Month: July 2018

Oh, there are SO many wonderful waterfalls to explore in the Valdez area of Alaska! Where the Chugach Mountain Range meets the Prince William Sound is BREATHTAKINGLY GORGEOUS! As I put our notes together, I hope you will see why Valdez was OUR favorite stop in Alaska. So many people are quick to add Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali, Seward, Kenai, and Homer to their To-Do Lists, and rightfully so, but we talked to so many families that weren’t sure Valdez was worth the time. Let me promise you, Valdez IS incredible!! And SO very worth your time! If you are planning…

At the end of a very long road, in the middle of nowhere… We found Hope! And they have a coffee shop! And from this coffee shop, we enjoyed English Toffee Breves and Coconut Hot Cocoas!

This kid loves him some fishing, but hasn’t had a lot of opportunity to spend time with someone to help show him the ropes. I used to fish with my PaPaw growing up, but I’ve never really had the patience to learn the ins and outs of specific methods. In a strange stroke of luck, though, we happened across some fellow Full Time Families in Hope, Alaska; and Trent was kind enough to take some time to show Logan how to catch this beauty, as well as a few others! Our other friends, Doug and Harmony, cooked up the day’s…

Grizzly’s is the “True Alaska Curiosity Shop” and worth a look while enjoying Downtown Anchorage! They boast a huge selection of T-Shirts, Ulus, Smoked Salmon, Chocolates, Post Cards, Totems, Jewelry, Soaps, Made in Alaska, Books, Gifts, Alaska Souvenirs… And so much more! Check it out! How could you say no to this adorable gang?!

Billed as Alaska’s Biggest Gift Shop, we definitely appreciated their low prices on souvenirs. We always do our best to support small businesses as we adventure, and Polar Bear Gifts is an Alaskan-owned business with prices even lower than Wal-Mart in most instances. So, we figured we’d give it a shot. And, of course, I spent too much. But, I always do! We stocked up on magnets, license plates, stickers, and a few of the other goodies we add to our collections as often as we can. And, if nothing else, you definitely need a photo with the giant bear…

The hub for all things National Park and Junior Ranger related in Anchorage is the Alaska Public Lands Information Center. Park Rangers, exhibits, park films shown throughout the day, the National Park Bookstore, and enough Junior Ranger Programs to keep your gang busy while you explore the area!

Mmmm… Sushi. And some of the best we’ve ever had! Crunch Roll – Crab, Tempura Shrimp, Cucumber, Topped with Unagi Sauce Wagyu Beef Roll Lemongrass Lobster Roll Island Roll – Mango and Cucumber Sakura Asian Bistro is located in the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska, just outside of Anchorage. It was a lovely dining experience with the girls, trying some incredibly unique sushi rolls. If you are planning a trip to the Anchorage area, possibly heading to Seward or the Kenai Peninsula, be sure to check out the Girdwood Area. The Alyeska Resort is well-known for its beautiful lodging, delectable…

One of the best parts of slower traveling, and staying in one place for longer periods of time, is that you have more of an opportunity to relax and enjoy engaging in literature with local ties to your destination. Whether you like classic works, poetry, or modern prose for yourself, or pop-up books, picture books, chapter books, juvenile fiction, or non-fiction for the kiddos; JUST READ! Visit a library while traveling, or do your Amazon homework ahead of time to grab some titles to read together in your slower evenings! We spent several weeks in Tok, Alaska during the Summer…

No words needed. Just gorgeous. Mentasta Lake