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Alaska Do 2015: The Deadliest Catch Do (Dutch Harbor, AK) | Aug 29-Sep 6, 2015

Old Oct 5, 2014, 11:42 pm
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Last edit by: ANC RED-EYE
Attendees

Confirmed for any portion:
jackal [ANC, DUT, ANC]
beckoa [ANC, DUT, ANC]
CDKing [ANC, DUT]
FriendlySkies [DUT, ANC]
GrjApp [ANC, DUT, ANC]
BOB W [ANC, DUT, ANC]
monitor [Friday BBQ only]
frantic [Friday BBQ only]
JohnSydney2000 [ANC, DUT, ANC]
thewayofthefuture [ANC second portion; DUT TBD]
violist [DUT, 2nd ANC, BBQ, Fair]
pfbloom [Homer, DUT, BBQ]
lynnevt - pfbloom +1 [Homer only]
rxgeek [ANC, DUT, ANC]
rxgeek +1 [ANC, DUT, ANC]
LIGrin [Denali, BBQ]
lili [ANC, BBQ, State Fair]
WhIteSidE [DUT, BBQ]
BillScann [ANC]
bdnyc [ANC second portion, BBQ, State Fair]
ckpeter [DUT, ANC]
AKronin [BBQ]
AKDan [Friday BBQ Only]
kltye [DUT,ANC]
LIGrin [BBQ, State Fair]
ANC RED-EYE [ANCII, BBQ]


Transportation & Lodging

DUT Lodging
  • Grand Aleutian: Everyone


Departure to ANC
  • 9/3/15 1:30 pm AS3299 DUT-ANC: bob w, pfbloom [delayed to 5:30]
  • 9/3/15 4:15 PM AS3295 DUT-ANC: beckoa, FriendlySkies, GrjApp, violist, rxgeek, rxgeek+1, WhIteSidE [delayed to 8:15]
  • 9/3/15 6:30 PM AS3297 jackal+1
  • 9/4/15 1:30 PM AS3299 DUT-ANC: JohnSydney2000, ckpeter, kltye
  • 9/4/15 6:30 PM AS3296 DUT-ANC: CDKing

Arrival into ANC
  • 9/3/15 4:19 PM AS93 SEA-ANC lili
  • 9/3/15 5:00 pm AS3299 DUT-ANC: bob w, pfbloom
  • 9/3/15 5:27 PM DL1699 SEA-ANC: bdnyc
  • 9/3/15 7:45 PM AS3295 DUT-ANC: beckoa, FriendlySkies, GrjApp, violist, rxgeek, rxgeek+1, WhIteSidE
  • 9/3/15 10:00 PM AS3297 jackal+1
  • 9/3/15 10:38 PM DL 966 SEA-ANC: frantic & monitor
  • 9/4/15 5:00 PM AS3299 DUT-ANC: JohnSydney2000, ckpeter, kltye
  • 9/4/15 10:00 PM AS3296 DUT-ANC: CDKing


Dinner/drinks on The Deck at Lake Hood - Thursday, September 3 ~8:00 p.m. (immediately after arrival of AS 3295 from DUT) <-- CANCELLED
Happy Hour at Orso bar - Thursday, September 3 ~8:45p.m. (immediately after DELAYED arrival of AS 3295 from DUT) <-- ALTERNATE PLAN IN PLACE
  • ANC RED-EYE
  • GrjApp
  • Bob w
  • bdnyc
  • lili


BBQ - Friday, 9/4/15
  • bob w, jackal, beckoa, GrjApp, violist, rxgeek, rxgeek+1, lili, ANC RED-EYE, bdnyc, ckpeter, kltye, AKronin, monitor, frantic, FriendlySkies, pfbloom, WhIteSidE, JohnSydney2000

Alaska State Fair - Saturday 9/5/15
Code:
DATE CONFIRMED
S=Senior
  • jackal, beckoa, GrjApp, violist, rxgeekS, rxgeek+1S, lili S, ckpeter, kltye, FriendlySkies, JohnSydney2000, BOB W, BDNYC, LIGrin

Saturday, September 5 Alaska State Fair Trip <-- NEW
  • Rxgeek, Rxgeek +1
  • ckpeter
  • kltye
  • JohnSydney2000
  • FriendlySkies
  • lili

Sunday, September 6 Anchorage Sights Tour II <-- NEW
  • INSERT YOUR NAME HERE
    Rxgeek, Rxgeek +1
  • ckpeter
  • kltye
  • JohnSydney2000

Departure Home
  • 9/5/15 12:45 AM AS108 ANC-SEA: pfbloom
  • 9/5/15 12:50 AM AS122 ANC-PDX: CDKing
  • 9/5/15 5:00 AM AS 730 ANC-SEA: WhIteSidE
  • 9/6/15 12:45 AM AS108 ANC-SEA: FriendlySkies
  • 9/6/15 1:25 PM DL2048 ANC-SEA: frantic & monitor
  • 9/6/15 8:40 PM AA1008 ANC-DFW: GrjApp
  • 9/6/15 11:10 PM AS138 ANC-ORD: ckpeter, kltye
  • 9/7/15 1:25am US520 ANC-PHX: rxgeek
  • 9/7/15 12:35 PM AS 110 ANC-SEA: lili
  • 9/7/15 1:20PM DL1627 ANC-SEA: bdnyc
  • 9/7/15 4:30 PM AS98 ANC-SEA: violist
  • 9/8/15 20:40 AA1008 ANC-DFW: JohnSydney2000

Archive:

Unconfirmed attendees:

Likely:
DeltaWings

Interested:
alphaeagle [ANC, DUT, ANC]
redtigeriii
penegal
bse118
JessicaTam [ANC]
tonei


Next year:
FortFun
PV_Premier
GW McLintock

Transportation & Lodging

Arrival into ANC
  • 8/28/15 12:26am US584 PHX-ANC: rxgeek, rxgeek+1
  • 8/28/15 20:30 DL1088 MSP-ANC: pfbloom, lynnevt
  • 8/29/15 1:24 AM AS143 PDX-ANC: CDKing
  • 8/29/15 19:40 AA2298 DFW-ANC JohnSydney2000
  • 8/30/15 12:26 AM US584 PHX-ANC: GrjApp
  • 8/31/15 11:41AM AS87 SEA-ANC: FriendlySkies
  • 8/31/15 10:20 PM AS99 SEA-ANC: WhIteSidE
  • 9/01/15 1:34 PM AS139: kltye

Sunday, August 30 Anchorage Sights Tour
  • INSERT YOUR NAME HERE
  • JohnSydney2000

Monday, August 31 Hatcher Pass/Independence Mine Trip
  • INSERT YOUR NAME HERE
  • JohnSydney2000

Arrival into DUT
  • 9/1/15 9:45 AM AS3286 ANC-DUT: rxgeek, rxgeek+1
  • 9/1/15 12:45 PM AS3298 ANC-DUT: beckoa, jackal, bob w, violist, WhIteSidE, FriendlySkies
  • 9/1/15 3:30 PM AS3294 ANC-DUT: Delayed
  • 9/1/15 5:45 PM AS3296 ANC-DUT: GrjApp, ckpeter, kltye, JohnSydney2000, pfbloom, CDKing
Print Wikipost

Alaska Do 2015: The Deadliest Catch Do (Dutch Harbor, AK) | Aug 29-Sep 6, 2015

Old Oct 5, 2014, 3:33 am
  #1  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,185
Alaska Do 2015: The Deadliest Catch Do (Dutch Harbor, AK) | Aug 29-Sep 6, 2015


Photos in the public domain or used under the Creative Commons license via Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons. Click each photo for further details.

Every year, the Alaska Do gets a little more wild. This year, we're taking it up a notch: fifty-foot seas, windswept terrain, endless driving rain, and drunken sailors in the biggest bar-fights you'll ever see--and oh, literally hours-old fresh seafood from the best fishery on the planet--made famous by the eponymous Discovery Channel TV show. (You might even catch a glimpse of one of the stars!)

A little history

Do #1, the 2009 Spring Break Do primarily organized by vysean, featured a wintertime railroad journey to Fairbanks and a warm soak under the Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs.

Do #2, the 2010 Spring Break Do put on jointly by vysean and me, featured a fantastic tour of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport's airside operations and a relaxing beachfront condo getaway in Homer.

Do #3, the great 2010 127 Pounds of Cabbage Do, featured another tour of the airport plus an afternoon at the Alaska State Fair before journeying down to Seward for a whale of a time seeing ocean wildlife and calving glaciers. A subset of us continued on for an amazing two days in and around Denali.

Do #4 was the epic 2012 There's No Place Like Nome DO. A Do that will surely leave stories for a lifetime, we encountered everything from gold dredges and staged duels to epic bird-sized mosquitoes. Oh, yeah--and about 20 FlyerTalkers now know how not to change a flat tire.

Do #5 was the superlative 2013 Great Alaska ADQ Do to Kodiak, also known as Alaska's Emerald Isle and home to the majestic Kodiak Brown Bear. Whether climbing in a true Bush Alaska seaplane that took us over steaming volcanoes into the wild and famed Katmai National Park, where we got up close and personal with bears feasting on salmon, catching our legal limit of the freshest and most succulent halibut and rockfish, or dancing in the cleanroom air shower of the Kodiak Launch Complex, this was a trip no participant will ever forget.

Do #6 took us to the Southeast Panhandle of the state where we explored Russian history, modern government, and giant calving glaciers on the http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...y-23-28-a.html. Totem poles, giant eagles, hungry bears, turquoise waters, and corrupt Alaska politicians are only a few of the things we encountered here.

So here we are at Do #7, and it's time to go big or go home!

Overview

Part I
First, a stopover (for those who want or can) in Southcentral Alaska to prepare. Come on up to Anchorage on Friday night. Saturday mid-day we'll load the vans up and head for a leisurely drive up north through the Talkeetna Mountains. Our destination: Denali National Park, which is superbly beautiful at this time of year with the ochre colors of fall setting in. We'll spend Sunday in the park itself seeing all manner of fox, wolf, moose, caribou, and--of course--the majestic grizzly bear (and--with luck--a really tall mountain). We'll head back south to Anchorage Monday.

Note--as much as I love Denali, especially this time of year, I know we've done Denali twice before, so if the group is up for something different, we can substitute another option for this portion. I've long wanted to take the group over to Valdez via the stunningly beautiful Glenn Highway and Thompson Pass, so this could be the perfect opportunity for that. Updates and discussion as time goes on.

Part II
Tuesday, we'll fly out to Dutch Harbor. Weather in Dutch is variable, so we're intentionally coming in a day early--because we don't want to miss the star attraction: the world-famous Wednesday evening seafood buffet in the Chart Room of the Grand Aleutian hotel. Folks, it doesn't get any fresher than this. If you've ever wanted all-you-can-eat King Crab straight out of the North Pacific, you've come to the right place! Thursday we'll spend the day seeing the surprising, bleak beauty of Alaska's remote Aleutian chain before heading back to Anchorage on Friday.

Part III
We finish up with the traditional barbecue at Casa de Bob W. Also, we return once again to the world-renowned Alaska State Fair, home of rides, fair food, distinctly Alaskan products, and truly giant vegetables (courtesy of Alaska's long daylight growing hours in the summer), including 127-pound cabbages.

So here's what you need to do

Specific schedule and accommodation recommendations and all of that will be forthcoming in the near future, but we wanted to get the flight information out so people can start booking tickets. Saver award space to Dutch Harbor is very difficult to come by and tends to disappear very quickly. To join us on this Do, follow the schedule below to ensure you're able to join us:

Part I: Arrive at ANC Friday evening (8/28) or Saturday morning (8/29) by 10:00am
Part II: Depart ANC for DUT any time on Tuesday (9/1) or, as a last resort, Wednesday morning (9/2). (Note that weather into DUT can be extremely variable, and delays are common. A flexible attitude is key for travel to rural Alaska.) Depart DUT for ANC anytime on Friday (9/4); if that's full, you might want to pick a Thursday evening (9/3) departure. If you fly out on Saturday, you might miss Saturday's activities in ANC.
Part III: It'd be best to leave Sunday evening or later. Monday is Labor Day, so many of you might have an extra travel day to leisurely get home and rested for the work week.

I'll go into a bit more detail in a subsequent post, but I should take a moment now to note that the flight from ANC to DUT is technically operated by PenAir but Alaska Airlines wet-leases that route, so for all intents and purposes, it is bookable as an Alaska Airlines flight. We have tested and confirmed that these flights are bookable with AA and DL miles (which are, of course, both AS partners). We have not been able to test booking these flights with miles of other AS partners, such as BA or QF, but we suspect it should be doable, although it may require a phone call. The outbound flights are AS3298, AS3294, and AS3296; the return flights are AS3299, AS3295, and AS3297, all daily.

Using miles, you should be able to add these on to an award originating in the Lower 48 (with, if your airline permits, a stopover in ANC). Those with Alaska Airlines miles can book one-ways between ANC and DUT for the reduced intrastate rate of 7,500 miles each way (assuming saver space is available).

Note these flights are bookable either NOW or VERY SOON--and saver space fills up VERY quickly (as in, within a few days after the schedule is loaded). Some saver space has already been grabbed up. We encourage you to make your plans as quickly as possible and book immediately if you are interested.

Looking forward to once again having everyone in our great state!

Last edited by jackal; Mar 2, 2015 at 4:45 pm
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Old Oct 5, 2014, 3:33 am
  #2  
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,185
Reserved for detailed schedule

Summary
Part I: Aug 30-Aug 31 Anchorage and Hatcher's Pass
Part II: Sep 1-3 Dutch Harbor
Part III: Sep 4-6 Anchorage/Palmer (BBQ and fair)

Part I - Anchorage
Sunday, August 30
11:30am: Pick-ups from area hotels
12:00pm: Lunch TBD, but most likely MUSE Restaurant at the Anchorage Museum
1:00pm: Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center a treasure trove of Alaskan art, history, science, and a Smithsonian Institution wing of Native artifacts
3:00pm: Alaska Native Heritage Center an amazing up-close look at the 11 major indigenous cultural groups of Alaska, featuring Native dance performances, storytelling, and full-size walk-in replicas of traditional Native housing from each region of the state
5:00pm: "Anchorage Reality Tour" including monuments of jackal's life growing up in Anchorage
7:00pm: Dinner TBD, but Simon and Seafort's is always a hit
~fin~: Transportation provided back to hotels

Monday, August 31
10:30am: Depart for Hatcher Pass
12:00pm: Lunch at Hatcher Pass Lodge
1:00pm: Tour Independence Mine State Historical Park, a well-preserved authentic Alaska gold mine
3:00pm: Depart Hatcher Pass via Willow-Fishhook Road
5:00pm: Arrive Anchorage
Dinner on your own

Part II - Dutch Harbor
Tuesday, September 1
[Anchorage airport transportation NOT provided--most hotels have shuttles]
Flight arrivals (weather permitting): 9:45am, 12:45pm, 3:30pm, and 5:45pm
  • As available: Stop at Ounalashka Corporation to purchase land access permits
12:00pm: Museum of the Aleutians opens
  • Early arrival suggested itinerary: Bunker Hill trail and/or Ballyhoo trail plus Museum of the Aleutians when it opens
4:00pm: 4x4 SUV island exploration drive with optional hiking and berry picking (Summer Bay Road area)
6:00pm: Stock up on supplies at Alaska Ship Supply
6:30pm: Beachfront barbecue and bonfire hosted by local resident Hilary and friends

Wednesday, September 2
10:00am: Tour of Russian Orthodox Cathedral
11:00am: Tour of a working seafood processing plant (TBD)
12:00pm: Lunch
1:30pm: Aleutian World War II National Historic Area visitor's center
3:45pm: Unalaska Island, Fort Schwatka, and World War II history tour with Jeff
6:00pm: Return to hotel
[Evening]: Fresh-off-the-boat all-you-can-eat seafood buffet at the Chart Room

Thursday, September 3
Departures at 1:30pm, 4:15pm, and 6:10pm, weather permitting
9:00am: Continue 4x4 SUV island exploration drive (Overland Road area and Ugadaga Bay hike)
12:00pm: Lunch (to-go for those departing at 1:30pm)
12:30pm: Drop-off at airport for 1:30pm flight
1:00pm: Continue 4x4 SUV island exploration drive (Captains Bay Road/Pyramid Creek Road area)
3:15pm: Drop-off at airport for 4:15pm flight
4:00pm: Early dinner
5:10pm: Drop-off at airport for 6:10pm flight
[end; rental car will remain available for those staying an extra day]

Part III - Anchorage/Palmer
Friday, September 4
12:00pm: Sous-chefs welcome at Casa de BOB W for work and wine
2:00pm: Non-working attendees welcome at Casa de BOB W for wine
6:00pm: Food!
TBD: Taxi yourself away

Saturday, September 5
10:30am: Pick up from area hotels
11:00am: Depart for Palmer
12:00pm: Alaska State Fair
TBD (likely 5-6pm but as needed): Leave for Anchorage

Sunday, September 6
Depending on the participant make-up and group interest, we may be able to repeat or exchange missed events from Part I
10:30am: Pick-up from area hotels
11:00am: Tour of Downtown Anchorage highlights, including selections from:
  • Resolution Point and Captain Cook Monument views of Cook Inlet and Mt. McKinley
  • Alaska Public Lands Information Center great exhibits about Alaska's natural lands and resources
  • Oomingmak Shop Musk Ox wool hand knitted masterpieces by Native Alaskans--the softest thing you'll ever touch
  • Ulu Factory the most useful souvenir you'll ever buy for yourself and all of your friends--seriously, real Alaskans use them daily
1:00pm: Lunch at TBD
2:00pm: Selections from among:
  • Oscar Anderson House and Museum the first wood-frame home in Anchorage
  • Alaska Experience Center Several great films about sights and experiences in Alaska
  • 1964 Earthquake Experience includes a real earthquake simulator!
  • Aurora Collection film with fantastic aurora imagery
9:00pm: Drop-offs at airport for late evening/early morning flights

Last edited by jackal; Sep 1, 2015 at 9:05 am
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Old Oct 5, 2014, 3:34 am
  #3  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,185
Travel Information:

Part I: Denali or Valdez

Information about Denali accommodations, Valdez accommodations, and/or ferry bookings will be posted once the itinerary is finalized.

Part II: Dutch Harbor

Flight Information

Weather is highly variable in Dutch Harbor. It's not uncommon for flights to be canceled for an entire day (sometimes more, but that's very rare). So, we've built a little bit of buffer time into our trip. Although the planned activities in DUT don't start until Wednesday evening (9/2), we highly suggest coming out to DUT on Tuesday (9/1) just in case Wednesday flights are delayed. Of course, we'll have things to do for those who do arrive on Tuesday--never a dull moment in Alaska! We've intentionally kept the pace slow for the return; if there are flight delays getting out of DUT, everyone will still easily make it out in time to catch flights home and back to work. Due to the very real possibility of flight cancellations and the cost of hotels in Alaska, we strongly recommend travel insurance for this trip.

There is one option to fly to Dutch Harbor: Alaska Airlines, operated by PenAir. They have four flights a day (times subject to change):

  • AS3286 (6:45am-9:45am)
  • AS3298 (9:45am-12:45pm)
  • AS3294 (12:30pm-3:30pm)
  • AS3296 (2:45pm-5:45pm)

And four return flights back to ANC each day:

  • AS3287 (10:30am-2:00pm)
  • AS3299 (1:30pm-5:00pm)
  • AS3295 (4:15pm-7:45pm)
  • AS3297 (6:30pm-10:00pm)

These flights are on a Saab 340 turboprop operated by PenAir under a wet lease to Alaska Airlines. The flights are effectively Alaska Airlines flights, as they are not sold under PenAir's own brand--it's more akin to a Horizon or Delta Connection or American Envoy flight than a codeshare. Awards should be bookable on these flights by any carrier that has a partnership with Alaska, but some people have reported issues getting flights booked. Those of you booking American Airlines awards, one thing to try is to purchase immediately rather than holding for purchase and then calling to ticket the itinerary. AA's system appears able to immediately ticket an itinerary involving one of these PenAir flights, whereas an AAgent will tell you it's not possible. Note that the taxes and fees associated with the PenAir flights will total to $0 (as they are exempt from TSA screening and thus do not charge the normal passenger facility charges), which may confuse some phone agents as well. If you are having trouble booking your flight as an award, please review the thread for discussion and, if your question is not answered, feel free to post for further assistance.

ANC, of course, is served by most of the major (and some minor) domestic carriers (AS, AA, DL, UA, US, B6, F9, SY) as well as a smattering of international carriers (AC, FI, DE [nonstop to Germany!], R3 [nonstop to Russia!]).

Hotel options in DUT


Alternative travel modes

And in the interest of completeness, I will note that it's entirely possible to get between ANC and DUT by ferry (a trip that, while on my bucket list, will have to be done some other time!):

Alaska Marine Highway System: 1-800-642-0066, 1-907-465-3941 or http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/pubs/

No one said their site would win awards for simplicity and usability, but it's functional. To actually make a reservation (as opposed to just looking at schedules), pull down the "Reservations" menu from the top navbar and choose "Start a Reservation."

Part III: Anchorage and the State Fair

Hotel options in ANC

Closest to the airport: Millennium, Courtyard by Marriott, Quality Inn (and attached Econo Lodge), and Holiday Inn Express are on Spenard, just a few minutes from the airport. There is also a Comfort Suites and a Microtel on the frontage road just off International Airport Road.

All of the above have airport shuttles, though I do not know if they run 24 hours. The Comfort Suites is the newest, but the Courtyard, HIX, and Microtel are all new and fine; the Quality Inn and Econo Lodge used to be a Best Western and is older but well-maintained. The Millennium has a great setting on the Lake Hood seaplane base and is quite nice; it also retains some of its local character from the days it was known as the Regal Alaskan.

You also have your pick of chain properties in Midtown. These are all only an extra 5-7 minutes away from the airport, and all of those have free airport shuttles as well. These choices include (in order of distance) the Crowne Plaza, Marriott Fairfield, Motel 6 [very new and nice as far as Motel 6s go], Homewood Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, Marriott SpringHill Suites, Embassy Suites, and Marriott Residence Inn. The farthest one--the SpringHill Suites University Lake (different than the midtown SpringHill)--is only a 15-minute drive from the airport. I would feel comfortable recommending any of the above--all are in safe areas (safer than the closer ones on Spenard, actually) and are good, new properties.

(If you are interested in the SpringHill Suites University Lake, let me know--we may be able to get a group discount going there.)

If price at any of the chains is an issue (this is summer we're talking about), there are some non-chain properties that are decent and have airport shuttles. FlyerTalker ozstamps was quite impressed with the Executive Suite on Spenard, and the Puffin Inn's remodeled side (the deluxe rooms) is quite nice (though avoid the older side). The Puffin's owner, Jay, is a kick, too. They are both right across the street from the HIX on Spenard. I've known some of my former customers to stay at the Coast International Inn or the Long House Alaskan Hotel (both on Lake Hood very close to the Millennium), and I've never heard anything negative about them, but they're unknown commodities to me. The Dimond Center hotel is on the south side of town, relatively far from the airport (a 15-minute drive) and in a commercial district with not much activity late at night, but it is a very nice property (huge rooms, jacuzzi tubs, HD TVs, etc.) with a free airport shuttle. It's also probably the closest hotel to BOB W's house.

Downtown will afford you the easiest access to downtown sights to whittle away Saturday morning before the barbecue. Aside from the big four full-service places (Marriott [newest of the downtown options], Hilton, Sheraton, and the locally-owned four-star Hotel Captain Cook [probably the nicest and definitely the one with the most character]), there are some other lodging options downtown. There's a Clarion, a Hawthorn Suites, an older HoJo, and a run-down Ramada Limited on the chain side of things and a smattering of independent places (some of those may offer airport shuttles). The decent independents downtown are not going to be cheap, but they do have some character. Check out the Historic Anchorage Hotel (next door to the Hilton), the Anchorage Grand, the Voyager Hotel (across from the Captain Cook), and the Copper Whale Inn. The Inlet Towers is basic but FlyerTalker CDKing has stayed there multiple times and finds it perfectly fine. Also avoid the Econo Inn, which is so crappy it lost the Econo Lodge franchise rights , and the Red Roof Inn, which looks newly renovated from the outside but is in a junky area. The Days Inn gets mixed reviews, too.

Points redemptions can be useful in ANC in the summer due to the high retail cost of even basic properties. But if you are not bound to hotel points, the above-mentioned non-chain properties are worth looking into.

If hotel price is a major concern and points aren't an option, PM me. I might have some connections I can use to get a little bit of a discount off of the high summer rates.

I also have a couple of B&Bs that I always recommend to people visiting. You'll need a car to get there, and they aren't in the thick of anything touristy, but these are two absolutely gorgeous properties that are often cheaper than many of the chain hotels:

http://www.alaskafrontiergardens.com/
http://www.alaskahighlandglen.com/

For those who need their own rental cars for before/after the official DO events, PM me and I'll see what I can arrange through my, er, connections.

Last edited by jackal; Sep 1, 2015 at 9:10 am
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Old Oct 5, 2014, 3:34 am
  #4  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,185
Shared Costs and Payment Information

Part I:
Transportation for Anchorage sights and Hatcher Pass: Very cheap (capped at 3 participants due to downgraded rental vehicle), like not much more than just the cost of gas split X ways.
Admission to Anchorage Museum and Alaska Native Heritage Center: Note there is a discounted combination ticket as well as discounts with the Alaska TourSaver books we have. Details TBD.

Part II:
Transportation in Dutch Harbor: $50 per person for rental vehicle plus gas, exact amount TBD based on number of participants
Land Use Permits in Dutch Harbor: $5/day, $15/week. Available for purchase at the Ounalashka Corporation office or the World War II Visitor's Center. MUST have to traverse anything outside of the immediate city area of Dutch Harbor, as most land on the island is privately held by the Native Corporation. Weekly pass suggested in order to minimize disruption and the need to re-purchase.
Museum of the Aleutians: $7 per person. Credit cards except American Express accepted.
Aleutian World War II National Historic Area visitor's center museum: $4 per person. Credit cards accepted.
Beachfront BBQ and Bonfire: $15 for food (beer TBD)
Russian Orthodox Cathedral tour: TBD, presumably by donation, so bring a few bills
Seafood Processing Plant Tour: TBD
Alaska Seafood Buffet at The Chart Room: $40, but we have a discount with the Alaska TourSaver books we've purchased. Specific details TBA. Pay on your own.

Part III:
BBQ at Casa de BOB W: TBD, but plan on approximately $50 for all-you-can-eat food and wine
Transportation for Alaska State Fair and Anchorage Sights: TBD, but plan on approximately $150-200 per vehicle divided by the number of participants
Tickets to Alaska State Fair: TBA (beckoa has procured them at a discount)
Anchorage downtown sights TBD (some discounts may be available with the Alaska TourSaver books)

Last edited by jackal; Aug 30, 2015 at 1:13 am
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Old Oct 5, 2014, 3:34 am
  #5  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,185
Attendee List

Please add yourself to the wiki above. Closer to the Do, I will move the "official" list of participants here

Last edited by jackal; Oct 14, 2014 at 9:38 am
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Old Oct 5, 2014, 3:34 am
  #6  
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Reserved for BBQ menu

Last edited by jackal; Oct 5, 2014 at 4:02 pm
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Old Oct 5, 2014, 3:42 pm
  #7  
 
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Any vineyards or wine tours planned? Oh wait, Alaska, nevermind.

But come to think of it, I already know where to find good wine in AK, and I see you've already got that covered 05SEP-06SEP.

Even without a wine tour, please put me down as very interested in The Deadliest Catch DO.
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Old Oct 5, 2014, 3:47 pm
  #8  
 
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Not sure I will make the DUT portion, but count me in for the rest^^

(Yeah, who was I kidding?)

Excellent planning already taking place.

Last edited by BOB W; Dec 1, 2014 at 8:18 pm
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Old Oct 5, 2014, 4:30 pm
  #9  
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Just to alert those who haven't left yet for DUT, expect all kinds of crazy weather. We have a few vehicles lined up, but some time will be outside. It could be sunny and in the 50's or 60's, or rainy in the 40's. I'd make sure you have a raincoat and warm clothing along. The first day we are planning on having a BBQ and Bonfire on the beach (locals are donating some pallets), so there should be heat, but it still might be soggy.

Menu: Burgers & Brats (or other Alaskan made sausage) - saving the fancy stuff for Anchorage.
Featuring: Assorted Alaskan Beer.

There also may be some small boat excursion opportunities, so not a bad idea to bring a pair of boots along too. And for those hiking- berry buckets! They'll be in season!

Last edited by beckoa; Aug 28, 2015 at 1:10 am Reason: Updates
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Old Oct 5, 2014, 4:31 pm
  #10  
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Thanks for the advance notice. As usual I'm in (Debating part III). Altough i'm not sure how happy the boss will be when i put in for this and 104 hours off for OZ Fest

Outbound flights booked departing 8/28 BOS-PDX-ANC arriving 1AM on the 29th and ANC-DUT on the 12:30PM flight on Tuesday

EDIT Changed flights to add ANC-DUT segment. Stupidly used my wallet and not the new CC for the travel insurance. After last years weather and last minute boat charter, I will want to be insured.



Currently AS is accepting bookings through 9/1

Last edited by CDKing; Oct 5, 2014 at 4:57 pm
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Old Oct 5, 2014, 4:39 pm
  #11  
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Space is going quick.

AS3298 is W0
The other two are W1

More seats on September 2 should open up tomorrow.
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Old Oct 5, 2014, 5:02 pm
  #12  
 
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CDKing, you beat me to the saver award for 3294, got the dreaded "fare no longer available" after clicking. So got 3296 instead.

I guess that means I'm in!
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Old Oct 5, 2014, 5:09 pm
  #13  
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Originally Posted by GrjApp
CDKing, you beat me to the saver award for 3294, got the dreaded "fare no longer available" after clicking. So got 3296 instead.

I guess that means I'm in!
I'm glad you got in on the later flight. Hoping the hosts booked before posting Looks like the later flight is now out of saver as well. I think you grabbed that one.

I may have to hop the ferry from DUT back to ANC
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Old Oct 5, 2014, 5:20 pm
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Originally Posted by CDKing
I'm glad you got in on the later flight. Hoping the hosts booked before posting Looks like the later flight is now out of saver as well. I think you grabbed that one.

I may have to hop the ferry from DUT back to ANC
Return flights cannot be booked yet. There will be a mad scramble for them later this week.
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Old Oct 5, 2014, 5:49 pm
  #15  
 
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Subscribing to the thread
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