Seward or Homer? Glacier flight/Talk.

[dartravel]

1st part - My husband and I will have two days to see either Seward or Homer due to time. I am interested in scenery more than museum's etc. We enjoy driving and looking, not hiking, due to health.
2nd part - We will leave Anchorage and drive the back way, east up and around to North Pole then to Fairbanks. I did the mileage on Street and Trips and it does not seem bad traveling. Is this a good road eventhough it is a long trip?
3rd part - Then on to Denali national park for a full day, and night
4th part - Down to Talkeenta. I want to do a air trip to Mt. Mckinn and land on the Mt. Any suggestions on tour companies?
We will be there a total of 12 days, at a conference for 3 - half days. Will see Portage Glacier and Palmer farming area with them. Yes, I know it is alot to pack in for 12 days but we can eat and sleep at home. We have made any long trips like this so my husband is use to me and the pace.

[everyann]

1st part - My husband and I will have two days to see either Seward or Homer due to time. I am interested in scenery more than museum's etc. We enjoy driving and looking, not hiking, due to health.

Both Seward and Homer have some great options, however, I think you'd be more please with a trip to see Seward. Primarily because Home played a big role in Alaska's History. So, there'd be more sights and museums for you to cruise. While in the area I would recommend a trip to Kenai Peninsula.

2nd part - We will leave Anchorage and drive the back way, east up and around to North Pole then to Fairbanks. I did the mileage on Street and Trips and it does not seem bad traveling. Is this a good road eventhough it is a long trip?

I'm not sure which road you're refering to but I would recommend taking Stateroad 3 to the park. It's about 240 miles north of Anchorage so be sure to pack snacks and beverages.

3rd part - Then on to Denali national park for a full day, and night
4th part - Down to Talkeenta. I want to do a air trip to Mt. Mckinn and land on the Mt. Any suggestions on tour companies?

We will be there a total of 12 days, at a conference for 3 - half days. Will see Portage Glacier and Palmer farming area with them. Yes, I know it is alot to pack in for 12 days but we can eat and sleep at home. We have made any long trips like this so my husband is use to me and the pace.

Well, it is quite a lot of traveling so I say just to be safe look into possible hotels along the way in the off chance you get tired you at least have your "fall back plan"

[Lana]

I'm new on this forum so I'm not sure by looking at the dates of these messages above if the inquiry about Seward vs. Homer is current or not. If the questions are current I would be glad to give any advice I can. I've lived in Alaska for 40 years, currently in Anchorage and travel all around the state during the summers. From what you are saying my vote would be Homer if you have the time. My sister and I usually make more than one trip to both places in my motorhome every summer. I'll check back to this site in a day or two to look for your response. Happy travels.

[dartravel]

Yes, the dates are current, we leave Aug 7th. I did not know if we can make both Seward and Homer in one day down and one day back, but plan to go to at least one before having to go back to Anchorage for meetings. Thank you.

[Lana]

Hi, glad to hear that there is plenty of time to pass on some info for you. Driving from Anchorage to Homer takes about 5 hours and only about half that to Seward but Jean, my sister, and I both think it is really worth the extra drive time. The drive itself is beautiful and at Homer you can drive on out the 5 mile long road on a natural sand spit. There is a small hotel at the end of the spit called Land's End. You can get a room with an unbelievable view and close enough to throw a rock into the water. The website lands-end-resort has lousy pictures of the hotel and area but the room listed as Midship Bay Side gives you a good idea as well as the picture titled State Ferry Tustamena shows a good view from the bay side of the hotel. I don't have enough time right now to do more research but I did just find an org website for Homer Alaska Chamber of Commerce listed as homeralaska and the picture on the home page shows the spit - - the hotel is of course at the far end. It looks like it might be a good website. Let me know more of what else you are doing while in Alaska and also how limited you are to walking or getting around. There are other possibilities like a boat tour out of Seward, etc. Hope this helps. Lana

[dartravel]

Thank you so much. We will arrive on Aug 7th spend the night in Anchorage then on to Seward and Homer. I will call Land's End now, spend one night. I saw the ad before.
Back to Anchorage for 3 days of meetings. (We will go to Portage Glacier and farming around Palmer with agri group these days.) We will have a dinner at the Alaskan Heritage Center and another location with the group. We will have Hobo Jim, Martin Buser and Tammy Cochran at the dinners/events.
Early on 12th leave for north toward Glennallen area and up to North Pole. Spend the night there.
Next day, 13th, to Fairbanks and to Denali NP. Short visit. Spend night in Healy.
To Talkeenta take a 5 pm flight tour and spend the night 14th. Rain date for flight is on 15th morning.
Slow drive back to Anchorage, 15th and fly back home at 8:30 pm.
I may have time on the 15th to do more on the way back to Anchorage or around Anchorage. I wish it was the right time to see the Northern Lights around Fairbanks. I guess this will be a good reason to make a return trip!

[Lana]

Hello AK Travelers,
Glad I could pass on some advice. Sounds like a fast but good 8 days. Like you said, it will be a good start for another trip. My sister and I were just spending some time this evening planning where to go for the Memorial holiday weekend. Together we bought a 30ft motorhome a couple of years ago and go out as many weekends as possible during the summer and early fall. We're taking my twin teenage grandkids for part of the weekend and will probably go to the South Rolly Campground in the Nancy Lake Recreation Area. You will go right past Nancy Lake out of Wasilla on your way to Glennallen. Jean, I and my oldest son just drove up to Talkeetna after church yesterday. It was a beauiful warm sunny day and we had lunch at the Talkeetna Princess Lodge. It has the best view of Mt. McKinnley anywhere around!! If you are staying there you will love it and if not, try to stop there long enought to walk through their lobby and out on the patio (you won't be sorry). Let me know if I can be of any further help. Have a great trip. Forty Year Alaska Lover, Lana