We fell in love with Alaska
Falling in love with Alaska isn't hard to do - it happens as soon as you arrive, and makes you never want to leave. We made our first trip in July of 2020 and knew in an instance that it would become a part of us forever. We got engaged on the Glenn Highway, then later married in Girdwood which has made it even more of a special place for us.
We've done the research for you.
Planning Your On-Land Trip
As stated above, we had our first experience with Alaska in July of 2020. This was our first flight (crazy, right?), insert
"go big or go home" quote here, it's perfectly fitting. We have family friends in Wasilla, which is about 45 minutes North of Anchorage, that we were going to be visiting. We decided to make this trip with family in early 2019 and had no previous knowledge about the state, other than it being absolutely beautiful - and there it began.
We spent every single bit of free time we had researching and planning - flights, rental cars, airbnb, vrbo, what to wear, what to bring, midnight sun? what?? is that real?? YEP, fluctuating weather, fishing, hiking, you name it - we've researched it. After a year of planning, with a STACK of notes and research in hand, our trip date was quickly approaching. We spent a week packing (if not more), making sure we had every little detail nailed down and everything we needed squared away. We nervously walked through the doors of RDU, ready for takeoff! Little did we know, that lonnnng day of travel would turn into such a big part of our lives. The extensive travel day from the east to west coast was incredible as we chased the sun across the country, only to realize we wouldn't see a total dark night again until we returned home to Virginia two weeks later. We landed in Anchorage around midnight, picked up our rental vehicle and started to trek north to Wasilla for the very first time. This is a feeling we want everyone to experience at least once in their lifetime.
From the midnight sun in the summer with the alpenglow on the mountaintops, to the bright and majestic dancing aurora in the fall - we're so thankful we've made our way around the state and even more blessed we get to help you experience one of the best places on this Earth. Whether you're at the bottom or top of a mountain, Alaska will make you realize how small we actually are and that all of God's creation is incredible, patiently waiting for us to explore it.
You won't regret it.
How big is Alaska?
Our time spent in Alaska has consisted of plenty of all nighters, 20+ hour days, fishing under the midnight sun and watching the northern lights dance across the sky. Traveling from Anchorage to Homer, back to Palmer to Denali National Park, over to Fairbanks and up to the Arctic Circle, down through North Pole, Delta Junction, Tok, and all the way down to Valdez, back across through Glennallen and everywhere in between - we've traveled around 15,000 miles by car and only covering around 5%-10% of the state.
You read that right, YES ALASKA IS THAT BIG. Only 20% of Alaska is accessible by road. Despite a land mass of 665,400 square miles, there are only 12 numbered highways across the entire state. I know that doesn't sound like a lot of roads but trust us when we say - you will/can be busy every single day. Our typical trip length is 14 days (exploring everyday minus a mandatory rest day or two) there's plenty of things to see, so much you won't be able to make it everywhere in one trip. You aren't confined to the 20% of roadways, you can fly pretty much anywhere by private bush/float plane or even take a train through untouched Alaskan territory.
Over our time spent in "our home away from home" state we've saved every bit of research and everything we've experienced in hopes we can share it with someone else. If you've made it this far, we would love nothing more to help you plan your trip to Alaska!
Get in touch with us to download our "Everything Alaska" planned itinerary -
Created June 2019 - Last Edited March 2024
Included in the itinerary:
70+ pages of detailed information
Links under every section
Flight Information
Rental Car Information
Road Closure Information
Places to Stay/Air BNB Referrals
Lots of Information under "Things to Do"
Hiking Information
Railroad Information
Scenic Drives
Our Favorite Places to Eat
Highway Information
Fishing Guide Referrals
National Park Information
Glacier Adventure Information
Charter Referrals
Northern Lights Viewing Information
Hot Spring Information
Denali Backcountry Tour Information
Wildlife Information
Movie Referrals
What to Wear/Clothing Guides
What to Bring
Fishing License Information
Moose Encounter Information
Bear Encounter Information
Elopement Referrals
AND the best part is, it's ever growing!! We have continuous access to this document, so that means we can update at any time of more things to do, add links, update about roadways, etc. You will always have full contact with both Shaffer and I, with any questions you have about the state! If you can't find your answer within our itinerary, we will be happy to help assist you until we can find what you need. We aren't travel agents, so we cannot book anything for you, but we will help you every step of the way with assistance in anything you need to plan your DIY trip of a lifetime!!
Why not use a travel agent?
Travel agents are wonderful and we aren't knocking them at all, but you are a little more confined with what you can do. See, travel agents plan your trip down to a T for you, which is great, but the weather change is very frequent and fast in Alaska, you have to be prepared. Say you have a ferry ride booked way ahead of time in Whittier on the 7th day of your trip, that 7th day comes and it's POURING rain.... well when you are planning a DIY trip, you have 100% control of changing up your plans, whenever you need too!
We know you'll fall in love with Alaska too, start planning your trip TODAY!
Start Planning TODAY
