My Press Trip to Alaska to tour restaurants, breweries and distilleries was the trip of a lifetime. I hope you have a chance to visit this magical state and fall in love with it like I did. #travelalaska
Before I start sharing my trip to Alaska, let me be perfectly clear. I’ve went, I’ve seen, I’ve eaten and I’ve done my share of drinking, through southeast Alaska and now I’m back after a lot of restful sleep.
Now that we’re all here (me included), are you ready to hear about the trip of a lifetime?
I sure hope so! Because, I plan to share a crazy backward story (from I’m home) to a forward journey (I’m packing to leave), because that’s just how I roll. But, the real truth is…, I couldn’t possibly tell it until I went and it was impossible to share until I got back. 🙂 So, there you have it…you get to start at the finish with this post, and then go from start-to-finish with the next several posts. Make sense? If not, just stick with me.
Before I begin, I think it is important for you all to know how we started this trip. We hired a van, as our car was in repairs. We felt this was the best way for us to get around. But before we could take off, we have to make sure we had the right insurance for the van. From trying to find this solution, we were recommended to look into a company like one sure insurance, where we did our research into the insurance that we will need to cover us on this trip. This is an essential part of any trip and for any vehicle driver. It is better to be safe than sorry while on the road. Anyway, let’s begin with the proper story. Let’s start at the finish, a.k.a. ‘the weekend after’. Yes, it even seems crazy to me, starting with the finish, which is in actuality, the first lovely and restful Saturday, following my press trip. But, here is how this weekend went down.
The Husband and I are relaxing outside on our patio on a brilliantly sunny, warm, summer day when The Husband innocently asks “Honey, what time is it?”
My response?
“It’s 17% before the power on my laptop dies.”
Him: “Ummm…, can you possibly translate that into the hour of the day for me, please?”
Clever? I know.
But, at the time, all I could think is…I just got back from an exhilarating, exhausting, 8-day, world-wind press trip – touring, eating and drinking my way through restaurants, breweries and distilleries in several cities and towns in southeast Alaska and I had deadlines and articles to write. Whaaaaat?
For me, at that moment, it was all about laptop power + laser focus. Which IMO had no place (or patience) to check the deadline {oops} time. Have you ever had the feeling of no power, a lot of pressure and the worry you don’t have nearly enough time to write? Welcome to my last two weeks. 🙂
Please…, do *not* think I’m complaining (I’m not!), because that press trip to Alaska was a life-changing experience. Incredible, inspiring and amazing. And, from your comments, I know you all want to hear about it. And, I can’t wait to share it with you.
So, let’s do this! Because, I’m all to happy to oblige.
Over the next several weeks, I’ll share the experience, mood, ambiance and photos with you. If you want to follow, just search for Alaska Press Trip and you will see all the posts related to this incredible journey.
Now, are you sure you are ready to fall flipped-out, crazy nuts in love with Alaska? Because I am here to tell you, that is exactly what happens if you ever get a chance to visit this magical place.
Over and over and over, at every place we visited, I asked locals “Why Alaska?” And, the answer was always the same. They came, they saw and they were enamored.
>>>>> Gulp >>>>>
That’s exactly what I felt too.
If there’s one thing I can tell you for sure…, it’s that Alaska is bigger than life. Vast, striking, magical, majestic, awe-inspiring and amazing, complete with a silent, wonderful, eery allure that calls you there.
Friends, I kid you not. I heard it. It called me. I felt it. And, I was drawn to stay.
Alaska does all that and more. Trust me…you’ve been warned. But, it’s all in a good way.
By the way…, if you are wondering, the posts about Alaska that I plan to write here on the blog, are all my own. They are not prompted, promoted nor sponsored. I’m not being compensated or paid in any way, shape or form. The opinions are 100% mine and any social shout-outs I do, are simply because I fell in love with Alaska, the people of Alaska and the magical allure of the peace, the mountains and the glaciers.
And my posts? They are what I personally enjoyed about that incredibly beautiful, breath-taking, majestic and heavenly place.
I hope you enjoy the journey, as I share details about this incredible trip, nearly as much as I did.
A huge, heartfelt thanks goes out to the Alaska Tourism Board and The Daily Meal for giving me this incredible opportunity. I am truly blessed and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the memories and the trip of a lifetime.
And to Karen & the Funky Bunch – YOU are the glittering treasures in the mountains and the oceans that I will never forget. xoxo
BTW, just a reminder – I will be writing about food, beer and distilleries over at The Daily Meal! When I do those posts, I’ll be sure to point you to them, because I know that you are all foodies and want to know what I ate {and drank}!
As always, to all of you, cheers and good health,
Kristi
xoxo
Cynthia/What A Girl Eats says
Such a great trip! I went to alaska a few years ago, but I feel like I need to go back and see so much more! Can’t wait to see all your photos!
Kristi says
Thanks Cynthia! It completely blew me away. I had *no*idea Alaska was so incredibly amazing. I hope you get to go back soon!
Ashley says
Gahhh Alaska! It’s on my bucket list! I am dyingggg to go. These pictures are not helping 🙂 Looking forward to hearing all about it!!
Kristi says
Thanks Ashley! It was nothing less than incredible. I was ready to move about two days after I got there. Simply amazing.
Renee@Two in the Kitchen says
Your photos of Alaska are simply breath taking Krisiti!! They are making me want to hop a plane and get out there myself!! It looks like you had a marvelous time!!
Kristi says
Thank you Renee. I had the best time of my life. It was truly life changing. And I could totally see myself living there. Talk about a magical place!
Harriet Emily says
Wow Kristi, all of these photos are so breathtaking. What stunning scenery! I’ve never been to Alaska before, but it’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go. I’m so glad you had such an amazing time!
Kristi says
Thanks Harriet! If you ever get a chance to go, I hope you will. It is a stunning place. You nailed it with that! And the people are so nice too. i really hope that you get to go some time. Thanks for the comment
Cailee @ http://hellohealthyeating.com says
This is great!! So glad that your trip has been so life changing and inspiring!! That’s awesome… and why I LOVE travel!! My relatives went to Alaska recently and just loved it!! They said how it was so different, beautiful and amazing! Can’t wait to hear more!
Kristi says
Thanks Cailee! Alaska takes your breath away. It is just so larger than life in everything. And absolutely stunning scenery.
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
What a fun trip! And gorgeous photos, Kristi!
Kristi says
Thank you Marissa! Many days were a bit overcast, but the weather could not have been more perfect. It was absolutely gorgeous there.
Manali @ CookWithManali says
what gorgeous pictures Kristi! I’m blown away!!
Kristi says
Thank you Manali. Alaska is an incredible place. If you can, go visit some time, I’m sure you’d love it!
Sam @ SugarSpunRun says
I love the photos! It looks like you had an amazing time and I can’t wait to read more about it!
Kristi says
Thank you Sam. It was the trip of a lifetime, it truly was. Even living in Seattle, Alaska is just so much more majestic and larger than life. It’s truly incredible.
Johlene@FlavoursandFrosting says
I love love love that you will be sharing with us your Alaska trip experience! It is one place both me and my husband would love to visit 🙂
ps. love your wooden chairs on your deck (I could see a little part of it..lol)
Kristi says
I’m so glad you liked them Johlene. And, I’m sending up good thoughts that you and your husband get to go there soon. Hugs, and have a great weekend! xoxo
ananda says
wow that’s incredible!! such breathtaking photos, and i can’t wait to read about your foodie experience!! always wanted to visit alaska, please keep it coming!! xoxo
Kristi says
Thank you Ananda! It was the trip of a lifetime, and I had an amazing time. It was a food lover’s dream!
Kelly says
Aaw yay! So glad you had such an amazing time, so well deserved my friend 🙂 Love the gorgeous photos, such a wonderful experience! Hope you are able to get some rest after all that and I can’t wait to hear more about everything! xo
Kristi says
Thanks Kelly. It was such an incredible experience. I hope that sometime (after your little ones are grown) that you get to experience it. I know you’d love it and would do an amazing job with the photos! xoxo
Juliana says
Awesome pictures Kristi…they brought back memories of my trip to Alaska…
Kristi says
Thank you Juliana! I’m so glad I could stir up some good memories for you. I hope that you get to go again. It’s way to amazing not to see at least twice. 🙂
Marcie says
Your photos are breathtaking, Kristi — you’ve really captured how beautiful Alaska is! It really must’ve been a trip of a lifetime and I can’t wait to see the rest of your posts!
Kristi says
Thanks Marcie. It was, in one word, incredible. I can’t wait to tell you about it. You/Me = we need to chat. Because next time? Sistah, you are ssssoooo going with me.
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
I’ve actually been to Alaska and absolutely love it too! Seeing your pictures makes me want to go back!
Kristi says
Thank you Rachelle! That was my first time, but trust me – I enjoyed every single bit of it that I could. How could you not? It’s such a magestic, magical place!