Delightful Day Exploring Beyond Anchorage - My husband and I were attending a conference in Anchorage and we had one day to ourselves to explore. Since we’ve been to the area before, we wanted to explore in a new direction. This tour was just what we were looking for, and James was the perfect tour guide. Originally we booked for the 2 of us, and then realized it was a private tour. We contacted the Welcome Anchorage Tours to ask if there was room for additional conference friends. They were very prompt with their replies, and very accommodating, so 3 friends joined us. James arrived early at our hotel for pickup. The SUV was clean and comfortable, and it was supplied with water, snacks, and umbrellas for our journey. We began with a tour of some sights of Anchorage, including public art, Earthquake Park, the airport (we are aviation enthusiasts), and the Ulu Factory. All the while we were entertained with local history and personal stories from James. We then left Anchorage and drove to the northeast, stopping for a hike in to Thunderbird Falls. We enjoyed a delicious lunch at a restaurant in Palmer, then toured the Musk Ox farm. The Mat-Su valley is really beautiful with its rolling hills, trees, and abundant green grasses. We drove up to Hatcher Pass but unfortunately we were in the clouds at the top and couldn’t see the amazing views that I know are there. On the return we stopped at Eklutna Historical Park, a place I have wanted to see for years. Overall we really enjoyed the day, and James was one of the most friendly tour guides we have ever had. We highly recommend this tour and Welcome Anchorage Tours.