Girdwood

Places to Stay, Things to Do
Girdwood is a beautiful little town on the Kenai Peninsula, between 30-45 minutes away from Anchorage. It is a hot spot for tourists, so we suggest planning well in advance for your stay. For families, we suggest renting a cabin for a night or two, or enjoying a bed and breakfast.

http://www.girdwoodchamber.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi
This link provides an overview of Girdwood. Explore!

http://www.timberlinedrivebnb.com/index.htm
Another cabin rental in Girdwood--do a search for bed and breakfasts and cabin rentals in Girdwood for more!

http://www.alyeskaaccommodations.com/
This site provides condo and cabin rentals. This is probably the most affordable way to stay in Girdwood. The Timberline Chalet is where all this craziness started!

http://www.alyeskaresort.com/
This is the resort at Alyeska. It is beautiful, but book early—Thursdays are almost always packed due to the cruise ship passengers!


Eateries
Below are links to some of our favorite places, but please explore the Girdwood Chamber of Commerce site for more possibilities. The Alyeska Resort has numerous venues to tempt the palate, as does Girdwood.

http://www.doublemuskyinn.com/
If you have one five star dinner while you are here, this is the place. Bob almost proposed to me here. No worries about formal attire—just expect a wait, as the Musky does not take reservations.

http://www.thebakeshop.com/
This is another must in Girdwood. The prices are reasonable, the bread is fresh. In August, you will also be able to enjoy the gorgeous flowers in the parking lot. This is a great stop for breakfast and/or lunch. Make certain to check out the soup special!

http://www.chairfive.com/
A perfect place for a meal (and a beer) after a hike or a white water adventure. Make certain not to interfere with the pool players!

The Wild Side
Girdwood is a great place for hiking, but please be cognizant: there are wild animals (black bears and moose). Our first summer together, Bob, Beau, and I went hiking up the mountain. About 15 minutes into our hike, Beau introduced himself to a mamma moose with twin calves (Beau apparently thought they were large, GREAT-smelling dogs with which to play). NEVER get in between a mother and her children. We turned around after reigning in Beau, and walked directly into the range of a black bear. This is the proverbial catch-22! We made certain the bear heard us, and walked back up the mountain to a chairlift station. As we waited, we watched the black bear veer off the trail and into the woods. We selected to head straight down the mountain, through the brush and devil’s club. Then, we hit Chair Five for some much needed pizza and beer.

http://alaska.org/girdwood/girdwood.htm
Another all-encompassing site on Girdwood.

http://www.alaskaparagliding.com/
I am not brave enough to do this, but ya’ll may be.

http://www.chugachoutdoorcenter.com/six_mile_rafting.htm
For those looking for an incredible whitewater adventure, check this place out. Ask for Scott “Pizzaface” Hickox, one of the guides and, during the winter, a colleague of mine. He'll make certain you get wet.

http://alaska.org/girdwood/ride-mt-alyeskas-tram.jsp
A great way to see Girdwood from above, if you are not interested in parasailing!

Save The Date: August 1, 2008

We are holding our wedding in Girdwood, Alaska, which is about 30 minutes away from Anchorage and also where Bob proposed. I'll let him tell that story though.

Here is the link to the lodge webpage: http://www.ravenglacierlodge.com/

Plan early for a trip to Alaska, as it is the place for travelers and adventurers in the summer. The blog will have links to local hot spots, and suggestions for activities and accommodations, as well as our wedding program. Do post questions (or email either one of us) if you need help with anything!

We will try to update information as needed, but review specific posts for updates as well!

Ellen and Bob and Beau and Gracie