We decided it had been way too long since our last family holiday. So, I started planning our next adventure into the woods. Everyone decided unanimously that it would be somewhere in Alaska. I researched places all around. We knew we wanted it to be centrally located to everything, especially near Denali Park. I found this beautiful house on the lake in Willow, Alaska. It was 1 hour and 30 min. from the airport in Anchorage. We were a group of 10 and it was perfect. There was soo much lush greenery and bright beautiful flowers everywhere, very serene. The place I chose had kayaks, a row boat, a paddle boat, fire pit, foosball table and many more fun activities.

This place was more than we expected. It was amazing and had all the amenities that we needed. I would highly recommend this house. If interested in renting it yourself, you can find it here.

We did tons of things on our trip. In the first couple of days we went on a 6 hour train ride on the Alaskan Railroad called Hurricane Turn. The conductor Warren was the best, super friendly and also a talented photographer. He stopped the train numerous times for us to take pictures. It was really interesting to hear him talk about letting people off the train to their house and that that was the only way for them to get there. I would love to come back out here one day to do some camping off that train in the wilderness for days.

That day and days to follow, we ventured into a small town called Talkeetna. It had lots of cute shops and restaurants. The Mountain High Pizza Pie restaurant was our favorite! They had a 30 topping pizza. Yummy!!! I bought some Alaskan keepsakes and gifts for myself and a few coworkers there. Loved it! While there, we also got to ride a jet boat through glacial choppy river waters. That was a fun treat!

The next couple of days, our trip took us to a small fishing town south of where we were staying. It was called Seward. It took us 3 hours to get there. Along the way we had to make a pit stop to pee. The kids got out to take photos of the fog.

While in Seward, we went out onto the docks where we went aboard the Kenai Fjords Boat Tour and saw whales, sea lions, glaciers and even ate 400 year old ice. Definitely a must!

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Only a few of us stayed an extra night there and went to the Sealife Center. We got to see them feeding a baby walrus. Then we walked around town. Found a cool shop with tons of Alaskan gifts at a very reasonable price to take back home with us. We ate at the Seward Brewery Company. I had a delicious halibut salad. Wish we could get that type of food in Texas.

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That same morning as we did our sightseeing, Tom got up early to go halibut fishing. He said that was the best fishing trip he had ever been on. He caught a fish that was this big…..

Just kidding!!

He caught sooo many fish we didn’t know what to do with them. We were eating fish for days.

This was the best halibut that I have ever eaten. Wow! Fresh fish right off the boat. Tom cooked this to perfection!

Back to Willow we go!

At the end of our trip we decided to go to Denali Park and go on a whitewater rafting tour. It was one of the best things we did while out there.

We stopped at the 49th State Brewing Company on our way back to Willow. Had some good eats, drank locally brewed Alaskan drinks and saw the bus from the movie “Into the Wild“.

As we drove away from Denali we happened to come across the old Igloo hotel. Pretty cool and creepy! Wanna buy it? It’s for sale.

It was time to say goodbye! So, we had some tequila shots for our farewell cheers.

Our last morning kayak rides before leaving. It’s sooo peaceful out there on the lake waters.

Sammy rode the paddle boat every day. He loved it!

This place was very comfortable. The couch was a popular place to relax or fall asleep on.

My morning view every day.

No one was ready to leave.
Especially these girls. LOL!

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The one thing I’m going to miss the most is the Loon that cried out for its mate every night when the lake was still and there was not a sound around. It usually happened about 2am. The first night I wasn’t sure what the sound was from. I just knew is was something magical. Then when I told Tom, he knew right away. If you’ve never heard one, you must hear the eerie yet beautiful wail it makes. Check out this video capturing a Loon making this amazing sound just like I heard every night.

Loon call on a lake in Alaska

Our family holiday to Alaska will always be remembered and never forgotten. This one is for the books for sure!

Until we meet again….

Lots of Love,
The Hider’s, the Aguilar’s and the Boul’s