Alaska- Dad's bucket list place to visit *advice needed*

[tt_johnsclist]

The previous responses are great, fly to anchorage and get him on boats and trains. Lots of great cruises out of Seward. Train to Denali would be great. There is also a train we took down by Turnagain Arm that was a cool trip.

 

[timekiller13]

It’s been said. But rent an RV in anchorage. Great Alaskan holidays. Then just go.

My wife and I did that few years ago and it was hand down the best trip we’ve ever done.

Dad and I hunted Kodiak a couple years later. Physically he could do that then. Now, he can’t. If I had was going to take him back up there it would be a RV trip.

I’d block off at least one month. But 2 weeks would get you a great experience.

 

[Joel/AK]

A glacier is about an hour and a half north of Anchorage. You can walk right on the glacier. Atleast you used to be able to. Its a tourist spot.

Might catch a salmon run at ship creek right in Anchorage. Otherwise the Kenai would be the best bet.
I took my wife on the train trip from ANC to Fairbanks one year. Excellent trip. Kind of pricy during the summer but its real nice. Rather unique experience since folks can still flag the train down to get to the town

I agree with the RV rental. Take your time, dont push your dad and enjoy.

 

[Mangata]

Just drove Fairbanks to Valdez on Saturday morning. Probably spotted around 10 moose with a couple of cows with brand new calves. Super scenic drive. There are scenic cruises out of Valdez and Prince William Sound is spectacular (in the Sound as we speak)
Check out Kodiak as an option as well, bears, salmon, etc…

 

[darcytribe]

Thank you very much everyone for this very helpful info and advice!

 

[Joel/AK]

I think the drive to Valdez is the best. Everyone raves on the drive to Seward, which is nice but Valdez takes the cake.
From chickaloon to glenallen and then hanging the right to Valdez, never gets old. I miss it.

That denali highway is a great drive also but rentals are usually barred from that road

 

[Luke S]

Lots of great ideas. Alaska is big so take driving into account.

From Seward do a boat tour of the bay, see sea life and glaciers (do the full day tour)
There is fairly mellow rafting on the Kenai.

I know there are jet boat tours and ATV tours going up to the Knik Glacier. That might be a good option with limited mobility.

Drive up to Hatcher Pass and see Independence Mine. The mine area is wheel chair accessible.

There is rafting near Denali. The whitewater is cool but I would see if anyone runs trips on the Nenana where it parallels the Denali Hwy. I think the views of mountains would be better. Obviously Denali National Park with a spotting scope and binoculars would be cool. There are one or two fly fishing guides around Cantwell. If they could accommodate him that might be fun (assuming he wants to fish).

On thr Denali Hwy (not the Park road) there are a couple lodges. You can get a jet boat ride up the McClaren River close to the glaciers but not right at them. Some people get dropped off and canoe back. Tangle Lakes had nice canoeing if its not windy.

The Christian community in Sutton has regular potluck. PM if interested. Nice way to meet people.

Flights to the Alaska Penninsula to watch bears are not cheap and make sure they can accommodate your dad. But they look very memorable.

I think being flexible and just enjoying it is best though. My parents are getting older and when they visit they love to just parl in a pretty spot by a river and just relax. Your dad might want to just chill somewhere, look at the mountains and listen to a river.

Hope it's amazing.

 

[Joel/AK]

I forgot about hatchers. Never enough to see all the good in AK. Even around south central in a week or 2.

 

[FranklinBluth]

Another glacier option - take the train to the Spencer Glacier. Close to the Seward Highway and really great views.

 

[dallen]

Lots of good suggestions here. My job had me working at pretty much every village/town with an airport so I was fortunate to see just about every part of AK. Prince William Sound on a good weather day is epic. The Train from Anchorage to Seward. The drive to Valdez (pinks galore in July and silvers in August). The drive down Turnagain arm will let you see sheep and black bears pretty often.

Harder places to get but worth it…..

That country north of atigun pass between pump 4 and 2 is pretty incredible (huge). Ferry from Whittier to Valdez or Cordova. Flight from Anchorage to Lake Minchumina takes you right past McKinley or Denali (or whatever they call it these days) and Foraker. Minchumina was/is pike fishing hot spot. Flight from Fairbanks to Kaktovik is pretty awesome. Kaktovik can have lots of polar bears when the village is whaling.

 

[OXN939]

The previous responses are great, fly to anchorage and get him on boats and trains.

Awesome to see such great responses and advice. One I'd add is a sightseeing flight. You can get to the Knik glacier pretty easily (read: without having to take out a second mortgage) from Palmer. Seeing Alaska from the air is really a life changing experience, the response is generally anywhere from "Wow, I didn't know things like that even existed" to actually bringing tears to peoples' eyes, especially in a personal situation like this. Shoot me a PM if you'd be interested and I'll put you in touch

 

[FranklinBluth]

To touch on one of your other questions - some of the easiest road accessible fishing is found along the Parks Hwy streams north of Anchorage - good fishing within a 1.5-2 hr drive. For sheer numbers of fish, the pinks and chums start filling in the last week of July into August. By August 1st you'll be able to see salmon from the Parks Hwy bridges on Willow, Sheep, Montana, etc.

Willow Creek State Rec area has easy trails to the river and bank that is accessible. It will be busy with other people fishing, but you're not going to find a lot of solitude with limited mobility off of the road system.

 

[darcytribe]

Thanks again for the suggestions everyone. The dates of the trip are July 25-August 8. My dad is sooo excited. I'm praying his health remains stable up to and through this trip. We'll be primarily using a minivan for transportation. I had a few additional questions about some activities I have not yet reserved. Any input would be appreciated:

1. Interested in a float trip for Salmon. Would be either July 27 or Aug 3-6. Wondering if there is a fishing resort any of you might recommend where we could possibly spend the night and do a float trip together for a day? We'll be on the Kenai Peninsula at that time. My wife and stepmom will be with us so a resort that would be nice for them to hang out for the day would be ideal.

3. We may end up doing a float plane flightseeing trip off the peninsula, any suggestions?

2. We looked into viewing the brown bears at Brooks Falls but that is a bit cost prohibitive for the 4 of us to go. If anyone had any suggestions on how to view them in a way that is a little less expensive, I would be interested in checking that out.

3. I think we would like to do a Halibut trip out of Homer one day. Any suggestions on an outfitter who would be able to accommodate my dad who will need to spend the day in a chair on deck and who might be able to provide an electric reel set-up?

4. Any other suggestions for activities that we could do on the peninsula?

Thanks You!

 

[Joel/AK]

Look up driftingonthefly . Known Scott Sager for years. Wife's fished with him a few times. He's on the Kenai and I guess offers salt water also.

 

[Joel/AK]

If Scott doesn't have what your looking for and/or cant accommodate your dad, maybe they can point you in a different direction

 

[Joel/AK]

Also a very unique halibut trip to do is find a charter out of deep creek. Boat is launched by a skidder. Done it quite a few times on my buddies personal boat. No docks, skidder hooks up to the trailer and when you are pushed into the water, captain better be on the gun. Same as taking the boat out, coming in and having to hit the trailer. As soon is the boat is on the trailer(not secured, just on the runners) the skidder pulls it out.
Bad part is usually you have to use a ladder to get on the boat before the skidder launches it. Not sure if its something he can physically do