I would say we managed to do almost everything we wanted to do in Alaska in 2011. Problem was, I only knew *this* much of the everything way back then. Ive since discovered something: there is SO MUCH more everything!
Commence panic mode.
We are really, REALLY lucky. We really considered Alaska 2011 the trip of a lifetime. Yes, we talked about going back but I never really thought wed DO it. After all, I have a few more trips of a lifetime to plan. Like cruising through the Panama Canal. And a transatlantic cruise. Ok, maybe I just have a lot more cruises to plan
.regardless, while I know many folks who do in fact repeat these dream vacation itineraries, they are the minority. We live comfortably, but we are not exactly rolling in it. And 2011 was REALLY EXPENSIVE. In general, any trip to Alaska it. Totally worth it in every way, but the bottom line is you can only afford to do it so many times. For us, that number tends to be ONE.
And yet, the stars aligned and made this possible. Id also like to thank Uncle Sam, who held way too much of our money over the course of 2012 and kindly offered to return it to us right before the final payment is due***. Because, of course, something else broke. Welcome to life as a Jacques.
The moral of the story is this: how many times do you get to repeat the trip of a lifetime? It really makes you consider your excursions even more. Ive spent the past several months scouring trip reports for excursion reviews, local eateries, etc. After much research, Ive pretty much got it narrowed down. At least for now. Heres the plan, port by port. Ive also included a description of what we did last year.
(***as a disclaimer, about three of our friends have already subjected us to the lecture about how a tax refund is not a bonus or a savings account, so no need to remind me of this. I do actually know that and most years we break pretty even
.but last time around we ended up owing quite a bit due to extra freelance work and too few withholdings at another side job I was doing. Seems I overcompensated after that fiasco so its back to the drawing board! /end financial jargon)
Skagway: White Pass and Yukon Route.
Big shocker, this is pretty much the main excursion option with a few variations. We have opted for the train, ride plus suspension bridge. We really wanted to do this last year, but Izzy was 20 months old at the time and we thought shed be more interested in walking up and down the train aisles than allowing us to take in the scenery. Lately, however, she is very interested in trains, and well have a much better adult-to-child ratio on this trip (to be honest, grandparents count as like 1.5 adult each. I dont know how they do it). My parents will join us, and possibly the other family. Though to be fair, they are not as far along in the over-planning stage as we are.
*ahem*
As
I am.
We considered the steam train because how many times do you get to ride a steam train? Problem is, theres really nothing else to the excursion apart from the train. Scenery is lovely and all, but I have to get out and stretch my legs at some point. Plus, when you have a toddler its best not to be confined in a box on wheels for too long.
I have to admit, while everyone seems to have loved it I just have zero interest in the dog sledding thing. I dont know why. We love dogs, and I do think it would be fascinating to see how they train. And yet, it does not appeal to me in the least. Its a mystery. Maybe if we get a third shot at this trip of a lifetime, I might change my mind. I dont see it happening though.
A few pics from last time:
Typical Skagway street
Checking out the trains
Last year we just walked around the town, watched the salmon and did some general sightseeing and shopping. Well probably do that again too either before or after the excursion, because not only did we enjoy the stroll last time by somehow we missed the Red Onion Saloon (???). How we managed that I will never know. Call it the toddler effect. Plus, I have to go back to a few of the stores we hit last year. There was a great kids clothing spot (Izzy loves her I moose be dreaming PJs) and a fantastic chocolatier. We brought some chocolates back for our servers last year, and a few for ourselves. I dont remember the names of the shops, but Skagway isnt that big so Im fairly certain I could find them again. Plus, Im sure someone who knows will tell me before then.
Juneau : Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier tour.
We did the whale watching tour last year, minus the glacier (the bus went by and we saw it for about 15 seconds, does that count?), and it was great. The crew were awesome, and we saw tons of humpbacks and orcas (and sea lions too! Thankfully well away from the orcas
I can only handle so much Wild Kingdom). The boat was big enough for toddler roaming, with TWO sets of stairs to the upper deck handy when your child wants to go up and down, up and down, up and down. My parents are joining us because they really want to see the whales, and we are happy to do it again. I regretted not seeing the glacier in person last year, hence the addition. Not sure yet whether the other family will be with us or not.
A few pics from 2011:
Humback family, lovely and peaceful
Orcas! These suckers are FAST!
The pictures really dont do it justice. There is nothing like being that close to a whale in the wild. This, from a girl who used to sell squeaky puppets in Shamu Stadium. Its true.
Part of me also really wants to go up the tramway, but I think we may skip it. We didnt get the chance to shop any in Juneau last year, and this is a longer excursion (Im breaking my four hour rule, JUST THIS ONCE). I may change my mind if the weather is nice and hop on either before or after our excursion. But, I do want to have some strolling time if at all possible. Of course, I think there is some shopping to be done at the top of the tramway. Decisions, decisions.
Ketchikan
(wait for it
)
NADA.
Yep, nada. I cant find anything I am desperate to do, and I dont want to pick a random excursion just for the sake of going on an excursion. This is the second time Ive considered and then nixed the Misty Fjords boat tour. The reviews have been very hit or miss, and for the price Id rather not take a gamble. My parents are doing one of the MF plane tours, which are hugely popular. My dad loves to fly (his hobby
.hes a teacher by day) so he is treating himself to a plane tour. More power to him. Ive been in small planes, but they arent my favorite mode of transportation and the thought of jumping in one with a squirmy 3 year old kind of freaks me out. Plus, youll never catch Lionel alive in one of those things, so even if I were a brave soul it would not happen.
I like the idea of going to the totem park, but we saw the water side of the park on last years excursion so Im ok if we miss out on that. And I have absolutely no interest in lumberjacks. Firemen, on the other hand, would be a totally different story ladies? AMIRIGHT?
Last year we did the Eagles, Lighthouses and Totems tour which I recommend to anyone. It was family-run, and the captain even let Izzy drive the boat. Which may be a testament to some poor judgment on his part, but hey we all survived. The excursion lived up to its name, Isabelle got a complimentary stuffed wolf (which she promptly named wolf) and we even saw seals.
Totems in the background, crazy hair up front
I TOTALLY know how to use these...
We spent a little time exploring Ketchikan last year, but mostly stuck to the touristy area near the boat. We were wiped out from the boat tour and the rain was getting more continuous, so we didnt linger. We never made it to Creek Street, which I regretted. I also wanted to see more of the around-town totems. Like this guy.
Our 2013 Ketchikan goals: see Creek Street, take a picture at the Ketchikan sign (how did we miss it?), find that stone carving shop that we happened upon last year (coolest stone bears ever!) and take the funicular up to the lodge with all of the totems. There may be more on the agenda, thats just all Ive got so far. Im still considering taking a taxi to the totem park, but considering how many totems well be seeing around the city (and in Stanley Park), Im not sure it will be worthwhile.
Thoughts?
We are meeting up with the other couple sometime this week to seriously discuss our vacation plans, so this could all change completely. But for now this is my story, and Im sticking to it.
Next up: Vancouver pre-planning. Or maybe Seattle. We dont know!