Many of the Denali Dome Home Bed and Breakfast guests tell us it is their “dream” to come to Alaska. They plan their vacations for months, even years, ahead of time. Many come to us in Healy, AK, with extensive, self-designed planners. Retired elementary teachers have color-coded sections. Computer-savvy guests come with charts and databases. They already know the altitudes, weather norms, area activities and best restaurants when they arrive. Visitors have the MilePost magazines with handwritten notes on the pages. I often read our current B&B descriptions in new travel books carried by our guests.
Dream Alaskan vacations do not start at the first step off the plane in Fairbanks or Anchorage. They do not begin when visitors see the “Welcome to Alaska” sign on the Alcan Highway. These amazing, fun, dream vacations start months ahead in the planning stage.
Early, careful planing allows future visitors to save valuable time and money during their vacations. They already have tickets and do not stand in lines. Early preparations insure the best, personalized vacation for their whole family. Next summer's smart vacationers talk to church members and co-workers who have already been to Alaska. They read reviews and blogs from those who have already been to “the Last Frontier.” Their own excitement builds.
Early on, future Alaskan guests figure out their itineraries and accommodations. Then they investigate Alaskan activities and dinner locations. They ask B&/B hosts many questions about a particular area. The excitement builds again. The dream takes shape.
Often visitors return to Alaska because the dream continues to grow after the first AK vacation ended. Today I booked summer reservations for a couple from NC who will celebrate their “10th and 11th anniversaries this year in Interior of Alaska.
That's right. They camped in Denali during their honeymoon a decade ago and have “dreamed about coming back.” The groom is still in favor of camping, but bride wants a bed and breakfast this time. Last year they were not able to return. This year the groom says they will be able to return to celebrate a decade and a year. I secretly hope they will be spending their 25th anniversary with us too.
Years ago, when we received our first bookings in January for the upcoming summer, we thought we had arrived as a bed and breakfast in Denali. Now, after two decades, we sometimes take reservations a year ahead. We already have 47-room nights booked for next summer. There are many who are now dreaming of an Alaskan vacation on such a winter's day.
Important websites for planning your Alaska information, especially the Interior:
Denali National Park http://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm
We think shuttle buses are the best way for most independent visitors to see Denali National Park
http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/shuttle-buses.htm
Keys to Denali, Car Rentals, LLC. http://www.gomylocal.com/biz/15692011/Keys-to-Denali-Car-Rentals,-LLC-Healy-AK-99743
For important weather and road conditions:
http://511.alaska.gov/
Denali Chamber of Commerce http://denalichamber.com/
Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce http://www.fairbankschamber.org/
Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau http://www.anchorage.net/
Nenana City http://www.nenana.org/
Bed and Breakfast Association of Alaska http://www.alaskabba.com/
MilePost Magazine http://milepost.com/
Keys to Denali, LLC…only car rental in Denali for 2010
http://www.denalidomehome.com
Trip Advisor www.tripadvisor.com
Alaska forum for discussions (Don’t believe everything you read!)
http://www.travelalaska.com/Regions/TipsDetail.aspx?TipID=141
General information about Alaskan gifts, businesses and activities
http://www.lastfrontier.org/made_in_alaska.htm
Information about gifts made in Alaska:
http://www.travelalaska.com/Regions/TipsDetail.aspx?TipID=141
Alaska Traffic Conditions http://511.alaska.gov/
National Weather Service: Alaska Region
http://www.arh.noaa.gov/hazards.php
Mileage Chart http://alaskatrekker.com/mileage.htm
Alaska Tide Charts and Fishing Information:
http://www.alaskangamefisher.com/july-tide.html
Maps and Directions of Alasks:
http://www.travelalaska.com/maps/index.aspx
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Alaska&f=s&utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-syn-gm&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=ak%20map
To Order Free Publications about Alaska:
http://www.travelalaska.com/index.aspx?utm_source=0132&utm_medium=ad&gclid=CNHrkdj14J4CFSn6agodoFhLJQ
Films about Alaska:
http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/alaska/MemberTagFilms.aspx
Books about Alaska:
http://www.alaskageographic.org/
http://www.alaska.com/about/books/
http://www.alaskais.com/Alaska_Books/index.html
Alaskan Artists http://www.artistsalaska.com/
Hiking http://www.trails.com/toptrails.aspx?area=10049
Photography http://www.asonp.org/
http://www.alaskastock.com/Wildlife_Photography.asp
http://www.polar-photo.com/index.html
http://www.polar-photo.com/pages/6/LINKS/LINKS/
http://www.tomwalkerphotography.com/
http://www.pbs.org/harriman/explog/lectures/heacox.html
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