Our Alaskan Adventure -- Itinerary

After years of talking about it and months of planning, the time is fast approaching for the Alaska trip!

I've christened this trip the "I'm going to Alaska . . . No, not on a Cruise" expedition. I might have a t-shirt made.

So, here's the basic outline of the trip:

Thursday, 7/24 -- Fly out. Depart DCA (National) at 12:15. Change planes in Detroit and Seattle/Tacoma, eventually arriving in Anchorage at 8:30 pm local time. Alaska is four hours behind EDT, so that's basically 12 hours of traveling. Meet Joy and spend the night in Anchorage. (Columbia, MD to Anchorage, AK -- 4278 miles)

Friday, 7/25 -- Look around Anchorage a little, then drive to Kenai to pick up Paul at Space Camp. Drive on to Seward and spend the night. (Anchorage to Kenai -- 157 miles. Kenai to Seward -- 104 miles).

Saturday, 7/26 -- Whale Watching trip.

Sunday, 7/27 -- Poke around Seward a little, then on to South Denali by way of Talkeetna. Spend the night at the McKinley Princess (Seward to Talkeetna -- 237 scenic miles)

Monday, 7/28 -- Into the park! Tundra Wilderness Tour by bus. (Talkeetna to Healy -- 165 miles)

Tuesday, 7/29 -- Rafting trip in Healy. On to Fairbanks -- explore Pioneerland, learn about the goldrush, etc. (Healy to Fairbanks -- 187 miles)

Wednesday, 7/30 -- Fairbanks to Copper Center (260 miles)

Thursday, 7/31 -- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park -- activities TBD. Hopefully Glacier Hiking!

Friday, 8/1 -- Return to Anchorage and fly to Kotzebue (Copper Center to Anchorage -- 193 miles. Anchorage to Kotz -- 549 air miles (can't drive it even if we wanted to -- no roads!)

Saturday 8/2 -- Monday 8/4 -- Kotzebue! Exploring the Northwest Arctic -- the tundra, the town, etc.

Monday 8/4 - Tuesday 8/5 -- Fly Kotz -- Anchorage -- Minneapolis -- DCA (red-eye).