I finally committed! I have daily dreams of visiting Alaska and I’ve tried to go to the airmen’s show for the past several years. This year, it’s finaly going to happen! Tickets are bought for my wife and I, and now the planning begins!

You are gonna have a blast!

I attended for the first time last year as a vendor and was more than impressed with the quality of the show. Even more so, the quality of the people. Can't wait to get back!!

My wife and I are planning to fly up for this as well (First Year).
Is there anything else to see while we're up in Alaska??

Will you be able to stay for Valdez fly in? That is a great time. Talkeetna day trip with a Denali flight with Talkeetna air taxi, Day trip to Seward with sealife boat trip (If train is running 1st class view car is Great!!) Save any in town stuff for when the wife is done with planes, she can shop while you stay at show. Make forum members take you out for local flights. What dates are you in town.
DENNY

I will be flying up from Nor Cal for the Valdez competition. Anyone going then?

I really want to stay for the week to make Valdez as well.

Bagarre wrote:My wife and I are planning to fly up for this as well (First Year).
Is there anything else to see while we're up in Alaska??

LOL. Nothing to see here folks, move along!

1. Stay at the LakeFront, make your reservations soon, that way you can just stay at the bar, which has Lake Hood planes landing path right over the deck, you can walk up to pretty much any table and it will be pilots.
2. Lake Hood Air Museum is small but pretty kick ass.
3. Piper's is the other bar that will be jumping.

Can’t wait! We made reservations at the Lakefront for the 3rd through 7th.

I was there a couple years ago. Highly recommended. I don't think it's in the cards for this year, but I'll return another year.

Headoutdaplane wrote:1. Stay at the LakeFront, make your reservations soon, that way you can just stay at the bar, which has Lake Hood planes landing path right over the deck, you can walk up to pretty much any table and it will be pilots.
2. Lake Hood Air Museum is small but pretty kick ass.
3. Piper's is the other bar that will be jumping.

Just booked the Lakefront May 4 to 7 and will figure things out after that.
The hotel is filling up fast.

We did 10 days in Alaska and the Yukon two years ago and have been trying to get back ever since.
I'd move to Alaska but my Mediterranean wife won't have it.

Bagarre wrote:My wife and I are planning to fly up for this as well (First Year).
Is there anything else to see while we're up in Alaska??

Holy schnikes man, I moved here 45+ years ago and I still have a million things to see and do! Just make sure your "WOW!" muscles are in shape because you'll be doing a lot of that.

If you're attending this show, recommend you order some Backcountry swag and wear it to the show. I didn't, and likely missed meeting several members while in Anchorage. Had I been identified, I might even have received an invitation to the social that occurred. Zane deserves the exposure to help drive membership also.

Seems to be a fair amount of ride sharing asked/offered by visitors and locals in another thread. Very brotherly. I hope to see more pictures and stories of this following the show.

The fast food looking Mexican restaurant across the street from the hotel is FANTASTIC! Eat there! As far as breakfast goes, Gwinies is going down hill, not nearly as good as it once was.

G44 wrote:The fast food looking Mexican restaurant across the street from the hotel is FANTASTIC! Eat there! As far as breakfast goes, Gwinies is going down hill, not nearly as good as it once was.

Geeez, Kurt, Gwennies was always a greasy spoon in my experience. Lots of good food in ANC if you look around, though.

MTV

mtv wrote:

G44 wrote:The fast food looking Mexican restaurant across the street from the hotel is FANTASTIC! Eat there! As far as breakfast goes, Gwinies is going down hill, not nearly as good as it once was.

Geeez, Kurt, Gwennies was always a greasy spoon in my experience. Lots of good food in ANC if you look around, though.

MTV

Mike, I was trying to me polite, its always been bad . I have never been a fan of Gwennies but that seems to be the place where people like to meet up so I go along, its about the socializing more than the food. Like you said, other options. That being said, as I mentioned above, that mexican place across from the hotel is very good!

Kurt

As per usual, I have a decent chance of making it in, so hopefully will be there.

Anyone that is able to stay for the Valdez show, the drive over and back ton Anchorage is well worth the effort!! I do it usually twice a year towing my 5th wheel and always enjoy the views. Lots of groups camping next to flight line or under the wing. Shuttle into town in case you want to have a few beers after or during the days events.
DENNY

Airfare purchased... Hopefully we can get a contingent together again in the Lakefront bar for Friday night.