At the beginning of the year, I set myself some travel resolutions. In order to save up for the trip of a lifetime in 2016, I was going to stay within European confines for the duration of 2015.
What a glorious fail that was; once again proving that planning is pointless (for me, anyway), I’ve just booked a one-way ticket to Bangkok and plan to spend the winter sunning myself and exploring various locations in my very favourite continent, Asia.
In all likelihood, this trip-of-a-lifetime probably won’t happen in 2016 either, but I’ve been planning it for years. At some point, it is GOING to happen. One day, I am GOING to go to Alaska.
As part of September’s travel linkup, hosted by Rebecca at Runaway Kiwi, Kelly at Around the World in 80 Paints of Shoes, and Emma at Adventures of a Kiwi, I’m listing out the reasons I cannot get it out of my head.
Huskies. Huskies, huskies, huskies.
My friend has a cross-husky/malamute and I’m so lucky to be able to walk him a lot… Actually, he walks me. He’s a bloody big boy.
Here’s a little-known fact about huskies: they’re one of the few dogbreeds that clean themselves. Here’s a much-known fact about huskies: they’re bloody adorable (as confirmed by the bloggers at How Far From Home and their pictures of huskies taking selfies. They were working as Puppy Walkers at the time. That’s a JOB.).
I want to go to Alaska and see ALL the huskies, because in my mind, everyone in Alaska is just like that guy in the Netflix series Life Below Zero who owns 25 of them.
I want to look into husky-sledding but as with all animal activities, I’d need to check it out for ethical travel reasons first. If you have any info, comment below!
Hot springs
Natural, geothermic hot springs. Does it get any more luxurious than that?
Anaktuvuk Pass
As someone with hardly any experience of traditional living to speak of, I’m really intrigued by cultures that have resisted the digital age and live as they ever did. When I did my solo trip to the Outer Hebrides this year, I was fascinated to come across some non-modernised homes that had only been vacated in the 70s (I’m talking mud huts with looms). During my winter in East Asia, I’m stopping off at Japan’s Okinawa Island to learn more about antiquity in that amazing country and see how it’s kept alive today.
Anaktuvuk Pass, a historic caribou migration route, is the last remaining settlement of the Nunamiut people. Due to its isolation, modern living isn’t really a thing, which basically makes this my ultimate destination. Just look at their dumpster wisdom, as captured by photographer Paxson Woelber:
Source: Paxson Woelber on Flickr
Snowmobiling/ice-road trucking
When I was 14, I went skiing with my school. As with anything that requires physical exertion, it wasn’t to my taste; particularly when I went careering off a ramp into a tree, did my knee in and had to be skidooed off the mountain by an angelic Swede.
I want that experience – the skidoo – again, but against an Alaskan backdrop of nothing-but-nature-ness and without the poorly knee. The angelic Swede may stay.
Flightseeing
Because Alaskan scenery + helicopter = happy Amy.
Have you been to Alaska? What have I missed off my list?
artsendofnowhere.wordpress.com 
I’ve never really thought of visiting Alaska, but you’ve now persuaded me! I wanna see all the huskies!!!!
C x | Lux Life
They’re beautiful, aren’t they? I’ve just spent the evening playing with Esky, the one in the photos!
Alaska is on our long-term travel list too – the problem is that the list just keeps growing…!
Oh tell me about it! I’ve just decided I don’t have time for a job – there’s too much to see. I’ll worry about money later 🙂
Ooh huskies and angelic Swedes sound like the perfect recipe! I would love to visit Alaska, it looks so stunningly beautiful. I’ve been on a husky sled ride in Lapland when I was little and all I remember is that it was super fun. And the huskies were adorable of course! Hope you get there one day soon 🙂
The perfect recipe, for certain! You’re so lucky to have husky sledded; have you blogged about it?
No it was when I was a lot younger so don’t really remember too much and have no idea where any photos might be! May have to see if I can dig some out from my mum!
Oh definitely do that, I bet the pictures are adorable 🙂
The midnight sun in Alaska – that would be incredible!
Oh stop! I’m *this* close to booking a ticket 🙂
Ahhh I want to visit Alaska also; one of my friends lives out there and tells me to come and stay until I finally see the Northern Lights…totally fabulous reasons why you can’t get Alaska out of your head!
xx
Around the World in 80 Pairs of Shoes
Thanks! Have you seen the Northern Lights before? It pretty much occupies the number one spot on my bucket list!
We didn’t do any husky trips in Alaska, but I did spend some time with a dogsled group in Lake Tahoe and we went on a fabulous run. I was leery at first because you hear such terrible things, but those few hours persuaded me that those dogs lOVE TO RUN. The happiness and excitement they exhibited when it came time to set up on the sleds was clear to anyone within a two mile radius (all the happy barking and howling).
Aw, that’s encouraging. Bless!
Alaska is no. 1 on my bucket list at the moment!! I just love the Arctic and would also love to have a husky myself one day 😛
Oh tell me about it… About to check out your site but it sounds like you’re a snow-seeker – I bet Alaska would suit you down to the ground!