I WANT TO SEE ALASKA

ALL OF IT!

Alaska has been publicized and fantasized by so many for years. And I feel from getting to know folks that there is a common theme when first wanting to see Alaska. What I mean is that whenever I meet anyone at the shows that state “I want to see Alaska” I always follow up with, “What ideally would a trip to Alaska look like for you”? The response is usually the same tune of wanting to see mountains, bears, whales, glaciers and catch salmon on the Kenai.

As an Alaskan lodge owner, it is my responsibility to find guests that want to come and experience our little slice of heaven. A lot of what I do for marketing is travel to sportsman shows around the country. Marketing the lodge at a sportsman show like The International Sportsman’s Expo, The Great American Outdoor Show or The Fly-Fishing Show involves setting up a booth showcasing the flare of what an experience at our lodge looks like. These shows usually last between 3-10 days, and while they are a lot of work, they are also a lot of fun!

While I am sitting in my booth at these shows I get to meet people from all over the country and many different walks of life. Regarding a trip to Alaska, I hear a lot of responses. One statement I hear often is, “I want to see Alaska”. My response is always the same…Get ready for a long ride!

Our lives today are full of so much hurry up and move on to the next item that we think we can make everything happen so quickly. Myself included in many of these situations that I often forget to slow down and take it all in. In my opinion, Alaska is a place that will force you unknowingly to take a second look.

Over the years of working the show circuit I have had the pleasure of getting to know a lot of people. And to me it seems as if there is a large population of people out there that really like to explore or had no idea they did until they made their first trip to Alaska. Once they take their first trip, most folks end up looking into another corner of Alaska to explore. Once Alaska gets under your skin she doesn’t want to leave easily!

All of this is part of the iconic Alaska that has been portrayed for many years and I completely understand their response however…

Alaska is the largest state in the union and seeing and doing all this in one trip is a tall feat. Also, as I mentioned before, Alaska gets under your skin so get ready for a long ride. In all my years marketing at sportsman shows I have gotten to know many folks that have attempted to find that perfect trip to see Alaska. So far, I have not meet anyone that has said been there, done that, and now is not interested. Usually, the next conversation after someone has been to Alaska at least once falls along the lines of “what can I do in Alaska next.” most want to take that small bush plane and get really close to the mountains, glaciers, and trees. Everyone wants to really explore Alaska from the comfort and safety of a remote lodge. In my opinion it is the best and only way to get close to Alaska.

In my experience there are two types of Alaska. The ‘Front Stage Show’ and the ‘Backstage Pass.’ The Front Stage Show is any and everything on the road system. Fishing on the Kenai is a fitting example. There is absolutely nothing wrong with fishing on the Kenai and it is definitely a great time, but it is usually very crowded. However, there are a lot of really great places to explore on the road system. Denali National Park, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seward, Whittier, and Homer are all on the road system and have some WONDERFUL places to explore. Most of these places show off a piece of the stereotypical “iconic Alaska.”

The “Backstage Pass” as I refer to it, is more of the hard-to-reach places. These places are off the road system and only accessible by bush plane. These places are where you can truly get close and intimate with Alaska. The further away from anything you can get the greater the adventure ahead. Alaskan Adventures lodge is just that adventure. Being 237 miles due west of Anchorage by plane. There are no roads for many MANY miles. That means there is NO TRAFFIC! No cell phone! No corner stores! Nothing! At Alaskan Adventures lodge you will get close to nature, and since your phone does not work, you will be forced to interact with the people you are with and have a chance to rebuild those personal connections. Simply said, sometimes we must disconnect to reconnect.

The “Backstage Pass” includes seeing many areas of Alaska and everywhere you look it is something new and unbelievable around every corner. From way up above the arctic circle to all the way out on the peninsula, from the Yukon on the Eastern side of the state to Western Bush and all the way down to the rain forest in Southeast. No matter the direction, Alaska’s backstage is so large and vast that it has something amazing to offer your soul.

I continually market at sportsman shows and I meet a lot of people for the second and third time, eventually I can convince most to see the backstage with me. Eventually, most want to take that small bush plane and get really close to the mountains, glaciers, and trees. Everyone wants to really explore Alaska from the comfort and safety of a remote lodge. In my opinion it is the best and only way to get close to Alaska.

So, if you are like most folks, you owe it to yourself to understand that once you step foot in Alaska, you are opening pandoras box to a new travel and exploration bug. Alaska will grab your soul and continually pull you back again and again. Trust me, it is not a bad thing! So, buckle up and enjoy the ride. We will see you soon enough.