Looking for bears around Alaska (and failing)

Highlight Photos

Highlights Map

Alaska is just a 5 hour plane hop away from Phoenix but we were always intimidated by the sheer size, number of sights to see and difficulty of getting around to see everything we wanted to see. But this year we finally made a plan encompassing a portmanteau of our desired locations and sights and on we go.

Click on the Links below or Markers on the map above to go directly to a specific part of our trip and follow our expedition that spends a few days in the far northwest of Alaska in Nome and the rest of the time exploring the more well known areas around Anchorage, from Seward and Homer to the south to Denali and Fairbanks in the north and Valdez in the east.

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  Day 1-2: First steps in NomeJune 10, 2022
  We start our trip to Alaska with an unorthodox location, Nome, in the far west of the state accesible only by plane
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  Day 3: Kougarok RoadJune 12, 2022
  Kougarok Road is one of the three roads starting out of Nome and we drive it almost full length enjoying the great views and excellent wildlife sightings
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  Day 4: Council RoadJune 13, 2022
  Council Road is the second road out of Nome that we take with more historical sights and is the only one following the ocean for a while before turning inland into the mountains
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  Day 5: Teller RoadJune 14, 2022
  Teller Road is the last major road out of Nome for us but due to bad weather the trip is cut short, at least the wildlife sightings were spectacular
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  Day 6: Anchorage to Homer Scenic DriveJune 15, 2022
  After Nome it is time for Kenai Peninsula for which we have to fly into Anchorage and then drive to Homer on the very scenic Sterling highway
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  Day 7: Cruising for puffinsJune 16, 2022
  Today we have only one thing planned a successful cruise to Gull Island to see the puffins
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  Day 8: Exploring Homer AreaJune 17, 2022
  A day of relaxation is always welcome and today we relax while exploring the trails and beaches of Homer
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  Day 9: Homer to Seward eventful driveJune 18, 2022
  Relocating from Homer to Seward we have time to explore multiple historic and natural sights along the way with Ninilchik being a highlight
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  Day 10: Resurrection Bay Cruise and AquariumJune 19, 2022
  We are in Seward for a Resurrection Bay cruise but given that it is in the afternoon we also have time to see the famous aquarium
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  Day 11: Glaciers near Seward and then DenaliJune 20, 2022
  Today we relocate to Denali, a long drive, but first we visit the Exit Glacier in Seward which is the easiest one to reach from land
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  Day 12: Denali NP and road to FairbanksJune 21, 2022
  If you are in Alaska you have to visit Denali NP we heard and that is exactly what we do today on a rainy, cold day
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  Day 13: A Day in FairbanksJune 22, 2022
  There are lots of things to do in Fairbanks and we try to do a bit of everything from nature to museums
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  Day 14: Fairbanks to Gakona Scenic DriveJune 23, 2022
  Turning south we take scenic roads to Gakona stopping at parks along the way for both historical and natural sights
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  Day 15: ValdezJune 24, 2022
  One day exploring the scenic hamlet of Valdez and the thrilling road to it
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  Day 16: Back to Anchorage, againJune 25, 2022
  Today we return to Anchorage for what seems to be the 100th time while stopping on the way for some attractions including the Tolsona Mud Volcanoes
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  Day 17: Independence Mine and PalmerJune 26, 2022
  Independence Mine is the highlight of the day both from a historic and nature perspective with Palmer being a good choice to relax at the end of the day
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  Day 18: Exploring Anchorage on our last dayJune 27, 2022
  Our last day is a whirlwind tour of Anchorage, multiple museums and parks on a beautiful day