Author Topic: Alaska Master Thread  (Read 189405 times)

Offline SSLPhD

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #500 on: June 17, 2020, 09:49:21 AM »
It wasn't so clear that you wanted 3x day minyan.  @Something Fishy 's "interesting thing" might be what you want, although you can certainly do plenty of awesome day trips from Anchorage on your own, some flying, some driving, some on the Alaska RR.
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Offline justmeha

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #501 on: June 18, 2020, 01:20:18 AM »
They appear to only have a minyan for shabbos, at least per godaven.  And don't I want to see more than just Anchorage?
chabad has a nice museum about Alaskan Jewish history

Offline ual902

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #502 on: July 05, 2020, 11:33:19 PM »
Anyone familiar with any car\RV companies that offer drivers cars\RV  to be driven from AK to the lower 48 for free in order to return the cars or RV's?
« Last Edit: July 05, 2020, 11:44:50 PM by ual902 »

Offline ual902

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #503 on: July 08, 2020, 08:40:07 PM »
3 day trip to Denali in a Nutshell, Sunday driving ANC > Denali,  Monday all day in Denali, what to do? Tuesday drive back from Denali to ANC any good sights to check out on the return from Denali to ANC?.

Friday Erev Shabos in ANC in July so shabos starts late, any good day trips for a Friday Erev shabos around ANC? don't mind driving up-to 3 hours max.

Thanks-


Offline Traveler718

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #504 on: July 08, 2020, 09:06:55 PM »
In Denali normally the best thing to do is the 7-9 hour bus tour. I assume it's off for this summer. If so, ask the rangers for advice. On the way back to ANC, you pass straight through the very cute town of Talkeetna. You also pass through Wasilla, home of Sarah Palin (we met her when we were there!). And you also have the Iditarod Museum nearby as well. The Alaska State Fair is in the area, though I don't know if it's on this year, and if you'll be there at the right time, but we really enjoyed it. Near ANC, you have Alyeska to the south, and Hatcher Pass with Independence Mine to the North (?). You could also try to squeeze in Knik Glacier boat tour (amazing!).

Offline ari3

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #505 on: July 08, 2020, 09:29:10 PM »

Friday Erev Shabos in ANC in July so shabos starts late, any good day trips for a Friday Erev shabos around ANC? don't mind driving up-to 3 hours max.

Thanks-
Seward is 2:20 or so from ANC and you can take a boat there for whale watching and to see the glaciers of Kenai Fjords NP

Offline ual902

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #506 on: July 08, 2020, 09:38:21 PM »
Seward is 2:20 or so from ANC and you can take a boat there for whale watching and to see the glaciers of Kenai Fjords NP

Thanks actually we may end up in Seward for Shabos

Offline SSLPhD

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #507 on: July 09, 2020, 09:52:49 PM »
Where is a nice place to stay for shabos driving distance from ANC besides Seward? With nice scenery/ wildife and a nice Alaskan vibe etc.
Palmer may work, and has Chabad.
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Offline Traveler718

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #508 on: July 09, 2020, 10:07:21 PM »
Wow, since when is there Chabad in Palmer? A son/son-in-law of the ANC shaliach? What services do they offer, and anyone spent time there who can report on the experience?

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #509 on: July 10, 2020, 05:46:31 PM »
Ketchikan or Juneue for a day or 2? Or somewhere else that can fly From ANC?

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #510 on: July 10, 2020, 07:12:31 PM »
Wow, since when is there Chabad in Palmer? A son/son-in-law of the ANC shaliach? What services do they offer, and anyone spent time there who can report on the experience?
Looks like a son.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline lansky

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #511 on: July 14, 2020, 01:22:16 AM »
Palmer may work, and has Chabad.
glennallen/gaokona as real as it gets

Offline ual902

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #512 on: July 16, 2020, 11:35:43 PM »
$162 per person for the Denali bus tour makes sense? Is this the price?
https://reservedenali.ahlsmsworld.com/ReserveDenali/Plan-Your-Trip/Tour-And-Activity-Search/Results

Offline Traveler718

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #513 on: July 17, 2020, 12:23:59 AM »
Definitely sounds high. I just checked, and when we went in 2014, the Eielson bus was $34.50 per adult, and the (longer) Wonder Lake bus was $47.25. I'm sure the price has gone up in 6 years, but it shouldn't have quadrupled, unless it's due to Covid and to compensate for reduced capacity. Then again, I'd be shocked if they're running the standard bus tours this season, so maybe the bus tour you're seeing is something else? I'd contact a ranger at the visitor center to clarify what's available this season, and what it costs.

Offline SSLPhD

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #514 on: July 17, 2020, 01:04:20 AM »
Definitely sounds high. I just checked, and when we went in 2014, the Eielson bus was $34.50 per adult, and the (longer) Wonder Lake bus was $47.25. I'm sure the price has gone up in 6 years, but it shouldn't have quadrupled, unless it's due to Covid and to compensate for reduced capacity. Then again, I'd be shocked if they're running the standard bus tours this season, so maybe the bus tour you're seeing is something else? I'd contact a ranger at the visitor center to clarify what's available this season, and what it costs.
Was this for the tour bus or just the transit bus? Sounds like transit; the tour is significantly more.
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Offline lansky

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #515 on: July 17, 2020, 02:00:40 AM »
Another reason to fly over it and not take the bus

Offline SSLPhD

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #516 on: July 17, 2020, 10:13:06 AM »
Another reason to fly over it and not take the bus
I've taken a bus to Kantishna and done a flightseeing tour. They are totally different experiences.
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Offline lansky

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #517 on: July 17, 2020, 02:48:23 PM »
Right ones much better then the other considering how much the bus cost now I don't even see the debate which one to do

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #518 on: July 17, 2020, 07:41:19 PM »
Right ones much better then the other considering how much the bus cost now I don't even see the debate which one to do
One may be better than the other, but which one is better will be different for each person.  (Personally, I thought they were both great.  Would hate to have to choose one.)
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Offline g8trgr8t

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Re: Alaska Master Thread
« Reply #519 on: July 19, 2020, 05:26:03 PM »
In Denali normally the best thing to do is the 7-9 hour bus tour. I assume it's off for this summer. If so, ask the rangers for advice. On the way back to ANC, you pass straight through the very cute town of Talkeetna. You also pass through Wasilla, home of Sarah Palin (we met her when we were there!). And you also have the Iditarod Museum nearby as well. The Alaska State Fair is in the area, though I don't know if it's on this year, and if you'll be there at the right time, but we really enjoyed it. Near ANC, you have Alyeska to the south, and Hatcher Pass with Independence Mine to the North (?). You could also try to squeeze in Knik Glacier boat tour (amazing!).

The park busses started running as far as Eilesen visitor center (only bathrooms open)  July 1 but they are heavily discouraging getting off and waiting for another bus. Busses have 1 person per seat now. The hotel is offering a bus tour into Kantinisha but it costs $185 vs $85 for park bus to Eilesen.

Flightseeing around Denali with or without glacier landing from Talkeetna. Mahays jetboat tours out of Talkeetna are running. No state fair this year.

Matanauska glacier is approximately 1.5 hours from Palmer or 2 from Anchorage and you can get guide and go hike on glacier there

Can rent bikes in Anchorage and ride Tony Knowles trail where we often see moose.

Hatcher Pass is nice on a sunny day. Some great hikes there. Lower and upper Reed lake is my favorite hike there.  Many other good hikes in Chugach range around Anchorage