I did not have this trip on my 2023 Bingo Card! Who would have thought Kim would ever make it to Alaska in her lifetime? I am definitely not what most would consider a “nature girl” but when Allison decided to travel nurse to Alaska for a few months this spring, I just could not pass up the chance to go see her. I spent 8 marvelous days in Alaska, traveling from Anchorage to Fairbanks and everything in between. This trip was definitely a step out fo my comfort zone but it was so rewarding and so fun. Everyone I met was so warm and welcoming, especially the other travel nurses Allison hangs out with. I am so lucky to have been able to go on this trip and so lucky that Allison was willing to host and plan everything. Hope you enjoy these photos (but truthfully, photos don’t do most of these views justice).

Day 1: Arrival

After a six hour flight to Seattle from DC, and then a three hour flight from Seattle to Anchorage, I finally arrived to Alaska at 4:30pm, Alaskan Time (thats 9:30pm Eastern Time). Allison was wrapping up an orientation shift at her hospital, so I took a super quick Lyft to her house, met her roommates, showered and waited for her to get home. Then we went to The Rustic Goat in Anchorage and I met Allison’s new travel nursing friends, Rachel and Michelle.

Day 2: Lake Portage

So I had to work from 5am-1pm and Allison had to work from 7am-7pm. Rachel and Michelle picked me up and we took the most beautiful scene drive from Anchorage to Portage Lake. I have never been snow-shoeing before but Rachel and Michelle were so patient with me as I figured it out. After driving back to Anchorage, we met Allison at Tequila 61 for some margs and tacos. Then Allison and I watched the sunset at 9:45pm. I cannot believe how late the sun stays out!

Day 3: Baldy Peak

If you had told me I would go hiking up a mountain in the snow, I wouldn’t believe you because that just doesn’t sound like something Kim would do. But I did and it was actually so fun! Definitely a step out of my comfort zone and I am so proud of myself because of it. It took us probably two hours to get up Mt. Baldy and there were so many parts where the snow was deep. Take one wrong step and your entire lower half is in a pile of snow. We ended up snow-shoeing half of the way up and then glissaded (scooted on our butts) down the mountain, which ended up being my favorite part. When we hit the peak, a helicopter flew right over our heads and I swore it was trying to knock us off the mountain. After the hike we went to the International House of Hot Dogs and then 49th State Brewing. I tried a reindeer dog for the first time and it was great.

Day 4: 49th State Brewing + Anchorage Brewing Company

Today I had work from 5am-1pm again and Allison worked from 3pm-3am. As you can see, our schedules were not matching so we went to get sushi for lunch and then I met Michelle at 49th State Brewing for dinner. Then we went to the Anchorage Brewing Company and sat outside by a bonfire. Definitely a cool spot!

Day 5: Eklutna Lake + Alaskan Themed Party

I wanted to share my third moose spotting that I actually got a (not so great) picture! Then Allison’s hunky Alaskan tour guide (Karl) took us to Eklutna Lake. Since the sun was beating down on the lake, we (mainly me) were too nervous to go across it, so we ended up just walking around the lake for a couple hours. We did get far enough across the lake to see this snowman someone built! Then Allison and I went to an Alaskan themed birthday party for her roommate. And I love a good theme and everyone was so nice!

Day 6: Driving to Fairbanks

After a bit of a late start to the day (thanks to me being hungover from the party), Allison and I drove 6+ hours to Fairbanks. This was hands down the most beautiful drive I have ever experienced in my entire life, especially when we drove through Denali National Park. While the drive was super long, it was so worth it. We got this adorable Airbnb that looked like a log cabin and got Chinese food from Pagoda.

Day 7: Chena Ice Museum + Hot Springs

We drove about an hour to the Chena Hot Springs and Ice Museum. The Ice Museum was absolutely freezing but there were so many cool sculptures (pun intended). You can even rent a bed chamber for a night but no one has ever made it through the entire night. We opted for a green apple Martini in ice martini glasses that we got to smash outside (which was super satisfying). After lunch, we went into the hot springs which was like the craziest hot tub I have ever been in. There were areas of the hot spring that were way hotter than others so you were constantly moving around. I wish they had chairs or rocks you could actually lounge on. I could have fallen asleep in that hot spring (which is probably why they don’t let you lounge). After driving back to our Airbnb, we got Thai food. We were hoping to see the Northern Lights that day, but had no such luck because of the fires happening in Russia. It was very cloudy and a little smokey.

Day 8: Castner Glacier + Driving Back To Anchorage

My last day in Alaska! We left our Airbnb around 9am to drive 3 hours to Castner Glacier. I was freaking out for half the drive because it was so icy and snowy but we finally made it to this obscure bridge in the middle of this park which was still pretty far away from the glacier. We had to hike 30 minutes to the Glacier with crazy winds and absolutely no trail. Thank God Allison downloaded the map before we left Wifi. The hike was miserable because of the wind but the glacier was INCREDIBLE! I’ve never seen a glacier before and it was magical to see up close. But we didn’t stay long because I slipped and fell on said glacier (oops) and we could tell it was starting to melt. After all, it was the middle of April. We didn’t want to risk any pointy icicles piercing us. Then we drove 5 hours back to Anchorage to meet Michelle for happy hour drinks to cheer on the Denver Avs. When I should have been home packing, we went to go see the sunset over the Anchorage skyline in Michelle’s van. It was the perfect end to the trip. Then I ran home to pack for my 2am flight back east. Allison dropped me off at midnight at the airport and I am so proud of her for not crying.

This was such an amazing trip! I made some new friends in a far away place and have once again proven that when you are my friend, there is no where on Earth you can run that I will not come and visit you. Thank you Shaner for being the hostess with the mostest. Can’t wait to go back!

Thanks for reading! xx