Alaska Stitch-N-Safari Itinerary
June 24-July 1, for example
Arrival: Plan to arrive in Alaska at least the day before your trip begins and plan to overnight in Anchorage. On the first day of your trip, your Trip Leader will meet you at 8:00 a.m. at the Aspen Hotel Anchorage located at 108 East 8th Avenue in downtown Anchorage.
June 24, Saturday
Day 1: Meet your Trip Leaders, Mike and Jen Funk Weber, and fellow stitchers at 8:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Aspen Hotel Anchorage. Enjoy a scenic drive south along Turnagain Arm and through the Chugach National Forest to the quaint community of Seward. Embark on a small ship tour of glaciated Kenai Fjords National Park. We will explore a coastline rich in wildlife and scenic beauty. The tour includes visiting a tidewater glacier and searching for marine wildlife such as sea otters, puffins (and many other bird species), harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and whales. Overnight in Seward at the Seward Windsong Lodge.
Choose between an exclusive Funk & Weber Designs Alaska Memories pattern or a Design-It-Yourself kit that enables you to customize the pattern to reflect your personal interests and experiences. (Lunch, Dinner provided)
June 25, Sunday
Day 2: Enjoy a scenic drive south along Turnagain Arm and through the Chugach National Forest to the quaint community of Cooper Landing. Gear up and raft into the heart of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge; along the way, watch for moose, bald eagles and other bird species, and salmon. The Kenai River is famous for its salmon, and depending on the time of your visit, you may witness their incredible spawning runs. A delicious picnic lunch will be served along the river or on the shore of Skilak Lake. Arrive at Kenai Backcountry Lodge in the late afternoon, settle into your accommodations, and bring out your stitching projects. Overnight at Kenai Backcountry Lodge. (Lunch, Dinner provided)
June 26, Monday
Day 3: Spend a full day exploring the remote wilderness of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. You choose how your day will unfold: spend the day relaxing with your stitching projects, or hike a secluded trail and travel through several fascinating ecological communities. At the top of the trail, explore the tundra and enjoy great views of the lake and surrounding wilderness. Or you may choose to explore the lake by boat, stopping for scenic views and short walks. Return to the lodge in the afternoon and enjoy the wood-fired sauna or simply relax at the lodge. Depending on the weather, options for the evening may include an exploration of the lake by sturdy touring kayak or fireside natural history presentation by one of the lodge's guides. There will be plenty of time for discussions and sharing while stitching. Overnight at Kenai Backcountry Lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided)
June 27, Tuesday
Day 4: Begin the journey north through the scenic Chugach National Forest and Chugach State Park to Talkeetna, gateway to the Alaska Range. We will be traveling north by vans, and will take the time to stitch and chat our way north. Take an optional flightseeing tour of Mount McKinley (Denali) and its adjacent glacial canyons or wander through "downtown" Talkeetna and learn about mountaineering and Talkeetna's history. Overnight in Talkeetna. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided)
June 28, Wednesday
Day 5: Continue traveling north to Denali National Park. Enjoy a Denali Wildlife Drive through the park. Watch for caribou, moose, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, resident & migratory birds, and weather permitting, the tallest peak in North America, Denali. Upon arrival at Kantishna Roadhouse, have dinner and settle into your cozy cabin accommodations deep within Denali National Park. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided)
June 29, Thursday
Day 6: Enjoy a full day of exploration and hiking in the Kantishna region of Denali National Park. The activities available at the Kantishna Roadhouse include guided hiking, natural history programs, gold panning, dog sled demonstration, and mountain biking. Flightseeing tours may be offered during your stay at the lodge. However, this activity is weather- and space-dependent. Overnight at Kantishna Roadhouse. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided)
June 30, Friday
Day 7: Following an early breakfast, embark on another Denali Wildlife Drive while heading for the entrance of the park. Say farewell to Mike and Jen, and board the Alaska Railroad back to Anchorage (or Fairbanks--ask our reservation staff), arriving at approximately 8:30 p.m. Lunch, dinner and transfers not included. Lunch and dinner are available for purchase on the train. (Breakfast provided)
Departure: You will arrive at the Anchorage train depot by approximately 8:30 p.m. on the last day of your journey. We recommend you spend this night in Anchorage. See the "Alaska Travel Information" section of your Trip Planning Booklet for recommended lodging. If you choose to fly home this night, we suggest you book a flight that departs after 11:30 p.m., in case of possible transportation delays.
Note: We do not expect any major changes from this schedule. However, in the spirit of adventure, we allow our itinerary to remain flexible so that we may take advantage of spontaneous events.
Additional Notes
Cabin and Lodge Accommodations: We have purposely arranged for rustic accommodations to enhance the Alaskan experience and the travel value. The Yukon Cabin Tent and Log Cabin accommodations at Kenai Backcountry Lodge are "off the grid" and have heat and propane lights, but no on-demand electricity (you will be surprised how cozy these "rustic" accommodations are!). All of the other accommodations have on demand heat and electricity. Although cabin and room styles vary, Alaska Wildland Adventures makes every effort to obtain rooms with two beds.
Bathroom Facilities: Kenai Backcountry Lodge is located in a sensitive ecological area; therefore the bathhouses are separate from the Yukon Cabin Tents and Log Cabins. The bathhouses are exceptionally clean and modern with hot water, flush toilets, and showers. For the rest of the trip, private bathroom facilities will be in each room or cabin.
Kenai Backcountry Lodge: Occasionally, due to high winds, we are unable to cross the lake at scheduled times. Alternative activities and accommodations have been planned for this uncommon occurrence. Usually, we are able to get across later in the day if the winds subside, but please be prepared for a possible change in schedule.
Road Travel: Travel from the Kenai Peninsula to Denali National Park includes two days of road travel. Although small craft air travel for this portion of the trip may seem possible, we have elected to travel by road because variable weather would disrupt many of our trips each summer, and add considerable expense. We have invested in spacious wide body "mini-coach" vehicles to make the road travel as comfortable as possible. While traveling through Denali National Park, we will be on board the Kantishna Roadhouse private bus. This 95-mile drive through the park offers spectacular scenery and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
Flightseeing: While overnighting at the Kantishna Roadhouse (Days 4-5), you have the option of taking a flightseeing tour of Denali (Mt. McKinley). These trips are offered by an independent operator and are booked on a space-available, weather dependent basis. If you are interested in flightseeing, reservations may be made directly with the operator that day. Trip cost for flightseeing is an additional $125-$175 per person. All prices are subject to change and are payable directly to the operator by traveler's check, credit card, or cash. (Reservations may not be booked by Alaska Wildland Adventures or made in advance.)
Trip Cost: The trip cost of $3,095.00 includes meals as noted, lodging, transportation from the Denali train depot to Kantishna Roadhouse and return transportation to Anchorage, best of gear and equipment, porterage, and full guide services during your entire stay. Trip cost does not include beer, wine or liquor, optional flightseeing tour, or gratuities to staff.
Alaska Railroad: The Alaska Railroad requires guests 18 years of age and older to provide photo ID. Mike or Jen will ask for your driver's license or passport number prior to your ride on the Alaska Railroad. This will help expedite the check-in process.
Gratuities to Staff: First, we firmly believe that a gratuity is not to be "expected," but "deserved." The amount is a matter of personal preference; we offer the following only because we are frequently asked for guidance. Since we are so often asked, we suggest $10 -$15 per guest per day as a moderate gratuity guideline. Guests can extend their gratuity to Mike or Jen toward the end of the trip. Please make checks payable to Mike and Jen, not to Alaska Wildland Adventures. We will distribute tips to all Alaska Wildland Adventures employees who work all or part of the trip.
Step 1: Visit Alaska Wildland Adventures and learn about the company and their style of travel.
Step 2: Review the Stitch-N-Safari itinerary.
Step 3: Contact Mike and Jen via e-mail, or phone (907-746-5641) if you have questions. (Remember, Alaska time is 4 hours earlier than Eastern time.)
Step 4: Contact Alaska Wildland Adventures (1-800-334-8730) for literature on the Funk & Weber Designs Stitch-N-Safari, and to reserve your space.
Trunk Show | 2005 Alaska Stitch-N-Safari
 
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Mike and Jen Funk Weber
Funk & Weber Designs 35232 W Pinochle Trail Sutton, AK 99674 (907) 746-5641 mail@funkandweber.com |
 
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