Rebecca Jayne

From a young age, I have always envisioned the picturesque scenes often found in travel magazines. You know the ones: a charming two-story log cabin overlooking majestic snow-capped mountains or a beachfront home set against pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters. But, as I grew older, I set these dreams aside, largely due to the overwhelming newness and unpredictability of life in every direction. Occasionally, I come across an image that rekindles those childhood aspirations. The reality is that every place can offer an adventure and leave lasting memories.

I once had a boss who wisely remarked that when you’re young, you have the energy to explore the world but lack the financial means; conversely, as you age, you may possess the funds to travel the world but find your energy lacking. So why not strike a balance? Seize the opportunity to travel while you still have the vitality and a bit of financial flexibility!

Each year, we celebrate our anniversary by planning a trip—sometimes it’s a simple getaway, and other times, it’s a dream come true!

One of those dreams led us to Anchorage, Alaska, for an unforgettable eight-day adventure. As we flew over Washington, I was captivated by the sight of snow-capped mountains—absolutely stunning and so close that I could hardly believe it. Our next destination: Anchorage! Arriving at the end of September, we noticed the daylight fading as we picked up our rental car and headed out of the airport. We soon found a charming hotel for the night, one that truly left an impression. The establishment was filled with locals in the bar, and the walls were adorned with fascinating animals and rich history.

Breakfast the next morning revealed an entirely new perspective. The hotel restaurant offered a breathtaking view of the lake, right next to a parking area bustling with seaplanes. Watching them land and take off was experience itself and the perfect way to kick off our vacation.

Our next stop was Girdwood, a quaint town with a population of about 1,800. The journey there full of ocean views and opportunities for pit stops, allowing us to soak in the natural beauty a little longer. We even took a brief break along the roadside to collect fresh mountain water from the mountainside. The drive itself was only about 45 minutes, but with all the stops to admire the wonders of nature, it felt like a true exploration.

Upon arriving at our cabin in the woods, we found it to be the perfect retreat for two. It featured a cozy fireplace, a kitchen, a living room, and a loft. After settling in, we ventured out to find dinner. On our quest, we stumbled upon Cabela’s, where we realized we needed warmer clothes—something that’s hard to come by down south!

As we were leaving the parking lot, we caught a glimpse of Denali National Park, seemingly just around the corner despite being 176 miles away. Its snow-capped peaks were breathtaking. Our next few days were spent enjoying everything Girdwood and Anchorage had to offer—spectacular views, delightful shopping, and delicious food! Oh and waterfalls! Beautiful waterfalls!

Though seeing Denali hadn’t been part of our original plans, the allure of it being just four hours away was too tempting to resist. We decided to embark on a journey to get as close to the mountain as possible, planning to drive as far as we could and return that same night. Little did we know that God had something truly extraordinary in store for us.

As we made our way there, we were at awe to see sled dogs practicing—something I had only witnessed on television. With no snow on the ground, they were using a side-by-side to train, which was fascinating to watch. Our first stop upon reaching Denali National Park was the museum, filled with displays of sleds, wildlife, and the rich culture of the area.

Since it was off-season, we were granted the incredible opportunity to drive through Denali National Park. Along the way, we encountered signs warning us to stay alert for moose rut season. I had never realized just how enormous moose are! We were lucky enough to see several of them during our drive, which only added to the experience.

One day was simply not enough time to fully explore Denali! There was so much to see that we decided to find a hotel for the night, ending up in Fairbanks. To give you an idea of how cold it gets at night, the hotel floors were heated—a true surprise! It was late when we arrived, so we quickly settled in and headed to bed.

The next morning, we set out for another adventure in Denali. As a photography enthusiast, I had my camera ready to capture the pictures of a lifetime. Our next journey led us to Savage Alpine Mountain, and let me tell you, I quickly realized just how out of shape I was! The initial climb involved steep, handmade rock stairs, as we had to take a few breaks along the way. We aren’t spring chickens anymore!

When we finally reached the top of the first section, we celebrated our small victory, only to look down and see our rental car in the parking lot, teasing us by reminding us we didn’t make it too far! A local had informed us that at the peak we might catch a glimpse of Dall sheep with the right lens. Unsure if my lens was up to the task, I was eager to find out.

About a third of the way up, we saw other hikers in the distance, so far away they looked like tiny ants. I questioned if we were in good enough shape to continue, but we pressed on. Along the journey, we spotted a golden eagle soaring above us, adding to the thrill of the climb.

Finally, we reached the peak! To say it was windy and cold would be an understatement; we quickly pulled out our coats from our bags. But the view—oh, the view! We were able to photograph a few Dall sheep grazing on the opposite mountainside, one even lying down to rest. I hardly believed we had the chance to see them! We stayed at the top for about an hour, soaking in the beauty before beginning our descent through creeks and woods, always on the lookout for wildlife.

As we neared the bottom, we carefully navigated around a moose that was feeding, relieved to finally make it down. But our adventure wasn’t over yet; we still had a five-mile walk back to the car! Whose idea was this anyway?! Despite the exhaustion, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything; it was simply amazing.

As we headed back for our last night in Girdwood, I reflected on how Alaska showcases beauty that most will never see without making the trip. Pictures in magazines or on TV show glimpses of this wonder, but seeing it in person gives a whole new meaning to beautiful!

RJ