Are you ready to see our nation’s last frontier? The Country Today, in partnership with Progressive Travel, presents the Alaskan Agricultural Tour during harvest time. You will experience not only the traditional sights of Alaska, but learn about agricultural advances in this vast wilderness. The Matanuska Valley is home to some of the largest vegetables because of the extraordinary growing season. You will be amazed as to what you see on display at the various farmers’ markets.

Contrary to what some people believe, August is the best time to see Alaska. Mt. McKinley and other natural sights are at their peak in the crisp cool air. The abundant wildlife completes an adventure of a lifetime as many of the animals are preparing for the long winter ahead.

Join us on this 8 day tour making it possible
for you to see America’s last frontier in all its glory!

Day 1, Sunday August 10

On your first day, we motorcoach from central Wisconsin to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport. Our flight arrives in Fairbanks, Alaska this evening.

Welcome to the last frontier: Alaska! Upon arrival, our motorcoach transports you to your first night’s hotel accommodation in Fairbanks.

Fairbanks is the farthest north we travel on our tour, so take a look outside this evening for a chance to see the beautiful aurora borealis (or northern lights) dancing in the sky. This natural event is one of the most beautiful natural phenomenon observed by man.

Day 2, Monday, August 11

This morning we board the Riverboat Discovery, where you will take part is a three and a half hour cruise to the heart of Alaska where the Chena and the Tanana Rivers meet. Weather permitting, you will see bush planes taking off from a “bush” style runway right next to the boat! Meet the champion sled dogs of internationally acclaimed athlete, the late Susan Butcher, a four time winner of the 1,100 mile Iditarod Race.

Gain insight into the ancient Athabascan Indian culture, as
native guides take you on a personalized tour of the Chena Indian Village.

After the riverboat cruise, enjoy a wonderful lunch. This afternoon, we stop to see the magnificent Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Walk under and touch this technological marvel that weaves a path 800 miles from above the Arctic Circle in Prudoe Bay and then south to the marine terminal in Valdez where the oil is loaded into tankers.

Before departing Fairbanks, we’ll make a brief stop at the University of Alaska Experimental Farm where we will see the diversity of native and non-native plants in Alaska.

This evening we arrive in Denali Park where very comfortable accommodations await us for the next two nights. CB, L

Day 3, Tuesday, August 12

Rise and Shine! Early this morning we depart for a special tour of Denali National Park, the Wildlife Tundra Tour.

This six to eight hour tour takes you through incredible terrain and as close as possible to the base of the majestic Mt. McKinley. Only plants adapted to the long bitterly cold winters and short growing seasons can survive in this sub-arctic wilderness.

Deep beds of intermittent permafrost, ground frozen for thousands of years, underlie portions of the park and preserve. Wildlife is at abundance at Denali Park. Grizzly bear, moose caribou, Dall sheep, fox, and many other small animals abound within the vast park. Make sure you bring your binoculars and camera today. A box lunch is provided in today’s tour.

We have a few hours to relax and freshen up before enjoying delicious food and entertainment this evening at the Denali Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre. L, D

Day 4, Wednesday, August 13

This morning, we continue south along Denali State Park to a very unusual one-of-a-kind town, Talkeetna, where mountain climbers from all over the world begin their ascent of Mt. McKinley. We’ll learn more about these incredible climbers from a Denali Park Mountaineering Ranger.

After a hearty lunch, you have some free time in Talkeetna where you may choose to take a flight-seeing trip around massive Mt. McKinley and actually land on a glacier! Or choose to take
a jet boat trip down river for bear watching. You have many choices as you spend some quality time in this unique
Alaskan town.

We then spend the next two nights in the heart of the Matanuska Valley, the town of Wasilla. Hotel accommodations are confirmed at the Best Western Lake Lucille Inn, known for its beautiful lakeside views. Tonight we have a wonderful dinner planned! L, D

Day 5, Thursday, August 14

Between Palmer and Wasilla, Alaska, the fertile soil and 19-hours of summer sunlight per day round out a three-month growing season. This combination produces abundant crops, not only impressive in size, but in yields. Today, the Matanuska Valley produces nearly 70 percent of all Alaskan-grown agricultural products.

This morning, we visit the Havemeister’s Dairy Farm as we continue our tour of the Matanuska Valley. Built during the Palmer Colony days in 1935, the Havemeister farm remains the only working dairy farm still in existence from the original colony. Bob, Jeanne, and A’lise Havemeister take us on our journey this morning as we hear and see some amazing things from the past to the present. Weather permitting, a picnic lunch is planned.

This afternoon, we continue our tour of a Musk Ox Farm. You’ll learn about the history of the musk ox, a prehistoric remnant of the last great ice age and its domestication. The
musk ox project promotes the use of qiviut, the fine under-wool of the musk ox, as the basis of an arctic textile industry. The
qiviut is eight times warmer than sheep’s wool and is hand-knitted by Alaskan natives into some of the most luxurious garments in the world. A cooperative formed by Eskimo women, called
the Oomingmak, provides vital income for families throughout the year.

Later this afternoon, we make a stop at the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla where you’ll hear all about this incredible dog sled race that lasts for weeks! Try a dog sled ride your self to get a taste of this arctic sport! CB, L