Allison & Josh
Things To Do
Hatcher Pass Scenic Drive/Hiking Trails
The Newlyweds are planning to drive Hatcher's Pass on July 11th, in the afternoon after brunch if you wish to join the party. The park is free to enter. Hatcher Pass is in the Talkeetna Mountains between the towns of Willow and Palmer, Hatcher Pass is a local favorite for recreation or a scenic drive. Hike in alpine tundra dotted with wildflowers and ptarmigan, ski fresh, deep powder, or visit Independence Mine Historical State Park. Panning for gold, hiking, picking berries or wild flowers, looking for wildlife, touching some snow, and eating ice cream are a few things to do while driving this scenic area.
Musk Ox Farm
Open every day from 10am-6pm Tours leave about every 30 minutes Adult admission $11 Child admission $5 Senior admission $9 Do you know what a Musk Ox is? Come visit one of Ally's childhood memories from her hometown. The newlyweds will be going to the Musk Ox Farm on July 12th. Come observe and photograph these Ice Age animals at close range, as you learn from our guides and educational exhibits about their fascinating natural history, the domestication project, and how their fine underwool, called qiviut, is the basis of a cottage Native textile industry which provides an economic supplement to subsistence communities throughout Alaska. The Musk Ox Farm is nestled in the pastoral Matanuska Valley just outside of Palmer, Alaska, a scenic fifty-minute drive from downtown Anchorage. Our picturesque Colony farm, where we continue a unique domestication project, begun sixty years ago, is home to a lively herd of over eighty musk oxen, from powerful bulls to frolicking calves.
Old Bodenburg Butte Trail
The Newlyweds will be climbing The Butte on July 12th around 2pm. We hope to see you there. You may want to bring snacks, water, or a picnic! The hike is 0.9miles-1.5 miles (one way), with a 669 foot elevation (it is uphill)! Once on top, the views are outstanding. This is a hike that allows one to see a 360 degree view of the Matanuska valley. There are two different hikes on the Butte. One goes literally straight up the Butte, the other is a beautifully built trail that has more stairs than I've ever climbed on a hike. I think there are 505 stairs with a 700 plus feet elevation gain. The view is definitely worth the effort.
Knik Glacier Monster Truck/Airboat Tour
Knik Glacier is where Ally & Josh will be getting married! KNIK GLACIER TOUR - 3 HOURS Your adventure begins with a 4 mile cross country ride in our custom lifted 4x4 van and monster truck. We call this our “Alaska Safari”. Keep your camera's ready as moose and other wildlife sightings are common. We travel 4 miles through the spectacular backcountry of Lake George National Natural Landmark. We will cross rivers, view salmon spawning areas, see beautiful fields of wildflowers and get your first views of the mighty Knik Glacier. You’re half way there. We arrive at the halfway point "Glacier Island" where the boats are waiting. Now, it’s time to jump in the boats and begin the 4 mile journey up river. You will experience the thrill of flying on the water in our fully enclosed airboat and extreme shallow Jet boat. We pass waterfalls, the occasional stray iceberg and keep an eye out for wildlife. Get ready to "OOOH!" and "AAAH!" $125 Adult $65 Child
Talkeetna
Talkeetna is a small town located 1.5 hrs from the Knotty Pine Cabin. The newlyweds will be heading to Talkeetna after the wedding and you are happy to join on their adventure. If you won't be staying long in Alaska, we suggest visiting Talkeetna as a top priority. It is located at the confluence of three major rivers, the town keeps its mining history alive with renovated miners' cabins used as lodging, shops and restaurants. The rivers also lend to a multitude of activities like guided river rafting, boat tours and sport fishing - some of the finest in Alaska. Talkeetna's charm is in it's down-home feel. Local artisans sell their wares at an outdoor market in the summer, and art galleries. Talkeetna offers flightseeing tours to Denali and glacier landings. They are also famous for their garlic fries and burgers as featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dive Show.
Portage Glacier
Ten stories tall and miles long, Portage Glacier sits at the far end of a lake, and is accessible by boat. The mv Ptarmigan cruises Portage Lake multiple times daily throughout summer on one-hour tours to the face of this icy wonder. Aboard the ship, Forest Service Ranger’s share the story of Portage Valley’s geology, wildlife, and history as a connection point between Prince William Sound and Turnagain Arm. Portage may be the main attraction on the cruise, but Burns and Shakespeare glaciers hang nearby as well. More glaciers await back on land. The nearby Begich Boggs Visitor Center, run by the National Forest Service, offers an overview of the area’s glaciers and geology, and is also a prime starting point for walks and hikes. The Trail of Blue Ice is a 5-mile trail of wide gravel paths and boardwalks connecting many of the nearby glaciers and campgrounds for hikers and bikers. It’s also a great trail for salmon viewing.
Denali National Park and Preserve
The newlyweds will be headed to Denali after their wedding. You are more than welcome to come along with some other members of the wedding. If you have time, Denali should be on the top of your priorities to visit. We will be doing the bus tour, which we highly recommend! Denali is home to wild lands and many wild animals. Congress created this park in 1917; the park is now around 6 million acres, and much of the park must remain devoid of human development. This means that the only trails in the park are near the park road, and mainly near the park entrance. However, Denali offers visitors a rare opportunity to hike off trail in a wild landscape. In the summer (May 20—the middle of September), privately-owned vehicles may drive the first 15 miles of the park road, to a place called Savage River. Travel beyond Savage River is mainly limited to a variety of narrated buses, and passengers must board their bus near the park entrance.
Alyeska/Girdwood
Tucked amid the Chugach Mountains on Alaska's southcentral coast, Alyeska Resort is the place to discover the wilderness and expansive beauty of the Last Frontier. Located just 40 miles from Anchorage and the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Alyeska Resort is your base camp for summer and winter excursions. The resort is near three national parks and the Kenai Peninsula, and surrounded by the Chugach Mountains. This is a beautiful place to walk around, enjoy some food, ride the aerial tram, or hike trails. The drive alone is very scenic and you may see whales in the water. Staying at this resort could be pricey, but it is worth the views and day trip.
Whittier Tunnel: Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel
Driving from Anchorage to Whittier to play in Prince William Sound? You’ll go through Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel—the longest (2.5 miles) highway tunnel in North America, and the first designed for -40 Fahrenheit temperatures and 150 mph winds! The one-lane tunnel must be shared by cars and trains traveling in both directions, and it usually needs to be aired out in between trips (with jet turbine ventilation, another first!). This unique design that enables a single lane of traffic to travel directly over the railroad track saved tens of millions of dollars over the cost of constructing a new tunnel. To Whittier: Cars leave on the half hour, from 5:30am to 10:30pm. From Whittier: Cars leave on the hour, from 6am to 11pm. Arrive at least 10 minutes prior to tunnel opening. (Arriving earlier isn’t a waste; park in line, then get out of your car and soak in the scenery.) Price: The one-way toll for a private vehicle starts at $13.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a sanctuary dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife through conservation, research, education and quality animal care. AWCC takes in injured and orphaned animals year-round and provides them with spacious enclosures and quality animal care. Most of the animals that arrive at the AWCC become permanent residents and will always have a home here. The Center maintains over 200 acres of spacious habitats for animals to feel at home and display their natural “wild” behavior. Visitors may see brown bears cooling off in the water, a bull moose strutting, wood bison roaming on pastures and more. Hours: May thru August: 8:30 am to 7 pm Prices: $17 per adult, Children 6 and under free, Student (ages 7-17) $13
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Museum
Free admission year-round to see musher and sled dog racing displays and videos. Open daily in summer, with dog sled/cart rides. Find out the history about the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and learn about the recent Iditarod Mushers. You can also pay for a dog sled/cart ride.