Tourist Season in Alaska

So crazy to be living in a place that is SUCH a tourist destination.  People said that it was coming, we saw changes in the weather, road and infrastructure and all of a sudden, IT’S TOURIST SEASON!  In one sense you want to complain and call them the “idiot tourists”, and then on the other hand you want the world to see and enjoy the beauty of Alaska ad you see through your eyes.  Flights are full with different dialects, languages and ages.  The roads are jammed with the rental RVs and trailers carrying various “toys”.  Traffic is crazy and we would benefit with reservations at our favorite restaurants.  Then I remind myself that the local economy is flourishing and when they only make their money in a short tourist season, we “endure” summer in Alaska!

While the lower 48 is having heat and humidity we are too, but the Alaskan way.  Temperatures range from the mid 60s to the mid 70s and it’s been raining all week.  Air is cleaned out and everything is green.  No air conditioning here but we had to install a ceiling fan in our bedroom just to move the air around.  Not sure if it’s more out of habit to have a fan over our bed when the windows are open but nonetheless, it helps!

If you cannot beat ‘em, join ‘em!  We’ve also taken to the road.  Denali here we come!  We headed to the interior of Alaska to enjoy some R&R and good weather and we were not disappointed.  With days longer, the weather mild and the scenery so green and lush, it’s beauty to behold in the Last Frontier! 

Denali is basically a wide spot in the road.  Addresses are mile markers and trust me; you know it when you get there.  No GPS needed.  While we thought Denali as a “place”, it’s more of an “area”.  An area dedicated to the outdoors, wild life, outdoor activities and of course, Mount McKinley.  The scenery is breathtaking and awe-inspiring and puts all new meaning of “being a small part of the universe”.  We did the touristy thing of driving the initial 15 miles into Denali National Park.  We visited a dog sled farm, held the puppies and heard stories of the Iditarod which fascinated me.  We also drove up to Fairbanks and the NorthPole.  We ate at some fun seasonal restaurants near the park entrance but the highlight personally was river fishing in the vast frontier. 

We met up with some friends who we last saw in India, of all places.  They were camping in the wilderness and we visited their camp site.  Their 360 degree view of mountains surrounding them and river below was amazing!  No potties and showers here… all nature!  Bear line with bells around their tent and shovel instead of toilet paper, this was nature at its finest.  I now have my own fishing pole and fishing license and tackle and the time we spent along the river was relaxing, serene and very much enjoyable.  This is what all those Idiot Tourists come to experience in Alaska, and personally, I don’t blame them!  

“Season” is upon Us!

Stellar Air Seaplane ride from Homer, AK

 

“Season” is upon Us!

I’ve never lived anywhere where there were true, distinct seasons.  Born and raised in California you go from winter to summer overnight.  Spring is a mild summer and fall is a cooler summer.  Trees change gradually and if you didn’t see what was in the “seasonal items” aisle at Costco or Walmart, you probably wouldn’t know that there was a transition upon us.

This last month up in Alaska has been amazing to enjoy the transition from winter into spring.  When I arrived mid-April there was still random snow on the ground and the temperature still dipped below freezing over night.  Then literally from dusk to dawn one day buds were on the trees.  Add in two days of rain and all of a sudden all the dead grass from winter turned green and the trees went crazy.  Nature must know that the progression must happen quick because you can just about watch the trees bud and blossom.  One day a lake is still covered in ice and the next day seaplanes are readying to use the same lake for their runway!

Randy and I took off for a weekend down on the Kenai Peninsula and the road that we have traveled many, many times had changed.  Same curves and scenery but the street sweepers have cleaned up the roads, studded tires now need to be off all vehicles plus signs have gone up to not park on the side of the road.  In additon port-a-potties are now set up at highway pull outs, speed limits have been reduced, and additional wildlife warning signs have been put up.  We see more and more 5^th wheels, motorhomes, motorcycles, trucks with off road toys being hauled and locals are trying to get in position before the tourists get here.  This is tourist season!  That time when the cruise ships begin bringing passengers to discover the Last Frontier.  All the shops are reading with logo items and trinkets to be brought home as gifts. 

You can feel all of this in the air.  Alaska is amped up!  Nature is changing.  Ice falls are now water falls.  Frozen lakes and marshlands are showing the birds and animals what they have to offer.  The bears are waking up hungry.  The moose have their young.  Mother nature is happy and thriving!  Days are longer.  Daylight is long.  From dusk to dawn you may only have 5-6 hours of complete darkness.  It will continue to stay lighter and lighter until the summer solstice and by the end of June there won’t be complete darkness.  The added light provides Alaska’s people exciting times to enjoy the outdoors and that energy is contagious. 

It’s difficult to put into words the energized feeling that is shared among the people.  Everyone knows that the summer is short and there’s a lot to do in a short amount of time.  Construction goes nuts.  Road work is in a hurry trying to balance the tourists visiting the state of Alaska and the short time to complete projects before the snow returns.  Summer activities begin, fishing boats going out, seaplanes, glacier cruises, white water rafting and seasonal restaurants and hotels are beginning to open for the season.  Ads on TV switch to activity companies and dinner cruises.

It’s so fun to be a part of this, to feel the energy and enjoy the excitement.  I no longer feel as if I’m the visitor, I am one of Alaska’s children readying for the masses.  As so many people have said to me, I now say to others, WELCOME TO ALASKA!