GCI is proudly sponsoring the Alaska Travel Industry Association’s Show Up for Alaska campaign because it’s focused on lifting up Alaska-owned, travel and tourism businesses and rallying Alaskans to help other Alaskans. That is our mission at the core.
Each Wander AK Wednesday, you’ve seen us highlight tourism businesses across the state on Facebook and LinkedIn. But more than just words on a screen, we want to inspire you to explore this summer — safely and socially distanced of course — and use those Alaska resident deals!
This week, we want you to give a big “Yahoo, Mat-Su!” to Palmer. This farming community sits at the foothills of the Talkeetna Mountains and along the Glenn Highway, making its rich history and adventures plenty accessible to all. Start planning your road trip here.
First stop: Hatcher Pass and Independence Mine State Historical Park. “Alaskans know that this is a gem,” said Salmon Berry Tours co-owner Mandy Garcia. “It’s a really cool place to come up in the mountains.”
Salmon Berry Tours took over concessions at the state park in June, meaning the tour operator manages the trails and gate access to the upper park, where you can find all of the historical buildings and trails like Gold Cord Lake Trail. Garcia said the most important thing to her was to offer reliable access. The gate is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day consistently, and will be through Sept. 30, she said.
Visiting the gold mine is a little different now. Salmon Berry allows free access to the Manager’s House, Bunk House #2 and the Assay Office — even better, there’s now a snack shop in the Bunk House. The other buildings can be explored on a guided 45-minute tour, offered every hour on the hour at $12 for Alaska residents and $5 for kids. The guided tour focuses on the story of the mine, the people and the lifestyle from 1938 to 1950.
I want to say thank you to the Alaskans who are traveling and supporting small businesses; a big thank you for coming to the state park and being so welcoming to us.
Salmon Berry Tours co-owner Mandy Garcia
Note: Masks are required while you’re in the historical buildings and complimentary ones are provided to anyone on tour. In addition to following all CDC and state recommended cleaning protocols, the Salmon Berry team also uses a sanitizing fogger in the historical buildings, the retail area and in its vehicles.
“Salmon Berry has never had tour products targeted to local Alaskans before,” Garcia said. So why the pivot? Garcia knew COVID-19 would take a major toll on tour bookings this summer. “Our main concern was, ‘How can we use the resources we have? We have great employees and tour guides and tour vehicles.” Applying for the state park contract was a “kind of a Hail Mary pass,” she said. But it worked. Garcia was able to turn the application around quickly while working at home and teaching her kids at home because of reliable GCI Internet service.
Garcia is truly grateful. “I want to say thank you to the Alaskans who are traveling and supporting small businesses; a big thank you for coming to the state park and being so welcoming to us,” she said. She’s also appreciating the little things. “Every time you go up there, there’s something new that’s grown. The wildflowers have bloomed and in early August, the berries will be coming out. It’s going to be a really good berry season,” she said. (Note: don’t forget your berry buckets.)
Now let’s explore the rest of Palmer.
What to do
- Meet the animals at the Musk Ox Farm. Guided, small group tours around the farm are by reservation only, and social distancing is encouraged. Masks are required if you step into indoor facilities.
- Similar safety precautions are in place at the Reindeer Farm. Book ahead to join a family walking tour and enter the pen with 40 reindeer pals.
- Looking to escape into nature even farther? Book an ATV tour with Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours. First-timers may want to try the three-hour Glacier View tour, but the full-day Knik Glacier tour is the most popular.
- Mica Guides offers tours on the Matanuska Glacier for everyone from age 8 to 80. Locals save 20% off the most popular Ice Fall Trek, Ice Climbing tour or the Extreme Zip Adventure.
- Explore the Knik River Valley on horseback with Alaska Horse Adventures. Or try a brand new tour that combines a horseback ride, a float trip and an ATV ride.
- Whether you’re ready to raft Lion Head or want a more gentle float past the Matanuska Glacier, Nova Alaska Guides is Alaska’s oldest river rafting operator and has options for everyone.
Where to eat:
- Turkey Red is famous for dishing up the freshest, Mediterranean-inspired fare in the Valley, with a focus on local, organic ingredients. The full menu is available for take-away or delivery.
- The options are endless at Humdingers Gourmet Pizza Co., and all of its creative, wood-fired pizzas (from the Jolly Green to the Steak to the Heart) can be ordered to go.
- Fill a growler or two to go at 203 Kombucha. With flavors ranging from Yerba Chaga to Lemon Cayenne Ginger to Jasmine Green, there’s one for every taste bud.
- Stop by Vagabond Blues Coffee House for fresh baked goods, daily soups or sandwiches on homemade bread. Yes, they have gluten-free options, too.
- While the Palmer Alehouse has stopped filling growlers to go, you can still get its pub fare to go with curbside pickup. The restaurant claims the best fries in the Valley!
- Pick up your favorite Mexican dishes from La Fiesta, which relies on decades-old family recipes for its quesadillas, fajitas, chimichangas and more.
Where to stay
- Stay socially distanced in a private cabin at the Knik River Lodge. Rates are discounted to $149 per night for Alaska residents until Aug. 15.
- Most Alaskans have stopped at the Sheep Mountain Lodge for a delicious meal at least once in its 77-year history. Modern cabins and RV sites are also available.
- At Alaska’s Harvest Bed & Breakfast, Joe and Colette Hand have been sharing their home for more than 30 years. Each of the six rooms has a private bathroom, plus there’s a three-bedroom log cabin on property for bigger groups.
- Set between Palmer and Wasilla, Alaska Garden Gate B&B and Cottages offers private cottages and apartments of all sizes with full kitchens. As a safety precaution this summer, a hearty continental breakfast is delivered to your refrigerator each day.
- For anyone who prefers sleeping outside, Alpenglow Luxury Camping’s luxury tents come with views of the Matanuska Glacier or secluded in the forest.
These are just a taste of the opportunities in Palmer and we know you’ll get out and explore further. Just keep the local businesses in mind and lend your support, while prioritizing your health and safety. GCI is committed to being a good neighbor and empowering our local communities, because at the end of the day, we are more than just Alaska’s technology leader. We are a company founded and operated by Alaskans.