of that. So I'll have to schedule the glacier cruise for after our Denali tour. So much to see; so little money! :gaah:

 

[murphybrown]

Yes Yes Yes

I agree with Gary that the top of the world hwy from Chicken to Dawson is gravel, or at least it was in 2006 when Kathy and I road across it on my Road King. We plan on doing it again on this trip.
To me the danger on this road is from the motor homes who seem to drive in the center of the road leaving very little room to get around and it's call top of the world for a reason as there are drop offs on both sides
The thing I remember most about Chicken was the great breakfast we had there. Now I can eat a lot of pancakes, but was unable to eat a short stack (2) as they were so large and thick. They had fresh pies, cookies, and Carmel rolls on the counter that looked great. The Carmel rolls looked to be 8" x 8" x 4"

Les

Chicken is in permanent marker on the map!!!!!!:yes:

 

[ARtraveler]

Chicken is in permanent marker on the map!!!!!!:yes:

Do you know how it got its name?

They could not spell "Ptarmidgan" --maybe I can't either? :roflblack:

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

One of the couples in my GWRRA Chapter made a trip to Alaska last summer. They took 42 days total for 7900 miles and over $8000. I believe he said they only went where they could ride, no trips by air or such. They may have taken a bus tour or two.

If you have any specific questions you'd like for me to ask them, let me know. He said they were looking at writing up a short story about their trip, hopefully in the next couple of months. If they get it done and are willing to share it, I'll get a copy for you guys.

Others who have done the trip can set me straight but I'm thinking those 350+ mile days Prairiespyder is showing are going to make for some really long hard ride days. Fortunately, you'll have plenty of sunshine hours per day so maybe it'll work out OK, but be careful about how hard you plan to ride. It ain't the Midwest open highways you're going to be on!

Maybe someone here already mentioned it but you'll be contending with a lot of RV traffic on second level quality roads so you are going to find it tough to average 40 to 50 mph, if that much.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I have purposely stayed out of a lot of the conversation as this is not my trip.

The plan, as I understand it, is that the group would be offered some rides within a 200 mile or so radius of Eagle River home base for the days they will be there. I was asked to come up with the rides.

I have purposely not made an itinerary as weather can sometimes play an important part. It may be raining South and not North. We will head in the "best" direction daily. My goal is to provide the best rides possible each day I get the opportunity.

We are fortunate in that we have million dollar scenery within the parameters I mentioned above. Those going beyond the area are also going to see the "good stuff."

:ani29:: For sure, I am going to do an all day ride to Seward. Two fantastic roadhouses, scenery to die for, and I will fill you in on the local lore. Seward has a plethora of great tourist shops, is a beautiful Alaskan fishing town, etc. etc. etc.

:ani29:: An additional ride is planned on the Kenai and I guarantee you will like where we are going. Another great roadhouse too!

:ani29:: Another day, we are going mountain riding. You will be able to see for miles. Another glacier to view, and did I mention, another great roadhouse.

:ani29:: Another day, we are going to visit a quaint town, a closer peek at Denali (if she is not hiding), and did I mention, another great roadhouse. Actually, you will have a couple choices.

There are four great rides for those that are interested. I gar-ron-tee all should have a great time on the rides.

Sounds like fun, I'm in.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

I met a guy in church this morning who transferred here from Ft. Wainwright, Alaska. I told him I would be riding to there this summer. He said to be sure and take bear-spray. I assured him we would not be camping or picnicking, and would be staying in hotels and eating in restaurants. He said get some anyway and have it with you on day-hikes.

 

[ARtraveler]

I met a guy in church this morning who transferred here from Ft. Wainwright, Alaska. I told him I would be riding to there this summer. He said to be sure and take bear-spray. I assured him we would not be camping or picnicking, and would be staying in hotels and eating in restaurants. He said get some anyway and have it with you on day-hikes.

Recommended if you are going on any off the road trail hikes. Also a set of bear bells. That way you will not surprise a bear and cubs. That makes them mad.

And yes, it happens. Guests from MN tried a hiking trail near Homer, AK. They ran into a bear within the first 100 yards or so. Their first and last experience hiking. :roflblack:

And...if you shoot em here, you have to eat em. nojoke

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Recommended if you are going on any off the road trail hikes. Also a set of bear bells. That way you will not surprise a bear and cubs. That makes them mad.

And yes, it happens. Guests from MN tried a hiking trail near Homer, AK. They ran into a bear within the first 100 yards or so. Their first and last experience hiking. :roflblack:

And...if you shoot em here, you have to eat em. nojoke

In Montana, they told me that scientists examining bear scat frequently found it contained bear bells! So the bells either warn the bears away or they announce lunch!

 

[jimnsusie]

In Montana, they told me that scientists examining bear scat frequently found it contained bear bells! So the bells either warn the bears away or they announce lunch!

The bear bells sound like the deer whistles. The whistles seem to alert the deer to run somewhere as if they weren't going to anyway.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

The bear bells sound like the deer whistles. The whistles seem to alert the deer to run somewhere as if they weren't going to anyway.

My skepticism about bells and whistles is beginning to make me think this topic is headed toward becoming a pile of scat!

 

[ARtraveler]

In Montana, they told me that scientists examining bear scat frequently found it contained bear bells! So the bells either warn the bears away or they announce lunch!

A little grain of salt here maybe. :roflblack:

The purpose of the bells is to make the bear aware of your presence. Most say that is better than surprising a Sow and her cubs. Other people go through the woods chanting "Hey Bear, Hey Bear."

Me, I try to avoid them, so you wont find me rolling through the woods in my wheelchair. :roflblack:

We do run into instances of bear mauling most every year. I only know of one instance where the bear actually ate two people. One was the famous bear man (Timothy Treadwell) and his girlfriend. They were camping with the bears, and that time the magic was not working.

The full story can be googled.

I am not recommending anything here. Just passing on some information since the subject came up.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

A little grain of salt here maybe. :roflblack:

. . . . .

Yes it was told with tongue firmly in cheek! :roflblack:

 

[jimnsusie]

A little grain of salt here maybe. :roflblack:

The purpose of the bells is to make the bear aware of your presence. Most say that is better than surprising a Sow and her cubs. Other people go through the woods chanting "Hey Bear, Hey Bear."

Me, I try to avoid them, so you wont find me rolling through the woods in my wheelchair. :roflblack:

We do run into instances of bear mauling most every year. I only know of one instance where the bear actually ate two people. One was the famous bear man (Timothy Treadwell) and his girlfriend. They were camping with the bears, and that time the magic was not working.

The full story can be googled.

I am not recommending anything here. Just passing on some information since the subject came up.

I agree. The facts about the noise around bears is well documented. It can and usually will alert them to move away. Works well with black bears. I have no experience with grizzlies.

 

[cognaccruiser]

In Montana, they told me that scientists examining bear scat frequently found it contained bear bells! So the bells either warn the bears away or they announce lunch!

And that is how you can tell the difference between Grizzly scat and Black Bear scat. Black Bear scat is full of berry seeds and grass and Grizzly scat is full of bells, whistles and pepper spray cans. LOL

I guess I'm just one of those people that believe there is lots of paranoia about bears that is over emphasized. If I'm not mistaken, in the history of Denali Park, there has only been one death attributed to a Grizzly and that was just over 2 years ago when a hiker out doing some wilderness back packing was killed. He was alone and invaded the bears space while taking pictures and got too close for too long.

Timothy Treadwell was an tragedy waiting to happen. It can happen but the odds are so slim. Much greater odds of having a vehicle accident with a bear. Going on a bit of a rant here. Sorry. Have spent a lot of time in places with wild life and just find that many people over react.
"Hey Bear" works as well as anything to let them know you are around but don't let fear ruin your enjoyment of a fantastic trip.

Gary