An Alaskan Long Weekend Trip
An Alaskan Long Weekend Trip
By: Mark Glassmeyer
If you know our brand, it won’t surprise you that we jump at any chance to fly around Alaska with our friends. The 2024 Alaskan Airman Show was the perfect reason this Spring. Wanting to visit friends but not stay confined to the Palmer Fairgrounds, we planned some adventures before and after the show. We’d like to share our weekend and the places we explored as a mini travel guide for a long weekend in Alaska.
We arrived in Alaska the Wednesday before the Airman Show. Seeking a few days of relaxation, my wife Tracy and I stayed in a riverside cabin at Susitna River Lodging in Talkeetna. It was a perfect spot to unwind, with great views of the river and, on clear days, Denali. We explored the town, visited K2 Aviation, and met many locals, including Tammy, our waitress at two different restaurants.
After our time in Talkeetna, we headed to the Alaskan Airman Show, stopping at Aircraft Spruce’s new store in Palmer. The Irwin family has truly built an aviation facility that will certainly be a valuable asset to pilots all over the state. We attended their new store opening complete with a cookout and giveaways. Later that night, the Irwins would host every vendor and sponsor at the Alaskan Airman Show at a grand opening party. The evening was filled with catching up with industry friends and sharing some of the Alaskan adventure stories we had already accumulated in just a short period of time. The show at the Palmer Fairgrounds was a wonderful two days of talking to customers and friends, sharing our Alaskan adventures, and feeling proud to be part of such a community.
We met Doug and Russ from Sporty’s at the show and invited them on a photo shoot to Homer. My wife flew home, and Monday morning, Doug, Russ, and I drove down to Homer, making scenic stops along the way. We stayed at Land’s End Resort and planned the next day’s adventure.
The next morning, Chris Palmer and I flew to Seldovia with our gear, followed by Doug and Russ. Watching Doug make his first gravel landing in Alaska was a joyful and surprising experience. It’s amazing how a change in scenery can make familiar experiences feel new and exciting. This reminded me to explore new destinations in the lower 48.
After a day of hiking and photo shoots in Seldovia, we returned to Homer, enjoying more local sights. The following day, bad weather grounded us, so we visited Dan at Smokey Bay Air and explored Bishop’s Beach at low tide. Chris Palmer even rescued an elderly woman from the incoming tide, a heroic moment.
We chased the bore tide back to Anchorage, marking the end of our Alaskan adventure. It was a productive, fun, and adventurous few days. We can’t wait to return, and we hope you’ll take some Flight Outfitters travel tips and gear with you on your own Alaskan adventure.
Places we stopped:
Alaskan Wildlife Conservation Center
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