Alaska

Two weeks is not nearly enough time. Two months would be closer including time getting there. Even a fly and drive into Fairbanks or Anchorage in two weeks would not be enough time.

My wife and I have been to Alaska four times, and the last time it was for four months with our travel trailer
We were in just about every place except Kodiak Island, and it was the trip of a life time.
If you would like to read our trip report which is quite lengthy, I would be glad to e-mail it to you and you can get an idea on which each area is good to see and what appeals to you

Jack L

Another suggestion is to look at the trips offered by Adventure Caravans or Fantasy.
Check out their itinerary and then do your own thing. It will give you ideas of where to go and things to see.
We have traveled to Yukon/Alaska 6 times on our own with never a problem. Lots of things to see and you just need time and more time to make it a leisurely trip. We have also traveled the Alaska Ferry System 3 times and got off at various ports along the way. Doing this takes a lot of planning though as you want to travel in daylight so as not to miss anything.

Good luck - start your research now for a great trip.

Not retired and totally forgot about the site for Alaska and Canada. We are looking at going in 2017 depending on vacation for DH maybe 2 weeks. Denali sounds like a great place to visit.

If you spend the time and money to get to Alaska you really need to drive the whole state....and it's very easy to do because there are not many roads. I would never go to Alaska and stay in Anchorage or Fairbanks and say that you saw Alaska because you would not. Take the time to really explore this beautiful state! If you're retired, plan on driving there and taking June, July and August to do it. You won't be disappointed.

We spent 79 days doing an Alaska Trip from northern Indiana in 2013, great trip. Suggest you pick up Mike & Terry Church's "Traveler's Guide to Alaskan Camping" and "The Milepost" for the Alaska Highway, a directory for the only land route to Alaska. It is printed yearly as services can change and do. Fuel stops can be over 100 miles apart, so don't run low. We always stayed "on the top half" of our fuel gauge. The Church's are from Alaska and write travel books for the Rver. When you get the book read the "Circle Route" this was our route to see the state. Everyone talks about how great Denali is, personally I felt the trip getting there was more impressive. I would have liked to spend more time in Dawson City, Haines, White Horse and The Kenai Peninsula. We did 10 days on our return trip doing "The Inside Passage" . Boarded the ferry at Skagway with 2-3 night stops at Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and finished up at Prince Rupert BC at the west end of PH16 or the Trans Canada Highway.

If you go to Denali make sure it's sunny because the mountain is not visible on cloudy days. You'll probably get no closer than 25-30 miles away if on the 8 hour National Park Concessionaire bus tour from the visitors center. Private vehicles are not allowed past a gate about 15 miles inside the park, the Eielson Visitor's Center (for viewing the mountain) is 51 miles past this gate.

I am surprised that you as a senior member did not post this to the AK forum. . . . :S

We've been up each of the last 2 years. Drove up in a TC in 14 and took the ferry back to Bellingham from Whittier. I doubt motion sickness would be much of an issue as a good bit of the water trip is on the Inside Passage in sheltered water. Even when in the Gulf the ships are stabilized and the ride is pretty nice.

This past year we took 22 days to drive up to Anchorage and 14 days to drive back in our motorhome(we pushed it coming home). Both years we spent at least 2 weeks there.

Anchorage is a good central base, but one should expect to visit for a few days in Denali, Fairbanks, Wrangle St Elias,all the Kenai peninsula, and Valdez.

The road trip is definitely doable by car or RV, expecting a few rough roads along the way.

Alaska is a "must visit" place so make sure you go somehow. Don't rule out flying and renting a motorhome up there.

Going to Alaska is part of the experience especially parts of Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon.
In Alaska there is many great views of the mountains, including Denali if it is visible. Glaciers are visible in many locales.
Most people travel the big triangle, Tok, Fairbanks and Anchorage. This OK for some but the many side trips are where it is at. Kenai Pennisula, Copper River/ Valdez, Wittier are a couple.
I would start reading the visitors guide for Alaska, Yukon, Alberta and British Columbia. Get a Milepost Magazine even an old one will help.

Denali National Park is a must and plan to go into the park on as many days as you can if you want to see wildlife and have the weather cooperate for scenery. The Kenai Peninsula is popular for fishing and scenery. Valdez is great scenery but most fishing is in salt water so you might not want that. What part of summer do you plan, how many days. and do you want to fish?