|Midnight Sun & Untamed Wilde

🚗💨Having just experienced Alaska's endless summer days under the midnight sun, I'm convinced this is America's last great wilderness frontier! Here’s your essential guide to making the most of Alaska’s summer magic: 🧥 Layer Like a Pro Summer temperatures swing wildly - sunny afternoons hit 70°F while glacier tours drop to 30°F! ✔️ Pack waterproof shell jacket + fleece mid-layer ✔️ Quick-dry hiking pants beat jeans ✔️ Beanies and gloves saved us on whale watching tours Pro tip: Dress like an onion - you'll be peeling layers on/off all day! 🦟 Bug Defense Strategy The mosquitoes here are next-level - we called them "Alaska's state bird"! 💦 Deep Woods OFF! became our perfume 🧴 Picaridin lotion for face and neck areas 👖 Tucked pants into socks - fashion be damned! Fun fact: The mosquito trucker hat ($25 at Anchorage Walmart) actually works! 🍔 Food & Fuel Planning Beyond cities, services disappear faster than daylight in winter! ⛽ Gas stations: Fill up at Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Wasilla 🛒 Costco run: We stocked up on snacks, water, and sandwich materials 🍎 Fresh produce gets scarce in remote areas - load up early Local gem: Try reindeer sausage from roadside stands! 🔭 Gear Must-Haves Binoculars (10x42 ideal) - spotted bears across valleys! 📷 Telephoto lens (200mm+) for wildlife photography 🗺️ Gaia GPS app - cell service disappears but maps work 🎒 Dry bags - kayaking and boat tours will spray you! ⏰ Alaska Time Management Construction delays are part of the experience! 🚧 Single-lane traffic stops: Perfect time for snack breaks 🕘 Add 30% buffer to all drive times 🌞 Midnight sun advantage: Drive at 11 PM with gorgeous golden light! 🗺️ Our Route Regrets & Revelations We skipped Denali's bus tour (controversial!) but discovered these gems: ⭐ Hatcher Pass - wildflower meadows with roaming musk ox ⭐ Matanuska Glacier - walk on blue ice without guided tour ⭐ Talkeetna River - rafting with Denali views better than park itself Already planning return trip for Wrangell-St. Elias and Kenai Fjords! Alaska isn't a destination - it's an experience that rewires your soul. The mountains call you back before you've even left! 🏔️ #US #Fairbanks #Alaska