Just got back....

[KandAMom]

We just got back from the Alaska trip - OMG ! What a trip - our guides - Jesse and Matt were awesome and the views - what can I say. Loved every minute of it.

 

[aggiedog]

That's the most succinct trip report ever.

Glad you had a great time!

 

[carpenta]

We had Jesse years ago and he was great. Isn't it amazing the wildlife and grand scope of nature and how man seems out of place. Glad to hear you had a wonderful time and hope you return to tell us all....

 

[sayhello]

I also had Jesse as a Guide for my Alaska ABD. He was great. Loved it! Such a great trip. One of the few I've considered doing again since they've spruced up the itinerary.

Sayhello

 

[carpenta]

I also had Jesse as a Guide for my Alaska ABD. He was great. Loved it! Such a great trip. One of the few I've considered doing again since they've spruced up the itinerary.

Sayhello

He was always "there" whether to give narration or in our case logistics that had to be changed because of the weather. I have not gotten a chance to THANK YOU Sayhello for your dedication and great work on these boards so...THANK YOU!!!!!!...... Now back to our original post LOL.

 

[sayhello]

He was always "there" whether to give narration or in our case logistics that had to be changed because of the weather. I have not gotten a chance to THANK YOU Sayhello for your dedication and great work on these boards so...THANK YOU!!!!!!...... Now back to our original post LOL.

Aw, thanks!

Jesse was so great. My flight was hours late into Fairbanks, and he and Rae were monitoring my progress, and he came to pick me up at the airport himself in the wee hours of the morning. He was so sweet-natured and helpful! Unfortunately, Rae didn't seem to like him, and it put a slight pall on the trip. That's the only time I've experienced something like that!

Sayhello

 

[KandAMom]

He was always "there" whether to give narration or in our case logistics that had to be changed because of the weather. I have not gotten a chance to THANK YOU Sayhello for your dedication and great work on these boards so...THANK YOU!!!!!!...... Now back to our original post LOL.

Yes he was ! On our first day bike riding my son took a nasty fall - knees and elbows really banged up. Of course he was very upset and scared to get back on the bike. Jesse and the guide from the bike rental company cheered him on and stayed right with him. At the end - my son was so happy he finished the trail and Jesse was with him.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

We just got back from the Alaska trip - OMG ! What a trip - our guides - Jesse and Matt were awesome and the views - what can I say. Loved every minute of it.

We're doing the Alaska trip next month. Any tips for someone who hasn't yet done this adventure?

 

[KandAMom]

We're doing the Alaska trip next month. Any tips for someone who hasn't yet done this adventure?

Wear layers. We were lucky with the weather - it only rained one day and that was while we were on the bus traveling down to Girdwood. I wore shorts/capris, shirt and sweatshirt. We also had a wind breaker jacket - when you ride the tram up to the top of the mountain it gets cold .

You will love this trip !

 

[AquamarineSteph]

Wear layers. We were lucky with the weather - it only rained one day and that was while we were on the bus traveling down to Girdwood. I wore shorts/capris, shirt and sweatshirt. We also had a wind breaker jacket - when you ride the tram up to the top of the mountain it gets cold .

You will love this trip !

Thanks for the heads up, especially on the tram ride. I've already been keeping an eye on the weather up there which looks chilly if you're down here in Tennessee. Not that I'm complaining. I'm quite looking forward to something cooler! Sounds like my pre-packing thoughts have been on target then.

I can't wait to be there! I'm already in countdown mode. Alaska!!!

Thank you again!

 

[BluesTraveler]

We are considering this trip with 2 boys who will be 8 and 11 next summer. Good trip for active kids? Also for East Coasters who have done this trip - are there any direct flights from the East Coast?

 

[carpenta]

We did this trip when it started in Fairbanks. They have switched to Anchorage now. We flew from Burlington, Vt. to Detroit to Minneapolis to Anchorage to Fairbanks. A very long day but we did pick up 3 hours. I would suggest to go on a travel site to see if there is a direct flight from your nearest airport. Air Alaska was a great airline to fly IMO. They were very friendly on our flights. There is a few longer bus rides for Alaska is a huge state, something the locals love to point out especially when the comparison is to Texas. Our daughter was 11yrs. old when we did this trip and she had a great time.

 

[mebandy]

My family went this June on the Alaska trip. We are east coasters, and did it in 2 flights. One from Virginia to Atlanta and Atlanta to Anchorage. We thought that was very manageable with our kids 9 and 12. The flight back was unfortunately 3 stops, that was tougher because we flew all night. This is an awesome trip! Our guides were Jesse and Summer Rose my kids still talk about them!

 

[KandAMom]

We actually broke up the flight and stayed one night in Seattle. Some of the others took late flights arriving in the morning - especially going home. The age range on our trip was youngest 7 and oldest high school senior. Most of the kids were around the 11 - 14 range

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We are considering this trip with 2 boys who will be 8 and 11 next summer. Good trip for active kids? Also for East Coasters who have done this trip - are there any direct flights from the East Coast?

I assume you are really asking about a non-stop flight? There aren't any from east coast airports to ANC.

 

[BluesTraveler]

Yes, that's what I meant, thanks. Getting there isn't so bad, but the flights back look tough. Trying to decide if the trip is worth the travel. I don't mind being sleep deprived at the beginning of a trip - the adrenaline carries us through, but coming home on overnight flights is so much more soul-sucking.

 

[NJBlackBerry]

We just got back Monday night from the Alaska Trip (our first ABD). Matt and Heather were our guides and were fantastic. The trip was once in a lifetime - we even had a cloudless day to see Denali.
Now we just have to determined what our next ABD trip will be! Flights were a bit brutal from the East Coast but workable.

 

[carpenta]

You got to see Denali on a clear day? Boy that's even more rare than seeing a unicorn I am told. Glad to hear you had a great time for the Alaska trip is one of our favorites too.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

We just got back Monday night from the Alaska Trip (our first ABD). Matt and Heather were our guides and were fantastic. The trip was once in a lifetime - we even had a cloudless day to see Denali.
Now we just have to determined what our next ABD trip will be! Flights were a bit brutal from the East Coast but workable.

I hear that seeing Denali is like finding the Holy Grail! We're doing this trip next month. I hope we have your luck!

 

[sayhello]

You got to see Denali on a clear day? Boy that's even more rare than seeing a unicorn I am told. Glad to hear you had a great time for the Alaska trip is one of our favorites too.

I hear that seeing Denali is like finding the Holy Grail! We're doing this trip next month. I hope we have your luck!

OK, so now I can't resist showing off this photo from my Alaska ABD in 2009!

I'm a member of the 10% club! (Only 10% of the people who go to Denali see it clearly) Congrats, @NJBlackBerry, for becoming a member, too!

Sayhello