Alaska Bound

Tips for travelers on what to expect when visiting "The Final Frontier".

Alaska is a travel dream for most, one filled with gorgeous mountain views and wildlife. Much of the state relies on summer tourism, which is in jeopardy this year with the pandemic but one hopes that next summer will have visitors from all over the world once again flying to visit the last frontier.

What should you expect if you do get a chance to travel to Alaska? As someone who was born and raised there, I have a few tips to help you out on your first Alaskan adventure. These tips are for summer visitors since that’s when most people visit.

1. Pack a variety of clothes.

The weather changes frequently, so while it might be nice and warm in the day, you are going to want to cover up at night. If you are going whale watching or a boat tour, have a waterproof jacket with you. The winds can be bone chilling. If you plan on any outdoor hiking, make sure to have good hiking boots. The terrain can be treacherous. Don’t wear flip flops or sandals if you are going to be walking anywhere that’s unpaved. It's Alaska not a sunny beach vacation so prepare accordingly.

2. Rental car.

If you plan on exploring, get something with 4-wheel drive and not a small car. Many roads are unpaved and if you want to see the true wilderness, you can’t do that in a sedan. If you just plan on staying in Anchorage and going on guided tours, you won’t need to worry about that. Be aware that large game do tend to run right into the middle of the road. Moose happen to love crossing even the major roads in the state. Keep your eyes peeled at all times for potential animals running out of the woods and on to the road right in front of you.

3. Bug spray.

You will need mosquito spray. They aren’t like the tiny little insects you have in the lower 48, these things are huge! Make sure to have some antihistamine with you as well, the bites itch incredibly bad. Don’t underestimate the unofficial state “bird”.

4. Navigating the wilderness.

If you don’t know a particular wild area, it’s better to go with an experienced guide. Managed trails systems should be fine as long as you don’t deviate from paths. Many visitors yearning for adventure can head into the woods and get lost. There are many areas where cell phones and GPS won’t work. Old school compass and map works, if you know how to use them. Many rescue missions happen every summer for people who get lost or hurt in the wild. Know your limits and realize that Alaska can be cruel to those unprepared. We really don't want to have to rescue you and put a damper on your adventure.

5. Midnight Sun.

The “ Land of the Midnight Sun” is accurate. In summer, you can still be fishing or playing basketball outside at 1 a.m. If you can’t sleep well in light, many travelers use foil in their windows to block out light. Most major hotels have decent curtains but you may find yourself someplace where too much light gets in. Having a sleep mask is recommended. Personally I can sleep through the blazing sun due to this being my norm growing up, but many new out of state transplants and visitors seem to have an issue with it. I would suggest you take advantage of the long days as we do, enjoy the outdoors and fit more adventures into your day because the sun isn’t setting in early evening. It does make for a sad 4th of July fireworks though, never gets dark enough to really see them well.

6. The Animals.

I’ve already mentioned how large game likes to jump out on roads, but you will most likely have random encounters with wild animals no matter where you are. Trails in the heart of Anchorage have multiple bear sightings every summer. Even when you feel like you are in more of the “city” parts of Alaska, the wilderness is still around every corner. Don’t leave food out unattended anywhere. This applies to camping, hiking or even a patio or balcony. There are many animals who will come to the scent of your food and you really don’t want to have a bear outside your tent or on your picnic table because you left some goodies out. If you go on a guided whale watching tour, just know there is no guarantee you will see any, though I have every time I have gone out. I would suggest looking into some of the places where you can visit reindeer or musk ox, those are fun animal experiences you may not find elsewhere. Enjoy viewing the great wilderness from a safe distance but remember, they are wild animals and many will try to kill you.

7. The Food.

Please eat seafood while you are there. It is so fresh and delicious that your mouth will be in ecstasy. If you get a chance to try some moose meat, jump on it! I was raised on the stuff and it tastes better than cow meat in my opinion. Moose doesn’t taste gamy like some other wild game does and it is a mild and lower fat option to what you are used to eating for red meat. Fireweed and spruce tip jams are an Alaskan treat that you should be able to find while up there. Fireweed honey is my all time favorite sweetener and I have to order online from back home now to get my fix. The wild berries are to die for, “Alaskan Wild berry Products” has the best chocolates ( even a large fountain to see!) using Alaskan flavors. It is a must stop place on your trip.

8. The people.

Alaska is extremely diverse with people from all over the world living there. One of the neighborhoods in Anchorage, Mountainview, is considered the most diverse census tract in all of America. There are people who moved up there for the military or pipeline jobs, some move to Alaska to escape from their past. Some are like me and were born there because their parents' family homesteaded land in the 1950’s. You will meet an eclectic group of people when you visit with many different cultures and nationalities and it's truly the people of Alaska that will make your trip great!

If you liked these Alaskan grown tips follow me on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook @Palealaskan.