SZTHDY Grand Alaskan Tour

Boating on the Prince William Sound

The Morgan's came to visit about a year ago and while we were driving along the road one night Dave saw a signature license plate that read, SZTHDY. He said "What do you think that license plate means, shiz-the-heady?" We all had a good laugh, when I interjected that I thought it probably meant Seize the Day. From that day forward, Shiztheheady has become our friendship motto. So this summer when Mark and Shari, Barrett and Danielle and Dave and me, plus all our kids headed to Alaska for a two week tour we dubbed our trip the Shiztheheady Grand Alaskan Tour.

And it was grand. This was our second time to Alaska and nothing compares to its remoteness. Both times we went during the height of the tourist season and practically anywhere we went we were completely alone. We packed everyday of the trip with adventure, laughter and lots of exploring. We left exhausted and fulfilled (from all the salmon we ate, not to mention the 100 plus pounds we sent home) and can't wait for our next Shiztheheady trip.

Itinerary:
Monday, June 26th—Arrive and check into VRBO in Girdwood.

Tuesday,June 27th—Guys hit Costco; Moms and Kids do Alaska Heritage Center. Meet up with guys for reindeer dogs at Tiki Pete's food cart. Walk Temple Grounds.

Picnicking on the beach at Bear Glacier Lagoon.

Kayaking in Bear Glacier Lagoon

Wednesday, June 28th—Leave from Seward at 7:10am to fly to Bear Glacier with Adventure 60 North and then kayak the day away.

Winner's Creek Trail

Thursday, June 29th—Hike Winners Creek Trail. Picnic en route then hand cart across river to Crow Creek Mine where we pan for gold.

View from the 26 Glacier Cruise on the Prince William Sound.

Friday, June 30th—Phillips Cruises 26 Glacier Cruise leaving from Whittier. Lunch on boat.

Saturday, July 1st—Checkout from Girdwood rental and drive to Coopers Landing. Hike the Russian River Falls Trail to see the salmon spawning upstream. Drive to Kenai and check into historic rental. Explore oldtown Kenai via bike. Play on the beach until 12pm sunset.

Sunday, July 2nd—Mom and kids go to church in Soldatna at 9am. Dads fly fish for salmon in the Russian River. Play at the beach in afternoon. Adults leave from Homer's Spit via boat to Halibut Cove at 5pm. Eat at The Saltry and explore island. 

Monday, July 3rd—Adults floatplane from Soldatna to Wolverine creek with Talin Air. We bear watch and salmon fish.

Tuesday, July 4th—Dads and big kids fish for King Salmon in the Kenai River. Moms and littles go watch the 4th of July parade in Kenai. Check out and drive to rental in Denali National Park. Watch the midnight sun set for three hours.

Denali National Park

Wednesday, July 5th—Bus into Denali National Park. Spend the day picnicking and exploring Denali.

A rare sighting of Mt. Denali.

Thursday, July 6th—Say goodbye to the Morgan's and Thatchers. Drive to Aaron's house in Eagle River. Play with the cousins and drop Dave at the airport. 

Friday, July 7th—Spend the day at Eklutna Lake with the cousins picnicking and playing on the coast. Meet up with Jared and Alexis who are biking to Alaska from Utah.

Saturday, July 8th—Drive to Whittier. Hike in the pouring rain to Portage Glacier. Spend the evening chatting and catching up with family. The kids sleep outside in the tree house in midnight sun.

Sunday, July 9th—See Jared and Alexis off on their North American road trip. Go to church with Aaron and family. Spend the day hanging out with the kids. Leave just after midnight to fly to Portland, Oregon for the Thatcher family reunion.