Out and About in South Central Alaska

Best Things Nearby:
There are several ski hills right next to the resort if you're big into skiing or snowboarding. Also, there is the town of Girdwood nearby, which also boasts some good shopping.

Best Things About the Resort:
This resort is geared towards family, skiing, snowboarding, golfing, and most of all, those who would like to stay active during their vacation. The mountains are beautiful and stunning, which make a great backdrop to anything you'd like to do.

Resort Experience:
Since I was born with bad knees that I damaged even worse with years of dancing and running as a child and teenager, I have been unable to downhill ski or snowboard as an adult. Strangely enough, however, I am drawn to ski resorts like bees are to honey. Maybe it’s the clear, crisp mountain air or just simply the enjoyment of watching others enjoy themselves, but every winter, I find myself at a ski resort.

Last January, I found myself at Alyeska Ski and Golf Resort, located in the charming ski town of Girdwood, Alaska. The drive from Anchorage to and from Girdwood during the day is extremely breathtaking and has even been listed by numerous sources as one of the top ten drives in America, so, of course, bring a camera and prepare to be wowed! If your visit is during the winter, be sure to plan your drive around 11am, because, of course, the sun sets around 3:30pm mid-winter.

As my husband and I drove up to the resort, we unfortunately could not see as much since it was already dark at 6:30pm, but what we could see stunned us into blabbering how beautiful and magical everything looked. As we walked from our car to the lobby, we noticed that the air was filled with small crystal flakes of snow from the snow groomers, which lent an enchanting glow to everything. Upon entering the immense lobby, we were awed by the aurora borealis imitation directly above us. Soon after checking in, we stopped by our room to drop off our bags so we could head downstairs to dinner in one of the resort’s many restaurants.

Our room was comfortable but a letdown from what we are used to, as the bed was comfortable but not the greatest, the bathroom was small, the furniture was worn, and our view of the mountain was merely tolerable. After speculating over dinner about the resort, my husband and I figured that if you’re going to ski or snowboard all day it didn’t really matter as much what the room was like since you’d barely be in it. For the price we paid, however, I just wasn’t satisfied, as we paid $189 a night, which included two free passes on the tram up the mountain.

Unfortunately, during our stay, we only visited The Pond Café, which was acceptable for lunch but became monotonous by the end of our stay. The Alyeska Prince Resort also has other restaurants on its premises, but unfortunately, they were either not open or completely booked in the evenings with holiday parties. If you visit during the summer, however, make sure to visit Seven Glaciers Restaurant just because the restaurant sits at 2,300 feet above sea level, which provides views of Turnagain Arm, the Chugach Mountain Range, and seven "hanging" glaciers.

For more information regarding The Alyeska Prince Resort, see www.alyeskaresort.com

• Unit Type: Other
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Very Good

Within our first week of arriving in Anchorage, my husband and I had decided to leave the military base and check out some of the local restaurants. We drove through Fort Richardson and Elmendorf Air Force Base with our stomachs growling and found ourselves on Boniface Parkway, which is littered on either side with Pizza Huts, Papa Johns’, bars, pubs, and taverns. After a quick decision, we decided to make a left on Debarr Street and followed that till we saw an inviting Mexican restaurant called La Hacienda, where we pulled into the small parking lot. After being in northern New York, we had not gotten the opportunity to eat much Mexican food, so I was more than excited

We entered the first set of doors and walked through the glass hallway and into the main restaurant, where the smell of spicy cilantro-and-tomato salsa combined with the rich smell of refried beans and sizzling fajitas assaulted our noses. This evening we had been lucky, as there was no wait at all, but we have visited this restaurant several times and have learned that if you arrive after 5:30pm, be prepared for a wait, as many of the locals know about this place.

After being seated and given the restaurant menus by the friendly hostess, our waitress came up almost immediately to take our drink orders. We, of course, after being deprived of really good margaritas in northern New York, ordered two on-the-rocks margaritas with salt that were refreshing yet very deceptive, as after a few quick sips, we both felt relaxed and rather giddy. Once we had perused the menu and had chosen our dinners, our waitress appeared almost like magic to take our order.

The one thing I have noticed time and time again at this restaurant is that not only is the service very quick and friendly here, but the prices are reasonable and the food is delicious! Our meals have always been served to us so promptly that we constantly remark as it’s being delivered to our table "Wow, that was quick!" Most full meals here consist of Mexican rice, refried beans or frijoles, a side salad, and your main dish. We have ordered everything from soft tacos to fajitas here, yet we still have been unable to completely finish our dinners and also have still yet to spend more than $45.

This is a wonderful place to bring both family and friends who are appreciative of Mexican cuisine. It is also a great place to have a delicious dinner with your loved one or partner, as the staff, being as efficient as they are, tend to leave you alone except to ask if you need another margarita or more chips or if your dinner or lunch is okay

Recently, after a really long, tiring day at work and an even longer day getting my computer repaired, my husband suggested eating out, which was an idea I readily agreed with. Being 5 months pregnant has altered my food preferences, so I no longer enjoy steak or pork, so now I find myself constantly eating salads, seafood, or chicken. This, of course, limited our choices somewhat, but since we live in Anchorage, fresh seafood is not all that difficult to find. Knowing this, my husband decided Sea Galley was the place for us that evening.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, which is in the same building as the restaurants Peppermill and Gilligan’s, we were greeted promptly and shown to our table in the solarium on a rare sunny afternoon. Even though it was already approximately 5:30pm, I was pleasantly surprised at how empty the restaurant was. This, I believe, could have been because it was a Tuesday and therefore not a very popular day of the week to eat out.

Almost immediately after being seated, our very friendly waitress introduced herself, asked if we would like anything to drink from the bar, and then pointed out the specials of the day. I quickly ordered snow crab legs, Copper River salmon, salad, French fries, and peel-and-eat shrimp to share with my husband and a virgin Bloody Mary to top it all off.

Now, I don’t know if being pregnant makes certain foods taste better or not; since this is my first, however, I do know this food could only be described as delicious. The crab legs could have been a little fresher, but they were still good. The salmon was tasty as Alaska salmon always is, and the shrimp was perfectly spicy, with a nice touch of Old Bay seasoning. My husband was also very satisfied with the combination plate of fried Alaskan salmon, halibut, and cod that he ordered and was especially pleased with the garlic mashed potatoes served along with his dinner.

We did not have dessert, since we were both very full; however, after taking a look at what they had to offer, I am tempted to go back to this restaurant for the desserts alone!

The prices here were very reasonable, as we spent approximately $58 for two dinners, with drinks and an appetizer. I did not see a child’s menu; however, I did see many children of all ages dining with their parents nearby, so I take this as a good sign for families.

I can almost guarantee that yes, I will return to this restaurant, so I definitely suggest it to anyone who enjoys Alaskan-style seafood and steak.

The Farmers Market was originally started in 1992 by the Municipality of Anchorage Parking Authority and contained about two dozen vendors. The original goal was to provide visitors and locals with an open-air market where they could shop in the beautiful summer Alaska weather. Nowadays, the farmers market has become much more than that. Admission to the market is free; however, parking is not. The most convenient place to park is in the parking garage attached to the Fifth Avenue Mall.

This is a great place to spend a weekend afternoon shopping for collectibles, fresh fruit, and seafood and to maybe even catch a little entertainment, as there are live bands that perform often. The Saturday farmers market is located close to a few hotels, so it’s easy to drop on by pick up a few things and then walk right back your hotel.

My husband and I visited the Saturday farmers market on a beautiful June Saturday. We had just gotten done shopping at the Fifth Avenue Mall and figured that since we’re so close to the market, we might as well head on an over, as we had never visited it before and had heard it was a lot of fun. As we approached, we could see the snow-capped mountains in the background and Cook Inlet nearby, which is a popular fishing spot when the salmon are running. As we walked, we noticed the vendors selling freshly picked berries of all types and homemade jams, jellies, and syrups, and freshly caught fish were among the majority of stalls, but there were also vendors who sold Christmas ornaments, Alaskan art, Aurora Borealis prints, and tons of delicious smelling food that is sure to tempt even the most finicky eater. Make sure to visit an ATM first to get some cash, because there are none at the market, which my husband and I found out unfortunately when we wanted to buy a few items and found we only had enough in our pockets for a small bag of fresh cherries and our parking fee.

This shopper’s delight is located right off 5th Avenue and C Street and boasts five levels of stores and restaurants that are sure to please even the choosiest customer. It is open daily from 10am to 9pm; however, of course, if you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best to visit on a weekday, as during the weekends this mall becomes a teenage hangout. If you drive to this mall, make sure to bring your parking stub, because if you purchase something at one of the department stores, they will usually validate it for you. Also, another really neat thing I have noticed here is the opportunity to pay for your parking even before you drive out of the parking lot. As you walk from the mall, across the covered bridges, look for a machine that almost looks like a stamp machine. If you have your parking stub with you, you can pay for your parking here, which means all you have to do when you exit the parking lot is just show the attendant your stub.

The two main department stores located here are JCPenney’s and Nordstrom, but of course, there are many other stores that I usually find much more interesting to visit. The prices here average $5 to $25 more than if you were to shop at some of the less splendid malls in Anchorage, so I wouldn’t suggest going here if you are looking for really great bargains. Because of its close proximity to the hotels, restaurants, outdoor and sightseeing activities, it caters to the tourists who are willing to spend a bit more. Still, though, there are some unique stores here that offer some hard-to-find Alaskan merchandise that make this mall a worthwhile stop.

The most spectacular feature about this shopping center is the beautiful skylight above the food court. It makes the noisy, chaotic dining area a little more enjoyable. Plus, there are large plants here and there throughout the mall which make me sometimes feel as if I have entered a steamy rainforest rather than a busy mall.

I have visited this mall many times with my husband, sometimes just to browse the shops and other times to look for a specific item, and we have always enjoyed ourselves here. All in all, if you don’t mind spending a little more, this is a great place to shop, eat, and people-watch.

My husband and I moved to Anchorage, Alaska, during March of this year from Fort Drum, New York. We drove the entire distance in our jeep, which was a long and tiresome journey, but it was not without rewards, as we were treated to some of the most beautiful sights. Originally we were to be stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska, so we spent a few days getting ourselves acquainted with what we thought would be our new home. It was not meant to be, however, as after 5 days, we were advised that we needed to be in Anchorage the next day, so we packed up our suitcases, loaded up our cars, and early the next morning, headed down to Anchorage. It was a lonely 5-hour drive, as we were each driving a car along the Parks Highway, but it was also a scenic one. We were amazed by the rugged beauty of the mountains, the sight of a lone bald eagle or winter fox, or simply just the untouched and unspoiled beauty of Alaska.

When driving into the Anchorage area, my first impression was, "Wow, what mountains!" This entire region is surrounded by extremely large and impressive mountains that now are my backyard. To this day, I am still totally amazed by this fact! During the winter, the Chugach Mountains, which are located right near us, are covered with snow, but come summer, they burst into color with dark and light greens and even an occasional purple from the summer fireweed. Needless to say, it is an awesome sight!

Since we’ve been living here in Anchorage, we have been able to do a number of things that would make just about anyone happy. There are tons of shops to be visited in the downtown 5th Avenue Mall, as well as the other small shops downtown that cater to just about any taste. If you’re interested in even more shopping, there is Dimond Shopping Centre, which has some nice shops, but its main attraction is the fact that it has an indoor skating rink, an indoor bowling alley, and an indoor gym for those who either visit during the winter or just want to combine their shopping, dining out, and daily exercise all in one trip. If you wish to stay downtown and you’re here during the summer time, definitely check out the Saturday Farmer’s Market, which is located near the 5th Avenue Mall and even closer to the Holiday Inn. Not only does this weekend market sell fresh Alaskan-grown produce, but there are also homemade jellies, jams, syrups, and soaps, as well as handmade jewelry, leather, and fur products, and there are even a few photographers scattered about who are happy to talk to you about their many pictures of the Aurora Borealis, or as it’s commonly known, the Northern Lights. If you enjoy homemade Christmas Ornaments, look for Leo and Lois’s tent. They sell beautiful handmade Native Alaskan Clay Ornaments that are beautifully painted and decorated with Alaskan-style themes.

The restaurants are too numerous to count. However, of course I have to mention that you’ll see many forms of seafood on just about every menu, which was a delight to me as I lived my early years off the southeastern Maryland coast. If you enjoy good beer, good seafood, and a relaxing atmosphere, visit Humpy’s Restaurant. On the other hand, if you enjoy delicious Mexican food, take a trip on Debarr Road to La Hacienda, where the tables are limited, so do arrive early. But the margaritas are worth it!

If outdoor activity is your thing, then you’ve come to the right place when you visit Alaska. The fishing here is awesome, as my husband and I have managed to catch our limit of trout, but we have yet to bring a salmon home. Hopefully, soon that will change. The scenic beauty here in Alaska makes hiking a reward for anybody, and the trails and streams that you can follow are very numerous. If your visit is during the months of July and August, then you’ve come during berry-picking season. This is something that my husband and I have taken full advantage of, since when picking berries, there is no limit to how much you can pick. In mid-July, the tart currants, sweet and mouth-watering raspberries, and the juicy watermelon berries are ready for the picking. We’ve found Ship Creek, which is around a 20-minute drive from downtown Anchorage, a great spot to find these berries. Come late July to mid-August, the blueberries are ready to be harvested, which can be made into everything from blueberry syrup to blueberry waffles. Soon we’ll be arriving into cranberry season, and I simply cannot wait to make my own Thanksgiving cranberry sauce out of the berries, which we will have picked!

If you have decided to go fishing or berry-picking, I do have to advise you to take precautions, however. This is Alaska, and the wildlife is very abundant. It is not abnormal for residents here to find a bear or moose in their backyard, which we have seen for ourselves when a moose decided to check out our house through our large living room window. If you see a moose, just walk away slowly, especially if you notice that it is protecting a calf. These large yet seemingly quiet creatures do get very hostile if you surprise them or come too close and threaten them. As for the bears, I can only offer the advice that has been given to me, as I have yet to encounter one: don’t run away if you encounter one; travel with large groups of people; make lots of noise as you walk with others; and if all else fails and the bear does decide to attack, roll into a ball on the ground and protect your head.

Alaska has become our home. It may only be for 3 years, yet we hope that it will be our home for so much longer, as we have both fallen in love with the mountains, the people, the camping ,the fishing and berry-picking, and even strangely enough, with the wildlife that visits our backyard from time to time. I know that if I do move from here in 3 years I will miss the sight of those mountains during my drive to work every day. For that beautiful sight alone, I would stay here for my entire life.