Alaskan Adventure for Two

Nikki
Sep 7, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Oct 1, 2024

Even though I grew up in the great state of Montana, I have never really been a lover of the snow and cold. I like to tell people that the summer after college I went to a rodeo in Livingston on the 4th of July.

It snowed. In July!

I moved to Florida the very next year.

So, when my sweet husband decided that he wanted to go to Alaska for his birthday...I was a bit hesitant. Then I remembered that we (try) to always embrace every new place we travel to, and we usually have a pretty good time.

This trip would end up being a core shaker.

Snowshoeing

As we were both snowshoeing neophytes, we opted to book a tour with Go Hike Alaska. We went at a time that was on the cusp of winter and spring, and it ended up being a perfect day. There was a fresh blanket of snow and literally not another soul that day on the Chugach Mountains. Our guide explained that snowshoeing (will that word ever not look weird to my eyes!?) is just 'awkward walking'. I have been pigeon toed my whole life, so this was my wheelhouse! Walks Awkward may in fact be my Native American name. I enjoyed this so much, and it was a special way to see part of Alaska.

The Long Walk

On Sunday we didn't have any major plans. One of our tour drivers suggested that we walk along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. I love to walk and see what I can see, and we just figured if we got tired we could take a rest or Uber back to the hotel.

Not so fast.

Once we got dropped off at Kincaid Park, there really was no off ramp.

So...11 miles later we finally made it back to our hotel.

It was beautiful and we were proud of ourselves...but those last few miles were a tad painful. We did see one moose and that adrenaline jolt probably pushed us through.

Eats

I knew on some level that Alaska would be a grand adventure.

I just didn't know the food would be so amazing!

Here are a few highlights:

The Salmon Chowder with all of the dill at Humpy's

Yak Burger at Forty Ninth State Brewing

Reindeer Quesadilla at The Pantry

Salmon and Tableside Caesar Salad at The Marx Bros Cafe

Sourdough Pancakes with Blueberries at Snow City Cafe

All of the Good Boys

I don't know exactly how it started, but I have always been afraid of big dogs. It has gotten marginally better over time due to the fact that I have many family members and friends who have bigger dogs and they are well trained.

And yet.

We opted to go with Snowhook Adventure Guides of Alaska (based in Willow). For the first ~45 minutes or so, there was a little history and some guidance about the dog sled ride. Then...we were to play with 60+ dogs. For more than a few minutes...I was questioning all of my life choices that had led me to that point. I took a deep breath and just went with it. Being with Spencer has given me strength to do things I never ever dreamed possible.

The wild ride that ensued had me experiencing all of the emotions.

Abject terror.

Uncontrollable laughter.

Epic exhilaration.

It was much faster and way more intense than I expected, but it is a memory I will revisit for the rest of my life.

We have had a lot going on lately, (I know we all do!) and this trip was a perfect re-set. Alaska reminded us to be thankful that our bodies are capable, that the earth is insanely beautiful, most folks are inherently kind, and getting out of your comfort zone can have lasting positive results.