Making big plans!

About a month ago we took the plunge and I booked the four of us on an Alaska cruise. WOO HOO! I am so excited to go back!

We learned from last time that we need to spend A LOT more time in Alaska than just a day or two pre- and post-cruise, so this time we are doing it right! We figure this might be our last opportunity to take a vacation with our kids, just the four of us, before they move on to their own lives, so this is a really big deal to me and Rick.

Now that we have the cruise dates finalized, I am just waiting to book the plane tickets. Delta works about a year in advance so I am constantly checking the web site to see if our dates are up and available for booking. Since I'm using frequent flyer miles, I need to be johnny-on-the-spot to book our seats as soon as I see they are posted.

In the meantime, I can't book anything else (rental car, lodging, excursions) until I know the exact dates we will be flying in (which is all dependant upon what dates I can get for free for the flight.) Aaack! Kind of a nail-biter issue for me but I'll get through it.

One thing we are considering for our pre-cruise land trip is flying above the Arctic Circle...probably to Barrow. I really want us to get a taste of the real Alaska, the Eskimo people and culture...not the touristy version. This would be an overnight visit...and you bet I would get my picture taken in the Arctic Ocean! Or maybe just my big toe :-)

Anyway, I really hope we can work that out, but again, a lot depends on if we can get a flight up 8-10 days pre-cruise. Other things I am looking at: 2 night stay deep inside Denali National Park. Only 3 places to stay (total of about 50 cabins) at this remote area that is 90 miles inside the part. Have to book early so as soon as we have the flight nailed down, I can start reserving! The place I want to stay will be an experience in itself. It is 20 miles from Mount McKinley and is the home base for area bush pilots who provide tours as well as flights to different parts of Alaska. There are only three rooms for tourists, you eat family style with the pilots, and IF we get to stay here we plan on taking the bus in (5-6 hours) because that is the only way to see the park...no cars allowed. Wildlife is prime attraction. When your stay is over, one of the pilots flies you back out to the park entrance, including a tour around Mount McKinley. If we can't stay there, we will have to find accommodations outside the park. :-(

Other things I'm looking into pre-cruise:
Glacier Trek on Matanuska...will have to decide between day trek or midnight sun trek.


Kenai Fjords glacier boat tour from Seward with an overnight in a Fox Island Cabin


One or two nights in Homer (maybe the guys will want to fish or perhaps we will do a bear watch tour, kayaking or even venture to Kodiak?).


And we HAVE to spend some time in Soldatno as moose are apparently thick in this area. Perhaps an overnighter in a cabin? (Got to have my missy see a moose!) Also want to hike to Exit Glacier (inside Kenai Fjords National Park) and visit the Wildlife Care & Rehab Center. Can I also squeeze in a kayak tour plus a glacier dog sledding experience? !!!And all of this is BEFORE the cruise!!!!

I'm just at the planning stage...getting together a list of things we'd like to do. What we actually end up doing will all depend on availability once we get exact dates for flight. I hate having to wait for that!