Reasonable Post Cruise Plan?

[teachatthebeach]

Here are our tentative plans for our 2 days post-cruise. Are they reasonable? Everything but the flights are flexible. We would have liked to stay longer and go deeper into Alaska (Denali), but time and budget won't permit that.

 

1. After cruise, renting a car and taking a leisurely drive to Wasilla. Would like to get there around dinner time. If time permits, we want to visit the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla-it's open until 7:00 in the summer. Overnight in Wasilla.

 

2. Next morning, go to Reindeer Farm in Palmer.

 

3. Drive to Anchorage and visit the Anchorage Zoo in the afternoon.

 

4. Dinner in Anchorage.

 

5. Head to the airport for a 9:50 PM flight.

 

Any ideas and suggestions are welcome!

[bonvoyagie]

That looks very easy to do. You could even take in several sites along the way like the AK wildlife center and Portage Glacier. It is only 170 mi from Seward to Wasilla - or about 4hrs.

[mapleleaves]

as bonvoyaagie said, your drive will be very easy to do. Without stops, Seward to Anchorage is almost 3 hrs, and Palmer or Wasilla are 1 hour beyond.

 

You indicated a 'leisurely drive' so I'm assuming you plan to take advantage of stopping points along the way. You could start with Exit Glacier on your way out of Seward :) Depends on your interests and who's travelling.

 

http://www.alaska.org/guide/turnagain-arm-drive

 

http://www.alaska.org/guide/portage-valley

 

A few miles north of Anchorage are the Eklutna Spirit Houses, just a 5 minute detour off the hwy. If you have time you can take a tour of the grounds and the Orthodox Church, but if you don't, the spirit houses are easily seen from the parking lot. Well worth a 15 minute detour if you're interested in culture.

http://eklutnahistoricalpark.org/

 

In Wasilla there's the Best Western Lake Lucille or this interesting Inn in Palmer that I read about in a trip report.

http://www.pioneerridge.com/

 

You might be a bit early but there's a fabulous garden in Palmer where they have the enormous flowers and vegetables:

http://www.palmermuseum.org/garden/

 

Is the zoo a real interest or just a time filler?

[teachatthebeach]

Before our cruise we have two days in Seattle with family and one day in Vancouver. We also have excursions planned for each port. This last day will be a leisurely day. I have looked at Exit Glacier, the Sea Life Center in Seward, and the Wildlife Conservation Center. Our activities will depend on the weather and our energy level! I just wanted to make sure I had enough time to do the basics and perhaps work in one or two extras.

 

The Alaska Zoo is of real interest. My daughter and I watch the TV show Dr. Oakley-Yukon Vet. She does a lot of work at the zoo and we want to see some of the exhibits and animals she has featured.