GrjApp

I got a schedule change notification for my ANC-DUT, it now leaves 2.45 instead of 3.45. But it still shows the Saab SF340A/SF340B as equipment. Was hoping the change was for the Saab 2000!

Quokka

The Unisea is far from "pleasant" -- it's a dump. A filthy, noisy, smoky dump.

The Grand Aleutian is indeed pretty nice, especially considering it's in Dutch / Unalaska.

Both are owned by the same company (Unisea - the seafood company) and understand they basically have a monopoly for hotel/motel accommodation on the island. When you end up in Dutch you need them more than they need you and they haven't been terribly flexible on rates over the years.

rxgeek

Just found this thread. Add me+1 if we can still get flights.

beckoa

Outbound still has saver space (w) on the Tuesday early morning departure.

Return is a bit more iffy...with no saver space currently. Hope it works out for you both to join us.

pfbloom

Just a thought that I've noticed that AS sometimes will show increased saver space availability on the in-state leg if you try to book a two segment award with a stopover in ANC, instead of just the in-state flight alone (presuming you're traveling on to the lower 48 on AS)

rxgeek

Got saver out but not return. Total is 50k AS miles RT for two of us. Didn't have any other plans for the miles anyway. Always have other plans for dead presidents though. Watching for return saver openings, along with everyone else I guess.

rxgeek

Having had my appetite wetted on a land/sea cruise package a few years ago, I definitely want to spend more time touring before leaving ANC. Not real keen on renting a car but will if I have to. I remember the food on the Alaska Railroad was surprisingly good, even better than the cruise ship.

I would appreciate suggestions from the group on stuff to do for a few days after the DO such as ferry or train excursion.

monitor

The one word answer to that question is "Denali."

jackal

Fall in Denali National Park is epic. The ochre colors come out in the valleys and it is truly spectacular. Crowds are also much smaller. Beware of rainy weather that can obscure views of the mountain, but a visit to Denali is always worthwhile even if the peak is not out.

Note that the operating season does end shortly after our Do concludes. Details here: http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/hours.htm

Plenty else to see and do in Alaska, of course, but monitor is right when he says there's no reason to consider anything else if you have not been to Denali.

yunicorner

I'm a maybe for Labor Day weekend. Can you guys clarify the order of the state fair and bbq?

In the wiki:
BBQ 9/5/15
Alaska State Fair 9/6/15

In posts 1 and 3:
We return once again to the world-renowned Alaska State Fair.... We finish up with the traditional barbecue at Casa de Bob W.
Downtown will afford you the easiest access to downtown sights to whittle away Saturday morning before the barbecue.

jackal

Thanks for bringing our attention to that.

The original intent was to cap the Do off on Sunday with the traditional BBQ, but then it seemed wise to have the BBQ on Saturday to give Bob W a chance to recover (and recover use of his house) on Sunday before going back to work. If he's off on Monday (it is Labor Day, after all), though, perhaps it would work out better to do the BBQ on Sunday? It would mean the fair might be more enjoyable if we're not all hung over while visiting it.

Some folks may have already booked tickets back out of state on Sunday, though, so I don't want to make changes that would eliminate anyone's participation in the BBQ. (Anyone who's flying out Saturday night/Sunday and doesn't want to miss the BBQ, let us know.)

The organizers will confer and update anything that needs updating, but for now, assume the schedule stays as posted.

pfbloom

My vote would be for BBQ on Saturday, as we're heading south Sat. night and Sunday AM on separate flights. And most fellow travelers should be back from Dutch Harbor either Thurs. or early Friday, right?

jackal

OK, fair enough. Actually, I see in the wiki that a few people are leaving Saturday morning. I wonder about holding the BBQ on Friday. We're all back from DUT by then, so that may work.

Then the fair on Saturday and anyone who wants to stay a little longer...maybe we can do Denali Sunday and Monday?

pfbloom

Hmmm - wasn't the thought to do Denali and Talkeetna on Sat/Sun Aug 29/30 and maybe 8/31 and then scoot back to ANC in time for the flights to DUT on 9/1... or is the ANC1 portion still in flux?

jackal

I really should read my own thread before posting...

I intentionally left a big buffer between coming back from DUT and the BBQ so that there was plenty of time for people to catch flights (since availability is so limited). However, since it looks like most people have been able to secure flights on Thursday and/or Friday morning, it may be possible to tighten up the schedule a bit if it works for everyone.

If we do move the BBQ and fair up, we could do Whittier and the ferry to Valdez on Sunday/Monday. I didn't already propose that, did I?