Cordova - Alaska's Hidden Treasure

Cordova blog update:

From Valdez, we will catch the fast ferry Chenega (a part of Alaska's Marine Highway System) to Cordova. Click on this link to see our boat. Our ferry transport will be entertainment in itself, with many majestic views of Prince William Sound.

Why are we taking a ferry instead of a bus, you may be wondering? THERE ARE NO ROADS TO CORDOVA - "Alaska's Hidden Treasure."

Cordova Coastal Outfitters

Rent motorboats, fishing gear, kayaks, canoes, bikes, and more.

Whitewater Rafting

I am currently researching day trips, as a few of you voiced interest at the info session. I will update soon!

On one of the two full days we are in Cordova, depending on the weather, anyone in our group that so chooses can go for a ride in the van along the Copper River Highway to Childs Glacier and the Million Dollar Bridge. This link provides some gorgeous photos of the area.

Here are more links to get a feel for Cordova (pop. 2,500) and the Copper River Delta.

http://www.cordovaalaska.com/ http://cordovachamber.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=102&Itemid=71 alaska.pinnacle-travel.org/Cordova.htm en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordova,_Alaska

UPDATE: Brian and Cindy's Tickets

Hello all,

$550 for a round trip flight from Boston to Anchorage is very inexpensive. If you know of anyone who might be interested, even if they do not choose to travel with our group, we have have up until August 5th to change the names on the tickets for no extra fee.

If you know of anyone who would be able to use the tickets during the next year from date of issue (August 6th, 2009), that is another option: the cancellation/date change fee is $150 + the airfare cost change from our original group airfare fee of $722. For example, if someone is looking to use the tickets in September and the cost of the airfare for that date is $746 (actual cost of Continental fares in September), the cost would be $550 + 150 + 24 = $724.

Note: it is very uncertain if flights to Alaska will be this inexpensive in the future. Looking ahead, flights in May/June of next year are priced at $1,118. (This price may decrease as the date approaches, depending on supply and demand; but - pardon the cliche - one bird in the hand is worth two in the bush!

Airline Tickets Available at Discount

Due to family health issues Cindy and I will not be able to travel with you to Alaska.  Needless to say we are very disappointed.  The itinerary looks very exciting and the people we met last week in Rockland for Vanessa's Q&A we thought were very nice, and would be great travel companions.

So, we have our two airline tickets available for sale.  As you know they cost $1500.00  We would be willing to sell them at a steep discount at $1100.  Maybe one of you knows of a couple that would be interested.  The names on the tickets would need to be changed by July 2.

Brian Swan

(207) 236-3204

 

Homer, Continued

More details on activities in Homer...

K Bay Bear Viewing
If you don't think your grizzly fix will be sated in Denali N.P., this may be an appealing option for you. Be taken in a plane to Katmai National Park. Prices are $399 (standby) to $549 (reserved).

Norman Lowell Gallery & Studio
Rainy day activity - one of the 11 art galleries in Homer. This gallery is a favorite of TripAdvisor folks.

Pratt Museum
Natural history of Alaska!

Rainbow Tours
6-hour whale watching & pelagic bird viewing tours, 1/2 day halibut fishing tours, ferry to nearby village of Seldovia

True North Kayak Adventures
If we didn't get enough in Seward...

TripAdvisor - Homer
More advice on things to do in Homer!

Homer Chamber of Commerce
And if all that isn't enough...loads more stuff for info junkies!

Seward & Kenai Fjords N.P. Excursions!

TripAdvisor has great advice and helpful reviews on things to do in Seward. Click here to see the complete listing.

Here are a choice few:

Kayak Adventures Worldwide (Ranked #1 Top Attraction on TripAdvisor)
Half- and full-day trips ranging in price from $70 (1/2-day Resurrection Bay) - $400 (Aialik Bay).

Kenai Fjords Wildlife & Glacier Tours
Half- and full-day cruises with nature guides. Lunch usually provided onboard. Similar to our New England whale watches, only with more diverse wildlife and dramatic background! I have been on one of these tours in 1996, from Seward to Valdez: they are wonderful and inspirational. (I wanted to be one of the naturalists on these boats!)

Crackerjack Sportfishing Charters
Someone in our group please go catch a halibut and cook it for us in our cabin at Miller's Landing!

Ice Hiking or Birding with Exit Glacier Guides
Crampons & glaciers, anyone?

Alaska SeaLife Center
If it is a rainy day and 10 or more of us want to go here, we will get a 10% discount. (Regular admission: $20) Or, if you have AAA or are an AARP member, you can get a 5% discount.

I'm Dane and I'll Be One of Your Alaska Tour Guides

Howdy there, fellow Alaska adventurers. I'm Dane Smith, Vanessa's dad, and O.K. Smith's son. I took my first trip to Alaska (it was O.K.'s second trip) in the summer of 1950 at the age of six months, travelling the 1,500-mile Alaskan highway in the back of a 1940 (or thereabouts) panel truck. We had started from my birthplace and my parents' home in Corpus Christi, Texas. My memory of that journey is fuzzy but I'm told it was pretty much like traveling the Oregon Trail in a Conestoga wagon, although this vehicle was at least motorized. We lived in a tent that first summer. There were no Indian attacks, although I'll never forget watching a bunch of Canadians in a fistfight, actually brawling in the mud, alongside the Alaskan Highway on another trip in 1956. So anyway, this trip should be easier and tamer. O.K. and Vanessa and I will try to keep you informed and entertained and I'm really looking forward to meeting you all. If you want to contact me for any reason, here's my e-mail and phone numbers: smithfamily569@hotmail.com and 651-251-0728 (work) or 651-698-4487 (home).

Denali Star Railroad Service

By popular demand from members in our group, info on the Alaska Railroad Service!
Wasilla to Denali - Adventure Class - rate is $146 (sorry, all who were at info session - the rate I initially found online, $117, was off-season price). Depart Wasilla 9:35am - Arrive Denali 3:55pm (6.5 hour ride)
Wasilla to Denali - Gold Star Service - rate is $231

Another more economical option is to catch the train in Takeetna:
Adventure Class - rate is $85
Gold Star Service is $170
Depart Talkeetna 11:20am, Arrive Denali 3:55pm - still 4.5 hour train ride

So, all those who plan to take the train, please let me know your choice and I will book it for you! There is still plenty of room for all options. I checked for group discounts, but our group is not 20 or more so no-go. No other discounts except for AK residents and military. No tax though - that is a plus!

Accommodation Updates

Updates have been made for accommodations: check the listing to the left of this post to see your very unique lodgings!