selective destinations. The flight from Seattle revealed several incredible mountain ranges and the view was spectacular. Our excitement climbed every minute on the plane. The plan was to drive out of Anchorage in a four wheel vehicle to allow for many photo opportunities that would have been highly limited when traveling by boat, rail or bus. We also wanted to be independent of any tour groups.
Wagon, Denali Park, Alaska, USA Photo by Barry Epstein
Honolulu Creek, Near Denali Park, Alaska, USA Photo by Barry Epstein
Moose Pass, Alaska, USA Photo by Barry Epstein
It was important to me to experience this absolutely incredible wilderness as close as we could as if we were living there. As previously mentioned, more than 38 years ago I studied biological sciences and graduated from the University of Alaska and I was now fortunate enough to see it again.
In my opinion, the best time to be in Alaska is Autumn where the colors are spectacular with the deep blues of tidal glaciers on an overcast day to the brilliant oranges and reds of the rapidly turning leaves to the mountain top snow whites to pastel like colors on the weather-beaten old buses, boats and trucks. The climate at this time of the year( late August and early September) is generally nice and warm, it is daylight for 14-17 hours per day, the awful mosquitoes are gone, the salmon are spawning, the bears are happy as food( salmon and berries) is plentiful and the tourists have significantly thinned out in numbers. It is even possible to get a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis( Northern Lights) but this is best done in the coldest winter nights in Fairbanks or further north.
But as the locals know in Alaska, Autumn very quickly turns to Winter that starts off as incredibly beautiful for a month or so but then gets very cold, dark and in many cases just plain nasty( way too cold for way too long). I had booked us in characteristic cabins for accommodation on the road trip that allowed some interaction with the very interesting locals who enjoy sharing their experiences, which many are quite unique.
Anchorage has a very modern airport that is one of the nicest, if not the best, in America with perhaps the exception of Orlando. Besides the 12 foot stuffed grizzly bear standing tall in the glass enclosure, the northern lights display as you walk towards the rental car desk is incredible. We left Anchorage as soon as we could and I took Mimi up the gondola at Mount Aleyeska, where I had previously skied regularly.
Old Pier, Seward, Alaska, USA Photo by Barry Epstein
Arriving in Seward revealed a small, quaint town surrounded by mountains, glaciers and
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