This post originally appeared on akmemo.com.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to make a personal appearance in the state with his very good friend, Vladimir Putin, this Friday. Where they plan to discuss ending Russia’s war on Ukraine (without Ukraine) is anyone’s guess.
So, rather than digging too much into Trump’s talk about land swaps — which is curious given various Russian politicians’ chest beating that reclaiming Alaska is next after Ukraine — let’s have some fun and explore all the great places that Trump and Putin could spend their day in Alaska.
And, to be fair, Trump also seems unsure of where they’ll be going after twice saying during a presser that “we’re going to Russia.”
Who knows, maybe it’ll be inspiration for your next trip with a very good friend.
Moose’s Tooth after hiking Flattop together
The quintessential Anchorage-area date night for folks whose sole hobby in their dating profiles is “hiking” could also serve as a great way for the two world leaders to get to know each other, talk about their plans to spend every weekend of the summer sleeping on the ground and if it doesn’t work out, at least they’ll have some tasty leftovers.
The Igloo on the Parks Highway
It’s a true testament to Alaska’s history of high hopes and poor planning.
Room 604 of Juneau’s Baranof Hotel
The hideout of the notorious “Corrupt Bastards Club,” the political scheme that showed just how little Alaska’s legislators could be bought off for, has plenty of history. Plus, you probably get a discount for using the code “VECO” upon booking.
The 26 Glacier Cruise, which sails out of the city of Whittier, Alaska, where the entire population lives in a single 14-story building that houses a grocery store, school, post office, church, B&B and city government
Located 60 miles from Anchorage, the town is accessible by sea, air, rail and a one-way tunnel. Best of all, they can finally see what that Facebook meme everyone’s aunt keeps sharing is all about.
The Alaska State Fair
The Alaska State Fair starts this Friday, with a Friday schedule that includes an antique tractor pull, goat and cow milking, the Alaska Junior Rodeo and Medium Build on the main stage. We’ve always said that diplomacy goes well with some spinach bread.
Skinny Dick’s Halfway Inn
After a close call with this summer’s fires, the aptly named bar — which comes with a warning that “we do have adult humor” (read: NO WOKE) — would also be a good place to talk about the shared challenges of evolving fire management in the circumpolar north.
A steamy soak in Chena Hot Springs
It’s not the right season, but the hot springs are probably good for swollen ankles. Just don’t forget a pair of flip flops.
Bear baiting with Gov. Mike Dunleavy
The two could bond over their shared passion for inflicting pain on others by joining Gov. Mike Dunleavy on one of the state’s latest predator control hunts, which have included killing hundreds of brown bears (including cubs), black bears and wolves. The practice has also expanded to include bear baiting.
One of the state’s many majestic McDonald’s
The home of the Denali Mac, which appears to have escaped the executive order renaming Alaska’s highest peak… for now.
The Kodiak Walmart that hosted Pitbull after 4chan users rigged an online contest
¡Dale!
Wasilla Middle School
If it was good enough for the 2019 “special” session that Gov. Mike Dunleavy tried to call in Wasilla, it’s good enough for two world leaders.
Yelling at each other from between Big Diomede and Little Diomede
And if nothing else works, they can always meet at the closest point between the U.S. and Russia.
Probably a military base or something
🫡
Matt Acuña Buxton is a long-time political reporter who has written for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and The Midnight Sun political blog. He also authors the daily politics newsletter, The Alaska Memo, and can frequently be found live-tweeting public meetings on Bluesky.
