Page 29 – A Brit and A Southerner

Visit St Cloud – Enjoy an Awesome Day in the Granite City

Minnesota

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Oct 24, 2016

Visit St Cloud – Enjoy an Awesome Day in the Granite City

Any talk about Minnesota will likely spark conversation about shopaholics visiting the Mall of America or perhaps exploring one of the 10,000+ lakes that are located throughout the state. However, what you may not be aware of is the beautiful town of St. Cloud, known as the “Granite City”. When you visit St Cloud, be prepared to enjoy a myriad of experiences ranging from gorgeous botanical gardens to an array of delicious food options.

From our personal experience, we enjoyed the amazing golfing scene in addition to all of the above, yet we left St. Cloud realizing that there was so much more to experience on a future visit. Let’s take a look at why a visit to St. Cloud is so inspiring and what you can expect during a 24-hour visit to the Granite City.

Where is St. Cloud?

Located in the central region of Minnesota and only an hour from Minneapolis and St. Paul, St. Cloud is easily accessible if you are interested in taking a day trip from the Twin Cities. Depending on the direction you are heading to St. Cloud, the likelihood is that you will be traveling along I-94 but we actually took a slightly different route from north Minneapolis along US Highway 10.

Similar to the location of the iconic Twin Cities, St. Cloud is located on the banks of the Mississippi River offering a number of scenic overlooks across the river and beyond. Regardless of which side of the river you are on, there is plenty in St. Cloud to keep you entertained.

If you are considering exploring St. Cloud, it’s feasible that you will want to experience some of the top reasons that make this such an awesome destination to visit. I have to admit that I am slightly biased towards golf courses so of course, it’s inevitable that I will always highlight some of the best courses within a destination. St. Cloud is definitely no different.

Here is the itinerary that we followed once we arrived in the Granite City, so feel free to choose this or if golf isn’t something that interests you, don’t worry there is plenty more to see and experience in St. Cloud.

Visit St Cloud and Play Golf

For the golfing enthusiasts out there, you will love the options available in and around St. Cloud. I had the opportunity to play 18 holes at Territory Golf Club, about 5 miles east of downtown St. Cloud and this had everything that I look for in an awesome golf course.

If you love to play golf, St. Cloud is the place to be and it’s no surprise to hear that Minnesota is frequently referred to as a golfing haven as there are a plethora of amazing courses scattered around the state. Here are some of the top St. Cloud courses worth checking out:

Territory Golf Club
Angushire Golf Course
Veterans Golf Course
Wapicada Golf Club
Boulder Ridge Golf Club
Pine Ridge Golf Course

In a town the size of St. Cloud, this is a pretty impressive number of golf courses to choose from. But for us, there was only one that we wanted to experience during our recent visit!

Territory Golf Club

So why Territory Golf Club when there are so many others to choose from? I LOVE links style courses and when I heard that Territory Golf Club offers a “Tale of Two Nines”, I was immediately intrigued.

The front 9 is very much a “links” course with very few trees yet the back 9 is the exact opposite with a more parkland style, which I generally refer to as an American style course.

A challenging and unique layout, impeccable course conditions and excellent customer service offered both in the pro shop and dining area.

These are all components in making up an excellent golf course and I am delighted to say that Territory Golf Club checks all of these boxes with flying colors.

We arrived for our tee time a little before 8:00AM and immediately were greeted by the head golf pro, Chad Seim. His friendliness and desire to make us feel welcome were an absolute credit to this golf course and a true reflection on his character.

Despite the murky early morning fog that threatened to spoil our golfing experience, we headed to the first tee armed with our clubs and ready to attack the course. Not even the weather was going to spoil this round!

Fortunately, the weather cooperated and the fog slowly cleared throughout the morning and provided very enjoyable conditions to experience Territory’s challenging course.

Visiting a golf course is not just about the ‘on-course’ experience, rather you have to consider what life is like after the round in the “19th Hole”. Don’t worry…Territory Golf Club is well equipped to cater your needs in Coyote Moon Grille.

This restaurant is located within the distinctive 12,000ft clubhouse, highlighted by two levels, in addition to an outdoor terrace and decking providing an epic overlook of the course.

There‘s something for every taste at our restaurant. (Coyote moon Grille)

Whether you are looking to sample some fine cuisine or perhaps sip on a local craft beer, Coyote Moon Grille is the perfect place to stop after your round before heading into St. Cloud to experience everything else this city has to offer.

Downtown St. Cloud

If you prefer to sample alternative cuisine options, why not take the short drive to downtown St. Cloud and browse around the various restaurants and bistros that are waiting to attract your business.

There is ample parking along the main street of the historic downtown neighborhood and I strongly recommend taking some time to wander up and down while admiring the gorgeous architecture present here.

The Stearns County Courthouse is a particularly impressive sight characterized by a golden dome that adds a sense of uniqueness and grandeur to a location that for most people is not what you would associate with such beauty.

Do we have any Friends fans out there? If so, you will want to pay a visit to the wonderfully acclaimed Central Perk coffee shop located in the heart of the historic district.

We headed here first to grab a quick espresso and a bite to eat as we didn’t figure we could do Coyote Moon Grille the justice it deserved at 11:00 in the morning.

Fans of local coffee shops will immediately appreciate the decor and atmosphere here and we found a table in front of the window directly across from the Paramount Theatre which is one of the iconic structures in downtown St. Cloud.

If you are looking to find a spot to enjoy dinner later in the day, you will pass by the likes of JL Beers, The White Horse, D.B. Searles and Kohinoor which all offer diverse cuisine options.

Regardless of your taste, there are plenty of options in the downtown neighborhood to satisfy your taste buds.

Munsinger and Clemens Gardens

As I mentioned, downtown St. Cloud is located on the banks of the Mississippi River and a short drive across the river offers an opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown city life. The breathtaking sight and scent of Munsinger and Clemens Gardens is a great way to relax and enjoy a moment of solitude while you admire the beauty of the flora and fauna present here.

If the thought of “awakening your senses” appeals, then a visit to both Munsinger and Clemens Gardens should be top of your bucket list when exploring St. Cloud. This dynamic duo of botanical gardens are adjacent to each other and both can easily be accessed on foot after finding a parking space along the road.

Let’s take a look at both Munsinger and Clemens Gardens and why each offers such amazing experiences.

Munsinger Gardens

“From Sawmill to Flower Garden”….this is how it all started for Munsinger Gardens in the late 19th century. During the late 1880s, the location on the banks of the Mississippi River was the site of a sawmill but by 1915, this area was purchased by the city to be transformed into a neighborhood park.

The present day name, Munsinger Gardens, is derived from a former superintendent of the park who devoted much time and effort into the development and transformation of what we can appreciate today.

Munsinger Gardens is the epitome of a colorful, vibrant botanical garden with a hint of quirky architecture and design thrown in there to create an environment for everyone to enjoy.

Idyllic flowerbeds are scattered throughout the garden along with rock-lined paths and a couple of fountains offering a relaxing haven of privacy.

Clemens Gardens

A more recent addition to the area by the Mississippi River is Clemens Gardens. When a plot of land became available across from Bill and Virginia Clemens home, they purchased this and donated it to the city of St. Cloud.

Virginia had a real passion for rose gardens and despite suffering from multiple sclerosis for 40 years, her desire to appreciate the beauty of nature was unquestionable.

In 1990, the Clemens family funded the development of a rose garden by purchasing 1100 rose bushes and also paying the wages of a rose grower. Since then, this original garden has become part of six unique gardens along Kilian Boulevard that make up the Clemens Gardens.

Each garden offers a unique expression of nature through the visual appeal of the colors and of course, the undoubted scents that emit from the various flowers throughout the gardens. A hint of European style can be seen through several of these gardens, including the White Garden which was inspired by its namesake at Sissinghurst Castle in Kent, England.

Summary

It’s safe to say we enjoyed an eclectic blend of experiences during our visit to St. Cloud. Much of our time was spent outdoors which is in our opinion the best way to experience the very of what St. Cloud has to offer. The city continues in the same vein as much of Minnesota with amazing golf courses yet for those that don’t share the same interest with this activity, there are plenty of other attractions to keep you entertained.

If you are planning on visiting Minnesota and perhaps considering the Twin Cities, be sure to take some time to try and visit St. Cloud. Just an hour northwest of Minneapolis, the Granite City is a gem waiting to be discovered and we can attest that you won’t be disappointed if you choose to visit.

Have you visited St. Cloud before? Do you enjoy playing golf, exploring botanical gardens or other outdoors activities when exploring a destination?

Where to Stay in St Cloud? A Review of Country Inn & Suites

Minnesota

Chris Boothman

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Oct 20, 2016

12

Where to Stay in St Cloud? A Review of Country Inn & Suites

During our recent visit to St. Cloud, Minnesota, we stayed at the gorgeous Country Inn and Suites, St. Cloud West. Of course, the question of where to stay in St Cloud was one that we asked before visiting and just like any other destination around the world, it’s a tough question to answer. Hopefully, for anyone visiting the Granite City in the near future, this hotel review will help make this decision a little easier.

The hotel industry is a competitive market so it’s understandable that we all have tough decisions to make when considering where to stay. Hotel chains are constantly looking at ways to attract guests and create a competitive advantage that will entice visitors not only to stay once but also create a lasting impression that will help “word of mouth” marketing.

Rather than giving just a basic hotel review, we want to look at several different components that we look for in every hotel that we stay at around the world.

Where to Stay in St Cloud

Country Inn and Suites, St. Cloud West is located 3 miles west of the downtown neighborhoods. For many, this may seem like a negative but when you consider the area this is in, it can actually be seen as a major positive.

When researching hotel locations, the concept of “Location, Location, Location,” a mantra that I am sure many of you are aware of, is something that should always be considered! I use this approach in the following context.

Location in relation to other attractions
Location in relation to the surrounding neighborhood (safety etc.)
Location in relation to accessibility (public transportation, interstate etc.)

After staying at the Country Inn and Suites, St. Cloud West, it’s safe to say that this hotel checks all of these boxes with flying colors. The newly renovated Country Inn & Suites, St. Cloud West should certainly be on your radar when you next visit the Granite City but maybe you need a little more convincing!

Located directly adjacent to the Crossroads Center shopping mall, this hotel is within walking distance of a variety of attractions, especially if you need a little retail therapy while experiencing St. Cloud. After checking into our room, we also noticed that we were beside Angushire Golf Club, a 9-hole public course that was within walking distance of the hotel.

We felt very safe in this neighborhood and can highly recommend this to anyone visiting St. Cloud. I know there has been some recent negative media attention, especially regarding the Crossroads Center Mall, but our viewpoint is that you have to live normally, be vigilant and enjoy your surroundings.

Perhaps the most negative aspect of this hotel is the location with regards to accessibility. We were fortunate to have our own vehicle so we were easily able to find the hotel. After leaving I-94, a short drive north along US Highway 15 saw us arrive at the hotel but I could envision this being a little more difficult if you tried to use public transportation.

Click here for directions to Country Inn & Suites, St. Cloud West using Google Maps

Accommodation Review

As the name of the hotel suggests, guests will be rewarded for staying at Country Inn & Suitest, St. Cloud West by having the option to stay in either a standard room or a spacious suite with a living area, bedroom, and gorgeous bathroom.

Our room overlooked Angushire Golf course which was a huge positive in my opinion, but even for non-golfers, the view was pleasant and a great way to wake up in the morning.

Heather took advantage of the spacious suite by relaxing for a few hours and catching up on work. Meanwhile, I took the short drive to Angushire and for only $10 played a quick nine holes (this is a huge selling point of the hotel in my opinion) in addition to the 18 we had experienced earlier in the day over at Territory Golf Club on the other side of St. Cloud.

As you can see from our video of the hotel along with the pictures, the room was clean, extremely comfortable and everything we could wish for.

Amenities and Services

Be Our Guest Breakfast

Country Inn and Suites around the world are renowned for their “Be Our Guest” breakfast so we were excited to see what this hotel in St. Cloud had to offer.

A delicious complimentary offering of hot favorites including eggs, sausage, bacon combined with typical cold delicacies like muffins, cereal and fruit were a perfect way to start our journey south to Chaska for the Ryder Cup.

Indoor Pool

Accessible 24 hours a day, the indoor pool at Country Inn and Suites is very appealing for those that wish to take a relaxing swim before heading out for dinner or perhaps to start your day before breakfast. A whirlpool tub is also available in this area for those that prefer to just wind down for a few minutes.

High-Speed Wireless Internet

It almost goes without saying that hotel guests now demand high-speed wireless internet. We all need to stay connected 24/7 and regardless of whether this is a sad state of affairs, it’s a harsh reality that hotels have to deal with.

I LOVE hotels that offer complimentary high-speed internet so when we realized that Country Inn and Suites offered this at their St. Cloud West location, we were checking yet another box on our list.

Outside Veranda

A nice addition to this hotel is the outside veranda with a fire pit that can be lit for visitors to relax and chill out as the evening draws to a close. Perhaps you are inspired to take a walk to one of the nearby restaurants, grab a “to-go” order and then relax on the veranda by the fire pit. Regardless of your intentions, this is a relaxing area in front of the hotel that guests are free to enjoy.

Summary

We enjoyed an amazing one night stay at Country Inn and Suites, St. Cloud West and would highly recommend this to anyone considering where to stay in St Cloud. We were made to feel extremely welcome and the staff went above and beyond to ensure our stay was relaxing and comfortable.

There are not many hotels where you receive a call in the early evening just asking if you need anything and this is an absolute credit to Country Inn and Suites in St. Cloud for offering such a great service. We will return to St. Cloud in the future to experience the beautiful Granite City again and when we do, we can’t wait to stay at this same hotel.

As I mentioned earlier, hotels are striving to gain return visitors and I can well and truly confirm that Country Inn and Suites have gained this with us!

Have you stayed at Country Inn and Suites locations around the world?

Disclaimer – We would like to thank Visit St. Cloud & Country Inn and Suites St. Cloud West for hosting us on this trip. These are solely our personal opinions/experiences and we were not financially compensated for this post.

Why Dog Sledding in Denali Is the Best Way to Explore?

Alaska

Chris Boothman

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Oct 17, 2016

7

Why Dog Sledding in Denali Is the Best Way to Explore?

Let’s take a moment to imagine life without technology or hi-tech transportation. Imagine getting from one location to another using just the power of dogs pulling you, your supplies and a sled. It may seem a little far-fetched but this is the reality of life for much of the year in Alaska. National parks such as Denali rely heavily on dog sledding teams, so when we had the opportunity learn more, we were raring to go. Welcome to dog sledding in Denali National Park!

Roads are frequently inaccessible and when you think about Denali National Park, there are millions of acres that have no access at all by road. It can be far too dangerous to use a helicopter to land on a glacier and even if this is a possibility, Denali is a preserved landscape or an “untouched wilderness” that is best explored on foot. That is where we introduce the world of dog sledding.

Dog Sled Demonstrations

We were extremely fortunate to arrive at Denali in time to take the shuttle bus to the dog kennels to watch a short demonstration of the dogs in action. If you are looking for awesome things to do in Denali, the dog sled demonstration is certainly a great choice. These lovable huskies quickly change from cute dogs that you can’t help but want to cuddle, to working animals eager to impress their leaders.

Arriving at the dog kennels, we had time to walk around and visit with many of the dogs. Some are friendlier than others though all of them appreciate a quick back scratch.

We had the opportunity to head inside the cabin to learn more about the history of dog sledding in Denali. Pictures showcasing the rich history of this form of transportation over the years are present inside the cabin but it’s outside where all the action takes place.

The national park ranger gave a brief introduction into life in Denali, particularly outside of the months where visitors can take one of the various bus tours through the park.

Dog sledding in Denali National Park is a year-round activity and frequently dogs and rangers will be sent out in horrific conditions to help save lives or conduct scientific research on the region.

After a few minutes of presenting information about the Denali dogs, the rangers started preparing them for the demonstration. The huskies knew what was happening and immediately changed from a quiet, tranquil environment to a very excitable collection of dogs raring to be harnessed in and race around the track.

A short demonstration followed and then we were introduced to the team of six dogs that were used for that demo. We then watched the dogs sent back to their kennels and we had a further opportunity to take a few selfies with them and mingle before heading back to the visitor center on our shuttle bus.

Summary

We hope that you enjoyed our video promoting the awesome dog sledding in Denali National park experience. I want to emphasize that this is a FREE tour offered multiple times each day during the season that Denali National Park is open.

We strongly recommend taking this tour from the visitor center to learn more about how these dogs provide such an amazing service to everyone in Denali. Maybe next time we will have the opportunity to hop on the sled and be taken around Denali…now that would be a cool experience!

Have you watched dog sledding teams in action before?

Jack Daniels Distillery Tour – How to Make the Most of It?

Tennessee

Chris Boothman

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Oct 13, 2016

8

Jack Daniels Distillery Tour – How to Make the Most of It?

Did you know that Lynchburg, Tennessee is home to the world-famous whiskey brand, Jack Daniel’s? I’m sure the majority of you have heard of Jack Daniel’s but probably only a small percentage know the history of this beverage and where it all started. If you are in the vicinity of Nashville, Tennessee and are intrigued to learn more about “Jack”, why not head south to the quirky town of Lynchburg and take an awesome Jack Daniels Distillery tour to learn more.

Jack Daniel’s is not only a world-famous whiskey brand, it is a product that is available in more than 165 countries around the globe. We chose a pretty iconic year to visit the distillery in Lynchburg given that 2016 is the 150th anniversary of the Jack Daniel’s brand.

History of Jack Daniel’s

It all started in 1866 when Jasper “Jack” Daniel had the ambitious and somewhat crazy idea of establishing a distillery at a source of limestone water flowing from a cave spring in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

Proof that mastering a craft with a focus on quality can propel a brand beyond borders and across cultures.

It’s interesting to note that 150 years later, the original process of distilling Jack Daniel’s whiskey has been maintained and the most astounding fact is that Lynchburg is still the only location that produces every single drop of Jack Daniel’s that is served around the world. The above excerpt is without doubt applicable to the unique craft of distilling every “bottle of Jack.”

Today we are all reaping the rewards of Jasper Daniel’s efforts to create a seamless, efficient process that creates the perfect bottle of whiskey.

Before heading on the tour, I will openly admit that I have never been a huge fan of whiskey but after experiencing the “tasting room” and learning about why Lynchburg is such an important location, I have certainly been introduced to a couple of flavors that I can’t wait to try more of.

Where is Lynchburg, Tennessee?

Located 73 miles south of Nashville, you could be forgiven for thinking that Lynchburg, Tennessee is located in the middle of nowhere. In all honesty, you would be correct because there isn’t much else going on around this town in the southern half of the state.

Actually getting to Lynchburg isn’t all that easy either. You can head south on I-24 to Murfreesboro and then take Tennessee highways but it’s just one of those places that you have to make the effort to reach because you will be rewarded once you get there. If you are visiting Nashville and don’t have access to a car, consider taking one of the seasonal tours that take visitors to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery.

Key Information

If you are planning to visit the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, tours are available daily between 9:00AM and 4:30PM with only a couple of exceptions (Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day). Tickets can be bought in person only as they are not available online.

There are a number of tour options available depending on how much time you intend on spending in Lynchburg and exactly how much you want to experience on the Jack Daniels Distillery Tour. Here are the alternatives and associated admission fees:

Mr. Jack Toast in the Hollow Tour – If your time is limited in Lynchburg, why not hop on a shuttle bus and take a tour of the town square and through Distillery Hollow with the knowledge that a sample of the famous “Jack” is waiting for you at the end. Duration – 30 Minutes; Price – $13
Dry County Tour – If you are intrigued to learn about the history of Jack Daniel’s without actually sampling this fine drink, this will be the perfect tour for you. You can learn all about how this drink is perfectly crafted though perhaps you will regret not having the opportunity to try it for yourself (just saying folks!) Duration – 70 Minutes; Price – $14
The Flight of Jack Daniel’s Tour – This was the tour we experienced and in our opinion, it offers the best of both world’s. You get the full guided tour through the distillery and at the end you can experience a sampling of five Jack Daniel’s flavors. Duration – 90 Minutes; Price – $17
The Angel’s Share Tour – If you are interested in an authentic tasting experience directly from a barrel, this is definitely a tour worth considering. Visitors will experience the full guided tour through the distillery, in addition to several samplings at Barrel House 1-14. Duration – 90 Minutes; Price – $22
The Taste of Lynchburg – For those of you interested in the full experience of visiting Lynchburg, this is a great tour option. Visitors will enjoy samplings of Jack along with a guided tour of the distillery, in addition to lunch with your tour guide at Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House Restaurant. Duration – 180 Minutes; Price – $75

Jack Daniels Distillery Tour

The Flight of Jack Daniel’s Tour started at the visitor center where we all boarded the shuttle bus along with our awesome tour guide.

A short drive took us through the quirky town square of Lynchburg where our guide pointed out some of the best spots to explore along with some of her favorite restaurants that she recommended we sample after the tour.

We headed into Distillery Hollow through the security gates and shortly after the bus came to a halt, we embarked on our journey through the Jack Daniel’s experience on foot. Our guide started at the very beginning with the area that the charcoal is stored.

This is an integral part of the process as the combination of malt, barley and rye are filtered through these stacks of charcoal to create the perfect blend.

We passed by a couple of the historic Jack Daniel’s fire trucks which certainly brought a sense of history to the occasion as you realize how much has changed in recent years.

A short walk over to the iconic limestone spring cave provided a moment of respite from the steaming hot conditions and our tour guide took some time to share how Lynchburg’s greatest natural resource became the focal point of the Jack Daniel’s legacy.

Why was this such a key component in the process? Because the water was crystal clear and pure, clean spring water ensuring that no impurities would impact the perfect glass of Jack Daniel’s.

How to Produce the Perfect Drink?

The Jack Daniel’s process is unique and an efficient way to create a drink that is recognized all around the world. There are various stages that combine to create the amazing Jack Daniel’s beverage that we all love today. We were fortunate to experience each of these processes during our tour of the Jack Daniels distillery.

As I mentioned, one of the key ingredients in creating the perfect glass of Jack is the maple charcoal. In order to create this charcoal, three times each week (three times per day), pallets of hard sugar maple are stacked and burned to create smoldering embers and subsequently charcoal pellets that are used in the filtration process.

Fire is certainly destructive. But for Jack Daniel’s, the smoothness of our whiskey depends on it. (Jackdaniels.com)

Our journey continued from the spring cave through a small building that was home to Jack Daniel’s office. This is also where pictures of the seven master distillers can be seen (that’s right, only 7 individuals have had this title over the past 150 years). Today, Jeff Arnett is the 7th master distiller and has been since 2008.

We passed through the still house to learn about how the ‘mash’ is created from the barley, rye, and malt.

The filtration process was also shown to us as the mash slowly filters through the charcoal embers.

We had the opportunity to smell the amazing aromas released from the large barrels as our guide briefly lifted the lid. Unfortunately, this was one of the areas that no photography was allowed but our guide gave us plenty of notice about this.

Be careful walking down the steps because you can certainly taste the alcohol in the back of your throat just from a quick smell of this iconic drink being filtered through the charcoal.

The final part of the process is the barreling stage which is yet another home-grown process that makes Jack Daniel’s unique among its competitors.

The barrels used to store Jack Daniel’s are more than just a container.

The barrels help create the taste we all associate with a glass of Jack as the wood’s natural sugars add to the overall flavor. American white oak is used to create these barrels that are made ‘in-house’ by expert coopers.

Did you know that Jack Daniel’s whiskey enters a barrel completely colorless? But when you pour that perfect glass, it’s a beautiful amber and this is because of the caramelization process inside the barrel.

People frequently want to know how long it takes for this process to take place. There is no simple answer and it depends solely on climatic conditions, only time will tell how long it takes to create the perfect drink.

The Tasting Room

The final stop of the tour is understandably the moment that the majority of visitors are waiting for – the tasting room.

We were fortunate to experience the opening of a brand new tasting room and have the opportunity to try the following five iconic flavors.

Gentleman Jack
Old No.7
Single Barrel
Tennessee Honey
Tennessee Fire

Our guide gave us step by step directions on the best way to experience each drink and of course, it’s personal preference as to which taste we all preferred.

I was intrigued by the taste of both Tennessee Honey and Tennesse Fire but for the traditionalists, Old No.7 is the most iconic of all Jack Daniel’s blends.

Summary

A visit to the Jack Daniels Distillery tour in Lynchburg is an amazing experience that we can highly recommend to anyone visiting Tennessee.

It’s no surprise to see visitors from all corners of the globe traveling to this town in the heart of a dry county (it’s just weird saying that when one of the world’s leading alcoholic manufacturers is based here) to explore the history of Jack Daniel’s.

We were incredibly fortunate to share this experience with our friend Dave, who traveled all the way from England on a statewide journey.

We spent time in Nashville and it was one of his goals to visit Lynchburg to fully appreciate the ‘once in a lifetime experience’ at the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. Thanks Dave for making this such an awesome and ‘eventful’ adventure!

Have you experienced the Jack Daniels Distillery Tour? What other similar tours have you taken around the world that you can recommend?

Downtown Amelia Island – How to Enjoy a Relaxing Day Trip?

Florida

Chris Boothman

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Oct 10, 2016

11

Downtown Amelia Island – How to Enjoy a Relaxing Day Trip?

Spending time in the Jacksonville area of Florida? Looking for a relaxing spot away from the hustle and bustle of city life? Forget the historic city of St. Augustine (ok, so this is a pretty cool spot also!) and instead, take a short day trip north to Amelia Island. Whether you want to hit the gorgeous, pristine beaches of this island or take time exploring downtown Amelia Island, this is a hidden gem that many frequently miss given its location in the north-east corner of Florida.

During our recent visit to Jacksonville, we spent our first day exploring this city along with heading south to the aforementioned St. Augustine. However, many of our friends recommended that we head north to Amelia Island so we decided to check it out on our way north to Savannah.

Location

Amelia Island isn’t located in the ideal spot to attract every visitor in the north-east Florida region. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing because it helps maintain the beauty and history of this city without being overrun by thousands of tourists.

A Southern jewel in the Sea Island chain of barrier islands

Dubbed as ‘A Southern Jewel’, Amelia Island is an unknown quantity to many but once you have visited here for the first time, you will likely want to book a return visit.

Click here for directions to Amelia Island using Google Maps

Historic Fernandina Beach

The historic town of Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island is where we spent most of our time. I know Heather would probably have preferred to check out some of those aforementioned gorgeous beaches, but we will save that for our next visit when we have a little more time.

The real beauty around Amelia Island is the iconic street that runs through Fernandina Beach. Victorian style architecture is scattered throughout the town and it’s just so cool to take a stroll around this town and admire the beautiful structures that continue to be preserved. Exploring this part of Amelia Island is just like taking a step back in time and is the ultimate spot for a relaxing afternoon on the island.

The town of Fernandina was officially established in 1811 and was named, unsurprisingly, after King Ferdinand VII of Spain. The town continued to grow and essentially moved to its current location in close proximity to the Florida Railroad to take advantage of the industrial boom that led to more tourism in the area.

However, as mentioned, Amelia Island in general, continues to be a lesser known gem among many other popular spots around the state of Florida.

Did you know that Fernandina’s downtown historic district features over 400 historic structures that are on the National Register of Historic Places? As you can imagine, it’s an architecture connoisseurs dream to spend time exploring the intricate details of these buildings. From historic homes to restaurants that have been renovated utilizing these gorgeous buildings, Fernandina Beach is well and truly the place to visit.

Downtown Amelia Island Walking Tour

How do you find time to experience all of these amazing sights? Don’t worry, Fernandina Beach has you covered!

Whether you want to join one of the guided tours of the historic district or simply head to the “Welcome Center” by the railroad tracks and grab a self-guided walking map, there are plenty of options available to you.

For those of you opting for the self-guided walking tour, let me tell you, it’s not for the faint-hearted, especially when the temperatures are close to 100 degrees on a scorching hot day! 43 different buildings are scattered around a 50-block area located at the north end of Amelia Island.

We decided to explore just part of the tour and the handy guide provides detailed, historic information on all 43 structures. Many of the buildings are iconic to Fernandina Beach, not only because of their architectural beauty but also because of their integral role in the development of the town. For example, the Duryee Building which is now home to the Marina Restaurant was formerly an office building that included the Collector of Customs.

The majority of buildings toward the west end of Centre Street are iconic for one reason or another. We recommend this part of Fernandina Beach if you don’t have time to explore all 43 attractions.

The Nassau County Courthouse is located in a great spot if you want to use this as your stopping point, but please take some time to explore this gorgeous building that dates back to 1891. Renowned as one of the most breathtaking examples of surviving Victorian courthouses in Florida, it is the oldest county courthouse still being actively used within the state!

Directly across from the courthouse is the Lesesne House which was built in 1860. Constructed from hand-hewn timber and wooden pegs, it is a gorgeous sight to see how this structure has been maintained throughout the years.

This Classical Revival style residence, built by Dr. John F. Lesesne circa 1860, is one of the oldest homes in Fernandina Beach.

The sign in front of the house details a little more history about the ‘classic revival style’ used in the design of this structure.

400 Years Under 8 Flags

Did you know that Amelia Island is the only US location to have been under eight different flags? Another interesting fact about this Florida Golden Isle but you may be wondering why this was such an important location.

Geographically speaking, Amelia Island is on the Atlantic Ocean just north of Jacksonville and provides a perfect shipping point for commerce from across the pond. It is one of the East coasts largest and deepest inlets meaning that container ships can access this area unlike many other ports along the Eastern seaboard.

For the historians out there, here are the eight flags that were empowered in Amelia Island.

French
Spanish
English
Patriots
Green Cross of Florida
Mexican Rebel Flag
United States
Confederate

Summary

Spending time in downtown Amelia Island (Fernandina Beach) is definitely a worthwhile experience. It’s very different than your stereotypical association with Florida and offers a definite moment of solitude away from the hustle and bustle of beach life along the Atlantic coast.

The history throughout the architecture along Centre Street and nearby Alachua Street is amazing and for those of you wanting to experience the local cuisine, there are a number of restaurants offering local seafood and other options available. Amelia Island is a true hidden gem in Florida and certainly a location you should consider visiting if you are in the Jacksonville area of the state.

Have you visited Amelia Island? Do you concur with our opinions about the quirkiness and beauty of downtown Fernandina Beach?

Why Is the Drive from Anchorage to Seward So Amazing?

Alaska

Chris Boothman

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Oct 6, 2016

14

Why Is the Drive from Anchorage to Seward So Amazing?

If you have plans to visit Alaska for the first time, it’s inevitable that you will want to head out and explore everything this beautiful state has to offer. Trust us when we say, there is A LOT to see! Before heading into the hidden depths of northern and central Alaska, consider taking a drive from Anchorage to Seward along the coastal highway to enjoy a plethora of reasons that will entice you to this part of the state.

We arrived in Anchorage late morning and immediately picked up our car rental to head out and start exploring. Our plan was to spend the night in Anchorage before heading out the next day on the drive from Anchorage to Denali which in itself is an amazing experience. But day one allowed us to take a day trip south along the Seward Highway with the hope of reaching the stunning natural phenomenon of the Portage Glacier.

On our final day of this Alaskan trip, we headed to Seward along this same highway to experience Kenai Fjords National Park courtesy of Major Marine Tours. We want to share just a couple of spots along this stretch of road that you will likely want to visit given the spectacular experiences that are available here.

Drive from Anchorage to Seward

The Seward Highway is approximately 125 miles and runs the distance from Anchorage to Seward. It is the only way to get between the two locations which is like most of Alaska as there is pretty much only one road that runs from north to south (makes navigation around this state very easy!).

The first trip that we took primarily focused on the stretch of highway known as the “Turnagain Arm” as it winds along the dramatic shorelines of this gorgeous bay. Every turn that you take along this highway offers a unique view of the mudflats across Turnagain Arm with the picturesque mountains providing a perfect backdrop to this part of Alaska.

I mentioned that this route will offer a glimpse of some of the breathtaking natural scenery that we associate with Alaska and this is certainly true as there are ample opportunities to pull over and admire the panoramic views surrounding you.

One side of the road offers alpine tundra with the potential to see mountain sheep wandering around the slopes of Chugach State Park, while a quick glance to the other side offers expansive views across the Turnagain Arm.

Let’s take a look at some of the popular viewpoints and why you should be intrigued to visit them.

Potter Marsh

Just a few minutes outside of Anchorage is Potter Marsh, a coastal wildlife refuge that offers a boardwalk measuring 1550 feet and allows visitors the opportunity to experience a myriad of wildlife that migrates to this area and enjoy the marshland.

If you spot your favorite bird species in the distance, there are viewing scopes strategically located along the boardwalk so you can zoom in and admire the wildlife in their local habitat.

THE MARSH IS A REST AREA FOR MIGRATORY BIRDS INCLUDING TRUMPETER SWANS, REDNECKED GREBES, GOLDEN EYES, AND PINTAILS. (ALASKA.ORG)

As you can see from above, there are a number of bird species that migrate here but if you are really lucky, you may spot a bald eagle in the area or perhaps salmon spawning in the depths of the marsh.

We spent quite some time exploring the boardwalk and spotted an abundance of wildlife though I am not much of a bird aficionado so can’t pinpoint exactly what species we saw!

McHugh Creek Recreation Area

Only a few minutes further south along the Seward Highway is another intriguing spot that is worth exploring. For those of you that enjoy the relaxing sight and sound of waterfalls, McHugh Creek will certainly be a place you will want to visit. A beautiful 20-foot waterfall may not have the size or power of iconic falls around the world but it does offer a sense of relaxation and solitude away from the highway which is just a short distance away.

Be prepared to pay a $5 fee for parking here but depending on the time of year you visit or even the time of the day, you may not need to pay this. We only spent a short time here so avoided the fee (don’t tell anyone!).

The recreation area offers access to the creek and waterfall but most visitors here will likely want to take a stroll along the trail that takes you deep into the woods and provides even more spectacular views of the Turnagain Arm and mountains. If you continue along this trailhead, you will eventually reach the source of the waterfall at McHugh Lake. This is a moderately difficult trail as you clamber high into the mountains of Chugach State Park.

We opted to take a short hike to get a better view across Turnagain Arm and then enjoyed spending some time clambering around the edge of the creek, in an attempt to capture a perfect shot of the waterfall. We could quite easily have spent more time here but with so much more to see on our drive to Portage Glacier, we continued on our journey.

Beluga Point Lookout

If you want to have the opportunity to experience a once in a lifetime moment, be sure to visit the Beluga Point lookout which is a little further down the Seward Highway from McHugh Creek. This extensive vantage point offers you the opportunity to see beluga whales when the tide is rolling in.

Visitors are strongly encouraged to view the tide schedules to find the best times for viewing the beluga whales. I will admit that we spent about 45 minutes here and honestly I don’t think we saw any beluga whales.

I hesitate to say we definitely didn’t see any in the distance but the waves and ‘potential’ beluga whales blend together so much that it’s really difficult to differentiate between the two. Heather claims that she saw one but I’m not convinced.

Regardless of whether you see a beluga, this lookout offers stunning views across Turnagain Arm. It is a popular spot for kayakers, stand up paddle boarders and even windsurfers and why not…the scenery is breathtaking and you never know what wildlife you might stumble across.

Beyond Portage Glacier

We spent the evening of our first day exploring Portage Glacier and the surrounding area. The drive beyond Portage and Whittier to Seward will take you to higher elevations as you pass through the mountains of Chugach National Forest, through the iconic “Moose Pass” before dropping down into the port of Seward.

Our time beyond Portage Glacier was limited as we drove straight through to Seward before hopping on the cruise to explore Kenai Fjords National Park.

Summary

The drive from Anchorage to Seward offers awe-inspiring panoramic views across the Turnagain Arm, Chugach State Park and much more. Whether you plan to take a day trip or perhaps spend a few days hiking various trails along this route, there is enough to keep everyone occupied.

I am sure you will stumble across many hidden gems along this route and again there are ample opportunities to take awesome photographs and appreciate the breathtaking scenery that surrounds you.

Have you experienced the scenic drive from Anchorage to Seward? If so, did you see any beluga whales or other wildlife?

World Golf Hall of Fame – How to Enjoy an Amazing Experience?

Florida

Chris Boothman

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Oct 3, 2016

3

World Golf Hall of Fame – How to Enjoy an Amazing Experience?

Do you have a burning passion for golf? Do you want to know more about Jack Nicklaus’ legacy in winning 18 majors? You can find all of this plus much more at the World Golf Hall of Fame. A visit to St. Augustine wouldn’t be the same without experiencing the Hall of Fame. If you are an avid golfer like me, it’s a no-brainer that you will be heading over to the World Golf Village to experience this amazing complex.

With a variety of attractions within the grounds of the village, there are so many reasons to visit here with all the family. Even the non-golfers can enjoy this experience, especially if you are staying at the gorgeous resort overlooking the breathtaking courses here.

Whether you are a fan of the Golden Bear or The King, paying a visit to St. Augustine to learn all about the history of golf and pay tribute to the amazing golfers that have graced the links around the world is certainly an exciting prospect.

World Golf Hall of Fame Museum

Location

The World Golf Hall of Fame is located off I-95 south of Jacksonville, Florida and just a short drive from the historic city of St. Augustine.

Click here for directions to this iconic attraction using Google Maps

If you are visiting this part of the Sunshine State, be sure to check out both the Hall of Fame and everything the city of St. Augustine has to offer given its reputation as being the oldest city in the United States.

Opening Hours

The Hall of Fame Museum and associated attractions are open daily (exceptions being Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) between 10:00AM – 6:00PM (Monday to Saturday) and 12:00PM – 6:00PM (Sunday).

Tickets

Admission to the Hall of Fame includes entrance to the Museum (including the opportunity to revisit the following day if you don’t have enough time to explore everything the first day), a round on the 18-hole putting course and one shot on the Hall of Fame Challenge hole.

Adults – $19.50
Seniors, Military & Florida Residents (with valid ID) – $18.50
Students (Age 13+ with valid ID) – $10
Children (Age 5-12) – $5

The Bob Hope Collection

Our journey started inside the Hall of Fame Museum. Two very distinctive floors are available for visitors to meander through and appreciate the history of golf.

The first floor is dedicated to Bob Hope, a leading figure in the game of golf who’s enthusiasm for the game is second to none.

Hope may not be the biggest name in golf or the best that has ever played the game, but there are few individuals around the world that showed as much charisma and desire to promote this wonderful game. Who else would carry a golf club everywhere they went?

Hope has consistently been renowned as being one of the sports greatest ambassadors and it is a fitting tribute that the World Golf Hall of Fame has a complete floor full of symbolic memorabilia and other pieces of history depicting this iconic golfing figure.

It’s wonderful how you can start out with three strangers in the morning, play 18 holes and by the time the day is over you have three solid enemies. (Bob Hope)

Who would have thought that when Alan Shepherd set foot on the moon and took out a reconfigured 6-iron to hit the infamous ‘Moonshot’, that his inspiration was because of Bob Hope?

In 1970, Hope visited the NASA Space Center in Houston and met Shepherd and of course, he was accompanied by his infamous driver that went everywhere with him. As part of Hope’s tour of the Space Center, he was strapped into a training device that simulated the experience of walking on the moon.

After Hope used his driver to stabilize himself in the simulator, Shepherd later informed Hope that his idea to hit the first golf shot on the moon was because of that impromptu encounter!

The Royal and Ancient Game

As you move upstairs, an introduction to the history of the game is presented through a number of beautiful pictures. We enjoyed learning more about the history courtesy of a knowledgeable volunteer who guided us through the Royal and Ancient history.

The origins of this amazing game date back to the early stick and feather balls on the links of St. Andrews (many argue that actually golf originated in the Flemish areas of the Netherlands but that argument is for others to discuss!) and this is depicted throughout the museum.

Visitors have the opportunity to step up and putt using one of the wooden putters and old feather balls, a vast difference to modern technology and $3 Titleist Pro-V1 balls!

Take a moment to grab a picture on the life-size replica of the famous Swilcan Burn Bridge that crosses the 18th hole at St. Andrews.

Championship Trophies

A vast collection of trophies and other artifacts are on display reflecting the four Major championships in golf. There is even a leaderboard with a number of iconic legends where you can add your name at the top. Surely all aspiring golfers out there have dreamt of winning the Open Championship or Masters right?

If you ever watched Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf, you will have an opportunity to revisit one of the many shows that aired.

The Hall of Fame provides a theater experience and airs different shows every hour providing highlights of some of the most infamous battles in golf.

Unfortunately, the iconic ‘Trophy Tower’ was closed due to renovations but the majority of trophies and exhibits were moved throughout the museum so that visitors could still experience everything on display.

The Wall of Fame

The portrait gallery offers a moment for visitors to enjoy images of their favorite golfers perfectly painted by artists.

Each painting depicts the members in the Hall of Fame along with the year they became members. A favorite of mine was Johnny Miller and Sir Nick Faldo who became members in 1998.

I think my favorite part of the whole experience was entering the heart of the museum – the Wall of Fame.

In this 88-foot-long room, every member of the Hall of Fame is recognized with a bronze plaque detailing a brief summary of their career along with a perfectly sculpted image.

Take a moment to find your favorite golfer but also take some time to appreciate the greatness of all the golfers that are present within this room.

The opposite side of the room is devoted to the new members that are currently being inducted into the Hall of Fame. The likes of David Graham and Laura Davies are recognized for their contributions to golf.

Member Locker Room

The final stop on our tour of the Hall of Fame museum took us through the Member Locker Room. Here you can find your favorite members locker and check out the clubs that made them so famous along with a few extra iconic items representative of the individual.

The likes of Nicklaus, Palmer, Faldo, Trevino, and Mickelson are here but just being in a room with so many of golf’s greatest legends is a really amazing experience. Even if you don’t appreciate the game of golf like I do, you have to appreciate greatness!

This is an amazing way to end the tour of the World Golf Hall of Fame but don’t worry, your experience doesn’t end there…in fact, it’s only just starting.

Now it’s time to show your own skills or perhaps, show why you can only ever dream of being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame Challenge Hole

Are you ready for a chance to get your name added to a commemorative brick outside of the Hall of Fame? With your admission fee, you get one shot at hitting a green from a little over 130 yards and the shot closest to the hole each month will receive a brick under the gazebo.

Admittedly, we didn’t fair too well with this challenge but it’s all about the experience right! You can purchase additional shots for a fee but I think just taking one shot is what makes this such an intriguing challenge.

Think about the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass with the island green and this is exactly the type of shot you are faced with. Unfortunately, the green isn’t in the best condition and the clubs are not great either, but it’s all about having some fun.

18-Hole Putting Course

The final experience allows you to take on the 18-hole grass putting course. We were both excited about this as we love to go head to head on these types of challenges. Unfortunately, the condition of the course left a lot to be desired and made the overall experience a little disappointing.

Many of the greens are very similar though there are a couple with some pretty severe undulations, in particular, the 18th which is a great hole to finish.

The views of the surrounding resort are spectacular and generally make up for the poor condition of the course.

Given that this putting course is at the World Golf Hall of Fame, I was really expecting perfectly manicured greens but with the amount of traffic that passes through here, it’s probably a little too much to expect anything more than what is offered.

Summary

The World Golf Hall of Fame is an amazing attraction for everyone, even if you don’t have as keen an interest in golf as I do. Heather really enjoyed this experience as much as I did, learning about the history of golf and also enjoying the interactive aspects of the tour.

The most disappointing aspect was the putting course just because of the condition but regardless of this, the experience inside the museum is well worth the admission fee alone.

Have you visited the Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine? Who is your favorite golfer that you would find at the Hall of Fame (even if they are not currently a member of this exclusive club, feel free to share your opinions)?

5 Things to Do in Denali National Park When You Visit

Alaska

Chris Boothman

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Sep 29, 2016

10

5 Things to Do in Denali National Park When You Visit

It’s true, Denali National Park really is that spectacular! By the end of this post, you will be convinced that a trip to the heart of Alaska to experience the best things to do in Denali National Park should be on your radar in the near future. If you read our recent post on the best way to take a Denali National Park tour, you will know that we took an amazing 11-hour shuttle bus tour to Wonder Lake which in itself was a life-changing experience.

It’s not every day that you have the opportunity to see the tallest peak in North America. Denali National Park is more than just the home of Mount Denali. In fact, we want to share a variety of other top things to do in Denali National Park when you next visit.

Things to Do in Denali National Park

Whether you are inspired to head out and find a wide variety of wildlife or perhaps you just want to learn about the history of this national park, Denali has it all…and more! If you appreciate the concept of an “untouched wilderness”, you are in the right place to explore the finest example around. Denali is a preserved wilderness that continues to thrive as a self-contained sub-Arctic ecosystem.

The drive from Anchorage to Denali National Park is spectacular on its own and gives you a brief insight into what to expect when you enter the park itself. However, the reality is that nothing can quite prepare you for the inherent beauty that can be found throughout this ‘untouched wilderness’.

Where else can you visit a destination and find out the best way to get around the park during the heart of winter? That’s right, Denali is the home of the dog sledding teams that perform admirable work all year round throughout the park, whether it be science/research related or on search missions to assist hikers exploring the hidden depths of the park.

Let’s take a look at five different reasons you may want to visit Denali in the near future.

Breathtaking Natural Scenery

Inevitably a trip to Denali National Park will introduce you to a plethora of breathtaking panoramic views that will leave you mesmerized at the sheer beauty in front of your eyes. Every angle offers something uniquely beautiful regardless of whether you have a fond interest in alpine scenery or perhaps spruce forestry.

It’s near impossible to take pictures that will give Denali National Park the justice it deserves but hopefully, you will be inspired enough to pay a visit for yourselves in the future.

The drive through Denali offers a wide variety of views, not only of Mount Denali which on a clear day is a spectacular sight that you won’t want to miss but also of other iconic peaks in the Alaskan range.

Mount Foraker and Mount Hunter frequently lie in the shadow of Denali but they are equally spectacular as they also tower above the Alaskan mountains. If you are more intrigued by the Arctic tundra throughout Denali, well you will have plenty of opportunities to admire this if you take a shuttle bus tour (more on that later) deep into the national park.

Major rivers such as the Toklat and Teklanika are prominent features on the scenic drive through the park and both of these offers spots to relax or take a self-guided hiking trail to explore more scenery. For the geologists out there, glacial formations such as erratics and even the glaciers themselves offer unique landscapes and different to anything you have probably experienced before.

Our final stop during our journey through the park was Wonder Lake. The lake offers a surreal and relaxing experience for visitors with Denali lurking in the background.

For those fortunate enough to head out to Wonder Lake, you are in the far reaches of the national park where visitors can head to via the shuttle buses. Take advantage of the time allocated here before you head back because this is the ultimate experience of being “lost amidst a profusion of natural beauty.”

Amazing Wildlife Encounters

If the spectacular scenery throughout Denali National Park isn’t enough, I am convinced that when you hear about the amazing wildlife encounters you can expect, you will be raring to visit as soon as possible.

Our morning drive out to Wonder Lake saw us see very little in terms of wildlife, perhaps they were all sleeping or maybe we were just out of luck. However, everyone on the bus was left a little downhearted given that a couple of distant sightings of Dall sheep towards the peaks of the surroundings mountains and a caribou was the extent of our wildlife spottings.

Surely our return trip would be better? Don’t worry, it was far better than any of us could have imagined! When you think about wildlife in Denali National Park, what springs to mind? Grizzly bears, moose, caribou etc.

Well, we saw all of that and more! We spotted seven different grizzly bears on the drive back, including a mother looking after her two cubs and this was certainly the highlight of our wildlife encounters.

An intriguing moment with this family of grizzlies and another bear in the distance caused a slight panic with everyone given that the male grizzly was clearly contemplating an attack. Fortunately, her motherly instincts took over and she ushered her cubs away to safety.

After seeing the grizzly bears in action, everything else was a bonus. A close-up and personal interaction with a caribou and moose offered an enjoyable experience but honestly, nothing could quite compare to seeing the bears wander around their natural habitat.

It’s the one animal that everyone wants to see when they visit Denali National Park, so hopefully you will be as fortunate as we were!

Dog Sledding Experiences

We arrived at Denali mid-afternoon and although our intentions were to visit the Wilderness Access Center to book our shuttle bus tour for the following day, our immediate plans changed the moment we arrived. A quick visit to the visitor center introduced us to a free demonstration of the Denali dog sledding team.

Three times daily, shuttle buses take visitors a short distance into the park to the dog kennels where you can not only interact with the huskies but also see a short demonstration of the sled dogs in action.

Arriving at the kennels, we were given ample time prior to the main show to walk around and interact with the dogs.

We were told in advance that there were different categories of dogs, some which are incredibly friendly, others that prefer to be left alone and then those that would rather spend their time being mischievous and “eating rocks” (quoting the park ranger there!).

We had a great time at the kennels but the experience of watching the dogs switch from being calm and relaxed to a boisterous bunch was unbelievable when they realized their show time was about to start.

The dogs were clearly excited to be hooked up to the sled and the park ranger shared with the audience just how much great work the dogs do out in the “wilderness” of Denali National Park.

We were given a short demo of the dogs leading a sled around a loop and then watched as the dogs were sent back to their kennels. It’s a really cool experience and definitely well worth taking some time to pay Denali kennels a visit!

Check out our video on this epic dog sledding experience in Denali National Park to well and truly fall in love with these gorgeous huskies!

Guided Bus Tours

Visiting Denali wouldn’t be the same without taking an adventurous ride on board one of the rickety looking shuttle buses to explore beyond the limits of private vehicle access.

Whether you hop on a green shuttle bus which is the cheaper option or perhaps reserve a seat on board the tan colored tour bus which offers an experience with a knowledgeable guide, it really is a no-brainer that you will want to explore one of these options.

It’s feasible that you could hop on a bicycle and head out into Denali National Park to explore or perhaps set out on foot to see where your exploring takes you, but for the majority of visitors, the guided bus tours will be the most feasible and affordable option.

We put together a detailed post on what we considered to be the best Denali National Park tour options but I think it’s going to be purely personal preference. Our visit to Wonder Lake was nothing but awesome given our experiences with wildlife that we discussed above along with the breathtaking scenery that will long live in our memories.

The only disadvantage of taking a bus tour is that you are restricted to the time of year that they run. Primarily between May and September, anything outside of this peak season would require you to have your own bicycle or two feet to get around the park.

Northern Lights

Alaska may not be the first place you think about visiting in order to see the Northern Lights but following our experience at Denali National Park, we can attest that this SHOULD BE a place you will plan on visiting for this amazing sight.

We wrote about our experiences chasing the Aurora Borealis in Iceland courtesy of Time Tours Iceland and we had an amazing time though with the naked eye it was a little difficult to pick out this amazing phenomenon in action. However, we had no problem at all in Alaska.

We stayed overnight in the town just outside the entrance to Denali at McKinley Chalet Resort which offered a wake-up call should the ‘Northern Lights’ become active. At 1:45AM we received our call and heading outside we were literally amazed at the sight. For about the next 30 minutes we just stood there outside of our hotel and gazed into the night sky admiring the gorgeous sight of the Northern Lights performing for us.

Your camera lens will always pick up the more dramatic images that we stereotypically associate with the Northern Lights but it was nice to actually see them rather than relying solely on a piece of technology. If you are interested in experiencing the Northern Lights, you could certainly find a lot worse places than Denali National Park!

Summary

As you have probably established by now, there are plenty of things to do in Denali National Park. You can quite easily spend several days here experiencing everything this natural landscape has to offer and each visit will provide something unique in terms of your wildlife sightings and panoramic views across this idyllic wilderness.

If you are considering national parks across the United States, we can highly recommend paying Denali a visit. Alaska is a beautiful state with a plethora of other attractions but if you plan on visiting, it won’t surprise us if the majority of your time is spent enjoying this beautiful landscape.

Have you visited Denali National Park? What do you enjoy doing while visiting national parks?

Best Day Trips from Anchorage – Why Portage Glacier is Amazing?

Alaska

Chris Boothman

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Sep 26, 2016

3

Best Day Trips from Anchorage – Why Portage Glacier is Amazing?

When you think about stereotypical Alaska, what springs to mind? Freezing cold temperatures, miles of untouched wilderness or perhaps wildlife spottings that you would rarely see anywhere else in the world. All of these thoughts are accurate but for the aspiring geologists out there, the presence of glaciers throughout Alaska will be an intriguing attraction. If you are considering taking day trips from Anchorage, there are a number of glaciers worth visiting including the iconic Portage Glacier located along the scenic drive from Anchorage to Seward.

Visiting Alaska is the ultimate experience for those of you that love the outdoors and want to enjoy the adventures of exploring this “untouched wilderness”. Exploring the geological phenomena of glaciers is something that I was particularly excited about before we visited Alaska, so when we decided to take a day trip to Portage Glacier, I was raring to find out more.

For those of you planning to stay in and around Anchorage for a few days, this post will hopefully inspire you take a few day trips and explore the surrounding region. Driving north to Denali is a must but there are certainly enough experiences in the vicinity of Anchorage to make it worthwhile spending a few nights here.

Best Day Trips from Anchorage

Although Anchorage may seem like a relatively small city in comparison to other cities around the country, there are not many that offer such amazing experiences within such short driving distances.

Here are some of the best day trips from Anchorage that are worth considering the next time you visit the Alaskan capital. These are all trips that we would classify as ‘scenic drives’ but there are certainly many other types of excursions that you can consider out of Anchorage.

Turnagain Arm Drive – Essentially this is the first half of the drive from Anchorage to Seward but offers breathtaking, dramatic views across the Turnagain Arm and Chugach State Park on the opposite side.
Matanuska Glacier Scenic Drive – The Matanuska River Valley offers yet more breathtaking natural landscapes with the opportunity to take a guided hike on the Matanuska Glacier.
Hatcher Pass Scenic Drive – The Hatcher Pass is a little over an hour from Anchorage and is yet another opportunity to admire a plethora of stunning Alaskan scenery.
Old Glenn Highway Scenic Drive – If you are looking to experience “old-time Alaska”, hop on the Old Glenn Highway, a 19-mile country road en route to Palmer, AK through Alaskan farmland communities.
Eklutna Lake Scenic Drive – Our first experience in Alaska was to drive about 30 minutes north of Anchorage and take a 22-mile drive to the heart of Chugach State Park where we arrived at Eklutna Lake. The glacial lake is amazing with a variety of hiking trails but perhaps the highlight is the scenic drive through gorgeous alpine landscapes from the highway to the lake.
Arctic Valley Road Scenic Drive – If you are ready to go “off-roading” on a typical Alaskan gravel road, take the Arctic Valley Road scenic drive for the ultimate experience. The views from the summit of this 45-minute drive are possibly the most rewarding in the Anchorage area.

So with so many awesome scenic drives to choose from, where we did we decide to go? After leaving Eklutna Lake, we decided to head south along the Turnagain Arm Drive in search of the Portage Glacier.

Let’s find out why we opted for this alternative when there are so many others to choose from (we were literally spoiled for choice)!

Portage Glacier Road

The drive from Anchorage to Portage Glacier offers a number of scenic lookouts that you will want to experience as you peer across the Turnagain Arm. The moment you arrive in the quirky town of Portage and wind away from the water, you could be forgiven for thinking the gorgeous scenery is left behind.

Don’t worry, the drive along Portage Glacier Road is equally breathtaking and as you stumble across some hidden lakes and lookouts along this road, you may well think this is even more beautiful.

On the way back from Portage Lake, we pulled over a one of the various spots and took a short trail through the trees and were amazed at the sight of a gorgeous glacial lake with the mountains reflecting off the calm surface.

There was literally no one else in sight and this was certainly one of the highlights of our trip as we were able to sit down on the banks of the lake and just breathe in the Alaskan air without fear of anyone interrupting us.

If you have more time and are a little more adventurous, perhaps hiking deep into the realms of the mountains to get a closer look at the various glaciers that are present here will interest you. For us, simply admiring the natural beauty surrounding us was enough before we continued on our journey to uncover more hidden gems.

Portage Glacier

Although the Portage Glacier is in retreat which makes it impossible to see from the Boggs Visitor Center observation decks, there are still ample opportunities to view this glacier. Take a short drive from the visitor center to the cruise port and take an hour-long sightseeing boat cruise on Portage Lake to get an “up close and personal” look at the glacier.

Daily cruises are available between mid-May and mid-September at five different times with the last cruise departing at 4:30PM. For $39 per person ($19 for children), you can experience the hour-long cruise aboard the “mv Ptarmigan” and be only 300 yards away from the glacier.

Enjoy the ice crashing into Portage Lake as you experience the wonderful natural phenomenon of glacial ice carving. For more information, check out the Portage Glacier Cruises website.

Alternatively, if you prefer to don your hiking boots and take a stroll, you can take one of the many trails that lead to the glacier. As you can see with a little time and effort, you will still have plenty of chances to see Portage Glacier.

Unfortunately, we visited moments after the last cruise left, so we had to head to the visitor center for some further information on the best way to see the glacier. However, we did take some time to capture some great photos of Portage Lake which is an amazing scene with the backdrop of the mountains providing a picture perfect landscape.

After visiting the Begich Boggs Visitor Center, the knowledgeable park ranger informed us that we could drive a short distance through the tunnel and on the other side we could catch a glimpse of the retreating Portage Glacier.

Portage is just one of many retreating glaciers within the region. In addition, Burns Glacier, Byron Glacier and several others surround the Portage Valley and offer an intriguing look into the history of glaciation. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, if you are intrigued by glacial formations, this part of Alaska is certainly one that you should consider exploring.

Summary

Taking the scenic drive to Portage Glacier is just one of many awesome day trips from Anchorage that you should consider taking. Spectacular scenery is guaranteed and you just never quite know what amazing sight will be around each corner on the Portage Glacier Road.

We look forward to making a return trip and hopefully taking advantage of the cruise around Portage Lake because if the experience of getting close to the glacier is similar to what we experienced at Aialik Glacier during our Kenai Fjords cruise, it will be a moment worth cherishing!

Have you explored the area surrounding the Portage Glacier? Do you like to head ‘off the beaten path’ and stumble across hidden gems like we did in this part of Alaska?

How to Enjoy the Spectacular Drive from Anchorage to Denali?

Alaska

Chris Boothman

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Sep 22, 2016

21

How to Enjoy the Spectacular Drive from Anchorage to Denali?

When you visit Alaska, there is one thing that you just have to experience – a trip to Denali National Park! For most visitors, your introduction to Alaska will start in Anchorage. Rather than concentrating on what to expect inside the park, we want to share the overall experience of taking the scenic drive from Anchorage to Denali National Park.

I am sure you are all familiar with iconic national parks such as Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Yosemite but Denali is potentially superior to all of these in terms of natural beauty. Not only can you appreciate the panoramic scenery within the confines of the park but also from a distance while you take the gorgeous drive along the Parks Highway.

We want to share a couple of spots along this route that you should take some time to experience before you actually arrive at Denali.

Anchorage

Before you leave Alaska’s largest city, perhaps you will be inspired to explore what this city has to offer. It may not have the iconic skyline as some of the other leading cities around the nation, but Anchorage offers a variety of intriguing reasons to make you stay and explore.

A visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center is perhaps a great way to start your visit to ‘The Last Frontier’. However, you will likely be itching to get on the road and start exploring the ‘real’ Alaska. The best way to get around and explore everything Alaska has to offer is by renting a car at the airport. It’s convenient and offers flexibility rather than relying on official tour companies to take you around their pre-determined locations.

I will be perfectly honest and say that we spent very little time in and around Anchorage. Our visit to Alaska was purely about heading out and exploring the natural beauty around the state so we simply used Anchorage as a base to spend a couple of nights at the beginning and end of our trip.

Let’s head out of Anchorage and start our journey north!

Mirror Lake

A short drive outside of Anchorage will immediately offer a variety of gorgeous landscapes, the first of which being Mirror Lake. Moments from the highway, Mirror Lake is a relaxing location where you can admire the reflections off the lake with the backdrop of the Chugach State Park mountains providing an eclectic blend of natural scenery.

Mirror Lake offers a boat launch, picnic tables, ample parking for visitors and restrooms. If you want to grab breakfast or lunch in Anchorage and take the short drive, Mirror Lake is definitely a spot I would recommend to enjoy the relaxing surroundings.

We only spent about 30 minutes here before heading onwards to Denali but you could easily spend more if time allows. There are a number of walking trails around the lake which offer different angles and perhaps you will stumble across wildlife during your time at Mirror Lake.

Eklutna Lake

A little further north is the impressive Eklutna Lake. Located about 15 miles off the highway along Eklutna Lake Road, this is another popular attraction for visitors looking to explore outside of Anchorage.

Located in the heart of Chugach State Park, this lake offers a campground providing the perfect spot for an overnight stay to explore the 25 miles of trails that intertwine throughout the park.

Although we visited Eklutna during our first day, it is one of the recommended points of attraction on the drive from Anchorage to Denali. Again, this will depend completely on your time constraints and how much time you want to explore Eklutna. The Eklutna Lake valley was carved by the Eklutna Glacier and what we see today was created as the glacier receded.

The views across the lake are stunning and the difficult part will be leaving given that you will feel you are leaving a lot behind. A visit to Eklutna Lake is perhaps best suited to a day trip from Anchorage but if you are interested in getting a brief preview of what beauty awaits you, I recommend taking the short scenic drive from the Glenn Highway.

Reflections Lake

You have probably established that this stretch of highway offers an abundance of gorgeous lakes that you will want to experience. Our final stop in the early part of this drive was at Reflections Lake which I have to say was my favorite of all three.

The solitude was apparent as we parked outside the entrance and took a short walk to the banks of the lake. We were the only visitors there aside from a couple of folks camping but we were able to appreciate the quiet sounds of wildlife going about their morning routine and admire the fog lifting from the heat of the water against the cooler atmosphere.

Dawn and dusk here can be stunning, with sunset colors playing across the water and on the peaks. (Alaska.org)

A one-mile trail around Reflections Lake is an easy walk all year round and although the trail is mostly wooded, there are various spots that open up to appreciate the stunning views in front of your eyes. The mountain range line one end of the lake providing a majestic backdrop and offering reflections across the lake.

Talkeetna

By the time we reached the quirky yet quaint town of Talkeetna, we couldn’t help but have already fallen in love with Alaska! The aforementioned lakes are enough to sell this beautiful state but if you are looking for something a little different, wait until you reach Talkeetna.

Talkeetna is a popular spot for visitors who choose to take the train from Anchorage but although it’s a little out of the way to visit if you are driving, it’s well worth taking the short drive from the Parks Highway to explore what this town has to offer (plus there is a gorgeous spot along this road to capture another view of Mount Denali).

The town is primarily catered towards tourists with a number of souvenir shops selling locally made merchandise. We explored several and bought a couple of mementos but I was particularly impressed by Aurora Dora, a shop solely selling pictures of the Northern Lights captured in Talkeetna.

The owner Dora Miller is also the photographer who has taken all of these amazing images and she gave us the tip about the Northern Lights being active later that night and to ask about a wake-up call at our hotel. We are thankful for this because our experience was amazing!

Time quickly got away from us as we explored Talkeetna and this is certainly located perfectly to capture the attention of visitors traveling north who want a spot to grab a bite to eat before making the final trip to Denali.

It’s about half-way along the drive from Anchorage and Denali, so depending on how much time you spent at the lakes, you could expect to reach here in a little over 2 or 3 hours.

Denali Overlooks

After leaving Talkeetna, depending on the weather, the views of Mount Denali will become even more prominent. There are two distinctive overlooks that provide stunning views of the Alaskan range.

Denali Viewpoint South is located at milepost 134-135 of the Parks Highway. A paved parking lot offers visitors the chance to take a short walk to a platform that opens up to panoramic views of the Alaskan Range.

Whether your focal point is Mount Denali or perhaps you want to admire it’s smaller counterparts, if you are fortunate to visit on a perfectly clear day as we did, you will be treated to a stunning overlook.

Denali Viewpoint North is about 30 miles further north at milepost 162-163. By now, you will have driven around the eastern side of the Alaskan range so the angle of Mount Denali has completely changed.

However, this takes nothing away from the beauty that lies in front of you. It’s great to see a different perspective of the mountain and again we were incredibly lucky to have a perfect day to appreciate these panoramas.

Welcome to Denali National Park

Did you know that your adventure won’t start until you reach Denali National Park? After spending several hours driving up from Anchorage, you could be forgiven for thinking it can’t get any better. We took this drive in late August when the Fall colors were in full bloom and it’s a breathtaking scene that we could certainly get used to.

However, when you arrive at the entrance to Denali National Park, this is when your journey into the gorgeous, untouched wilderness will begin. Depending on how much time you take to reach Denali, it’s feasible that you will arrive late afternoon as we did.

Fortunately, we arrived just in time to hop on the last shuttle bus to the Denali Kennels to watch the sled dog team in action and also show some love to the newborn puppies that were clearly attracting everyone’s attention.

Summary

If you are taking the drive from Anchorage to Denali National Park, you can expect to spend several more hours along this route as you explore everything we recommended. The drive is advertised as taking a little over 4 hours but I think it’s realistic to think you could double this and still feel like you could have spent more time in each of the stops along the way.

We encourage you to take your time on this drive and appreciate everything available. There are plenty more hidden gems that you can stumble across and we barely covered the surface with our recommended stops. It’s inevitable that you will be excited to reach Denali but hopefully, you will have enough time in your itinerary to enjoy both the scenic drive and the national park once you arrive.

This is one of our favorite drives and we can highly recommend late-August, early-September as a great time of the year to enjoy this.

Have you taken the drive along the Parks Highway to Denali?

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