Alaska Travelgram: Recent Episodes
Alaska Travelgram
Dining al fresco at the Great St. Elias Station at the toe of the Kennicott Glacier in McCarthy, AlaskaSPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Maria Benner checks out a new restaurant in McCarthy: The Great St. Elias Station.
On the final night of our latest trip to our cabin in McCarthy, we decided to check out the area’s newest spot for food and drinks: The Great St. Elias Station, which opened at the end of July. The property features several high-end cabins and a main hall where guests can gather for conversation and meals.
We made a date night of it, beginning with pre-dinner drinks at The Potato. The place was bustling with visitors celebrating epic adventures and locals catching up with one another. From there, we rode our bikes a short distance toward Kennicott before ducking onto the Wagon Trail, which parallels the road. We soon reached a clearly marked turnoff for The Great St. Elias Station.
The Station sits near the terminus of the Kennicott Glacier, in an area locals call “the Toe.” The views of Mount Blackburn, Donoho Peak, Gates Glacier, Root Glacier and the Stairway Icefall are absolutely stunning. It’s not a million-dollar view, it’s a billion-dollar view with today’s inflation.
The main hall makes the most of the setting, with enormous windows and a spacious deck offering an unobstructed panorama. Because it was a beautiful sunny evening, we chose to dine al fresco.
Nice view comes with the “Adventure Burger”.The menu is limited and appears to change as items sell out. An Instagram post that morning featured a brisket plate, veggie kebabs and two kinds of burgers. By the time we arrived around 7 p.m., the Adventure Burger and Classic Burger remained, along with three dessert options.
We chose the Adventure Burger: two brisket patties topped with goat cheese, lettuce, roasted red pepper and special sauce on a brioche bun, served with coleslaw and steak fries. It was delicious, and plenty for the two of us to share. The drinks menu is robust, with craft beer on draft and by the bottle, high-end wines and mixed drinks. The Station has a full liquor license.
As we were leaving, we stopped to chat with an employee who commented that there’s no such thing as date night in McCarthy, because you always run into someone you know and end up talking to them. So true, as we enjoyed the company of a local newlywed couple who invited us to join them at their table.
On the bike ride home, we stopped for a nightcap at the Golden Saloon and talked with more locals on the deck. By the time we reached our cabin, the night was no longer young, and we needed to rest up for an early start back to Anchorage.
I think date night in McCarthy may have to become a new last-night-at-the-cabin tradition.
The post Date Night in McCarthy, Alaska appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
On the m/v Bravest. Near the face of Harvard Glacier.It was a rainy day when we lined up for the Whittier Tunnel yesterday.
Waiting on the other side was the m/v Bravest, with more than 250 new friends–all ready to explore the glaciers in Prince William Sound.
Bravest is a big boat…but not as big as the CORAL PRINCESS! Phillips Cruises has operated daily cruises into College Fjord for decades–and they have the itinerary fine-tuned for those who want to see more glaciers–faster!
Passengers can watch the progress of the trip on the big map displays mid-cabin.Along the way, travelers get a peek at the abundant wildlife in Prince William Sound: sea lions, seals, puffins, kittiwakes, bears, eagles…maybe even a whale (we didn’t see any)
Nobody gets seasick on Bravest. It’s guaranteed. As we’re pulling out of Whittier, the staff comes through and delivers some yummy smoked salmon chowder. If you want more, there’s a bar in the back of the boat with more snacks an drinks.
Bravest skims along the water at about 30 knots, which means we approad “Egg Rock” in short order. That’s where you’re likely to see some sea lions hauled out on the rocks. These critters are big–but it’s hard to get a picture with my phone!
Black bear has fish-in-mouth….putting on a show for those of us on the cruise!Next stop was a fish bay in Lake Bay, near the southern tip of Esther Island. It’s interesting to see the pens where they keep the fish. But it’s more interesting to see the other critters hoping to grab a stray fish or two….or three. Sea lions. Birds. Bears….we saw them all!
After watching all the critters, the captain turned north to cut through Esther Passage and into College Fjord.
Captain steers clear of the iceberg.The ice opened up nicely for us. It’s a 30-mile trip up College Fjord to see the massive Harvard Glacier, so he put the hammer down. The rooster tail on Bravest is impressive.
The water was as smooth as glass, which made for some nice photos. As we approached the top of College Fjord with the giant Harvard Glacier, the ship kept bumping into more and more ice…which made for some interesting noises throughout the cruise!
As the ice got thicker, we could spot more harbor seals on the mini-icebergs. But all eyes were on the face of the glacier to see any big chunks that might calve off and hit the water with a big SPLASH!
The captain stayed as long as he could at the face of the glacier, until it was time to buzz back to Whittier.
The last stop was the giant kittiwake rookery directly across from the Whittier Harbor. Thousands of kittiwakes make their nests directly on a rock face–which provides good protection from foxes and other predators.
Don’t miss a cruise this summer with Phillips Cruises. Bring your raincoat. Bring your hat and gloves. I was surprised at how warm it was–and there was no icy wind coming from the glacier. But there could have been!!
The post 26 Glaciers Cruise: Ice is nice appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
“Kia Orana” is the traditional greeting in the Cook Islands…like “Aloha” in Hawaii. Take advantage of springtime savings to fly from Anchorage to the Cook Islands.
From Anchorage, the thru-fare starts at $890 roundtrip, a 35 percent discount (USE DISCOUNT CODE HACOOK35). SAME PRICE from Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau. That’s a “Main Cabin” price on Alaska Airlines to Honolulu (via the West Coast), then nonstop on Hawaiian.
Travel via the West Coast on the outbound flight. The return flight offers a nice connection to the nonstop Honolulu-Anchorage flight.
ScreenshotYOU CAN fly via the nonstop ANC-HNL on your outbound flight. But you have to spend the night in Honolulu…and it costs a little more.
BOOK between now and AUGUST 11. Travel Sept. 1-Nov. 1, 2026. There’s just ONE FLIGHT PER WEEK from Honolulu to Rarotonga….so plan accordingly (south from Honolulu on Fridays, returning on Saturdays).
Stay for a week–or two! Rarotonga is small–it’s less than 25 miles around the island. The shoreline is dotted with beaches, parks and resorts.
No building is taller than a coconut tree, so the island is strictly low-key. Spend a few days there, then fly to another island: Aitutaki. There’s a reef, a beautiful lagoon and several glorious places to stay.
LEARN MORE at the Cook Islands websit
Check the Cook Islands website for a wide variety of accommodations, including:
- Sunset Resort
- Lagoon Breeze Villas
- Palm Grove
- Black Pearl Beachside Apartments
- Castaway Resort
- Sea Change Villas
- Muri Beachcomber
The post Fall sale to the Cook Islands appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
The Highliner Suites Hotel is now open on E. 15th Avenue in Anchorage. I stopped in for a tour with Michael Baccari, a member of the development team.
Michael Baccari, left, checks to find an empty room for our site visit.“I’ve basically been living here for the last 20 days,” he said.
In fact, the ground floor still is under construction. There will be six full-size family suites with a separate bedroom, full kitchen and room for four people.
Most rooms on the other two floors are fully-finished and ready for guests. In fact, the Highliner Suites is sold out for the next couple of days.
Brand new king beds, including the power-strip on the right side.The hotel’s renovation was extensive. Everything in the rooms is brand new: the beds, the carpet, the appliances, the coffee makers (Keurig), the power strips (plenty, including USB-A and USB-C), the TVs and everything in the bathrooms.
Many of the rooms feature a high-capacity air conditioner.ttFree parking. Free wi-fi. Practical workspace. 24-hour front desk.
ScreenshotWhen I stopped by yesterday, they were doing some painting on the deck. These folks are working hard on this place–and it shows.
ScreenshotI did a quick scan for rooms in August and early September on the hotel’s website. The least-expensive rooms start at $240 per night–but not until September. Mid-August rates run between $265 and $375 per night, depending on the room type.
CLICK HERE to book online or call 907-313-4934. Tell ’em I sent you.
The post Now Open: Highliner Suites Hotel in Anchorage appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
The Great St. Elias Station opened on July 22 in McCarthy. Photos: Adam PolickyCONGRATULATIONS are in order out in McCarthy, in the middle of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The “Great St. Elias Station” is now open just outside the town of McCarthy, on the way to the Kennicott Historical District. It’s located right on the edge of the Kennicott Glacier.
The view from “The Hall” restaurantWHO: This all-new outpost, three years in the making, was developed by some of the folks who built the ultra-remote Ultima Thule Lodge deep in the park. Co-owner Ellie Gray grew up at Ultima Thule, where her family has hosted guests since the 1980s.
WHAT: There are 10 private cabins and “The Hall”, a restaurant/bar. “The Hall is the heart of the property, serving as a basecamp for our overnight guests and a welcoming table for the community,” said Co-Owner Ellie Gray.
Cabins feature showers, a writing desk and comfy chair and a nine-foot wide window on to the glacier.
Breakfast is included for overnight guests at “The Hall”. Rates start at $595 per cabin. Use “OPENINGSEASON” to save 10 percent.
Five of the 10 private cabins, surrounded by Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.WHEN: Now open!
WHERE: Located one mile outside McCarthy, on the way to the Kennicott Historical District.
WHY: This is a new way to access Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Catch a ride up to Kennicott for an iconic Mill Tour, or to start a hike out to the Root Glacier. Go flightseeing–the airport is nearby. Explore the town of McCarthy, including its amazing museum–which highlights the region’s rich mining history.
Learn more (click here)!
The post Now Open: “The Great St. Elias Station” in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Trusty floatplane on the shores of Hickerson Lake.SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Maria Benner recently traveled to Lake Clark National Park. In her first report, she paddled and camped through Twin Lakes with Alaska Alpine Adventures. Her second report focused on Lake Clark Resort in Port Alsworth. In this final installment, she takes to the air with Lake Clark Resort for its Fire and Ice Tour.
In Lake Clark National Park floatplanes are a main mode of transportation. The park covers more than four million acres, with no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska. Some of its most remarkable lakes, glaciers, wildlife habitat and volcanic landscapes are separated by enormous stretches of wilderness. Lake Clark Resort’s Fire and Ice Tour is designed to make that vast geography accessible in a single day. Instead of looking down at the park through an airplane window and returning to the same runway, we used the floatplane to land and explore. The route is shaped by the conditions, the wildlife and the pilot’s knowledge of the country.
There are many large glaciers in Lake Clark National ParkOur first stop was Kijik Lake, where we climbed out on shore for lunch. Our pilot, Glen Alsworth III, who goes by “Sasha”, brought camp chairs and our lunches for a lovely picnic. As we munched on croissant sandwiches, we peppered him with questions about his life in Port Alsworth. Sasha is the great grandson of Babe Alsworth, who founded Lake Clark Resort with his wife Mary. His father, Glen Jr., landed not far from us in a deHavilland Beaver with another group of visitors who were on a similar tour. After checking out a beaver damn, we climbed back onboard to continue the tour.
Iliamna Volcano (note the plume of steam on the left)Clear weather gave us a spectacular look at Mount Iliamna. We flew around the volcano with broad views of its snowy slopes and surrounding glaciers. I had never been that high in a floatplane before as we soared up to 6,000ft altitude.
Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but our pilot knew where we would have the best chance of seeing bears. He flew us low over the Cook Inlet coast and we spotted one bear after another. I didn’t bother trying to take photos of the bears, because I was having such a good time spotting them. We even saw a blond bear. The plane couldn’t fly too low, because that would disturb the bears, but we were low enough to get a good look at the plump fuzzy creatures. We also got a glimpse of seals before they jumped in the water.
Hickerson LakeA landing at Hickerson Lake was a nice break for those of us who have to take anti-nausea medication. We landed on intensely blue water with waterfalls cascading down the surrounding mountains. One of the most beautiful lakes I’ve ever seen! Floatplane travel is so different from conventional flightseeing. The airplane allows you to land in impossibly remote landscapes.
The Fire and Ice Tour also includes a stop at Dick Proenneke’s cabin. I was excited to return for a second visit in one week, because I thought of a few things I forgot to look for on my first visit, and wanted to take more photos. My pal Russell the Park Ranger was definitely surprised to see me back so soon. On the way to the cabin we saw several Dall sheep high on a mountain side.
Posing with a waterfallThe Fire and Ice Tour is only one of the many guided experiences offered by Lake Clark Resort. Guests can choose from bear-viewing trips to Katmai National Park, tundra wildlife excursions, catch-and-release fishing, hiking, gold-panning, rafting and boat tours on Lake Clark. One of its most ambitious excursions follows the Bering Sea coastline in search of walruses, whales, bears and other wildlife.
“America Glacier” is the unofficial name of this glacier due to the red, white and blue stripesThe timing of a visit makes a difference. In June and early July, bear-viewing excursions generally focus on coastal areas where brown bears dig for clams and graze on sedges. During July and August, Brooks Falls becomes a popular destination as bears gather for the salmon run. Later in the season, trips may focus on more remote areas of Katmai National Preserve.
The family operation is an important part of the resort’s success. Aircraft provide the physical access, but generations of experience provide the judgment required to operate in a landscape where weather changes quickly and there are few conventional landing sites.
When I eventually returned to Anchorage, one of the first things I noticed was the noise. Cars accelerated through intersections. Doors slammed. Construction equipment rumbled in the distance. None of these sounds had seemed unusual before I left. The irony is that my day in Lake Clark depended on the engine of a floatplane. But between takeoffs, there had been long stretches with nothing but water, wind and the occasional sound of wildlife.
The post Fire and Ice–seeing Alaska’s wilds from the air appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Elephants on the move in Tanzania…in the shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro.Are you ready to go on safari next year in Africa? Hey–we’ve got connections in Tanzania. Check out Lendimi African Safaris in Tanzania. Lendimi has hosted many Alaskans on safari throughout the region. Now, Lendimi is hosting FOUR safaris next summer . The itinerary is amazing and features adventures in Tanzania’s national parks to see the amazing wildlife: elephants, rhinos, hippo, lions, zebras, giraffes, baboons, wildebeest and much more. NEW: visit Uganda and go trekking to see mountain gorillas.
CLICK HERE to see the whole itinerary.
Alaska Travelgram on Safari with LendimiMountain gorillas in their home: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National ParkHere are the DATES for the 18-day itinerary: May 21, June 10, June 30, & July 21, 2027.
Here’s what’s included:
Accommodation: All Hotels and Lodges accommodation in Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania including Zanzibar
Pick-Up and Drop-Off: All Airport Pick-Up and Drop-Off and Hotel Transfers
Plant a tree: Participate in the community effort of reforestation and learn about Tanzania’s ecology, history and culture
Bottled drinking water: Bottled mineral water of the highest quality
All safari drives: Gorilla Permit, all game drives and Zanzibar excursions
Tour Guide: Professional, Knowledgeable, English-Speaking Guide
In-country flight to Zanzibar, plus Zanzibar to Kigali, Rwanda
Meals: Full Board (3x daily) or Half Board (breakfast and dinner) …. much more
Zebra poses during the “Golden Hour” for Adobe stock photo photographer.What’s not included:
Airfare to the meeting spot: Kilimanjaro International Airport near Arusha, Tanzania. Return airfare from Kigali, Rwanda.
Visas: Purchase visas on arrival at the airport (At JRO and at Kigali).
Gratuities
Travel insurance. Lendimi maintains emergency medical evacuation insurance from the national parks. But travelers MUST have their own travel and health insurance policies. Mandatory Zanzibar insurance fee: $44 .
A giraffe in Ngorogoro Crater.Cost: $9,900 per person. See the detailed brochure for terms and conditions, including cancellation and refund policies.
STAY TUNED for more details on these departures. We will have at least one evening get-together to answer questions and help plan your safari!
The post Elephants, gorillas, lions, hippos, zebras…who wants to go on a safari next year? appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Resident Car Guru Willy Vinton puts the shine on a 1935 supercharged Auburn convertible. It’s one of 110 cars on display at the new Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum in Fairbanks. Photo: Tim CernyAfter years of preparation, the new Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum is OPEN in its new home: 3121 Airport Way. That’s just 3.5 miles from the airport in the old K-Mart building.
Museum owner Tim Cerny has been collecting cars for 20 years. The yellow 1936 12-cylinder Packard, above, was an early acquisition and “it’s my wife’s favorite car,” he said. Photo: Scott McMurrenThe old museum, near Wedgewood Resort by the UAF campus, had room for a little more than 80 cars. The new space will host 110 cars, four airplanes (from the Pioneer Air Museum in Pioneer Park), 120 period-specific wardrobe items, motorcycles and memorabilia.
Four planes from the Pioneer Air Museum have found a new home in the Fountainhead Museum. Photo: Scott McMurren“People have been trying to get in for the last six weeks,” said museum owner Tim Cerny.
“We got our certificate of occupancy yesterday (Mon., July 13) at 11:00 a.m.,” he said. “We opened the doors at Noon.”
There’s still some work to be done, so the museum is only open between 12:00 Noon and 4:00 p.m., seven days a week.
Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for kids.
“No one will be disappointed,” claimed Cerny.
The post Now Open: Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum in Fairbanks (massive new location near airport) appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Cabins at Lake Clark Resort. Photos by Maria BennerSPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Maria Benner recently traveled to Lake Clark National Park. In her first report, she detailed a wonderful expedition to Twin Lakes and Dick Proenneke’s wilderness cabin. Here, she shares her experience at Lake Clark Resort, on the shores of Lake Clark.
Most Alaska visitors and even residents never experience Lake Clark National Park. Not because they don’t want to, but because getting there can seem intimidating. After spending six days kayaking and hiking through the wilderness with Alaska Alpine Adventures, I discovered that Lake Clark Resort in Port Alsworth offers a way to experience one of Alaska’s most remote national parks without giving up a comfortable bed, home-cooked meals, or the expertise of local guides.
The adventure begins before you even arrive. From Merrill Field in Anchorage, Lake Clark Air carries visitors over glaciers, braided rivers, and between the rugged mountains of Lake Clark Pass before descending into Port Alsworth about an hour later. Founded by the Alsworth family in 1977, Lake Clark Air remains an integral part of the family’s hospitality operation, connecting visitors to both Lake Clark Resort and the surrounding wilderness.
Flying through Lake Clark Pass from Anchorage’s Merrill Field to Port Alsworth, on the shores of Lake Clark.I expected the resort to simply be a comfortable place to recharge after nearly a week in the backcountry. Instead, I found myself slowing down and appreciating the community that has welcomed visitors here for generations. The cabins strike a perfect balance between comfort and wilderness. Mine was roomy, with a full bathroom, hot shower, a kitchenette and picture windows overlooking floating planes docked on Hardenberg Bay. A spacious porch provided an outdoor space for watching activity on the water. Outside, the landscaping was immaculate. Colorful flowers lined the walkways and surrounded the buildings, making the property feel more like a cherished family homestead than a remote wilderness resort.
Stairs leading up to the Farm House at Lake Clark Resort, where guests dine and access wi-fi.Family history runs deep at the resort. Long before Lake Clark became a national park, Babe and Mary Alsworth helped establish the community of Port Alsworth, building their family home with lumber milled from local spruce. Today, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren continue welcoming visitors to the same place, making the resort feel less like a business and more like an extension of their home. During my stay, I met family members flying floatplanes, guiding excursions, greeting guests, and keeping the lodge running behind the scenes. That pride was evident in every detail at the resort.
The chicken coop Dick Proenneke built for Babe Alsworth at Lake Clark Resort.After settling into my cabin, I wandered the grounds, making a point to visit the chicken coop Dick Proenneke built for Babe Alsworth as a thank you for flying supplies to his remote cabin at Twin Lakes. I was glad to see that it is still in use. Hoop houses and gardens overflowed with vegetables and flowers, carefully maintained by resort staff. The kitchen relies on this garden for many ingredients, and the fresh flowers are cut daily to adorn the dining hall.
I borrowed one of the resort’s canoes for an evening paddle across the glassy water on a sunny day. I even took a quick swim in Lake Clark to complete my unofficial trifecta after dipping in Upper and Lower Twin Lakes earlier in the week. The clear turquoise water looked more like the Caribbean than interior Alaska, but towering, snow-covered peaks reminded me that I was still up north.
A view of Lake Clark from the canoe.Meals became another highlight. Breakfasts were hearty enough to fuel a day of exploring, while dinners featured dishes like pork skewers with cilantro rice one evening and perfectly cooked ribeye the next, finished with homemade desserts including blueberry cheesecake and cranberry cake with white chocolate ice cream. Before each meal, a family member says a brief prayer. This small tradition reflects the family’s values and adds to the welcoming atmosphere. Another detail I appreciated was the resort’s sack lunches. Guests place their order during dinner the night before, then pick up a freshly packed lunch at breakfast before heading out on hikes or guided excursions. The giant and delicious Snickerdoodle cookie was the highlight in my sack lunch.
Dessert at Lake Clark Resort: cranberry cake with white chocolate ice cream.One thing I noticed over conversations in the dining room was how many guests shared the same goal of visiting all eight of Alaska’s national parks. For many, Lake Clark had long seemed like one of the most difficult to reach. Staying at the resort made it surprisingly approachable.
Whether you want to hike to Tanalian Falls, paddle on the lake, visit the National Park Service visitor center, or join one of the resort’s guided excursions into the surrounding wilderness, Lake Clark Resort makes it possible to experience this remarkable place without needing to be an expert backpacker or wilderness traveler.
Morning calm at Lake Clark Resort. Photo: courtesy Lake Clark Resort.As my flight lifted off for Anchorage in the evening, I realized I’d experienced two completely different versions of Lake Clark National Park. One challenged me in the wilderness, while the other reminded me that adventure doesn’t always require roughing it.
The post Lake Clark Resort: Gateway to Lake Clark National Park in remote Port Alsworth appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Standing on the San Angelo pedestrian bridge over the Tiber River in Rome.Don’t get me wrong: I love to travel.
After decades of take-offs, landings, transfers, delays and last-minute changes, I’ve learned to roll with most of the punches.
But one day in Italy really got to me: strikes, pickpockets, missed connections and language barriers….the works. What’s really remarkable is, despite the crazy things that happened, we had a great time.
A little background: our trip to Italy was r-e-a-l-l-y sweet. We flew in on Alaska Airlines‘ new 787 nonstop flight from Seattle.
On the flight deck of our new Boeing 787. It was a nonstop flight from Seattle to Rome.After we had the chance to regroup in Rome, including a g-r-e-a-t dinner with an old classmate, we wanted to visit Naples for the day.
My dinner guest: John Henderson now lives in Rome after a newspaper career in the states. We went to school together. Check out his blog: https://johnhendersontravel.com/ With high-speed trains throughout the country, the trip to Naples from Rome is less than an hour. That way we could see “The Veiled Christ” in a chapel that we missed last time. We also had time to take a great food tour with our friends at Culinary Backstreets: “The Backstreets of Naples.”
PROBLEM: Two days before leaving, I get a note that there’s a NATIONAL TRAIN STRIKE on the day we want to travel.
Hmm. I canceled the train tickets, applied for a refund and buy two bus tickets.
DAY OF DEPARTURE: We struggle a bit to find out which terminal the bus is leaving from. It’s all the way across town…so we opt to take the metro.
A fuzzy glimpse of the Rome Metro. It’s a good system. Hold on to your stuff.PROBLEM: The Metro is VERY crowded during rush hour…especially approaching the main terminal. As everyone gets off the train, I notice my wallet on the floor. I’ve been pick-pocketed. Lovely.
PROBLEM #2: It appears we’re on the wrong train…going away from our bus station.
Two Italian women on the train consoled us and were very helpful as we gathered our stuff to get back on the right track. Literally. We tried to get us a taxi to the bus station….without any luck. Finally, we took a city bus to our station, only to find out we’d missed the inter-city bus to Naples.
After purchasing a brand new ticket, we were able to ride with another company just a few minutes later.
We arrived a little late for our timed entry to see the Veiled Christ, so we were anxious. Hopefully, we could just grab a cab at the station in Naples.
PROBLEM #3: There were hundreds of people in front of us in the taxi line. Accordingly, we set out on the 1.5-mile trek, hoping to catch a ride along the way.
Good news/bad news: We did, indeed, find a taxi a couple of blocks away. PROBLEM #4: he charged us 15 euros for the one-mile ride. #Ripoff
At the Museo Sansevero, they waved us through without issue. It’s an amazing exhibit in a Masonic Chapel. The Veiled Christ, carved in stone by Giuseppe Sanmartino in 1753. There are many other amazing sculptures in the museum that push the conceptual idea of what can be carved out of stone. Well worth the visit.
After enjoying the exhibit, we made our way outside to find the spot for our food tour meet-up.
PROBLEM #5: It was unclear where to meet up. We walked to the tour company office. Nothing. We searched the email thread to find the rendezvous and sent a note to the company to confirm. They sent us to a bakery about five minutes away.
We arrived at the bakery and ordered the coldest drink available….a lemon ice of some sort. But things didn’t look right. I finally found a phone number for our guide, Sonia. I called her and she picked up.
PROBLEM #6: We were at the wrong location.
Award-winning pizza was, of course, on the menu for our food tour through Naples. FANTASTIC! Thankfully, the meet-up was about 10 minutes away. Off we went in the mid-afternoon heat. We got there, met Sonia and the other family on the tour and had a great time. GREAT TOUR….I recommend it.
As the tour started to wind down, I was anxious about how to get back to the station and catch the bus.
Thankfully, Sonia needed to ride the Naples subway to get back home, so she walked us through the station, helped us get our tickets and get on the right train.
PROBLEM #7: We got to the subway platform just in time. But the doors were closing. It would be a LONG wait for the next train (and we would miss the bus).
I ran up and forced the door back open, motioning for the others to climb aboard. Do not try this at home.
We arrived at the Naples station (bus and train all wrapped up into one spot). After wandering aimlessly for about 20 minutes, we managed to find a bus that said “Milano”.
“Where is the bus to Rome?” I asked.
“This is the bus to Rome,” he said.
Relieved, we got on the bus and headed back to Rome.
On arrival in Rome (around midnight).
PROBLEM #8: It was not clear how to find a cab to get back to our apartment (about eight miles away). We wandered around to where we thought the cabs should be….I even tried to get an Uber without success.
OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL, disguised as an older Italian lady, commandeered a cab that pulled in to the station and motioned for Christy to get it.
We did. The cab took us back home.
It was, indeed, One Day in Italy. We bounced from one impossible situation to the next, forever grateful for the many fine folks who helped us along the way, the glorious food tour and the amazing museum in Naples.
The post Strikes, pickpockets, missed connections and language barriers…all in the midst of incredible beauty = One Day in Italy appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
It was an early wake-up last week for my trip down to Soldotna for the Travel Pop-ups.
When “The First Class Driver” arrived, there was plenty of room for me and my entire band.
In addition to Jason’s trademark Lincoln Navigator, below, the crew now has a new Mercedes Sprinter for a larger crowd (up to 11 passengers).
Further, it’s no problem if everyone has two checked bags. The First Class Driver has a trailer to haul all your gear.
This set-up really is 100 percent “Black Car” with a professional chauffeur.
The First Class Driver is on-call with this tricked-out Lincoln Navigator (above). If you’ve got a big family, there’s a third row of seats. Or, if you have a bunch of luggage (I had my bike in a box), the third row seats fold down to accommodate the bags.
It’s $150 for an airport pick-up or drop off for most addresses in Anchorage. It costs more if you live in Eagle River, Girdwood or Mat-Su. We got picked up for our red-eye flight right on schedule. No more guesswork about what kind of car/driver you’ll get with uber/lyft.
In “First Class Driver” fashion, the car is detailed and all shined up for your ride.
Take the guesswork out of your next ride to the airport. Call the First Class Driver, at (907)350-1187. Tell them I sent you.
The post Go First Class to the airport in Anchorage appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
The Mendenhall Towers. Photos by Chloe Anderson.Story and photos by Chloe Anderson.
The jagged peaks of the Mendenhall Towers pierced through a layer of low-hanging clouds as I crouched by the rocky shore, trying to photograph the fluke pattern of a humpback whale diving near a group of sea lions. Dissuaded by the cold and the focal length of my lens, I headed back to the car I was borrowing.
“Honey, we could be in Kansas,” Bob Dylan drawled as I held my chilled fingers against the lukewarm air blasting from the car’s vents. I smiled as the song continued. I sure could, I think.
I spent half of 2024 working as a naturalist photography guide in Juneau. My job, in a nutshell, was to take cruise ship passengers on hiking and whale watching tours while teaching them about photography and biology. I regularly fielded questions such as, “What elevation are we at?” on the docks and, “At what depth do the whales turn into sharks?” on the boats. I stood in amazed silence with strangers who quickly became friends as we watched humpback whales breach and bubblenet feed.
A humpback whale takes a leap near Juneau.Humpback whales bubble-feeding near Juneau.When I wasn’t working, I was jumping off cliffs into the sea, summiting mountains or partying on the beach with other excitable twenty-somethings whose internal clocks were as disoriented as mine by the long hours of daylight. I didn’t sleep much. I worked a lot. I had the time of my life.
By the end of the season, I was exhausted. I had heard the locals’ warnings of the long, dark and cold winters, and I was deeply uninterested in sticking around to see if they were actually that bad. I wanted to spend a chunk of the change I had saved up on trips to warmer, sunnier parts of the globe. Plus, I missed my dogs, family, old friends and free housing—all of which can be found in Kansas, where I was born and raised.
When my contract in Juneau ended on October 1, I hopped on the ferry, disembarked in northwestern Washington, and began a 2,600-mile-long road trip. I drove from Seattle to Santa Barbara, paused when I realized I couldn’t go any further south, then aimed my poor Subaru toward Arizona. That month, I hiked in the North Cascades, swam in Crater Lake, surfed in Santa Barbara and revisited my favorite parts of Utah. I hiked and climbed with old friends in Boulder, where I had lived for a year after graduation. Finally, as October crept closer to November, I pulled into my mom’s driveway in Kansas.
This is…fine, was the thought that came to mind many times since I left Juneau. Everywhere I went and everything I saw were special in their own way, but I was underwhelmed.
John Muir once famously wrote, “You should never go to Alaska as a young (wo)man, because you will never be satisfied with any other place as long as you live.” And goddamn, was he right.
The northern lights flicker over Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau.I went back to Juneau in late December for a dear friend’s wedding. Between the bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, wedding and reception, I ice skated on Mendenhall lake, went roadside whale watching and had slow mornings over coffee and conversation with the few friends who had stayed in town despite locals’ warnings of the bitter cold and endless darkness.
Juneau is bear country.As I flew back to Wichita—which, as it turns out, gets far colder than Juneau does during the winter months—the aurora began dancing outside of the plane’s window. I pressed my forehead against the glass as I watched green mix with yellow, and I knew.
In 2024, I visited fourteen states, five of which I had never been to before. I drove through the entirety of western Canada and flew or ferried over thousands of miles of terrain and ocean. And it was all…fine.
Except for Alaska.
I’m 23, and I’ve spent most of my life living out of boxes. My parents both jumped from one year-long lease to the next after they got divorced, and my preadolescent psyche took a page out of their book when I moved out. After graduating from high school, I bought a Subaru and lived in it while I explored the Western U.S. Throughout college, I bounced from one crappy dorm to the next, not really minding the mold spores or leaky pipes because the money I saved on rent could be spent on spring, summer and fall break climbing trips.
Stagnancy has always scared me more than the unknown. The world has always felt too big to settle down. Nowhere I’ve been has made me want to stay through the winter and slow down long enough to cherish the stillness.
Except for Alaska.
Ever since I left, I’ve been counting down the days until I return. I dream about Alaska, I browse jobs in Alaska, I periodically check the Alaska Highway’s conditions, just in case. I think about Alaska before I fall asleep. I’m a woman possessed. I miss it. The many international destinations on my bucket list have moved to the backburner, replaced by things I want to do and see in Alaska. It’s the only place I want to be.
For the next few months, I’ll keep doing what I’ve been doing. I’ll work just enough to afford a quick ski trip or a weekend away with friends. I’ll probably continue to be fairly underwhelmed, because I spent seven months being spoiled rotten by the 49th state.
I’ve never felt like I left part of my soul somewhere. Nowhere has taken root in my heart and mind and made me want to stick around long enough to see the seasons change.
Except for Alaska.
The mist hugs the mountains near Juneau, Alaska.Chloe Anderson* is a naturalist, a photographer, a climbing enthusiast and a freelance journalist. Learn more about her work at her website*. Currently she is based in Kansas, but I suppose that could change.
The post Chloe’s love affair with Alaska. In winter. In Juneau. appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
In the shadow of Popocatepetl.Last month we spent a couple of amazing weeks in Mexico. That included a few days in the lovely town of Atlixco.
The town, founded in 1579, is known for its abundance of flowers. In fact, the full name of the town in “Atlixco de las Flores”.
A flower market in the main square (“Zocalo”) of Atlixco.Located between Mexico City and Puebla, the town sits close to the giant volcano which separates it from Mexico City: Popocatépetl (17,887 feet).
Looking up from Atlixco to Capilla del Cerro de San Miguel.There’s a smaller peak right in the middle of town, with a church built on top of the hill, Capilla del Cerro de San Miguel. It was a perfect day to take a hike!
PopocatépetlThe approach to the hill was just a few steps from our hotel “Casa de la Audiencia” on the town’s central square. It’s a relatively easy hike up the hill, on a path that wraps all the way around on its way to the church on the top.
Along the way there are some great views, both of the town and the mighty Popocatépetl …which always is puffing away with some white smoke!
Making my way up to the top, the chapel dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel has a commanding view and offers hikers a relaxing venue for a moment of contemplation.
The Capilla de Cerro de San Miguel was constructed in the 18th century. As is often the case with Spanish churches, it’s built on the foundation of a much older indigenous temple.
On the way back down, there’s a glass-finished bridge where you can walk out (stocking feet only) for a beautiful view of the town and the volcano. Everyone was taking pictures.
Also on the way down is a beautiful staircase ( “La Escalera Ancha” ), adorned with flowers–for which Atlixco is famous.
The hike up and down the hill is less than three miles. It’s just one of a thousand little moments that will help you fall in love with Mexico.
The post Atlixco: in the shadow of a giant volcano appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
YES, there are secrets. Secrets for a better deal. A better seat. A better destination. JOIN US on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at the Alaska Aviation Museum for a special TRAVEL SECRETS gathering.
PRIZES:
Alaska Airlines trip for two anywhere they fly (except Prudhoe Bay).
Alaska Railroad trip for two on the Aurora Winter Train to Fairbanks (FUN!).
Arctic Circle Fly/Drive package from Fairbanks to Coldfoot, from our friends at Northern Alaska Tour Company (OMG don’t miss this!).
…MORE! Must be present to win.
Get tickets for Travel SecretsFEAST on pizza and beer (plus root beer!) from Moose’s Tooth.
LEARN the ins and outs of the tools we use to bring you the BEST travel deals. MEET other travelers from around the world!
TRAVEL STORIES: Hear from a real vagabond (Victoria) and her adventures around the world. Plus, learn from an avid cyclist (Stephen) about renting-and-riding in East Asia.
BIG CHANGES for frequent flyers in 2025. Learn all about it.
–Alaska/Hawaiian merger and what it means for travelers
–Earn mileage credit on reward trips
–Credit card hijinks…how to earn 150,000 miles QUICK and why you’ll need them (Hyper-inflation)
–Why it pays to earn elite status
–Man (and woman) does not travel by air alone: hotels, cars, adventures + more
–Is Airfare 911 for you?
–Get Alaska TourSaver at 50 percent off (show-only, in-person only)
— Q-n-A!
Get Tickets for Travel SecretsHere is the essential info:
WHO: You and your friends who love to travel.
WHAT: “Travel Secrets” is where travelers gather to learn about the latest, greatest deals and where to find them.
WHEN: Wednesday, January 29, 2025, 6-9PM
WHERE: Alaska Aviation Museum, on the shores of Lake Hood, 4721 Aircraft Drive, Anchorage 99502.
WHY: Get actionable news-you-can-use to help you save money and travel better!
HOW: Make your reservations now, as space is limited ($30 for adults. 21+ for this event). CLICK HERE.
Get tickets for Travel SecretsThe post Travel Secrets 2.0: Big changes for 2025! Join us! Wed., Jan. 29 at Alaska Aviation Museum appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Katie Pesznecker and husband Joe head out on a birthday jaunt to the Emerald City. A game, a hotel, some adventures + delicious eats. This is her report.
Katie and husband Joe at Seattle’s Lumen Field for an NFL game. We were sleepless in Seattle on a recent long-weekend trip to Alaska’s nearest big city, and it proved a reminder of what a gem we have just a single flight away from Anchorage at any time of the year.
A main entrace to Pike Place Market.The occasion on this trip: my mid-December birthday, holiday season shopping, and attending an NFL game. But the great thing about Seattle is any number of events, holidays or occasions are excuses to enjoy the Emerald City, especially for Alaskans. It’s the easiest place to go from Anchorage, with ample daily non-stop flights. And with its ever-evolving roster of restaurants, markets, shopping, and cultural and athletic displays, you can head on down to Seattle any time of year and make a fun-filled weekend out of it.
Piles of produce at Pike Place Market. Our first stop, always: the venerable Pike Place Market. No matter the time of year, Pike is iconic, with its colorful produce stalls, fresh seafood stands, artisan crafts and overflowing flower booths, not to mention a hive of coffee shops, cafes and restaurants.
A festive fish at Pike Place Market.Boisterous buskers and engaging sellers unfailingly ramp up the energy. Even on the dampest day, the market is a bright spot on any Seattle itinerary. Beecher’s Handmade Cheese is a must-do for me. Husband Joe and I shared a small portion of the creamy, gooey classic mac and cheese, which tasted delicious and comforting after tromping around in the Seatle drizzle.
Birthday mac and cheese at Beecher’s.We also made sure to venture out back of the Pike Place Market, where views of Puget Sound are better than ever thanks to the removal of the eyesore viaduct and the installation of a series of paths and steps that make their way down to the expansive aquarium facility. There are great views here of the water, the impressive Seattle Wheel, and the city beyond.
The view from the steps behind Pike Place Market.After a busy morning, we happened upon lunch at a restaurant called the Hart and the Hunter located in the Palihotel. The restaurant is a spinoff of its original Los Angeles location and styles itself around elevated comfort food. My grilled cheese came on locally sourced wheat bread with a blend of Washington cheeses, and Joe’s velvety clam chowder was served with half of a classic Rueben sandwich.
A great grilled cheese at the Hart and the Hunter. As friends started to arrive in town and get off work for the day, our group grew and we ventured out for an evening of dining and pub-hopping. Our first stop: dinner at La Fontana, a Sicilian restaurant situated in a 100-year-old building in the Belltown neighborhood. In the summer, seating expands around a brick courtyard with a centerpiece fountain. In winter, the restaurant is cozier and more intimate, with warm candlelit ambiance.
The spread at La Fontana. Dinner at La Fontana was personal and unhurried. Our table’s array of dinner dishes included a special chicken and artichoke dish with roasted potatoes; a tortellini dish with gorgonzola, pine nuts, and a touch of cream; and a delicious arugula salad.
The warm ambiance at La Fontana. Belltown remains a fun and lively nighttime neighborhood loaded with pubs, from divey joints to stylized speakeasys to craft cocktail bars. Stops included Jupiter Bar, with a pizza oven and a game area in the back stuffed with pinball machines.
Joe and his brother Josh are stoked about pinball. Following that, it was more pints and pinball at Shorty’s. Seattle really does love its pinball and many bars sport the game, but Shorty’s styles itself as the original Seattle pinball bar, founded in 1997. Shorty’s truly is a Seattle nightlife institution, with whimsical carnival-inspired décor, a long and colorful arcade room filled with nearly 20 pinball machines, and a quirky menu that includes multiple creative hot dogs.
Josh hitting the machines at Shorty’s. We ended the night at Cyclops Café and Lounge, a corner pub with a cadre of regulars and laid-back bartenders who set a mellow mood. Cyclops has brunch and happy hour menus and serves food fairly late, a good note for folks craving an evening bite.
A nightcap at Cyclops with my friend Kat. Saturday morning, we woke up hungry with one destination in mind: The 5 Point Café in Queen Anne. Somehow, I’d managed to never go to this legendary café and dive bar that is approaching its 100th anniversary (one neon sign reads “We cheat tourists-n-drunks since 1929”). Check out its history in this write-up on the website. It sits on the edge of Tilikum Place park, a brick square with a large fountain and a direct view of the towering Space Needle.
The Space Needle as seen from 5 Point Café.5 Point Café’s reputation is rooted in no-frills service, stiff drinks (all day), and generous portions of delicious diner food. It’s intentionally grunge in true Seattle fashion, slathered in band stickers, with bathroom walls covered in graffiti – and fronted with a neon sign that reads, “Please don’t do coke in the bathroom.”
Joe waits for our table outside 5 Point Café. We waited about 10 minutes for a table, and considering the place was packed and it was a Saturday morning, this felt more than reasonable. Once seated, our crew ordered Irish coffees and mimosas. Joe and I split The Mess, a concoction of hashbrowns, sausage, bacon, cheese, jalapeños and eggs, which hit the spot after the previous late night in Belltown.
Breakfast is served at 5 Point Café. We spent the day wandering the city, visiting coffee shops, and returning to Pike Place Market. Saturday evening, we shifted location to Capitol Hill, another good-time neighborhood known for its arts and culture scene, hip residential options, and for serving as a hub for the LGBTQ+ community. We selected the Comet Tavern as our meeting spot, as friends rolled in for an evening celebrating my birthday. With brick walls, high ceilings, exposed piping and pool tables, Comet gave off strong Pacific Northwest vibes. Huge booths provided the perfect place to gather the group together before heading on to dinner.
Inside the Comet Tavern. Dinner, conveniently, was directly across the street at Poquitos, an upscale Mexican restaurant with locally sourced meats and produce and imported ingredients to support a menu featuring dishes that showcase culinary traditions of Mexico. Poquitos is all-ages which is great for families and people traveling with kids, and the ambiance coupled classy with laid-back for a fun Saturday night dining experience.
The gang at Poquitos. Our awesome waiter was responsive and friendly, and when he learned it was my birthday, ended our night with a complimentary plate of churros with caramel sauce, topped with a lit birthday candle of course.
Birthday churros. After Poquitos, we explored a couple more Capitol Hill bars, starting with Linda’s Tavern. Teeming with rambunctious energy, the neighborhood pub was decorated to the nines, embracing the holiday theme.
My friend Chase delivers a tray of drinks to our crew at Linda’s. We got lots of steps walking around the busy neighborhood, and ended up basically back where we started, at the Lost Lake Café and Lounge, which adjoins the Comet Tavern.
Winding down the Birthday at Lost Lake Café and Lounge. Finally we had come to Sunday, game day! Kickoff wasn’t until after 5 p.m. which allowed time for one last outing, this time to the highly recommended restaurant Ben Paris, just uphill from Pike Place Market. I was grateful we had reservations for our group of six because downtown was packed, namely with roving visitors clad head-to-toe in Green Bay Packers attire, as the midwestern team was set to square off against the beloved Seattle Seahawks. It was a real experience simply being in the city on game day and seeing how it visibly shifted the landscape.
Inside Ben Paris.Because it was a Sunday, we chose from the weekend brunch menu. Several of us ordered the house-made chive biscuit sandwich with fennel sausage, Beecher’s cheddar, spicy mayo, pickled Fresno chilis and a fried egg. The Yukon potatoes served alongside the sandwich were exceptionally crispy on the outside and insanely fluffy on the inside. I would have been happy with a bowl of those alone. The table also shared a ricotta pancake with fresh berries and vanilla bean anglaise, a sweet bite to top off a savory start to the day.
Delish biscuit sandwich at Ben Paris. Finally it was time to make our way to the stadium. It was shockingly nice weather for Seattle that Sunday, with blue skies and only a light breeze. Like good Alaskans, we wore many layers and packed our possessions in clear plastic stadium bags (thanks Amazon!), as most venues prefer these days.
Katie with husband Joe and friend Josh photo-bombing, tailgaiting before the game at Good Bar. The Smith Tower in the background was once Seattle’s tallest building. In real time, the NFL season is drawing to a close, and it’s probably too late for most to attend a game this season. But if you’re a football fan, consider adding a Seahawks game to your 2025 adventure wish list. The Seahawks fans were open and gracious with us Packers fans who invaded their turf (go Pack go!).
The crew outside Lumen Field. Lumen Field is a gorgeous stadium, easy to access and get around. I had imagined long lines and logistical headaches and nothing could be further from the truth of the experience. Well-staffed and clean, the venue was packed with service options, whether you needed a brat or beer or bathroom. The ease of use was impressive and enabled fans to spend their time watching the game, not standing in lines.
Great seats in the 100-level section at Lumen. The game itself was incredible, a high-energy experience that flew by, accentuated by a half time over-the-top drone show. Afterward, our group reunited at Cyclops one last time to toast our incredibly packed and fulfilling weekend in Seattle.
A lit-up pedestrian boulevard near Lumen Field. It had been several years since I spent a leisurely weekend in the Emerald City, a place that’s usually where I stop long enough only to change flights at Sea-Tac. It served as a great reminder that when we Alaskans are craving an urban break with some big-city offerings and experiences, we’re lucky that one isn’t far away at all.
Halftime fireworks at Lumen Field. The post Sleepless in Seattle…game day + so much more appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
The Hedgehog Dryer is the latest addition to the Raun’s family mudroomMeet the Hedgehog Dryer. It’s the latest in power-drying for all of your soggy accoutrements: boots, gloves, hats and such.
Special Correspondent Cassandra Raun put the Hedgehog to the ultimate test: keeping dry things dry in a family full of active skiers and outdoor adventurers. Here is her report:
Living a life of outdoor adventure comes with the risk of wet clothing. Add three teenagers to that adventurous life and the collection of wet hats, gloves and boots may threaten to overwhelm you.
Boot dryers are great but they take up space and typically only offer 2 or 4 dryer points.
Not the Hedgehog Dryer. The Hedgehog Dryer offers 6 points, enough to dry a full body collection of wet appendage clothing. The settings are adjustable, with clearly marked buttons, so on the off chance you don’t have 6 wet items you can turn on only the points that you need.
Air temperature and air pressure are also adjustable. Additionally, the lower two points are flexible hoses that easily bend and stretch to reach all the way to the toes of your wet boots or running shoes.
Best of all, in my book, the Hedgehog Dryer cleanly and neatly attaches to the wall, saving space with increased functionality. I highly recommend the Hedgehog Dryer and will make good use of it for many wet, adventurous years to come!
The post Good gear = great. Good, DRY gear = essential appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Cruising through the canals of the Xochimilco neighborhood in Mexico CityThat’s right. Our guide, Liz Flora with Culinary Backstreets, first took us shopping at the market in Mexico City’s Xochimilco neighborhood. Along the way, we learned how the valley where the city now sits used to be one huge, brakish marsh.
Peppers, anyone?The Xochimilco market is one of many throughout the city, but features some of the best produce…grown on the farms along the adjacent canals.After a quick ride in a bike-rickshaw, we boarded a “working boat” to cruise the canals through man-made islands. Because of the constant volcanic ash, the soil is some of the richest in the world. The earliest settlers built islands in the marsh and cultivated crops in the rich soil. On the tour, Liz shared the story of those indigenous settlers and the massive disruptions following the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century.
A “working boat” gives us access to many more canals in the Xichimilco neighborhood. We stopped at a farm on one of the islands and harvested some fresh greens from the garden. Back on the boat, Liz made us a salad as we continued our “cruise” through the heart of Mexico City.
Lunch on the boat. Liz made a salad from fresh greens harvested along the canals.The “Noche Buena” trees are popular during the holidays. I recommend this unique tour. By the way, we were quite full from all of the traditional Mexican food we enjoyed in the market. If you go, tell Liz I sent you!
The post Sailing (??) through Mexico City appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Just got back from a quick trip up to the Golden Heart City–where everyone’s in the hunt to see the northern lights. On arrival at Pike’s, lots of folks were in the lobby with their extra layers on. It was -5ºF outside–and they were ready to go.
Pike’s is airport-close and there’s a free shuttle. Owner Jay Ramras and GM Elizabeth Griswold are working on lots of improvements to make the hotel a year-round destination.
Comfy digs at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge. Microwave, fridge, big-screen tv, little balcony, in-room coffee, wi-fi.On a good night, you can look out over the Chena River and see the aurora borealis over the hills on the northern horizon. But you’ll have better luck seeing the lightswith a driver who can take you to a darker spot. Check out Aaron Lojewski’s company, Fairbanks Aurora Tours ( https://www.fairbanksauroratours.com/ ). Or, go on a longer adventure with Northern Alaska Tour Company up to Coldfoot and Wiseman (http://www.northernalaska.com).
Photo: Aaron Lojewski of Fairbanks Aurora Tours takes aurora seekers to see the lights every nightAURORA SEEKERS: In the winter, Pike’s is built for folks looking for northern lights. The “Aurora Seekers” package includes breakfast, access to the unique “Aurora Conservatory”, the “Aurora Discovery Institute” and an evening fire out by the river. Also, duck into the heated theater to see “Aurora Hunter”, a locally-made film featuring the northern lights.
Noel Wien’s Cessna 140 marks the aviation rooms available at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge.AVIATION ENTHUSIASTS: Check out the new aviation-themed rooms, featuring up-cycled airline seats as part of the desk set-up. Plus, the views out the window line up nicely with the runway from the airport. There are pictures and stories of Alaska aviation pioneers like Noel Wien and Cliff Everts.
REINDEER GAMES: If you love reindeer, this summer Pike’s will feature several rooms adjacent to a new reindeer range by the river. Learn about reindeer in Alaska and get up close to the critters. Pike’s staff would neither confirm nor deny that these are Santa’s very own reindeer.
Can I play bocce ball? Heck , I can’t even spell it! RIVERFRONT CABINS: Pike’s has a collection of 28 riverfront cabins for a more secluded stay. In the middle of the cabin complex is a year-round bocce ball court. Yes, there’s a story here, featuring one of Fairbanks’s early notorious residents.
PRIVATE CAR to get around town. You can rent a car on-site, of get Pike’s drivers to take you around town: downtown, grocery store, Museum of the North, Santa Claus House or Antique Car Museum. It’s a tricked-out SUV with leather seats, so you’ll ride in style.
MEET ME AT PIKE’S LANDING. The restaurant is a local favorite for lunch and dinner. The breakfast buffet is served in the hotel lobby (it’s free for hotel guests). Pike’s Landing is literally across the parking lot. I usually get one of their delicious cheeseburgers for lunch. But last night I snuck over for a slice of peanut butter pie. #TrueCofessions
LEARN A LOT about Alaska on your next visit to Fairbanks. There’s a 1,000-book library of Alaska books, plus many tales on display of the folks who built Fairbanks in the early 1900s. The art collection in the hotel is VERY Alaskan. Don’t forget the steam room. Or the ice cream in the lobby.
CLICK THROUGH and make your reservations….and your own aurora memories… today. Or, call (877)774-2400 for reservations.
The post LIVE from Fairbanks, at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Check out the deals now available in the 2025 Alaska TourSaver HERE. With more than 110 statewide savings offers, travelers can reap more than $15,000 in savings.
Starting today (Thu., Nov. 7, 2024), the smartphone APP for iOS devices (Apple’s iPhone) can download the FREE app in the App Store. CLICK HERE
TOP 10 favorite offers:
- 20 percent off Alaska Airlines (May 1-August 30) for travel within Alaska, or to/from Alaska and the Lower 48/Canada.
- 2-for-1 on the Alaska Railroad to Seward, Denali, Talkeetna and on the Aurora Winter Train.
- Kenai Fjords Cruise with Major Marine Tours ($40 off per person).
- Alaska Bear Trips fly-out to Brooks Falls to see the bears ($675 off trip for 2).
- Glacier Landing on Denali with flightseeing tour from Talkeetna Air Taxi ($199 off trip for 2)
- 2-for-1 on the Riverboat Discovery in Fairbanks.
- FREE DAY RV rental, SUV or truck rental with Go North (minimum rental required)
- $100 off 2-night stay at Kennicott Glacier Lodge in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
- Guided Deep-water Salmon/Halibut Fishing in Homer with Ninilchik Charters ($75 off per person)
- Remote Wilderness Eco-lodge near Kenai Fjords National Park with Shearwater Cove ($427 off two-night stay).
…plus more than 100 curated travel, tour and adventure coupons, from Ketchikan to Fairbanks.
…In the iOS App Store, search for “TourSaver Alaska 2025“. Download the free app, then choose the coupon package you want:
- Statewide (includes the Alaska Airlines 20 percent discount): $99.95
- Southcentral (features the Alaska Railroad, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seward and Homer): $69.95
- Inside Passage ( features lodging and adventure options in Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway and Sitka): $49.95
The legacy Alaska TourSaver printed booklet and the Android app should be available around December 1, 2024.
Please contact me if you have any questions. We look forward to welcoming you in Alaska soon!
—Scott McMurren, co-publisher
The post 2025 Alaska TourSaver is LIVE appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Katie Pesznecker shares her favorite Palm Springs haunts with us. What’s more, she just “leveled up”, achieving the exalted “MVP 100K” status on Alaska Air. Look for her in seat 2A on your next Alaska Airlines flight!
Marilyn Forever in Palm Springs.I’m officially sprung on Palm Springs, having recently spent a fun-filled long weekend there with one of my college besties. Whether you’re into golf, gambling, grubbing on good food, or just want some vitamin D, this desert town has plenty to offer. It’s relatively easy to reach from Anchorage, too, and now’s the time to book a getaway. Palm Springs’ “season” runs from December-ish to April, a time when its sweltering summer temps drop to more tolerable and pleasant degrees, and plenty of annual events and festivals make for a variety of diversions.
Desert scenery in Palm Springs.My friend Kat and I visited Palm Springs in October, when the average daily high is 91 degrees. Palm Springs did not get that memo, as during our stay, record-setting temperatures hovered around 108 and 109. Luckily our gorgeous boutique hotel, Triada, had two delightful pools that served up super-chill vibes. Kat had stayed there on two previous trips and has enjoyed fantastic experiences and service there every time.
The grounds at our hotel.Triada has been around since the 1920s. The bartender at the pool bar, Gilbert, was a wealth of information. He fired up a short documentary about Palm Springs on the small bar’s flat screen. It explained how the area became a retreat and playground for Hollywood actors who were under contract to studios requiring they be within 2 hours of LA for potential reshoots. Geographically, Palm Springs fit the bill.
A pool at the Triada at sunset.The documentary also showed some of the city’s most famous houses that once belonged to or sheltered the ultra famous, like Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, Elvis Presley, and Elizabeth Taylor.
Inside the Triada lobby.In fact, according to Gilbert, Miss Taylor would stay in our very hotel. It was easy to imagine glamourous Hollywood icons swanning about the white stucco Spanish colonial property with its lush grounds and foilage and red-tiled roofs.
Entrance to the Triada.Its ideal location was just one block off Palm Canyon Drive, the town’s main street that’s known for galleries, shops and restaurants. While we used Uber a lot (hello, heat!) we also were able to walk to many spots from our hotel.
Looking down Palm Canyon Drive. We kicked off the weekend with brunch and bubbles at Eight4Nine. We opted for the house mimosas with two refills (at $14, a no-brainer on a vacation Saturday). The menu was loaded with tempting options. After much mulling, my girlfriend Kat ordered the egg sandwich – a fried egg on brioche, with applewood smoked bacon, Emmentaler French Swiss cheese, butter lettuce, tomato, lemon aioli, and pickled red onions. I opted for a regionally influenced dish, the poblano chili relleno stuffed with Beecher’s flagship white cheddar, cilantro, and corn pudding, atop refried pinto beans and ranchera sauce.
The bar at Eight4Nine.The restaurant was deceptively large inside, with fun, bright décor that had a playful, breezy feel. Plenty of nooks off the main dining room created a cozier ambiance, and while no one was seated on the patio in that heat, I appreciated it was there. We had a table in the bar where we could watch people stroll past as we enjoyed our food, coffee, and all three mimosas.
Tapas at Blue Coyote. After very enjoyable afternoon pool time, appreciating the vary laid-back and serene ambiance of our hotel, it was off to afternoon tapas at Blue Coyote Grill. Like Eight4Nine, this restaurant sits on Palm Canyon Road. The outside had shaded seating with misting systems in place to combat the steamy temps. I tried a skinny margarita with pureed strawberry that was bright and refreshing in the heat. We shared tapas like house-made chicken taquitos, creamy freshly made guacamole, and a decadent queso dip.
Because we didn’t have a car, but required basic girls’ weekend provisions in our room (cheese, grapes, wine), we used Instacart and ordered everything we needed online from a shopper who hit up a local Albertson’s grocery. Our shopper showed up at our hotel about an hour later. This service is a logistical game-changer, especially in states like California where you can also have adult beverages delivered. It’s ideal on a relatively short trip too, as you can allocate time to fun stuff and not waste precious moments running errands.
Dover sole at Spencer’s.That evening, Kat made reservations at Spencer’s Restaurant, an old-school steak house with dim lighting and a moody interior, situated at the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains. The restaurant touts itself for a fresh approach to classic American cuisine and it did not disappoint. We split an iceberg wedge salad, which felt very on-brand. Kat opted for a filet; I chose the pan-fried Dover sole with lemon caper brown butter and asparagus, with a small dish of rich bearnaise sauce and a side of gratinee potatoes.
The studio at the Shag Store. The next morning we enjoyed a simple and light breakfast at the hotel, and refreshed with pool time, before venturing into the heat to explore the town. Our first stop: the Shag Store, a quintessential Palm Springs gallery featuring the work of artist Josh Agle (aka Shag). His work is fun and colorful, celebrating the vibrant Palm Springs culture. The gallery features original paintings, fine arts prints, and curated limited-edition merchandise like glassware and home décor.
Striking a pose with Kat in front of the giant Marilyn Monroe statue. We hopped in an Uber to travel further down Palm Canyon Boulevard where we indulged in more shopping, and paid a visit to the giant Marilyn Monroe statue formally called “Forever Marilyn.” The steel and aluminum sculpture towers at 26 feet high and has gone on display in various U.S. locations before finding a home in Palm Springs. We learned the statue’s days at its present location were numbered as it was imminently scheduled to be relocated to the nearby park.
Getting that glow-up in Palm Springs courtesy of a Sephora shopping trip. Our lunch spot was just 13 minutes away on foot, said our map app, so we decided to walk. Rookie mistake. It was well over 100 degrees by this point, and in hindsight, it would have been far more comfortable to pay for an Uber to our location, Chi Chi, a swanky little lounge of a restaurant located in the Avalon Hotel.
Caesar salad and truffle fries at Chi Chi. We drained glasses of water and Diet Coke before our food arrived. My Caesar salad was crisp and fresh, complimented by slices of seasoned grilled chicken, grated high-quality parmesan and toasted breadcrumbs.
Drinks at the Tropicale.For our final night in Palm Springs, we headed to The Tropicale. Boasting “comfort food from around the world,” it’s inspired by upbeat 1960s-style supper clubs, with an eclectic food menu, inventive cocktail selection, and swanky décor. The interior definitely gave off classic Palm Springs vibes, with mid-century style design elements and colorful but muted lighting.
The Tropicale.After some drinks and light bites, we headed across the street to the Agua Caliente Casinos Palm Springs. This is one of a small chain of California casinos, and I was pleasantly surprised by its size and energy. We burned some money through the slot machines before saddling up to a $10 minimum bet roulette table and winning some of our money back. If you’re into table games and slots, the casino is definitely more affordable than your Vegas strip options and it was an entertaining way to spend some time out of the heat.
Inside Agua Caliente Casinos Palm Springs. Come Monday morning, our fun-filled Palm Springs weekend was nearly over. Our last stop: Cheeky’s, a venerable brunch spot where there’s almost always a line. Conveniently located just up the street from our hotel, a final brunch felt like the right way to bookend our girls’ weekend. Priding itself on peddling quirky comfort cuisine, Cheeky’s even keeps its own flock of chickens in the spirit of striving to always serve the perfect egg.
Kat heading into Cheeky’s.Embracing the restaurants farm-to-table energy, I ordered soft-scrambled eggs with resh ricotta, pesto, peppers, blistered tomatoes, sliced avocado, and wheat toast. Hats off to Cheeky’s chickens, as they were truly exceptional eggs. We also shared a “flight of bacon,” which was six pieces each prepared differently – for example, there was a spicy jalapeño bacon slice, a sweeter mango bacon strip, and a classic slab of applewood, too.
Breakfast is served at Cheeky’s. As is often the case when traveling with a friend or group, Kat and I often took turns picking up tabs. She introduced me to a great app that does the math for you when the vacation dust has settled. Splitwise is free, and you can enter what you spend as you go, noting whether it’s being split two ways (or more), or divided by item. The app reconciles the expenses so at the trip’s end, you can see what money is owed to each other. I love that this took the hassle and guesswork out of tracking expenses.
Katie enjoys a heat-beating margarita. I look forward to visiting Palm Springs again – preferably not when it’s nudging 110. I now see and embrace why many Alaska friends have this on their go-to list of winter getaways. It’s always fun to discover a classic American town with such a unique sense of history and place. Layer on a vibrant dining scene, gorgeous desert scenery, and a decidedly laid-back sense of leisure, and Palm Springs has you covered.
All signs point to Palm Springs. The post Palm Springs, anyone? Katie sez “Yes, please” appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Taipei at nightSPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Stephen Bugno* traveled around the world as a digital nomad for 15 years before calling Anchorage, Alaska home. He publishes the online travel magazine gomadnomad.com and writes at BohemianTraveler.com. Find his cycling videos at @CyclingAlaska on YouTube*.
Story and photos by Stephen Bugno
The start of the around-Taiwan-route: No. 1 cycling pathCycle Touring in Taiwan
I had been to Taiwan twice when I decided to return to cycle around the island. Located off the coast of China, Taiwan is mainly known as a technology and manufacturing hub and for its contentious relationship with mainland China.
Taiwan is off most people’s vacation radar despite being an excellent travel destination. It’s culturally rich, has terrific food, soaring mountains, a scenic coastline, a modern infrastructure, friendly people, and is super safe. And your dollar goes a long way in this high-value country.
So, I thought I’d return to circumnavigate Taiwan by bicycle.
Only a dozen small countries and the Holy See officially recognize Taiwan as a country. Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949. However, China claims sovereignty over Taiwan and views it as a renegade province.Cycling around Taiwan is a great idea. It’s small enough for a one or two-week bike tour but big enough for varied terrain, sightseeing stops, and culinary adventures. Taiwan’s well-developed infrastructure provides you with the flexibility of getting on a train to avoid crossing mountains or going head-first into strong winds. Add to this the fact that drivers are used to seeing bicycles on the roads (as well as scooters), and there is usually a large shoulder or special lane for scooters or bicycles only.
Screenshot from Google Maps show’s Taiwan’s proximity Hong Kong and Mainland ChinaTaiwan’s Geography
Taiwan is slightly bigger than the US state of Maryland or roughly half the size of Scotland. It’s oval in shape and about 152 miles long and 56 miles wide. It is extremely densely populated, with over 23 million people (Maryland has 6 million).
Most of the population, agriculture, and industry are situated on Taiwan’s west coast. The center of the island is mountainous, with peaks soaring to nearly 13,000 ft. The east coast is very scenic, and most travelers with limited time would want to spend their days here, including the bucolic Rift Valley. Taroko (Gorge) National Park and the capital city of Taipei offer great additions to your bike tour.
The rural and scenic rift valley on Taiwan’s east coast.Round Taiwan Bike Route
Taiwan Cycle Route No. 1 goes around the island, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to it. In some places, it is a designated, away-from-traffic paved cycling path. In other places, it’s on the side of the road on a sufficiently wide shoulder. Many cycle tourists leave Route 1 to blaze their own path or simply hop on the train to the East Coast and cycle there if they have limited time.
Get to the east coast quicky and cheaply by train.The east coast has less traffic and is scenically more appealing. The air is cleaner. There, you can cycle up empty mountain roads, soak in hot springs, or ride across the junction of two colliding tectonic plates. You can get your picture at the Tropic of Cancer sign, visit tea farms, gaze out to the Qingshui Cliffs, or cycle through picturesque rice paddies. It also has the densest concentration of indigenous people.
Taiwan’s east coast is quiet compared to the bustling west coast.The road surface in Taiwan is some of the best in the world. It’s amazing what good investment, engineering, and year-round mild weather can do to preserve road integrity.
On the west coast, don’t miss the city of Tainan. The former capital is crammed with ornate temples, engaging historical sights, and some of the best snack food in the country.
Braised pork belly is one of my favorite meals in Taiwan. Fried tofu and pickled bamboo shoots on the side over white rice.Lugang is another well-preserved city. Since the 19th century, there’s been little impetus for modernization, so much of old Lugang has survived to the delight of the travelers who enjoy the architecture, culture, and tradition.
Northern Taiwan is home to excellent hiking and Yangmingshan National Park. Tucked into the mountains north of Taipei, you’ll see steaming volcanic fumaroles, mist-shrouded grassy plateaus, and wonderful vistas.
Taiwan’s east coast is quiet compared to the bustling west coast.A few Cons of Cycling around Taiwan
Although it’s a wonderful cycling destination, biking in Taiwan has some downsides. A dense population and heavy industrialization make some places unpleasant for cycling with heavy traffic and air pollution. I made it a point to avoid most big cities. But with the urban sprawl, it is sometimes unavoidable.
Much of Western Taiwan is industrialized but the air pollution makes for some spectacular sunsets.Also notable is that strong winds can blow you off course. I’m mostly speaking figuratively. I took a train in the south from the west coast to the east to avoid a miserable 15-20 mph headwind. Get a good weather app like Windy that will keep you from strong head or side winds and will show you which direction to cycle around the island.
There are no rules in cycle touring. If you need to get on the train, no problem.Read: Cycling around Taiwan: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Temples and shrines play an important role in the daily lives of Taiwanese.Taiwan Tourism Highlights
Thinking of Taiwan in general terms for sightseeing, you’ve got the biggest city, Taipei in the northwest, the historical city of Tainan, on the southwest coast, and a vast mountain range in the middle dividing it from the lesser populated east coast. On the east coast, you’ve got a couple of laid-back cities (Taitung and Hualien), a whole lot of natural coastline, and a scenic and geologically interesting rift valley.
Taiwan’s cuisine is fantastic, with a wide variety of meat, seafood, and vegetable dishes, along with specialties like soup dumplings (xiao long bao), stinky tofu, and bubble tea, just to name a few. Night markets are a highlight and a great place to sample the country’s food, snacks, and drinks.
A filling breakfast of “dan bing” — Taiwanese crepes filled with eggs and bacon. And friend carrot (radish) cake.Taiwanese people are some of the world’s friendliest. People were always quick to assist with directions or helping to translate for me when I couldn’t understand or express myself. In my experience, they were also very polite and generous.
Other Options for Cycling Enthusiasts not Committed to Cycle Touring
If you’re just semi-committed to cycling and you don’t want to do a full-on tour by bicycle, there are other options. There are nice places to incorporate cycling into a regular vacation to Taiwan. You can travel easily around Taiwan by train or rental car and rent bikes on the days you want to cycle.
Taipei
Taipei skyline at sunset, including Taipei 101. Photo: Adobe stockTaipei has an excellent bicycle path system, mainly along the rivers. Plenty of bike rentals are available all over the city. For more serious road riders, there are long winding roads that are good for cycling climbs. While in Taipei, don’t miss the National Palace Museum, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Lungshan Temple, and Taipei 101 – the world’s once-tallest building.
Chishiang
The small town of Chishiang is situated in Taiwan’s Rift Valley and attracts travelers looking to escape the bustle of city life. Here, country lanes and cycle paths weave around rice paddies and blooming canola fields. Stop for a bubble tea break and enjoy homestyle cooking.
Where to rent a bike in Taipei for bike touring
It is easy to find bike rentals in destinations around the world, but very few bike shops offer touring bikes. At MathewBike in Taipei, they offer comfortable and high-quality touring bike rentals at good rates. I was very happy with my comfortable Surly touring bike.
Other Practical Advice for Taiwan
Get a SIM card. Local telecom providers make buying a sim card (or e-sim) cheap and easy. I got one while exiting the airport. It was US $30 for 15 days of unlimited calls, texts, and data.
Use technology to your advantage. I used Google Translate, and my iPhone camera can translate Chinese into English. You’ll have to navigate most of your travels in Chinese, although some Tawainese speak English. Look at it as a fun challenge, and remember to take it slow and be patient with yourself.
My Bike Tour in Numbers
I cycled for 10 days in January, which is a pleasant time in Taiwan. Taiwanese people will tell you it’s cool at that time, but anyone from the northern hemisphere will find it warmer than where they’ve come from!
I started my bike tour in Taipei and went counterclockwise down the west coast. After six days, I took a train across the mountains to the east coast. Then I cycled north through the Rift Valley for a few days before taking the train back to Taipei.
Rental Touring Bike with all my gear for 10 days.In all, I cycled 412 miles (663 km) and climbed 11,071 ft (3374 meters) in elevation.
I broke down my trip in a day-by-day series on my YouTube Channel.
The post Touring (completely) around Taiwan–by bike appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Jade Tuckett reads in the Kennicott’s solarium during the three-day ferry ride from Skagway, Alaska to Bellingham, Washington.Story and photos by Chloe Anderson
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Chloe Anderson is a photojournalist, a naturalist and an avid rock climber.
My college boyfriend once said each room in his fraternity house was its own little universe. I can’t think of a more fitting description for the inside of a ferry.
Perhaps nowhere else is as unassuming as the Kennicott. Hair goes unbrushed, clothes are unchanged, card games are played and sweaters are knit. Hours slip by, punctuated only by car deck calls and occasional wildlife sightings announced over the PA system.
The Kennicott, an Alaska state ferry, at dock in Ketchikan, Alaska. Photo by Clark James MishlerDuring my three-day-long journey from Juneau to Bellingham, I settled into a comfortable routine. Each day, I’d read, edit photos, write, play card games with strangers who quickly became friends, and observe as other people slowly settled into their routines as well. People gradually staked their claims in the solariums and used chargers to mark their territory in booths with outlets. Groups held conversations in hushed voices; tired-looking mothers played checkers with their energetic sons and daughters. Some people worked. Most people didn’t.
The one thing we all had in common was a general sense of peace. Time spent on ferries doesn’t feel real—it’s a coda in time, a thoughtful pause, a time for rest before whatever comes next. As I observed others from my little universe, I wondered what was going on in theirs. Where had they come from? What were they doing there? Where were they going next?
And, because I had nothing better to do, I decided to ask.
Hobby photographer James Hawkins squints against the wind on the ferry from Skagway, Alaska to Bellingham, Washington on Oct. 4, 2024. Hawkins spent the summer working as a driver guide in Skagway, and he’ll continue to drive commercial vehicles in Park City, Utah this winter.Before James Hawkins moved to Skagway for the summer, he was “the sole manufacturer of the fastest commercial quilting machine in the world.” He worked in a warehouse building Handy Quilter Infinities for six years before a friend convinced him to apply for a driver guide position with Holland America Princess.
“I’ve wanted to live in Alaska for a while,” Hawkins said. “I visited northern California once with my family…I loved the conifers and the ocean and the mist.” The cost of living steered him away, but he set his sights on Southeast Alaska when he realized it’s part of the Tongass National Forest he fell in love with in the Pacific Northwest.
Hawkins will be driving transit for Park City when he returns home to Utah. He plans to return to Alaska next summer to work as a guide in Denali.
Randy Stroh pauses from peering through his binoculars to watch the waves on the Inside Passage. Stroh was traveling from Juneau, Alaska to Bellingham, Washington Oct. 1-4 to visit family in the Lower 48.Randy Stroh found his calling while he was between jobs and working as an Uber driver in Chicago.
“This guy gets on my Uber, and minutes later, he was driving the Red Hot Chili Peppers around for three months,” Stroh said. “And I thought, ‘That’s what I want to do. I want to drive a tour bus.’”
Stroh is on his way back to the lower 48 to visit family and work in Jackson Hole with the friend who told him about Southeast Alaska to begin with. He plans to return to Juneau and spend another season with Alaska Coach Tours. Driving tour buses is still his long-term goal, “but that’s like…a real job.”
“Right now I’m just getting the experience, checking the boxes and having a good time,” Stroh said with a smile.
Jade Tuckett reads in the Kennicott’s solarium during the three-day ferry ride from Skagway, Alaska to Bellingham, Washington.Jade Tuckett was engaged before she moved to Skagway for the summer and ended her eight-year-long relationship.
“When I got to Skagway, I realized I wanted to form connections with people,” she said. “I wanted to find myself. I didn’t know who I was, and it was hard to do those things while I was in a relationship. So we broke up.”
While she worked at Klondike Clothing, she met people who had never been in relationships. As they gradually fell in and out of summer flings, saying they wanted to go back to being single to find themselves—even though some of them had always been single—Tuckett started to realize she had gotten it wrong.
“I think you see so many people in Alaska who are bigger versions of themselves when they were together,” she said. “I always thought that if I was in a relationship, I’d be half of a person and they’d be half of a person. But I realize now that I don’t need to be alone to find myself.”
Tuckett is going home to Texas, where she’ll marry her fiance Julius and start her own massage business. She plans to return to Skagway next summer.
Adara Salaam sits at a table with several other seasonal workers on the ferry to Bellingham, Washington. Salaam spent the summer working as a bicycle guide in Juneau, Alaska, and she’s traveling back to Atlanta to continue her nursing career.When Covid-19 hit, Adara Salaam had just begun her career as a nurse in Atlanta. After two years, she was burned out and needed a break.
“I’ve always wanted to go to Alaska,” Salaam said. “I didn’t do any research, really—I just applied for a job and went to Juneau.”
Salaam was a bicycle guide at Cycle Alaska, where she took groups of people to the Mendenhall valley to pedal around and visit the glacier. She said Juneau was “beautiful, but cold, dreary and sad.” She doubts she’ll be able to return next year.
Catching the sunset as the ferry makes a wide turn to dock in Wrangell, Alaska. Photo by Scott McMurrenThe post On the ferry: a “coda” in time appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Katie and husband Joe in Santorini, Greece. SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Katie Pesznecker just returned from a Mediterranean Cruise aboard the “Norwegian Getaway”. The ship called in many ports in both Greece and Turkey. This is her report.
Traveling to foreign countries can be stressful, expensive and complicated. One way to simplify logistics, manage costs, reduce front-end trip planning and streamline your overall experience is to go via a cruise ship. My husband and I recently enjoyed a week-long Mediterranean cruise that called on six ports between Greece and Turkey. This adventure encompassed seven days and nights of ancient ruins, aquamarine seas, exotic landscapes and great food and wine.
An iconic view from our hotel rooftop bar in Athens. Our ship both departed from and returned to Athens, so we arrived a day early, and stayed at the Central Hotel in the Plaka district. This is the oldest neighborhood in Athens, spread around the base of the iconic Acropolis and its temple ruins. Our hotel, like many, featured a rooftop bar with views of the Acropolis, which is where we began our night before exploring the area.
A street scene in the Plaka. The Plaka boasts narrow cobblestone streets lined with shops, occasional ancient ruins, and plenty of cafes and tavernas. Trip Advisor pointed us to the Victory Café run by a charming Greek couple.
Good grub at the Victory Café. Our lively experience at this tiny, open-air café included pork gyros (the traditional choice), a chicken souvlaki platter, a Greek salad with juicy tomatoes, cool cucumber and salty chunks of feta, and complimentary baklava sticky with honey. I sipped refreshing Ouzo while Joe enjoyed a local beer, and the owners passed out complimentary shots to toast the evening’s conclusion.
Husband Joe runs a lap at the Panathenaic Stadium.In the morning, we arrived at the Panathenaic Stadium when it opened at 8 a.m. The ancient stadium here was excavated and restored in the 1800s, and hosted the first modern Olympics in 1896. An audio tour leads you on an interesting walk through the world’s largest entirely marble stadium.
View of the Acropolis from the upper rows at the Panathenaic Stadium.Port Piraeus was a quick Uber from the Plaka. Our ship, the Norwegian Getaway, had 18 decks, and capacity for nearly 4,000 passengers and 1,640 crew members. It was refurbished several years ago, and still feels modern, classy and clean, with a fun pool area, many thematic restaurants, shopping areas, outdoor bars, a spa and gym, and a casino included among its many amenties. Our portside balcony room on an upper deck was incredibly comfortable, kept surprisingly cool in the oppressive Mediterranean heat.
Sunset from aboard the ship after departing Athens.A note on that heat: July in the Mediterranean is unbelievably hot. Our arsenal included linen clothes, copious sunscreen, rechargeable neck fans, handheld folding fans, geeky SPF hats and vizors, and lots of water. Though avoiding sunburn, we were excessively sweaty for a week straight. That’s par for the course during July and August in this part of the world when it’s peak tourism season. Locals we met advised returning in milder spring or fall.
Linen and sunhats in Mykonos. Our first port: Mykonos! The ship docked at the “new port” and we walked off right away, among a handful of people on the first water taxi of the day (2 euro), cruising along the stunning shoreline to the old town.
A street scene in Mykonos. Mykonos in the morning was quite the lovely and romantic introduction to Greece. The town – known in summer for late-night parties and clubs and DJs – was just awakening. Men played chess by the harbor. Shopkeepers swept the iconic broad gray cobblestones outside their stores. Patrons at open-air cafes sipped coffee. White and deep blue architecture gleamed in the morning sunshine.
Katie hanging out in Mykonos. We spent hours exploring mazes of old cobblestone roads, popping into shops, and stopping at one café for fresh ginger lemonade, a homemade sour cherry juice, and just-from-the-oven cheese pie, or tiropita. It was one of my favorite foods of the trip – simple, rustic, savory, with rich feta between layers of crispy phyllo.
The windmills of Mykonos. The Norwegian Getaway rests at port in the background.We also found our way up the hill to the iconic row of 16th Century windmills that have long stood sentry over this island. Coming ashore first thing in the morning was a smart move; crowds were growing by the time we returned to the ship. But early in the day, exploring the winding old streets and windmills made for a peaceful and gorgeous experience.
Istanbul. Our next port: Istanbul, where we spent two days and nights, because that’s what you do when you find yourself in the world’s 15th-largest city. With one foot in Europe and another in Asia, Istanbul is beautiful and bustling, its skyline punctuated by the domes and minarets of its 4,000 mosques and an ending impressive display of red rippling Turkish flags. Istanbul cruise ships are served by the Galataport terminal, a massive gateway to the city that opened just a few years ago. Its spacious underground includes security checkpoints and customs clearance points, shops and toilets, and a sprawling garage for tour buses.
The Spice Market in Istanbul. On our first day in Istanbul, we took a cab to the Grand Bazaar area of the city and found our way to the Spice Market. The Spice Market is just one adjacent feature of Istanbul’s famous Grand Bazaar complex, which is one of the oldest and largest covered indoor markets in the world. There are over 4,000 shops in the market and its vicinity. Logging at least 250,000 visitors a day, it was named the most visited tourist destination it the world in 2014 with more than 91.2 million visitors.
Sipping Turkish coffee. After the Spice Market, we found a small café in an alley and enjoyed Turkish coffee with baklava before making the walk back to our ship.
The Blue Mosque. Day two in Istanbul, we joined others on a day-long tour of the city. We began at the Blue Mosque, named for its exquisitely hand-painted and blue-themed tiles that dominate the cavernous interior.
Inside the Blue Mosque. Mosque visitors must cover shoulders and knees – and women must also cover their heads. Those not properly clothed are provided clothes and wraps at the entry point.
Inside the Grand Bazaar.From the mosque, we hit up the Grand Bazaar, with more than an hour to explore on our own. With our friends Kenneth and Ashley, we bartered our way through the fake designer area of the market, with lovely and convincing copies of everything from sunglasses to purses to shoes.
A secret shoe store in Istanbul! Us gals each bought sunglasses. We sampled street food. And we ended up following an eager shopkeeper down a stairway in a nondescript building. It was like something out of a movie: one minute we were on a busy street; the next, we were in an airconditioned underground show room surrounded by rows of the most gorgeous shoes imaginable.
The view from the Bosphorus River. Our Istanbul tour ended with a boat trip on the Bosphorus River, which connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and forms one of the continental boundaries between Asia and Europe.
Kusadasi as seen from our ship. The next day we arrived in our third port: Kusadasi! This Istanbul city is primarily known for the nearby ancient ruins of Ephesus. We booked a private tour in advance through Viator. Our guide, Oscar, ushered us to a waiting (air conditioned!) vehicle with a driver, and we were able to arrive at these famous ruins ahead of the crowds.
The grand promenade in Ephesus. The price of the private tour and Ephesus entrance ticket was comparable (and even cheaper than) the cruise ship-organized outings, and it was such a treat to have our own guide answer all our questions, create an itinerary exactly to our liking, and be such a fantastic and friendly resource of local knowledge.
Epic Ephesus. If you find yourself in Kusadasi and have an interest in ancient civilizations, don’t skip Ephesus. In its heyday, it was the third-largest city in the Roman Empire, and to date, only 30 percent has been excavated.
Roman terrace houses under excavation in Ephesus.It’s sprawl, preservation, and gleaming ruins and promenades designate it an incomparable display of ancient Greek and Roman times. You’ll see many well-excavated temples, carvings, Roman terrace houses, and a giant amphitheater, among its many treasures.
The Ephesus coliseum. We left Turkey and arrived in our penultimate port: Rhodes! Rhodes, in Greece, was my favorite spot of our trip.
Rhodes as seen from our ship. This medieval walled city was so fun to explore on foot. The old stone buildings and arches, stone roads, and worn wooden doorways made for the most picturesque and idyllic setting, and it was incredible to work our way through this web of walkways while remembering it hasn’t much changed in hundreds of years.
Medieval Rhodes. We headed away from the crowds and found charming local shops and friendly residents. We stopped at more than one café to cool off with beverages and snacks and bought pottery to bring home and remember our time here. I also bought a beautiful pair of leather slides from the shop where other shoes were being hand-crafted on site. Leather was a prominent shop item in both Greece and Turkey.
Another Rhodes view. Santorini was our final stop of the trip. We were among the first groups ashore, and various points along our organized tour only grew busier as the day progressed. Santorini’s explosive popularity has been the subject of recent media accounts, with cruise ships simultaneously dumping thousands of passengers here a day. There are few options for quiet corners and beating the crowds.
Our view from a café in Santorini. But Santorini is busy for good reason. With its iconic bright white buildings seeming to cling to the sides of tall cliffs, brilliant blue-domed churches, and famous sunsets, it’s cinematic. Our tour included stops in Oia, a mid-day Greek lunch with wine, dancing, and plate-smashing (Opa!) at a beautiful seaside restaurant, and then a final stop in trendy Fira. We scored a table at a café with breathtaking views of the architecture and sparkling blue sea.
Ready to smash some plates in Greece. From Fira, we had three options to descend to the cruise docks: cable car, donkey, or walking. The cable car wait was 2 hours in the sun. We opted to walk. It was steep, hot, and slippery – so many surfaces in Greece are, and wearing shoes with good traction is essential. When we made it down the hill and back to the ship, that dip in the pool accompanied by a crisp glass of rosé was fantastic.
Photo: The switchback cobblestone road pictured at left that we walked down to return to the ship in Santorini. Cruises aren’t for everyone; but many people claim this is the case without having actually experienced a cruise. You really don’t know if it’s for you until you try it, and you could be missing out on an incredible and convenient way to see special corners of the world. So stay open-minded to this opportunity, especially as a way to simplify and streamline your international adventures. Happy travels!
Sunset selfie from the ship. The post Cruising the Greek Isles (+ Turkey) with Katie + Joe appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Floating by the Childs Glacier on the float from Chitina to Cordova on the Copper River.Hey, I just got off the phone with Nik Merlino of McCarthy River Tours — and he’s offering a 25 percent discount on an EPIC Copper River float trip, departing Chitina on Aug. 9, 2024 (only one departure date).
“This trip is the quintessential scenic Alaska rafting trip,” said Nik.
Raft into the Chugach mountains, down the remote Copper River, past bears, eagles, swans, bears and seals that all feast on the famed Copper River Sockeye salmon. The regular price for this trip is $4,175 per person. With discount applied, cost is $3,130 per person. That includes all meals, tent accommodations along the river, g-r-e-a-t food and more (see below).
Rafting Alaska’s mighty Copper RiverCLICK HERE for maps, descriptions and more details of the trip.
–Raft among icebergs and along the face of the Childs Glacier
–Float Deep into the Alaska Wilderness
–Explore the remnants of the Copper River and Northwestern Railroad, a remnant of Alaska’s great Copper Rush
–Walk along some five-mile-long sand dunes.
–Enjoy every day being more beautiful than the last!
McCarthy River Tours’ trips are fully outfitted with group camping gear, sleeping kits, backcountry gourmet meals & expert safety trained guides. That includes drysuits when you’re on the river. You just need to bring your clothes and toothbrush!
For more info on the trip, click here.
The post LAST-MINUTE: Seven-day float on the Copper River: 25 percent off appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Seaview Café and Hope Main StreetStory and photos by Katie Pesznecker.
Don’t let summer slip away without sliding down to Hope, one of Alaska’s most fun and friendly seasonal towns that is a relatively quick and convenient drive from Anchorage. We are year-round “Hopesters” – the moniker locals lovingly use to label Hope residents and loyalists. We share a cabin rental with others year-round, which makes weekend turn-and-burns an enticing opportunity whether its sunny and hot or wintry and snowy.
The end of the road in Hope. For most people, Hope is a summer destination when it’s an easier trip and a more lively location. Take the Seward Highway south. Girdwood is the halfway point. Continue over Turnagain Pass, then travel the 17-mile spur Hope Road that dead-ends in this historic Gold Rush town. Hope’s roots go back to 1896, an era of bold sourdoughs and gold fever and rustic, whimsical log buildings, many of which still stand today.
Katie in Hope.A hardy 100-or-so folks call Hope home year-round, but summer is when the tiny Gold Rush town comes to life. Businesses that shutter during the winter reopen with gusto, grilling great food and brewing coffee and booking boisterous bands, drawing fun-loving crowds of whitewater rafters, music lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Too many people spend too many years in Alaska and sail right on past the Hope turnoff, and while those of us who love the little town are grateful for that in a way, I can’t help but brag on this end-of-the-road town teeming with charm and character.
Rustic cabins abound in Hope.
The larger restaurants that generally operate in Hope during the summer season are the Creekbend Café, Dirty Skillet, and the Seaview Café and Bar. Creekbend is the only one with a sustained year-round presence, generally taking a weeks-long break in winter, but otherwise open a few days a week for a stretch of hours. The latter two are primarily summer businesses.
Dirty Skillet (left) and its larger daytime lodge (right) sit on the edge of a calm pond. Dirty Skillet has been around several years and earned a niche for its creative food, glamping-cool ambiance and intimate live music sessions. Dining tables have small gas-powered fires in the center to warm chilled visitors. The restaurant perches on the edge of a small pond where ducks paddle about. A day lodge has space to chill, a full offering of coffee beverages, and some to-go food for purchase. There are also cozy cabins here for rent.
Music at the Dirty Skillet. Seaview is probably Hope’s most iconic business, located on picturesque Main Street alongside like-minded 1900-era buildings, like the Social Hall and privately owned cabins. However, Seaview’s last full summer in operation was 2022. Prior to the 2023 season, the for-sale business remained on the market.
Joe and Katie on the sunny Seaview deck before it went on the market. A new owner has purchased the establishment, which includes the RV campground and tent camping spaces, and the café and bar, which are connected by an outdoor patio. The camping areas are open but locals say permitting has kept the café and bar from reopening just yet. So far, the owner has had bands playing on the patio, so people can gather and dance and enjoy from Main Street. While it’s better than nothing, everyone is excited for this Hope staple to be back in the fold.
Photo: The Creekbend Café. Creekbend, long-ago known as Tito’s Discovery Café, is mostly known for its killer food, generous patio, and a huge area out back with a stage, elevated areas for viewing, an outdoor bar, and some really fun, lively nights of music in the midnight sun. I have a soft spot for Creekbend, where beloved local Chef Chris comes up with creative cuisine year-round. Creekbend is also the only sit-down breakfast spot in town.
Late-night music at the Creekbend. Other breakfast options include the Turnagain Kayak Company, a coffee shop on the main Hope Highway that has an entire range of coffee drinks, smoothies, baked goods, and simple staples like breakfast sandwiches. This is often a must-stop on our way out of town after a fulfilling summer weekend.
Husband Joe grabs a coffee at Grounds for Hope.Another popular coffee stop is Grounds for Hope, a small coffee cart just off Main Street, where the barista and owner makes drinks to order and sells an array of muffins and homemade breakfast burritos. Both Grounds for Hope and Kayak Company are open summer only.
Forget something? Hope’s Coldwater Market is surprisingly well stocked. Salt of Hope is a food cart on Main Street known for inventive late-night eats like loaded tater tot platters, smoked brisket plates and huli huli chicken. Other fun stops in town include a hand-dipped ice cream shop, and Sourdough Dru’s Gift Shop.
Fish on! Later in summer, Hope draws anglers for its run of pink salmon.
Hope boasts plenty of recreation. The Gull Rock Trail and the Hope Point Trail offer two very different outdoorsy experiences. Gull Rock is a 5.7-mile trail out, and 5.7 miles back from the trailhead route, following the south shore of Turnagain Arm from the end of the Hope Highway to a rocky peninsula marking the promontory end of land. The trail has gradual ups and downs with occasional short, steep sections, and offers so many pretty views of Turnagain Arm. By contrast, Hope Point is an ambitious trail with a 2,338-foot elevation gain affording some truly stunning 360-degree views of Turnagain Arm.
Joe on Hope Point. (Photo credit Josh Niva) While my husband regularly takes off on these hiking adventures, long walks around Hope are more my speed. Hope is sleepy and slow, with 15-mile-per-hour speed limits on many of its wide gravel streets. It’s the perfect pace for strolling along, taking in the views of the Turnagain Arm mountains and the beautiful historic log buildings, many of which have plaques explaining their origins – which, being a history geek, I totally adore.
The Passwater Cabin, dating to 1902. Like many private residences, it was once Hope’s post office, as the location depended on who was elected postmaster. If history interests you, don’t miss Hope’s museum, and the adjacent grounds with some really striking buildings and relics from Gold Rush days. This includes a tiny schoolhouse, a stable, and a miners’ bunkhouse. Interpretive signs do an excellent job explaining the lay of the land.
Historical buildings preserved on the grounds of Hope’s museum. As for lodging in Hope, many places rent cabins; Airbnb and VRBO options exist; and tent and car-camping are popular options. Just respect the space, signs, and most importantly, respect the patient locals: Hope is their home, and especially during big summer concerts or rafting or outdoor events that draw droves to town, this tiny, special place can feel swarmed and swamped quisckly.
Joe, Katie, and Josh catching music at Dirty Skillet. Hope is undeniably fun when it’s rollicking, the sounds of summer music rolling through the rustling trees, dogs trotting freely, people mindlessly and joyfully dancing with abandon. It’s special too in its quiet moments, fisherman casting for pinks in the burbling creek that spills into Turnagain Arm, an errant moose strolling down a side road. If you haven’t prioritized a visit here, it’s time.
Sunset in Hope.The post Hope, Alaska. Katie sez it “springs eternal here” appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Katie and husband Joe toast their time in Waikiki.On a recent trip to Oahu, the unexpected happened: it poured rain. Not intermittent bursts of tropical rain, and not an isolated warm sprinkles amid a sunny afternoon, but sky-choking, cloud-cracking, Hollywood rain. The postcard view of Diamond Head from our hotel room was entirely obscured by milky gray skies. The storming ocean churned, devoid of surfers. When I peeked out the blinds for a hopeful glimpse of sunshine, I was greeted instead by three bedraggled, drenched seagulls that huddled on my lanai table for their own safety.
Tourists crowding the jetty for fireworks on a Friday night. Here’s what I learned: when it rains in Hawaii, it pours Aloha. The five straight days of rain that Oahu experienced was atypical, as the rainy season is typically November to March. But Hawaiians are actually very reverent about rainstorms. Several locals shared that Hawaiians have some 200 words for rain depending on what kind it is. They believe rains are a gift from their ancestors. And the rain was indeed a blessing; instead of my usual routine of pool time and beachy strolls, I found new and wonderful ways to pass the time in Honolulu.
Selfie at the PalaceMy first stop: Iolani Palace. Full disclosure, I’ve put off this visit for years, because when we Alaskans travel somewhere warm, it’s so dang hard to turn from the sun. With no end to the rain in sight, this particular Hawaiian trip afforded the perfect opportunity to visit this iconic royal residence.
Rainy view of Iolani Palace. The Iolani Palace we see today was built by King Kalakaua in 1882, on grounds that had featured monarchy dwellings for decades. It’s time as the official royal residence was brief but special. It was a thriving gathering place, royal home, and center for culture and politics until 1893, with the overthrow of the monarchy.
Our tour guide in the entryway of Iolani Palace. The palace had various uses over the following years, including serving as the Capitol for almost 80 years. It was established it as a national Historic Landmark in 1962 and was reborn as a cultural tourism destination thanks to a painstaking restoration campaign in the 1970s that saw it reopen as a museum in 1978. Iolani is the only official royal residence in the United States.
The rainy portico at Iolani. I signed up for the docent-led tour, which began on a covered outdoor portico with impressive stone columns and orange and brown tile work. Rain battered the palms as we slipped paper booties over our shoes – a preventative requirement to protect the palace’s floors and carpets. About 20 people from across the U.S. (and a few Hawaiians) made up our group.
Inside Iolani Palace.Throughout the tour, which lasted about an hour and a half, our well-versed guide slowly led us through significant rooms that have been slowly restored, with original furniture recovered and installed whenever possible. The interior reflected Victorian design sensibilities blended with distinctly Hawaiian décor and materials, such as Koa wood, and ubiquitous royal staffs called kahilis, long poles decorated on one end with clusters of feather plumes.
The Blue Room at Iolani. As the tour wound through the ground floor, we saw the great hall, the formal dining room, and the Blue Room. Our guide explained the people behind ancient portraits adorning the walls, pointed out distinct and significant décor, and also shared a tragic story about the Blue Room.
A replica of one of the queen’s iconic gowns on display in the Blue Room.A group of U.S. businessmen had laid the groundwork for the coup that would eventually result in Queen Lili’uokalani’s forced abdication. In a last effort, in the Blue Room, she presented draft constitutional amendments that would restore voting rights to many native Hawaiians. Her effort failed, and according to our guide, she likely knew in that moment by the reaction of her peers that 1,000 years of Hawaiian independence was over.
The tour group admires the queen’s quilt in the Imprisonment Room. During our palace tour, we also visited what is called the Imprisonment Room. Here, Queen Lili’uokalani was held for many months after her arrest. The room contains a quilt that the queen herself and her ladies painstakingly worked on during this time. Others added to it and it became a cultural tapestry of her legacy.
The throne room at the palace. Other rooms visited on the palace tour included private bedrooms, the family’s beloved music room, and the majestic throne room, a sight of many legendary parties and celebrations. If you visit, leave time to visit the basement area, which has been restored to a museum featuring collections of family jewelry and shields, monarchy regalia, and historical documents and photographs. The palace is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and tickets can be purchased online.
On Iolani Palace grounds, the site of the royal mausoleum, where King Kamehameha II and Queen Kamehameha were entombed from 1825 to 1865. After visiting Iolani, I popped open my umbrella and walked about 15 minutes into Chinatown where I hit up the well-known Honolulu dining landmark, The Pig and the Lady. I arrived without a reservation and the restaurant was packed but I was seated quickly at the bar. The Pig and Lady is a mainstay on foodie rosters of top Honolulu eateries, known for its modern Vietnamese cuisine.
My Bun Cha Hanoi at The Pig and the Lady.Tortured by the delicious feast of menu options, I landed on the Bun Cha Hanoi. Billed as one of Hanoi’s most famous vermicelli noodle dishes, it came with a hot bowl of hot pho broth, spiced lemongrass grilled pork patties, pickled papaya marinated in a light nuoc cham, with a side of light and addictive crispy crab and pork rolls, chopped fresh garlic and chili, soft lettuce leaves, a pile of aromatic herbs.
Inside The Pig and the Lady.Chinatown is a picturesque little corner of downtown Honolulu with its brick buildings and harbor-side setting. Had it not been pouring, I would have enjoyed wandering. Instead I ducked into an Irish pub called Black Shamrock to wait out peaking Uber fares. Formerly known as O’Toole’s, an Irish pub has operated here for some time, and it was a comfortable and friendly watering hole to wait out a rain surge and sip a pint of Hana Koa Brewing Ho-Yah! West Coast IPA. All told, my downtown day was a nice change from bustling Waikiki.
Chinatown.Another new restaurant I sampled this trip was The Pupu House. Their fun, diverse menu is populated with creative shareable plates, some recognizable for also being featured on the menu of its long-standing sister restaurant, Uncle Bo’s Pupu’s. The vibe here is trendy, cool, and basic in the best way, with tiki-bar décor and delightful tropical kitsch.
Inside Pupu House.Pupu House is conveniently located just off the main drag, Kalakaua Avenue, and I found service to be fast and friendly, with an alternating entertainment roster of musicians and DJs.
Pupu House’s tasty Kalua pig fried rice We tried the Kalua pig fried rice, a carbohydrate dome of salty and savory pork, garlic grilled onions, and wok-fried rice that perfectly paired crunchy and fluffy textures.
Pupu House’s sizzling slidersWe also devoured burger sliders, three small all-beef patties on toasted Hawaiian sweet buns with secret sauce, mozzarella, and crunchy wonton crisps that elevated the mini burger from standard bar fare to unexpectedly different and delectable.
My food at Monkeypod.Relatively new restaurant Monkeypod Kitchen by Hawaiian Chef Peter Merriman is thriving in Wakiki and I popped in for lunch. In the mood for something vegetable forward, I opted for taro ravioli. The light combination of waiahole homestead taro, chèvre, and watercress was cool and summary, balanced by the heat and crunch of chili garlic oil. I paired that with the broccoli salad, served over house-made Romesco sauce, with Point Reyes blue cheese, dried cranberries, slivered anchovy, Greek olives, local basil, and a citrusy lemon vinaigrette.
The view of the Pacific from Monkeypod. The best part of Monkeypod is the view of the ocean. Sunny or stormy, it’s a mesmerizing backdrop to one of Waikiki’s newest and most delicious dining options. Monkeypod also serves breakfast and has local musicians performing for much of its operating hours.
Inside Stix Asia. We are relatively new converts to Stix Asia, a Waikiki Asian food hall directly off Kalakaua Avenue with more than 15 food counters and corners serving everything from Ramen to Udon noodles to stir fries and pad Thai. We strolled through a couple times, browsing options, and popped by for a quick lunch of Korean fried chicken at Good Chicken.
Happy husband Joe having taco time at Paia Fish Market. There is one restaurant we will visit every time we are lucky enough to be in Waikiki: Paia Fish Market. I’m addicted to the lunch fish taco plate, served with the restaurant’s famous rough-chopped coleslaw and its incredible grilled potatoes and homemade tarter sauce.
Paia fish taco for the win!Whenever the rain paused – which wasn’t often, but we did enjoy some moments – we scrambled for sunshine and hit the sidewalks and walkways for sunny strolls. We enjoyed the warmth and the Vitamin D.
ABC sells rain gear! When rain returned, we found ourselves laughing at the splashy chaos, the tourists beneath plastic ponchos, the water gushing down usually-dry stairwells. For the most part, tourists rolled with it, and the locals were more than accommodating, with hotels handing out umbrellas and ABC stores pushing forward displays of raingear instead of sunscreen.
Rain-soaked Waikiki roads.En route to Iolani Palace, my Uber driver and I shared a laugh when a DJ with a sense of humor played Milli Vanilli’s “Blame it on the Rain” as the driver navigated about a foot of flowing water on the roadway.
The Iolani grounds. One particular rainy moment stands out: I was leaving Iolani Palace, debating whether to Uber or walk to Chinatown. The rain had turned, softening into a kind of lacy mist. My guide – a native Hawaiian – smiled as he extended a hand palm-up to sample its texture. He said, “This is Hawaiian snow.”
Tourists take in the rainy view of the ocean.It was definitely a moment when I was grateful for Hawaiian snow over the Alaska version. Mahalo, Honolulu.
Joe soaks in some Aloha.The post Springtime report from (soggy) Hawaii appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
When you get the Alaska TourSaver APP, the world of Alaska gets much bigger. With 100 money-saving offers around the state, from Ketchikan to Fairbanks, you’ll save a bundle on the best things to see, to do and to experience in the 49th state! Watch the movie!
Here are some of our favorite offers:
-
Save 20 percent off Alaska Airlines tickets to, from or within Alaska — up to four people!
-
Get 2-for-1 tickets on the Alaska Railroad between Anchorage and Seward, Anchorage-Talkeetna, Anchorage-Denali + MORE!
-
Save $65 off Denali flightseeing with K2 Aviation in Talkeetna –up to four people.
-
Save $40 off Major Marine Tours cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward–up to four people.
-
2-for-1 admission to the Alaska Sealife Center in Seward.
-
2-for-1 admission to the Anchorage Trolley one-hour tour.
-
2-for-1 admission to the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
-
2-for-1 admission to Riverboat Discovery (and Gold Dredge 8) in Fairbanks.
-
$50 off Taquan Air flightseeing in Misty Fjords National Monument in Ketchikan
-
$50 off Juneau Lighthouse Tours–exclusive whale watching and lighthouse tour in Juneau–up to four people.
That’s just the beginning–there are lots of offers all around the state. Check out the whole list. The app costs $99.95–many travelers make that back using just one coupon!
The post Save a bundle with the Top 10 Alaska TourSaver deals appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Gracianna produces some incredible wine. We love it.
But gratitude always has been a core value for the Amador family…for everything they do: the wine, their family, their community and their friends. Trini and Lisa Amador always say “Gracianna is for wine lovers who have something to be grateful for.”
I’m partial to the Pinot Noir, but the crew is turning out some award-winning zinfandels, cabernet sauvignon and even rosé vintages. Stop by the tasting room when you’re in Healdsburg.
Since gratitude is important to the Amadors, Gracianna is continuing a study they started in 2020.
In collaboration with Dr. Phillip Watkins of Eastern Washington University, this study asks questions about your feelings, thoughts, and attitudes regarding gratitude, now and in the future. Please complete the survey by May 10, 2024.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/683DR9J
If you wish the results to be shared with you, just provide your name and email address at the end. If you have any questions about this study, contact Trini Amador at trini3@gracianna.com . Below, the Amador family in the vineyard.
The post Gracianna–our favorite wine in Sonoma County appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Left-to-right: Amana Mbise of Lendimi African Safaris, Tom Norby and Scott McMurren at Alaska Summer Showcase. Photo by Rob Stapleton, (Alaskafoto.com ).If you came to the Alaska Summer Showcase, one of the big prizes was a safari from Lendimi African Safaris! One of the firm’s leaders, Amana Mbise, was at the show answering questions about Tanzania, the wonders of Africa, Kilimanjaro and of course the incredible wildlife in his home country.
Giraffe walking in Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania. (Adobe stock photos) Well, Tom Norby was the lucky winner–and he’s headed to Tanzania with his wife, Eileen. In fact, the Norbys were already planning another trip to Africa, so they are DEFINITELY going to make the most of their prize!
Lendimi African Safaris offers pre-packaged safari trips, as well as customized journeys for intrepid travelers. The Norbys will visit Serengeti National Park, the Ngorogoro Crater, the Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara and many other one-of-a-kind venues on their trip.
Zebra herd grazing on plain, nature striped beauty (AI by Adobe Stock photos)Tom said they’re planning some extra time in Zanzibar, off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. And Eileen plans on floating abover the plain in a hot-air balloon!
Learn more about Lendimi’s offers in Tanzania HERE. Are you going to Tanzania? Perhaps to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro??
The post Who won the African Safari from Lendimi? appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
The “Spirit of Matushka”I just got a call from my friend Andy Hall who runs Alaska Geographic. They’re hosting a cruise in Seward of Resurrection Bay on Saturday, May 11. It’s a “floating fundraiser” aboard Major Marine‘s catamaran, the “Spirit of Matushka”. I’ve been on the boat–but never sailed out of the harbor. So I’m looking forward to this.
Watch for wildlife during the three-hour cruise!Alaska Geographic puts this cruise together each year to raise money for youth programs to connect people to Alaska’s public lands. That includes hikes, marine science education and other activities in the parks and refuges. Think of the Junior Ranger books, maps, other brochures + exhibits, displays and other projects–these all are funded by Alaska Geographic.
Andy and his crew have come up with an impressive list of prizes and auction items, including:
– Two Alaska Airlines tickets anywhere they fly.
– Three-day/two-night Denali rail + hotel package ex-Anchorage from Holland America Line.
– Two night Yurt stay at Shearwater Cove Eco-Lodge on Resurrection Bay.
– Arctic Circle fly/drive from Northern Alaska Tour Company ex-Fairbanks.
– Guided sea kayaking tour for two with Alaska Sea Kayakers.
– Four-hour tandem kayak rental at Eklutna Lake from Lifetime Adventures.
– Two-hour all-inclusive hiking tour for two from Go Hike Alaska.
– Bridal Veil Kayak Paddle for two from Miller’s Landing in Seward
– Full-day Caines Head Kayak Paddle from Miller’s Landing in Seward
– $50 gift card + movie tickets from Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill
– Two week unlimied yoga pass from Anchorage Yoga
– Travel pack, bottle sling, premium utensils and other goodies from ChicoBag
– Family Fun package with two adult Alaska State Fair admission + two youth or two seniors
…plus more prizes and trips
Alaska Geographic funds youth programs like the one, above, in Alaska’s national parksHere are the details:
WHO: Me. You. Your friends and family! Anyone who treasures Alaska’s public lands.
WHAT: Three-hour cruise of Resurrection Bay in Seward aboard Major Marine’s “Spirit of Matushka” catamaran. View the snow-capped mountains and several hanging glaciers. Watch for wildlife, including otters, eagles, mountain goats, seals–even whales.
WHEN: Saturday, May 11. Boarding starts at 3:00 pm.
WHERE: Harbor 360 Hotel right on the water at the Seward Small Boat Harbor. (1412 4th Avenue, Seward, AK, 99664)
WHY: Combine this “floating fundraiser” with a scenic cruise on the calm, protected waters of Resurrection Bay. Enter to win some fantastic travel prizes. Bid high and bid often to score some other great prizes.
HOW: Click here to make reservations: https://alaskageographic.regfox.com/2024-cruise-for-a-cause
COST: $107.10 per person (Alaska Geographic members get a $10 discount) A meal is included for everyone! Buy your own drinks, tho’.
IN SUM: Alaska Geographic works in partnership with public land agencies to connect people with Alaska’s national parks, forests, refuges and conservation lands through the creation and delivery of exceptional educational products and programs.
Since 1959, Alaska Geographic has been the nonprofit education partner of Alaska’s spectacular national parks, forests, refuges, and conservation lands; we support education programs and publications, and raise funding for youth programs, stewardship projects, and arts and education programs. Together with our public land partners, we are dedicated to sharing Alaska’s rich natural and cultural heritage.
JOIN US in Seward on the floating fundraiser! We’ll see you on board!
The post JOIN US on Major Marine cruise in Seward on Saturday, May 11 and support Alaska’s Public Lands appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Every year at this time, travelers contact me about their status on Alaska Air. Specifically, many travelers want to maintain or “level up” their MVP status. Following is a list ...
The post Mileage Run? Here’s where to go and how much it costs appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Editor’s note: There’s a special place in my heart for Seaside, Oregon. Growing up in nearby Portland, Seaside was our go-to beach getaway as a kid. So when special correspondent Katie Pesznecker said she was going, I was more than happy to have her drive the car down memory lane. And yes, she totally got some sun! This is her report. –Scott
Photo: Katie and husband Joe snap a selfie on the beach.
I recently visited the town of Seaside on the Oregon Coast for an extended family get-together. I grew up in Oregon but hadn’t visited Seaside in at least 15 years. During our lively, sun-soaked weekend, I was happily reintroduced to a town teeming with character, culture, and cuisine — and was reminded why lively Seaside remains an enduring destination for fun-seeking beach-lovers.
Photo: Posing with the pretty Seaside sign.
We visited in late August, flying into the Portland International Airport to make the 90-mile drive due west to Seaside via U.S. Highway 26. Alaskan travelers appreciate a destination that can be reached with a minimal time and logistical investment while yielding maximum payoff, and Seaside fits that bill.
PHOTO: A Bigfoot carving and old train car are among the many displays at Camp 18.
We stopped just short of Seaside at Camp 18. This iconic roadside eatery is, as the name applies, just 18 miles from Seaside, a homage to the logging and timber industry that is part of the fabric of this region. The grounds contain historic logging equipment and displays, and a nature trail. The gorgeous main building is a lovingly constructed 14,000 square foot log building that hosts a gift shop and restaurant.
Photo: Inside Camp 18.
Traveling with my husband Joe, brother-in-law/buddy Josh, and always-hungry stepson Dominic, this crew devoured all Camp 18 had to offer – from ambiance to omelets, from home fries to cinnamon swirl French toast. After a hearty meal, we strolled the grounds and stretched our legs.
Photo: Great grub at Camp 18.
Next stop, Seaside! All told, we spent two days and nights in town with more than 20 extended family members who traveled from Washington, Alaska, Nevada and California for a weekend of relaxed reconnecting.
Photo: Joe, Dominic and Josh approach the fam hangout area after strolling along the waves.
Seaside served as the ideal backdrop for this family gathering. Daytime unfolded at the beach – a broad, wide, huge beach where we lounged and laughed in the sun, threw baseballs, waded in the waves, and strolled on the sand.
Photo: Family bonfire time is fun for all ages!
We also lit a bonfire there the first night. Most local stores sell firewood bundles and many hotels sell S’mores kits too. Around a roaring camp fire, we toasted marshmallows, enjoying the crackling flames and crashing waves, as dozens of other fires glowed along the beach.
Photo: Some family members enjoy dinner at Finn’s Fish House.
We never attempted a sit-down restaurant meal with the entire crew, but we did dine out in groups both large and small and found some tasty options. Finn’s Fish House, with its tabletop fire features, was able to seat a large group of us without too much notice.
PHOTO: Joe brings the beverages at Pizza Harbor!
For another family dinner, we swarmed the patio at Pizza Harbor, a decades-old joint just off the main strip, Broadway Street. With a big outdoor patio and counter-ordering, it was a perfect place for a large group of us to casually lounge while devouring delicious slices of thin-crust pizza with house-made sauce and melty cheese bread.
PHOTO: Perfect pizza at Pizza Harbor!
We discovered a great lunch spot too: Guadalajara Taco Shop. The street tacos were super authentic, served on doubled-up corn tortillas with minimal toppings like cilantro and onion. Protein options included carnitas, pastor, carne asada, lengua, fish and chicken.
PHoTO: Taco time!
Another local fav we hit up was Pronto Pup, a mainstay on the Seaside strip. These hand-dipped, made-to-order corn dogs are a steal at $4.50 a pop – and a quick and cheap treat for hungry kids and hangry adults alike!
PHOTO: A Pronto Pup turns hangry Katie’s frown upside down.
Pronto Pup is smack in the middle of Seaside action on and around Broadway Street – boutiques, ice cream parlors, bookstores, coffee shops, arcades, and more. There’s certainly no shortage of diversions if lounging on the beach isn’t your thing.
PHOTO: Dominic and Joe shoot ‘em up in Seaside.
We hit up skeeball and fired fake pistols at a shooting range game. Several family members played a rousing round of mini golf while others swarmed the bumper cars with competitive hilarity.
PHOTO: Joe goes all in on bumper cars.
Another popular seaside activity is strolling the Seaside Promenade. “The Prom,” as it’s affectionately known, was built in 1920. Fifteen-feet-wide and paved, it runs along the beach for 1.5 miles between 12th Avenue on the north end, south to U Street.
PHOTO: The guys take a morning stroll on the Prom.
The Prom meanders by landmarks like Mo’s Seafood and Chowder (a must-stop for clam chowder fans) and the Seaside Aquarium (check out the whale skeleton in the window!). The Prom also passes through the Turnaround, the iconic one-way circle at the end of busy Broadway Street.
PHOTO: A sand carver works his magic.
The Prom presents breathtaking ocean and sunset views and is full of scenery and historic markers. Watch for artists carving sand sculptures, musicians and crooners performing, and other shoreline entertainers angling for tourists’ tips.
PHOTO: Josh, Joe and Katie have a happy hour at the Bridge Tender Pub.
All told, Seaside had something for everyone, from fun and games to great food and rich local history. With its relative proximity to the Portland airport, pleasant walkability once there, big beaches, and abundance of lodging, it’s an excellent getaway option year-round.
PHOTO: A sandy path cuts through sea grass to the beach.
The post Katie shares sea shells down by the sea shore in Seaside, Oregon (TRIP REPORT) appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
The Kennicott area in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is a favorite Alaska destination for the McMurren tribe. We hit the road last Friday for a weekend getaway. It’s a five-hour ...
The post Kennicott/McCarthy: A great Alaska TourSaver weekend! appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
More than $15,000 in Travel Prizes! Grand Prizes: Alaska Air: Trip for two systemwide! Alaska Travel Industry Association: Fly with Alaska Bear Trips nonstop from Anchorage’s Lake Hood float plane ...
The post Say “Yes” to the Quest for the Ultimate Alaska Adventure! appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Embark on this Alaskan Dream Cruise in Sitka, Alaska. Visit Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm Fjord, the Wrangell Narrows, Prince of Wales Island and Misty Fjords National Monument. This 9-day/8-night “Inside ...
The post Last Minute: take 70 percent off Alaskan Dream Cruises through Inside Passage (Alaska residents only) appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
BEARS! Lots of people want to see Alaska’s bears at the world-famous Brooks River Falls in Katmai National Park. There are a couple of ways to do it: 1. Watch ...
The post BEARS! appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Katie Pesznecker and her husband Joe Niva visited Waikiki in search of some elusive summer sun, sand and surf. She offers some great tips for those Alaskans who ...
The post TRIP REPORT: Seeking summer in Hawaii appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Don’t miss your chance to sail with Kenai Fjords Tours on one of their cruises from Seward. It’s a favorite trip of ours—so we packed up and met the kids ...
The post Kenai Fjords Tours: Whale of a time watching bubble-net-feed + big ice, orcas, puffins, more appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
It’s just another Tuesday for your #AvGeek author. Our plane today is the Tecnam Traveller P2012, a twin-engine, wing-over aircraft made in Italy. Kenai Aviation launched service between Anchorage and ...
The post Kenai Aviation: A new day = A new plane appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Jennie Flaming is a 4th generation Seattleite and former Alaskan. She writes about outdoor adventure and travel in Washington, Alaska and Western Canada at her site: www.ordinary-adventures.com . ...
The post Jennie goes to Juneau appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
From its launch last November, Aleutian Airways is expanding: new planes, new routes and more flights from Anchorage to Dutch Harbor, Sand Point, Cold Bay and King Salmon. Book online: ...
The post Fly Aleutian Air from Anchorage: the “strongest link in the chain” appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Katie Pesznecker is on the move again with her husband Joe Niva. The Dynamic Duo traveled earlier this year to Portugal. Check out her report. Is there any ...
The post TRIP REPORT: Affordable, colorful, friendly Portugal appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Make this the summer that you ride on the Mighty Alaska Railroad! It’s been 100 years since Pres. Harding drove the Golden Spike in Nenana to complete the route from ...
The post The Mighty Alaska Railroad: 100 years and going strong ( + Kids ride free on select routes) appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Alaska’s 737-800 aircraft ” Xáat Kwáani” is dedicated at a ceremony in Anchorage.Alaska Airlines unveiled its newest aircraft paint theme last week – Xáat Kwáani – designed by the talented Alaska Native artist Crystal Kaakeeyáa Rose Demientieff Worl. Xáat Kwáani means “Salmon People” in the Alaskan Tlingit language and refers to the spiritual link between the people who interact with the beloved salmon and all of us who benefit from their stewardship of the environment.
“Xáat Kwáani” 737-800 on the ground in Juneau on its inaugural journey as Alaska flight #62. Photo by Brandon Farris “Crystal Worl has a love of monumental art — most recently murals gracing the sides of buildings in Juneau and Anchorage for locals and visitors to enjoy. And we had a large blank canvas — a 737-800,” said Marilyn Romano, regional vice president, Alaska Airlines. “During our first conversation, Crystal shared her desire to paint an Alaska Airlines plane — she has flown with us most of her life. Salmon as a focus was intentional and Crystal shares the relationship between salmon and Native people through storytelling and artistic design.”
Learn more about how Worl’s design came to life. CLICK HERE.
The post Alaska Air welcomes Xáat Kwáani (Salmon People) to the fleet appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
An Alaska satellite hitches a ride aboard a Space X “Falcon Heavy” rocket in FloridaSPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Shawn Williams works for Anchorage-based Pacific Dataport, which launched the “Aurora 4A” satellite last month in Florida. He traveled to watch the launch with his family. This is his report.
Recently, I traveled with my family to Orlando, Florida. Our objective: to watch a special rocket launch from Cape Canaveral scheduled for Wednesday, April 26.
This Space X “Falcon Heavy” launch was important for many reasons, but mostly because one of three satellites onboard was built for Alaska. The Aurora 4A – a satellite built for Alaska-based Pacific Dataport, providing more broadband access throughout the state.
We “launched” our family adventure on Sunday, April 23. After arriving in Orlando on Alaska Air, we headed to our hotel directly across from Universal Studios. We planned to spend Monday there, but we shifted and headed to Disney’s Magic Kingdom, which is open much later.
I enjoyed seeing the rides I remember from previous visits as a kid. Now it was time to make new memories with the whole family.
Some of the new rides, like the “Tron”, require you to download the Disney app and register for a place in their virtual line. I recommend taking your own snacks (especially if you’re a healthy eater). Be sure and leave the park before 9pm fireworks show. You must take the ferry or tram between the parking areas and the park entrance. Leaving the park after the fireworks means you’ll have an additional 1-2 hour wait.
Tuesday afternoon, we headed to the nearby “Space Coast” for the launch. The weather was turning bad, so we worried that the scheduled Wednesday launch might be scrubbed. We stayed in Titusville, aka “Space City”. There are plenty of hotels and every chain is represented: Bonvoy, Hyatt, Hilton…all within 15 miles. Prices ranged from $100 to $500 per night. You won’t find many home rental options, although there are a few on the higher end.
Titusville loves rocket launches! Businesses with catchy rocket names and local bars all have their special drinks. It absolutely adds to the fun atmosphere. We enjoyed the Space Bar at our hotel, the Courtyard Titusville Kennedy Space Center, a Marriott property (Bonvoy). The rooftop bar is open to everyone. The bar has an amazing riverside view of the launch areas and the stars shine brightly when they retract the deck cover. I recommend it!
If you enjoy breweries, Playalinda’s Brix Project Brewpub is nearby. We met plenty of travelers there who came to see one or both launches planned for the week. The second, a Space X Falcon 9 launch, was planned for early Friday evening, so we hoped to catch that one, too.
The “Falcon Heavy” rocket on the pad at Launch Complex 39A.The launch pad for the Falcon Heavy Launch is called Launch Complex 39A. This is the largest launch pad in Cape Canaveral and it’s famous. Thirty-nine-A has hosted every launch where humans left earth for the moon. This includes the very first trip to the moon on Apollo 11, July 1969. It also hosted the Space Shuttle and Saturn V programs.
The Visitor Complex at the Kennedy Space Center is a must-visit. There’s plenty of shopping and dining, but the history and science displays are real highlights. Major attractions include the U.S astronaut Hall of Fame, the Rocket Garden, the Space Shuttle Atlantis, and the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Be sure to consider the 2-day pass if you’d like to visit again within 6 months.
Lightening hits the launch site! Our Wednesday launch was delayed due to a technical issue and rescheduled to Thursday, which was delayed by extreme weather – this included a lightning strike on the launch pad.
On Friday, the weather was looking good. The Falcon 9 launch was scheduled for 4:00 pm hour, so we ran to the beach to see it. It was a perfect launch. We watched the Falcon 9 rocket lasted for about two minutes before it disappeared in the clouds. You could hear it rumble much longer.
All signs were “go” for the 7:29pm Falcon Heavy launch (with the Alaska satellite on board). We took our places, with our cameras ready. The countdown came – 45 minutes, all systems go. 30 minutes, all systems go. 5 minutes, all systems go. Then, 59 seconds and the launch system auto-check procedure triggered the launch to stop. #SCRUBBED
Standing under a Saturn V rocketThe launch team took Saturday off. We headed to the nearby Apollo/Saturn V Center. Here, you can walk under a full-sized Saturn V rocket and see how large it really is. There’s also a space shuttle on display. This is one of three places on earth where you can touch a moon rock!
SUNDAY = LAUNCH DAY. The skies were clear with a slight breeze. We set up near the edge of the water and had an amazing view. The countdown began, the SpaceX YouTube live feed started, and the hosts walk us through the checklist. We had our GoPro setup and did the traditional 10 second countdown.
LIFTOFF.
Watching the Falcon Heavy jet, 1:39 into the flightFinally, SpaceX launched a Falcon Heavy loaded with an Alaskan satellite!
We tracked the rocket’s progress on the SpaceX YouTube channel. Within a few hours, we watched each satellite release and head into deep space. We watched the Aurora 4A satellite release at 21,511 miles above the earth in just five hours! (You can watch here.)
The Aurora 4A satellite is the first micro-GEO (geosynchronous) ever launched into space. Designed and built in San Francisco, California, this satellite was purchased by a Anchorage-based Pacific Dataport. The Aurora 4A will connect about 10,000 rural Alaska residents with broadband about 6 weeks after launch. These are folks who either have no option for broadband or the only option is incredibly expensive and slow.
Overall, it was very exciting. If you’re visiting the Florida theme parks anytime soon, add on a launch viewing and visit the Space Coast. Everyone will love the Kennedy Space Center Complex and Apollo/Saturn V Center, too. Take advantage of Florida’s newest attraction – space tourism!
The post A Visit to Florida’s Space Coast appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
A view from the deck of Kennicott Glacier Lodge, overlooking “Main Street”Make 2023 the year you finally head to Kennicott Country, in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Kennicott Glacier Lodge is your “base camp for adventure” in the park. With this new “third night free” special, you can take more time to explore America’s largest national park!
Book online HERE. Or, call the lodge’s reservations office: (907)258-2350.
To get your third night free, choose “Main Lodge” accommodations. You can choose room-only, room with breakfast or room with all meals included. Choose your dates between May 27 and Sept. 4, 2023.
Here at Castle McMurren, we prefer the Main Lodge, since it has more of the old-mining-town feel. That includes the “shared bath” accommodations. Also, you’re much closer to all the goodies that come from the kitchen.
Our family has a checklist of great adventures. That includes enjoying a hearty breakfast at the lodge. If you’re planning a day of adventure–hiking, flying, rafting and such–the crew will pack you a lunch to go!
The omelets are great at Kennicott Glacier Lodge, but don’t forget about the pancakes.Most adventures in Kennicott Country include a call to St. Elias Alpine Guides. They can show you around town, around the glacier and around the park. The office is literally across the street from the lodge.
Take a tour of the 14-story Mill Building with St. Elias Alpine Guides.First on the list is an exclusive back-of-the-house tour of the giant Mill Building. “The tour gives a great introduction to the area at large, bringing to life the formidable story of the discovery and capitalization of one of the richest copper ore veins in history, providing historical context for the rest of your trip,” writes Anya Voskresensky, manager and lead guide.
Exploring the Root Glacier with St. Elias Alpine Guides.Another must-do adventure is a hike on the Root Glacier. Your glacier guide will outfit you with crampons for walking on the ice! Choose from a half-day hike, a full-day hike or try some ice climbing.
The adventurers at St. Elias Alpine Guides can set up all sorts of trips: rafting, backpacking, camping, packrafting, or even some custom fly-out adventures.
Flying in a DHC-2 “Beaver” with Wrangell Mountain Air over a glacierSpeaking of fly-out adventures, Wrangell Mountain Air is our go-to air tour operator in McCarthy/Kennicott.
Wrangell Mountain Air flies twice a day between Chitina and McCarthy. It’s the most-scenic way to reach Kennicott Country. Start by flying over the mighty Copper River. Then, your pilot flies through mountain passes and over glaciers. You’ll get a bird’s-eye view of Kennicott on final approach to McCarthy. The Kennicott Glacier Lodge shuttle will pick you up at the airport and take you to the lodge.
Book a flightseeing tour when you’re back in McCarthy to see the far reaches of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Choose from 30-minute flights to two-hour air tours. Wrangell Mountain Air also offers “air support” for your backpacking or packrafting trip.
Enjoy a tall, cool one on the deck at Kennicott Glacier Lodge after a day of adventure! You can definitely hone your hiking skills when visiting Kennicott Country. Whether you’re climbing on the glacier, or hiking up behind the lodge to the old copper mines, you’re bound to work up a thirst. But save room for dessert: there’s a great pastry chef in-residence.
Start planning today–and get your third night free when you stay in the Main Lodge. Come for the history of Kennicott, which once was the world’s largest copper mine. Stay for the adventure–in the nation’s largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias. And maybe for the dessert. Yes…definitely stay for dessert!
After-dinner treat at Kennicott Glacier Lodge.The post Third night free in Wrangell-St. Elias Nat’l Park at Kennicott Glacier Lodge appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
The Riverboat Discovery on the Chena River in FairbanksBetween now and May 1, Alaska residents can purchase up to 10 tickets at 40 percent off on the Riverboat Discovery in Fairbanks.
This is a fun trip–it’s worth the trip to Fairbanks just for the boat ride! See a “touch and go” Bush plane maneuver. Sail by Trail Breaker Kennel, home of Iditarod Champion Susan Butcher’s dogs. Visit the “Chena Village Living Museum”, a replica of an Athabascan village.
You can purchase the tickets now–and pick your dates later.
The 40 percent offer (just for Alaskans) also is available at Gold Dredge 8. This giant dredge operated in Goldstream Valley near Fairbanks for 31 years: from 1928 to 1959. On the tour you can see how the dredge worked and how gold was extracted. There’s also a “living mining museum” since there’s still active gold mining going on in the valley! Plus–ride the Tanana Valley Railroad on a narrow-gauge route around the dredge.
Finally–pan for gold!
Gold Dredge 8Again–you can pick your dates later, as long as you purchase your tickets between now and May 1.
Don’t miss the opportunity to see two of the top attractions in Fairbanks–at 40 percent off. Remember–this sale is just for Alaska residents.
Watch this video of Fairbanks from the air. It’s got some nice shots of both the Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8. NOTE: The Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8 are owned by the Binkley family. The Patriarch, John Binkley, took me and my video camera for a ride in his helicopter! He even took the door off! Enjoy!
Up in the Air above Fairbanks, AlaskaThe post Alaskans only: take 40 percent off Riverboat Discovery + Gold Dredge 8 in Fairbanks appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Are you headed to Europe this summer? Do you collect Alaska Airlines miles? Then check out Condor Air, which resumes its nonstop flights from Anchorage, Fairbanks and Whitehorse to Frankfurt, Germany on Thursday, May 18. Yes, I took that shot (above) of the 767 touching down.
“Premium Class” (pictured, right) is the secret sauce on Condor‘s nonstops. A little more legroom, more baggage allowance and a few extra goodies.
It costs more. Your economy ticket this summer can range from $720-$1,250 roundtrip. Tickets in “premium” start at $1,620 roundtrip.
Condor continues to upgrade its fleet of 767s that flies to Anchorage. The three-class configuration has 18 seats in Business Class and 35 seats in Premium Class. The Business Class features lie-flat seating and big monitors for everyone (pictured, below).
Here’s the rundown on Condor’s Premium Class:
a. More legroom (15cm more than economy)
b. Increased baggage allowance (10kg carry-on and 32kg checked bags)
c. Free drinks with meals.
d. Nine-inch seatback monitor for movies.
e. Premium menu.
f. Footrests and headrests.
g. Blankets and oversized pillows.
h. Separate check-in
i. “Wellbeing set” with extra goodies.
j. Headsets.
k. 125 percent Elite Qualifying Miles for Alaska Air Mileage Plan members. Roundtrip ANC-FRA-ANC = 11,650 miles.
Condor‘s flights operate twice a week (Thursdays and Saturdays) in May and early June, increasing to 3x weekly (Thur/Sat/Sun) on June 15.
Condor’s Frankfurt hub is your gateway to more than 100 destinations throughout Europe. In addition to the connecting flights, Condor offers a “Rail and Fly” program, linking with the Deutsche Bahn rail network.
The post Nonstop over-the-top with Condor Air #PremiumClass appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Cruising on the “Coastal Explorer” in Resurrection Bay. That’s Fox Island in the background.Sail with Kenai Fjords Tours in Resurrection Bay through May 18. Kids sail free (two kids 2-11 years old for every paying adult). CLICK HERE for details. Adults are $80 per person when booked online.
Springtime cruises run Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun through May 18. Watch for gray whales on their annual migration from Baja California up to the Bering Sea. Resurrection Bay is an annual pit stop for the giant sea mammals.
Sail from Seward’s small boat harbor. The cruises leave at 12 Noon and last four hours. Lunch is included. There’s plenty of room to move around inside and on the deck. Be sure and bring some extra layers, since it’s still chilly outside. And hold on to your hat if you step on to the deck while the boat is under way.
Checking out some radical geological features, as a Bald Eagle soars overhead! The gray whales were not showing themselves on the cruise I took. But we did see Dall’s porpoises, mountain goats, sea otters, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, Bald Eagle, lots of cormorants and some incredible geology.
The Coastal Explorer leaves from the first slip at the Seward small boat harbor.Throughout our cruise, the captain and crew gave a running narrative of Seward’s history, how Resurrection Bay got its name and major events such as World War II , the 1964 earthquake, the Alaska Railroad and geological notes about Kenai Fjords National Park.
Sailing past Bear Glacier, where huge icebergs are visible on the other side of the glacial moraine. I was surprised by the number of kids on board. They were fascinated when the captain nosed the boat up to some frozen waterfalls in Humpy Cove…and when we saw the sea lions sunning on the rocks! I think Thumb Cove (pictured, below) was one of the most scenic points. All of the glaciers are covered in fresh snow…and the mountains looked like a giant ice cream sundae.
Thumb Cove.Get out of the house this weekend. Take the kids. The road from Anchorage is in good shape–it’s an easy 2.5-hour drive. Click HERE for MORE INFO. And yes–KIDS SAIL FREE!
Sea lions on the rocks.The post Kenai Fjords Tours: Kids sail free on springtime Resurrection Bay tour appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Sunset at Soleil Bar aboard the “Prima”SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Katie Pesznecker and her husband Joe Niva took a Caribbean cruise on the brand-new Norwegian Prima last month. This is her report.
Having recently been on my first cruise, I can now say, I get it. I get why people become cruisers. I understand the lure of the at-sea hedonism, the indulgence and the gluttony, the carefree vibe of port-hopping – cruising is something else. We sort of stumbled into our cruise experience when my husband was offered a booking through his Caesar’s Rewards Program. We figured, why not? Enough friends had recently raved about their own sunny sails at sea.
The Prima docked in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.We sailed out of Port Canaveral aboard the Norwegian Prima, a gleaming brand-new vessel that had its inaugural sail last September. If other cruise lines are known for being budget-conscious or family-friendly, Norwegian is known for cool luxury, laid-back vibes and a higher-end experience. Right up our alley!
The Prima atrium, stretching from floor 6 to 8, includes shops, two bars, and a coffee shop.My experience aboard the Prima straight-up smashed many of my long-held cruising assumptions. For example, I pictured a packed ship where finding a quiet corner would prove impossible. Untrue! Yes, if you wanted a crowded nightclub, a busy comedy lounge, or a clubby sundeck with a DJ and boozy drinks, the Prima had it.
The pool deck on level 17. The ship also featured plentiful spaces with thoughtfully curated vibes that appealed to a more mature, laid-back crowd. I loved the Ocean Boulevard on deck 8, with small infinity pools, cushy double lounges surrounded by shallow pools of water, and just about every type of ocean-facing deck furniture you could imagine, decorated with delightfully colorful cushions and pillows.
Ocean Boulevard on deck 8. Aft on Deck 8 was the Soleil Bar, an al fresco space that was usually less busy than other bars aboard, with some bar and table seating, and more of the bright-hued deck chairs and loungers. Some of my favorite on-board moments involved nothing more than relaxing in this space with a book, watching the sun set, sipping a glass of champagne, or one of the ship’s signature “red bubbles” cocktails, a concoction blending a berry puree with vodka and Prosecco.
Joe grabs a drink at Soleil Bar.We discovered another gem on the forward end of deck 17 in the Observation Lounge. With floor-to-ceiling windows, comfortable seating, day-long available coffee and tea, and a bar, this was a gorgeous spot specifically designed for relaxing and solitude. The fact that they purposefully don’t schedule live acts or music in the Observation Lounge keeps it chill. We visited the first night when Joe’s Caesar’s Rewards contacts hosted a welcome reception and we returned often.
Folks gather for a day-one reception hosted by Caesar’s Rewards. All told, the Prima featured 11 bars that were all included in our comped beverage package (thank you Caesar’s!). These watering holes included the more refined Whiskey Bar on the ship’s interior atrium, and The Local Bar & Grill, which had a sports bar vibe and even played live sports on its big screens, offering a thread of connection to the real world. The Local was the spot that stayed open the latest for both food and dining.
The Surfside Grill, site of the daily buffet.Another preconceived notion I had about cruising was the rigidity of dining – reservations for every meal and assigned seating. Norwegian has flipped the script on this traditional approach with what it calls “freestyle” cruising. Basically, you don’t need reservations to eat anywhere – not at the all-inclusive buffets, nor at the more stylized specialty restaurants. Meal hours were expansive enough to accommodate everyone, from early risers to late-lunchers to midnight-snackers.
An old fashioned at Whiskey Bar. Our ship had seemingly endless dining options. Complimentary options included a comprehensive buffet, a couple of sit-down restaurants, and – our favorite – the Indulge Food Hall. With an urban, night-market vibe, this special space aft on deck 6 had seven food counters ranging from Indian to barbecue to tapas. Ordering from touchscreen tablets at tables and counters and swift service meant within minutes, friendly staff were delivering small plates of tasty treats.
Indian food in the Indulge Food Hall. Prima also offered an additional eight “a la cart” specialty restaurants that served dinner and have a more relaxed dress code than traditional cruise ships. For example, hats and flip-flips weren’t allowed, but shorts were fine. Popular options included the steakhouse, the sushi restaurant, and an Italian place.
The pretty French restaurant.While you could make reservations if you wanted, it wasn’t required, because as part of its “freestyle” dining approach, only a fraction of restaurant seating is held for reservations. Our cruise package included two dinners at the a la carte restaurants. We tried the French Le Bistro, where I enjoyed Dover sole with a lemon burre blanc. The glamorous space is tastefully arranged, with elaborate crystal chandeliers coming up out of the floors, white linens, and attentive service. Later in the cruise, we tried the Mexican restaurant, where we enjoyed guacamole made table-side, and enchiladas with mole sauce.
Guacamole prepared tableside at Los Lobos.It would definitely be easy to over-indulge with all these dining options, but never fear: Prima had a gorgeous gym, offered a daily roster of fitness and yoga classes, and for a fee, a luxurious spa included soaking pools, a steam room and sauna.
Joe checks out a church in Cozumel. Getting off the boat at port was also a sure-fire way to get activity and variety. Our seven-day route had us spend a full day at sea before waking up in Cozumel, Mexico; then the next day, Grand Cayman; then on to Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and finally, after a second full at-sea day, we spent the final full day in the Bahamas before returning to Florida.
So many excursions to choose from!We signed up for two excursions. The first, in Cozumel, involved joining about 30 of our fellow cruisers on an open-top bus tour of the city, led by our guide, Mafer. She was warm and informative as she led us through town square, and to a historic church. Then it was on to a relaxing sojourn at a beach club, then a tequila tasting.
Katie and Joe at the beach club in Cozumel.Next stop: Grand Cayman! We booked an excursion here too, but had a little time before it started. We found a beach bar and rum punch and watched giant tarpon swim around in the waters below.
Rum and rum cake in Grand Cayman. Our Grand Cayman tour was led by a laid-back local named Brennan. On our tour, we sampled locally made rum and rum cake, and visited Seven Fathoms Distillery, where rum is aged in barrels anchored 42 feet down on the ocean floor. This trip included a stop in “Hell,” a place named for black rock formations that create an eerie, toothy landscape. There’s also a post office there, and my husband got a kick out of sending postcards “from Hell” to people back home.
Husband Joe in Hell. Finally, as a bonus, we stopped at Seven Mile Beach on the way home to dip our toes in the impossibly blue ocean.
Seven Mile Beach. Excursions were a great way to spend a day off-ship, maximize our onshore experience without troubling over logistics, and interact with locals. Timed right, you can still build in time to wander ashore and get to know the area a little.
A day in the Bahamas. But sometimes the best day ashore is doing nothing at all. Our final stop on our cruise was Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, a small island owned by cruise companies. It felt like one big beach party. While you could sign up for zip-lining, kayaking, or swimming with piglets, we enjoyed jerk chicken sandwiches and plates of fruit and blended, icy drinks, soaking up the sun with new friends made during our week aboard Prima. And of course, we had to swim in those gorgeous Bahamian-blue waters.
Katie and her friend Ashley take a dip in the Bahamas. It’s amazing in hindsight that we spent an entire week on the ship and there was still so much we never saw or experienced. We enjoyed the pools and hot tubs, but never made it to go-carts, mini golf, or the virtual reality arcade – all co-located in an activity area on the upper deck, an ideal hub for families.
Husband Joe (center) in a slot tournament at the on-board casino.
I did try playing Bingo one day – the grand prizes were $5,000 and a free cruise. Onboard, we also shopped at boutiques that rotated inventory regularly for variety. We caught some musical acts in the atrium, and did damage at the casino, where I participated in and placed second in a slots tournament. Apparently some free play credits await us in Las Vegas now!
Our room aboard Prima, #1150 on the starboard side. Just some general thoughts on the experience: our stateroom, a balcony suite, was much larger than I expected, and extremely comfortable. We took less-drowsy Dramamine every morning preventatively, but overall the sailing was very smooth. The ship was incredibly easy to navigate: touchscreens throughout the common areas offered interactive maps and schedules, and while you could purchase WiFi at sea, you always were able to access the Norwegian app, which was loaded with information.
Joe uses WiFi to do homework in the Observation Lounge. Also for the analogue folks, Prima delivered a daily newsletter to staterooms complete with activity schedules, restaurant and bar hours, maps and information on ports, and more. And I can’t say enough about the staff. From our room attendant who learned and used our first names in greeting from day 1, to the friendly bartenders, to the kind hosts who greeting you each time you came aboard again with cold wet hand towels and refreshing glasses of juice, they were top-tier.
Katie in one of the infinity pools aboard the Prima.Are cruises for everyone? Nope. But if you think you’d never do one and wouldn’t enjoy it, I challenge you to think again. Cruising is a great way to vacation in a social situation, try new activities and food, see new countries, and soak up sunshine. Our experience demonstrated that cruises are like any travel, really: it’s what you make of it. Whether you’re craving a peaceful experience, or an on-water party, the world’s your oyster aboard a cruise ship like Prima.
Happy cruising!
Joe and Katie in Grand Cayman.The post Cruisin’ with Katie: our Travel Stylist checks out a new ship in the Caribbean appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Knik Glacier PaddleboardingNow is the time to make your plans to play in your own backyard! Take advantage of Alaskans-only discounts for activities around the Mat-Su Valley. Make this the spring you explore glaciers like a pro – you can paddleboard on a tidal pool at Knik Glacier, helicopter around both Knik and Matanuska glaciers, go flightseeing from Talkeetna and land on a glacier in the Alaska Range, and even explore ice caves on a trek. Fun is at its peak in the Valley! Click through for the deals.
Alaska Zipline Adventure ParkThere’s a whole new collection of Alaskans-only discounts in the Mat-Su. Find out why fun is at its peak in the Valley this spring. Looking for adventure? Try zip lines in Glacier View and Talkeetna, or the newest zip line park just outside of Palmer. Or take to the skies via helicopter – there are amazing helicopter trips available in Palmer, Glacier View and Talkeetna: see part of Alaska you’ve never seen before. Click through and start making plans!
View of Denali from the deck of the Talkeetna Alaskan LodgeTake advantage of early-season Alaskan-only discounts and plan a weekend getaway in Talkeetna. Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge has spectacular views of the Alaska Range, and there are also many quaint bed and breakfasts to choose from. Take a flightseeing trip around Denali, or just spend the day shopping and eating your way through town. Explore your own backyard this spring and you’ll be saying, “Yahoo, Mat-Su!” Click through for details.
The post Yahoo, Mat-Su! Where Alaska comes to play! appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Riding the rails from Anchorage to Talkeetna or Denali ParkTake advantage of 2-for-1 deals all summer long on Princess Lodges + Princess “Blue Train” rail/lodge packages.
SCROLL DOWN to see super-savings on longer tours:
- Save $400 per couple on tours of 6 or more days
- Save $800 per couple on select escorted tour departures
There are more than 15 2-for-1 itineraries with 1-4 nights at the Mt. McKinley Princess (near Talkeetna) or a hotel near the Denali National Park entrance…or a combination of both.
Uninterrupted view of Denali from the deck at Mt. McKinley PrincessHere are some of my favorite options:
Anchorage-Denali-Anchorage 3 days/2 nights (tour 72A) Denali National Park: $424.50 per person, double
Anchorage-Talkeetna-Anchorage 3 days/2 nights (tour 72E) Mt. McKinley Princess: $274.50 per person, double
Anchorage-Talkeetna-Denali-Fairbanks 3 days/2 nights (tour 72I) Mt. McKinley Princess + Denali National Park: $374.50 per person, double
The Denali Princess overlooks the Nenana River near the Park entrance.CLICK HERE for 2-for-1 Princess Rail ToursAll Princess Rail Tours include:
- Luxury rail travel
- Transfers and baggage handling
- Hotel accommodations at Talkeetna, Denali National Park , or both
Riding the rails to DenaliSAIL on the mighty m/v Ptarmigan to the face of Portage Glacier!
m/v Ptarmigan near the face of Portage GlacierSail between May 14 and Sept 15, 2022 on the mighty m/v Ptarmigan. This one-hour cruise takes you up-close-and-personal up to the face of Portage Glacier.
History of Portage GlacierScientist Thomas Mendenhall gave the glacier its current name in 1898. Portage Glacier is located in Chugach National Forest, and is bordered by Portage Lake. A large amount of glacier is actually underwater in Portage Lake, more than 100 feet deep. Centuries ago, the glacier extended across the entire 14 miles of the Portage Valley but has since been separated, leaving behind many small glaciers in the area.
How to get to Portage GlacierFrom Anchorage, Portage Glacier is just a short 54-mile drive south. Hop in the car for a beautiful drive down the scenic Turnagain Arm (keep an eye out for beluga whales to one side and Dall sheep to the other).
The post 2-for-1 sale for Princess Lodges + rail (Denali Park hotel + Mt. McKinley Princess) appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Roof-mounted Starlink receiver.Get high-speed internet anywhere: RV, remote site, rural Alaska
Starlink. Now available throughout Alaska: rural communities, remote cabins—even on your RV.
Alexander Schumann of Microcom shows off a Starlink receiver at the firm’s Anchorage store.“We’ve sold more than 500 units all over the state,” said Alexander Schumann of Microcom, Starlink’s authorized retailer in Alaska.
Because of Starlink’s “low earth orbit” (LEO) satellite constellation, high-speed internet is available throughout the state—from Ketchikan to Kaktovik to King Salmon. “There are thousands of Starlink satellites in the air right now,” said Schumann.
STEP 1: Order the equipment from Microcom, or stop by their stores in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks or Soldotna (also four stores in Hawaii). Cost is $599. You can install it yourself or get Microcom to do it (additional cost). Call for details: (907)264-3474.
STEP 2: Sign up for service, which costs between $90-$150 per month, depending on your location.
STEP 3: Access the internet and enjoy 1TB of data each month.
Compare Starlink’s prices with other services—even in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau. Then call or stop by Microcom’s store for your Starlink package today!
The post Get high-speed internet anywhere: RV, remote sites, rural Alaska appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Everyone was a winner at Alaska Summer Showcase! Photos by Rob StapletonIt’s a wrap!
Thanks to all those who attended last weekend’s Alaska Summer Showcase! You came for the deals, had lots of fun–and stayed for the prizes!
Somebody’s super-excited about riding on the Mighty Alaska Railroad! B-i-g thank-you to the staff and leadership at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Through our contacts there, we reached out to the Lepquinm Gumilgit Gagoadim (LGG) Tsimshian dance group from Metlakatla. They did a great job!
The “LGG” Tsimshian Dancers from Metlakatla.The band was back for another set this year: Todd Grebe and Cold Country!
Everyone was clapping their hands and tapping their feet to the Alask-Americana tunes from Todd Grebe & Cold Country.Winner-winner-chicken-dinner. Lots of folks won prizes!
Alaska Airlines, trip for two: Kay B.
Alaska Railroad, trip to Denali Park in “Gold Star”: Ryan
Denali Park Adventures, Zipline for two: Linda E.
Get Lost Travel Vans, 4-day rental: Anoy S.
Rust’s Flying Service flightseeing trip: Brandon L.
Kennicott Glacier Lodge/Wrangell Mountain Air/St Elias Guides: Scott K.
Land’s End Resort in Homer: Eric K.
Lendimi African Safaris: Wayne K.
26 Glacier Cruise for two: Lynn K.
Princess Lodges (Mt. McKinley Princess): Erin
Riverboat Discovery/Gold Dredge 8 (Fairbanks): John H.
Northern Alaska Tour Company, Arctic Circle Fly/Drive: Jason W.
Snug Harbor Outpost, fly-out bear viewing w/ overnight: Eric K.
Talkeetna Gear Shop, Fat Bike Tour: Sid B.
Alaskan Dream Cruises, small-ship luxury cruise for 2 in SE Alaska: Rebecca F.
Condor German Airlines, trip for two to Frankfurt: Chris K.
Mahay’s Jetboat Adventures: Diane B.
Zak Kirkpatrick (right, with hat) talks up Alaskan Dream Cruises during the Alaska Summer Showcase.If you won a trip–be sure and take lots of photos and let us know that you had a great time! Email: scott@alaskatravelgram.com
Thanks again for coming!
The post Alaska Summer Showcase–it’s a WRAP! appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Snapping an image of The Great One (Denali) from the deck of the Talkeetna Alaskan LodgeSpringtime is the magic season in Talkeetna. The northern lights are out…and so is The Great One (Denali). The Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge opened early this year for all the adventurers who wanted a comfy base camp!
The giant fireplace in the lobby of the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge.The lodge is priced for fun in March and April, with rates starting at $139 per night. So check in, then head out on an adventure:
a. Go dog mushing at Dallas Seavey’s “AK Sled Dog Tours“. This is perfect mushing weather–the sun is out, there’s a good snow pack and the dogs are in a great mood. Learn all about what it takes to win the Iditarod Sled Dog Race five times!! See the dogs. Check out the gear. Then go for a ride. Yee-haw!
Mush!!b. Rent a fat bike (e-bikes, too!), some cross-country skis or snowshoes from Talkeetna Gear Shop. I stopped by to visit with Hailey DeReamer, who also leads tours on the bikes in the winter. Talkeetna has a robust system of trails to you can get out and see the lakes, the forests and rivers surrounding the town .
Hailey and her bike….in front of Talkeetna Gear Shop.c. Go flightseeing with K2 Aviation. The airport is literally one mile away from the Lodge…and the crew will come and get you at the front desk. Choose from several flightseeing tours around Denali. I love flying with these folks–you will too.
Landing in the Sheldon Amphitheater of Denali’s Ruth Glacier.Make your springtime adventure plans in Talkeetna….start at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge! Oh–shot o’ the day, below, is looking over the frozen Susitna River at sunset. In beautiful downtown Talkeetna.
The post Meet me in Talkeetna appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
The ice-luge at the Ice Alaska park in FairbanksSpecial Correspondent Mira P. Anselmi traveled with her family from Seattle to Fairbanks and Anchorage. This is her report.
Visiting Alaska in the winter? It wasn’t “immediate excitement” that I felt when I was first invited.
I envisioned 24 hour darkness and sub-zero temperatures. I imagined my boys, 6 and 8, losing body parts if I didn’t manage to get every inch of them covered.
Then I considered the memories the kids could make with their grandparents who were going. So—it was “Alaska – here we come”… in winter.
Mira, husband Kevin and the kids exploring Alaska.Good decision. Seeing Alaska in winter is to see it by the locals, for the locals. From Fairbanks to Anchorage, our family spent one week braving the weather, learning about the culture and traditions and experiencing first hand Alaska hospitality and cuisine.
Thankfully, the light was returning by mid-February. And the Alaskans commented on how warm it was: +10-20ºF. We considered ourselves lucky.
There were, of course, some kid-related challenges: screaming about mittens, one bout of frozen toes and one new emergency snow bib in a larger size. But gear-wise we were well prepared. The key of course is layers – thermal underwear, fleece, down coats, waterproof shells, wool socks, liner gloves and extra hand warmers for emergencies. Big Ray’s is an incredible outdoor store right in downtown Fairbanks that has everything frozen tourists could possibly need.
Our family, all nine of us, enjoyed a variety of “front country” activities to accommodate everyone’s interests: from hotel pools and hot springs, to restaurants and local festivals, to snowmobiling and the arcade at the mall.
Watching the northern lights from Murphy Dome near Fairbanks. The highlight for everyone was dog sledding. For my husband and I, watching the Aurora Borealis dance across the sky at 4 a.m. was a memory we will cherish always.
Ice is nice. At the Ice Alaska park. Our visit coincided with the World Ice Art Championship. One afternoon, while we took the kids and grandparents to the fairgrounds, my brother-in-law’s family stretched their comfort zones by going snowmobiling. (The 12 year old swears she almost died, but they all had smiles while they talked about it.) We got there right as it opened at noon and were thrilled to find the “game room,” boasting a ping pong table, a hole of mini golf, a giant Connect Four game, and corn hole all made entirely of ice. There were slides ranging from kid friendly to downright deadly and plenty of sleds to use for free. There were some sculptures made to play on, some to use as photo props and backdrops and there were the actual sculptures in the competition. It was a very photogenic afternoon, so naturally one child decided he would scowl for all the pictures. I can’t even remember why.
That night was predicted to be the clearest night of our trip so we bundled up the kids, grabbed blankets and pillows and headed away from the glow of town in our quest to catch a glimpse of the elusive Aurora Borealis, something we had earnestly tried and failed to do before in Iceland. We ended up at Murphy’s Dome, a popular hill for gawkers to park and hope for a show. On this night, our persistence paid off. While the rest of the family gave up by 11pm, we stayed and stayed and napped a little and listened to music in the heated car and by 2am we got a green show. We watched in awe as the vertical stripes of light danced and undulated across the starry sky, captured more vividly by our phone cameras. It is like seeing a whale in the wild. You cannot help but gawk with childlike glee at something so magnificent and ancient and impressively large.
Snow-sculpting in AnchorageFor the second leg of our trip, we flew south to Anchorage. Here is where we would learn the difference between ice sculpting and snow sculpting and between sprint racing and long distance racing dogs.
We were a couple days early to truly experience the long held tradition of the Fur Rondy – a local winter festival since 1936 – with a rich history steeped in the local culture of fur trading. The snow sculpture competition begins before the rest of the festival starts, so we took a walk through the surprisingly large blocks of pressed snow that were just starting to take the shape of gods, dragons and video game characters. There are a few Division I competitors, who are in it to win the chance to represent Alaska in national competitions, and others who are there for fun with little to no experience. Some people take the entire week off of work to sculpt around the clock, while others arrive after their day jobs. Power tools are prohibited and we saw hand made tools made from household appliances, furniture, garden tools and more.
Iditarod mushing legend DeeDee Jonrowe leads the family on a mushing excursionFor us, the undisputed highlight of the trip was the dog sledding tour we booked with the Alaska Mushing School. An entirely different experience than the tour we did in Fairbanks, this one started at Happy Trails Kennel in Big Lake, about an hour drive from Anchorage. First, our gear and attire was scoped and additional layers offered to those who might need them. After watching a brief movie about mushing history, we met our mushers and were thrilled that my family of four would get to ride together with two sleds hitched together and enough room for both adults and the musher to stand on the skis while the children rode in the sleds atop cozy reindeer furs. Once underway, we learned that our colorfully dressed guide was local celebrity, DeeDee Jonrowe, three-time runner up of the Iditarod which she raced 36 times, holding the fastest time ever recorded for a woman and racing even as she wrapped up chemotherapy for breast cancer. Retired from the sport now, she is a motivational speaker, author and occasional guide, among other things. One thing was clear, she cares deeply about her dogs and they were very happy. Together we mushed for almost an hour over frozen lakes and through the woods on a beautiful sunny day. We were honored to meet DeeDee and exhilarated by the experience.
On the beautiful drive home, we reminded the kids to keep their eyes out for Moose, as warned by the Moose warning signs dotting the highways. While we never did spy one of the gargantuan beasts while in the outdoors, to our surprise, there were two waiting for us right across the street from our hotel in downtown Anchorage. Check.
Completely converted from my earlier doubts, I would now highly recommend visiting Alaska in winter, even for multi generational families with small children and elder parents.
The post Family trip to Alaska–in winter! appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Last week I went to Fairbanks to see the ice sculptures at the Ice Alaska exhibit (at Tanana State Fairgrounds on College Rd.). You can check out my full report in yesterday’s Anchorage Daily News. Here are a few of my favorite shots:
Looks like an orangutan to me. Horsing around at Ice Alaska.“Aslan” by champion carver Stephen Brice.Rat Patrol. By Steve and Heather Brice.Checkers, anyone?Chilly putt-putt! Make your own pilgrimage to Fairbanks to see the ice. The carvings are on display through the end of March!
The post Ice is Nice appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Beautiful Downtown Juneau, Alaska (photos by Katie Pesznecker)Special Correspondent Katie Pesznecker visited Juneau to see state legislators–and take in the food, the shopping and the special ambiance of Alaska’s state capital. This is her report:
With the Alaska State Legislature session underway, hundreds of Alaskans from all corners of the state will make their way to Juneau, and lucky us! I was there recently for a week-long stretch, my first visit since early 2020, and it was a delight to reconnect with our unique state capital. Consider these fun facts: Juneau is only accessible by water or air; it’s the largest state capital in the country, area-wise, covering 3,255 square miles; and it has the fifth-smallest population of U.S. capitals, with about 32,000 residents in 2021.
The Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, AlaskaOn top of that, Juneau is a beautiful and storied town, with steep forested hills, pretty port views, and Old West-like architecture lining narrow streets. Session visitors will likely stay in the convenient and historic downtown corridor. Packed with boutiques and restaurants, this an easy area for scoring kick-starting cups of coffee, diving into some economy-supportive shopping, or passing the evening hours after a long day of caucusing and crusading for causes.
Colorful houses in downtown JuneauStart your day at The Rookery Cafe. This fast-casual, order-at-the-counter spot also does to-go orders, serves delicious coffee, and sells 1 lb. bags of Stumptown Roast coffee out of Portand, Ore. Just a few blocks downhill from the nucleus capitol building, Rookery is ideally located for breakfast (or lunch, or dinner) and the food is delicious.
One Avocado Toast to rule them all: at the Rookery CafeA personal favorite is the avocado toast, served on a thick slice of house white bread, with a poached egg, shreds of locally grown basil, a slosh of olive oil, and topped with a generous shake of dukkah, a savory nut-and-spice blend.
The obligatory morning latte from Juneau’s home-town roaster, Heritage Coffee. Their slogan: “Life is short. Stay awake.”Another on-the-go breakfast option is venerable Heritage Coffee, located across the street from The Rookery. In business since 1974, Heritage roasts and sells its own coffee, has a well-earned reputation for supporting the Juneau community, and has committed to “sourcing green coffee responsibly in regard to the environment and farming communities.” This is also a nice spot for a quick lunch, and I highly recommend the comforting, melty grilled cheese sandwich.
A typical downtown Juneau street view.If your daytime Juneau schedule offers free time, don’t miss the opportunity for browsing downtown, where charming shops offer something for everyone. Rainy Retreat Books is an easy place to pass time browsing the racks and appreciating the range of Alaska produced and themed volumes. There is an even a store dog who serves as a cheerful and reliable greeter.
Kindred Post beckons shoppers. Other favorite stores include Shoefly, a longtime mecca for shoe-lovers of all ages; and Kindred Post, a combo post office/stationary shop/nick-knack peddler with wares ranging from locally made jewelry to cook books to pretty notebooks. Also make time for the Sealaska Heritage Store. While Juneau has many lovely galleries and kitschy tourist shops that sell various products, Sealaska’s spacious shop adjoining its headquarters offers a high quality range of local artists’ creations.
Katie tries on (and buys) clothes (and shoes) at Shoelfy. After a busy day of meetings, sight-seeing, and tromping up and down Juneau’s steep streets, it’s dinner time. The hot ticket is In Bocca Al Lupo, a cozy Italian place tucked back from a sleepy side street. The restaurant has built momentum since its 2016 opening. This January, head chef and co-owner Beau Schooler earned a James Beard nomination, one of only three chefs in Alaska to do so this go-round. The restaurant also received a James Beard Semifinalist distinction in 2019.
The ThunderdomeDining with a large group of coworkers, we devoured beautiful antipasto platters – rainbows of cured meats, pickled vegetables, nuts and cheeses, and crusty bread. And we went all in on the Thunderdome. Creatively named, this was a garlicy, buttery, doming round of baked pizza dough served with creamy heaps of melt-in-your-mouth parmesan cream. My friends praised their entrees: blistered, wood-fired pizzas; rustic house-made pastas; and savory pork and ricotta meatballs swimming in red sauce.
Spaghetti pomodoro with meatballs at In Bocca Al Lupo.An old standard for Juneau lunches and dinners is The Hanger on the Wharf. With killer views of the water and mountains during daylight hours, the Hanger has a wide-ranging and pleasing menu of salads, burgers, and meat and fish entrees, and a large accommodating bar. It’s ideal for groups or business lunches.
Mushrooms and salad at Roma. The Hanger is in a harbor-side 1940’s building that once served as a hanger for float planes and gives off vibes ala Seattle’s Pike’s Place Market. Other open vendors in the building this time of year include a book shop; Pel Meni’s, which sells Russian dumplings into the late evening/early morning hours; and Roma Bistro on the Wharf, where I enjoyed cheese-stuffed mushrooms and a delicious, crunchy salad of fresh greens after one particularly long day of meetings.
Triangle Club Bar.Downtown Juneau also boasts an impressive number of bars, from the dives to the upscale. Here are two to try: the longstanding Triangle Club Bar, and the relatively new Amalga Distillery. The Triangle, owed by the same family since the 1940s, roots itself in history. Walls are covered in old photographs of famous Alaskans and events. The small, oddly-shaped bar is often packed with lobbyists and legislative staffers and counts on a loyal cadre of regulars.
The Heartbreaker, a gin cocktail at Amalga Distillery.Just one block up Franklin Street is Amalga, an airy corner spot with lots of plants and tall windows, with a modern and industrial feel. Patrons can enjoy a $5 gin and tonic mixed from house-made tonic and Amalga’s own distilled gin. A creative cocktail menu paired with attractive pricing keeps this place packed with the younger sect nightly.
Katie takes a selfie at the Capitol.Amid all this fun and food, don’t miss the main point of Juneau: politics! This time of year, Alaska Airlines offers a constituent fare to enable convenient and affordable access to Alaska state legislators and government agencies during the annual legislative session. Constituent Fare rates offer a 30 percent discount off 3- and 7-day advance purchase fares between Alaska Airlines cities and Juneau. Only “Club 49” members qualify. If you have not received your special code, call 1-800-654-5669.
A snowy Juneau street.Once inside the Capitol, grab a self-guided tour brochure in the lobby, take the stairs or elevator to the top floor, and work your way down. Walking the long halls with their Alaska-themed blue and gold carpets, you can take in age-old newspaper covers, admire beautiful paintings and old photographs, and gain a sense of the history that defines our state capital.
Katie’s coworkers take a break to view the Governor’s Mansion – also referred to as the “People’s Residence” – in downtown Juneau. It is located just uphill from the Capitol. Inside the capitol building, you can enjoy a front row seat to the user-friendly and personable culture of the Alaska legislature. Use this website to see who represents you, then call or email your representative and senator’s office to set up brief meetings (think, 15 minutes or less) with your legislator or their staff; they generally enjoy meeting with and hearing directly from constituents. On my recent trip, I met with 10 different legislators on issues related to my job, and causes I volunteer for. These conversations are an opportune time to learn more about the people who represent you and what motivates them to serve.
A group shot after a Legislative meeting. Left-right: Food Bank of Alaska’s Jason Dineen, Major Giving Officer; Rep. Cliff Groh, D-Anchorage; Melody Buhr, SNAP Outreach Specialist for Food Bank; and Katie, who is on the Food Bank board.You can also request that your senator or representative introduce you at a House or Senate floor session; their staff can offer guidance on how to participate in this unique Juneau tradition. Guest introductions mark the beginning of each floor session and demonstrate the pride and gratitude lawmakers have for constituent visitors. It’s pleasant to spend a few moments listening as various Alaskans are honored through this tradition, standing and smiling and waving as their representative or senator reads a brief bio by way of introduction. Your friends and family can see these intros live or recorded on the Gavel to Gavel website.
The Alaska State Senate in action: a photo from “the gallery”.Also feel free to pop into and listen in on any floor session from the galleries, or any committee meetings. Daily calendars are updated and visible on screens throughout the building and and you’ll be impressed by the accessibility of proceedings.
A snowy totem pole near the Capitol.The post TRIP REPORT: A journey to Juneau, our state capital appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Meghan Clemens of the Mighty Alaska Railroad talks up the great offers available to Showcase attendees! You’re invited to the seventh annual Alaska Summer Showcase on Saturday, March 25, 12-4pm! Don’t miss the chance to Jump-Start Your Summer. Find out where to go and what to do! Travel prizes! Live music! Food trucks. DOZENS of top-shelf Alaska travel professionals with SHOW-ONLY specials (up to 60 percent off)!
Buy tickets to Alaska Summer ShowcaseWho: You and your friends. Don’t miss it!
What: One-day travel extravaganza — everything you need to map out your summertime adventures.
When: Saturday, March 25, 2023, 12-4pm.
Where: The Alaska Native Heritage Center.
Why: Will you win your share of $25,000 in travel prizes?
– 8-day/7-night cruise in Southeast Alaska from Alaskan Dream Cruises
– Trip for two on Alaska Airlines, anywhere they fly (including Hawaii, Belize, Costa Rica)
– Trip for two on the Mighty Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Denali in GOLD STAR class
– Fly-in bear viewing + overnight accommodations at Snug Harbor Outpost
– Arctic Circle fly/drive adventure with Northern Alaska Tour Company
– Columbia Glacier cruise for two with Stan Stephens Cruises
– Explorer package from Kennicott Glacier Lodge: 2 nights accommodations, plus glacier hike from St. Elias Alpine Guides and air transportation Chitina-McCarthy with Wrangell Mountain Air
– Travel van rental from Get Lost Travel Vans
-Flightseeing for two from Rust’s Flying Service
– 26 Glacier Cruise for two from Phillips Cruises
-Blackstone Glacier cruise for two from Lazy Otter Charters
-Two-night stay at the Mt. McKinley Princess Lodge
…much more!
PLUS: Live music from Todd Grebe & Cold Country. Alaska Native Dancers (at 2pm). Food trucks. F-U-N-! Bring the kids (under 16 = one FREE per paying adult)
How: Get your tickets now through our “MyAlaskaTix” portal. Click here.
We’ll see YOU at the Alaska Summer Showcase on Saturday, March 25, 2023!!!
Brad Connell works the popular Alaska Airlines station! The post Alaska Summer Showcase: Jump-start your summer March 25, 2023! appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Sailing in Kenai Fjords National ParkUse the discount code “PREZ” to trim 30 percent off the cost of a-n-y Kenai Fjords Tours cruise this summer. Purchase between now and Mon., Feb. 20, 2023.
Kenai Fjords Tours 30 percent off sale valid through Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 only.Book online at KenaiFjords.com for maximum savings on a-l-l cruises, including springtime wildlife viewing cruises, glacier dinner cruises, national park tours and Northwestern Glacier cruises.
This is the BEST CHANCE to save on spring/summer cruises in Kenai Fjords National Park.
A Kenai Fjords Tours boat docks at Fox Island for dinner.Make your spring and summertime plans this weekend o-n-l-y with Kenai Fjords Tours.
The post Save 30 percent on Kenai Fjords Tours n-o-w appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Talking travel at the Alaska Aviation Museum. Photo by Rob StapletonThanks to everyone who made last Thursday’s “Travel Secrets: A Love Story” event a success. There were prizes. There was pizza. And planes–don’t forget the planes!
Bart “Mr. Alaska” Parker gets ready to draw a prize during “Travel Secrets: A Love Story” at the Alaska Aviation Museum.
Photo by Rob StapletonI was more than a little sentimental, since this event was our first in-person gathering in three years. We got some of the band back together:
- Special thanks to Phyllis Kilgore and the crew at the Alaska Aviation Museum for hosting us.
- A big “AMEN” to our friends at Moose’s Tooth for bringing the pizza, the beer and the magic-making bartenders (Phil & Bailey).
- “Huzzah” to our Travel Story presenters: Amana Mbisi recounted taking Alaskans on safari in Tanzania. Then Jody Overstreet shared her incredible images of living her best trailer life while traveling to the farthest reaches of the U.S. and Canada.
- A round of applause to folks who brought awesome prizes, including: Alaska Airlines, Alaska Railroad, Alaska & Yukon Tours, Planeket, Rest Angles & Alaska TourSaver
Amana Mbisi shares a travel story about taking Alaskans on safari in Tanzania. Photo by Rob StapletonJody Overstreet shared some incredible images of her truck-n-trailer adventure across the U.S. and Canada. Photo by Rob Stapleton. Betsey Wilson (left) works hard to answer the questions in a Travel Trivia game. Photo by Rob Stapleton.Phil and Bailey from The Moose’s Tooth serve up some refreshments. Photo by Rob Stapleton.Grand prize winner won a trip for two on Alaska Airlines! Photo by Rob Stapleton.Nate Vallier (center) of Alaska & Yukon Tours awards a 7-day Caribbean cruise for two from MSC Cruises. Photo by Rob Stapleton.Meghan Clemens (left) awards one lucky winner a trip for two on the Mighty Alaska Railroad during their centennial celebration (100th year)! Photo by Rob StapletonThe post It’s a wrap: “Travel Secrets– A Love Story” appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Special Correspondent Tam Agosti-Gisler visited Cordova and attended the annual Iceworm Festival. Here is her report (including photos!).
The author sports “Iceworm Antennae”“Happy Iceworm!” You’ll hear this greeting in only one place in the world! That’s Cordova, Alaska during its annual Iceworm Festival. Held in the first week of February, it’s a tradition that’s been occurring since 1961 in this small coastal fishing community located in the Prince William Sound. The festival was conceived to encourage locals to get out of their homes and visit with their neighbors as the winter days lengthened.
Ice worm mascotWhat is this festival celebrating? Are iceworms real? Well, perhaps not the 50-foot creature you see in Cordova, but iceworms really do exist in Alaska’s glaciers. First discovered by Dr. G. F. Wright on Muir Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park, they grow ¼ to 1” long, and about 1/32” wide. Brown or black in color, iceworms look like littles pieces of dark string squiggling in the ice or snow, These cousins of the earthworm are so well adapted to freezing temperatures that if you expose them to above 38-degree conditions, they liquify and melt!
Ice Worm earringI’ve known about the festival for more than 50 years. I recall first seeing the Iceworm as a child when it made an appearance in Anchorage’s Fur Rendezvous parade. My own children also watched the giant iceworm undulate down Anchorage streets during the Rondy parade in their childhoods. The Cordova Iceworm even won first prize in the Anchorage’s parade one year! After my many adventures and sojourns around the world and to every other state in the union, I decided it was important to add to my list the various events in my home state of Alaska. I’ve been to the Fourth of July festivities in Valdez, Homer, and Seward; the New Year’s Eve gathering in Talkeetna and the Iditarod Sled Dog Race finale in Nome. The Iceworm Festival was this year’s choice!
Official Iceworm pinMy husband and I hopped on Alaska Airlines‘ Friday afternoon flight and arrived in Cordova in less than one hour. There is currently no taxi or Uber service operating in Cordova, but you’ll find a shuttle to take you the 12 miles to town at the car rental office across the parking lot from the terminal; they charge $15 per person. You can also rent a car but there aren’t many roads to drive! We headed straight to check-in at the Reluctant Fisherman Hotel, located just one block south of Main Street on the harbor. Shortly, we were out exploring this small, zero stoplight town. Since we enjoy trying local Alaskan microbreweries, we stopped at the Copper River Brewing Company and tried their new release of Iceworm Double IPA and raspberry seltzer, both quite tasty. They sponsor a homebrew competition during the festival this is quite popular.
Past years’ festival pinsThat first evening. we intended to participate in the festival coronation ceremony and variety show, but the on-line schedule had us arriving at the Cordova Center one hour too late. Nonetheless, we were able to see Miss Iceworm and her court before heading back to the hotel. We learned it’s best to ask a local for an update on the times of all events because even the newspaper didn’t have all listed correctly.
Saturday was packed with activities and the streets were packed with snow as the clouds let loose their white fluff and covered the brown earth. While the State plow went to work, we attended a fundraiser breakfast at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, up on the hill across the street from the elementary school. For just $15, we received a plentiful breakfast of eggs, reindeer sausage, potatoes, waffles and pancakes, and corn bread or a falafel meal! Pleasant conversations ensued with our tablemates during which we learned more about both the festival and town life. Afterwards, we hiked the three blocks down the hill to the port. From our on-land vantage point near South Harbor, we watched four-person teams compete for the fastest time to put on survival suits, plunge into the bay and swim to a waiting boat. (This event gave me flashbacks to the survival suit demo given on my Antarctic expedition cruise and my later polar plunge. I was happy that someone else was jumping into the freezing water rather than me!)
A snowy day at the harbor for survival suit races.We took a walk on main street (2nd Avenue) and stopped in the Iceworm Store. As someone who collects Fur Rondy pins, I was interested in seeing their 61-year collection of Iceworm festival pins. Learning that they also have Cordova Iceworm Magistrates, not unlike Anchorage’s Rondy Keystone Cops, we both wore 2023 festival pins on our coats. I even bought a pair of Iceworm antennae to wear on my head in order to “blend in” with the locals! Copper Valley Wireless was giving away free hot chocolate and other soft drinks and the mood was festive. The art gallery in the Cordova Center featured a photo show in which we voted for local artist entries in several categories and studied festival memorabilia. In the next room is a small, but excellent history museum and across the hall, the local library. On a lower level of this well-designed community center is a theatre. The Iceworm Bazaar was set up in the theatre’s lobby selling crocheted ice worms among other locally produced items.
The fireworks extravaganza! While waiting on main street for the parade to start, I lunched at one of the several food vendors, all fundraisers for local groups. This year’s festival theme was superheroes, so capes and masks were in abundance. A miniature iceworm warmed up the spectators by posing for photos. Many groups like the Girl Scouts, the high school band and the swim team participated in the parade as well as bank, telecommunication, and utility businesses. The Chugach National Forest rangers brought Smokey the Bear as their special guest to celebrate the forest’s 100th birthday. Each group gave out some type of parade swag, including full-sized candy bars! The young boy next to me reveled in his “take” and we both agreed that this was even better than Halloween because costumed people came and gave him candy without walking from house to house! The three local firetrucks and one ambulance joined the parade and transported the Miss Iceworm Queen and her court. The larger 50-foot Iceworm with its many legs was the parade’s grand finale. The crowds cheered loudly as it wiggled down the street. We were informed by a local that this was the “smaller” Ice Worm; evidently, there is a 150-feet long worm used some years! After the parade, we joined the community for the free ice cream social at the Pioneer Club house.
There are not a lot of choices for dining out in Cordova during the winter months, but the menu options given at our hotel restaurant were interesting and tasty. Guests were allowed access to watch the Fireworks Extravaganza from the restaurant’s balcony that evening. The festival concluded with a wonderful firework display over the harbor which I noted lasted longer than most Anchorage shows!
Other activities of the festival include an oyster shucking contest, a raffle, a basketball game, a cribbage tournament, a brownie bake-off, disco skiing at the town’s rope tow, a teen dance and music performances in a local bar. We learned that in past years, there have been contests for beard growing, dog release and catch, paper airplane flying and fishing as well as sidewalk crab feeds and street dances; activities can vary from year to year.
What impressed us most about Cordova is the friendliness of the locals. All vehicles would instantly stop if we wanted to cross the street. Every person we approached with our questions was helpful and interested in chatting about our visit. The number of locals participating in the festivities was also impressive. We believe the lack of a road to Cordova, with access only by ferry, boat, or plane, plays a role in maintaining this strong community-spirit. I encourage other Alaskans and visitors from other states to check out next year’s festivities.
The post TRIP REPORT: LIVE from Cordova–“Happy Iceworm!” appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Katie and husband Joe hanging out in the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Katie Pesznecker visited Las Vegas for a family event. Here is her report.
I’ve come to appreciate the many faces of Las Vegas.
It’s one of the strangest, noisiest, busiest, most indulgent and innovative cities in the U.S. — and as it continually morphs and warps with the waves of modernity, it hangs on to its beloved old-school seediness. With its big-name chefs and skulking street hustlers, strutting head-dressed showgirls and burned-out bartenders, joyous jackpot winners and vacant-eyed gamblers yanking the fruitless slot machine levers until sunrise, it is a town of remarkable contradictions and dichotomies that is certainly never boring.
The lavish Forum Shops at Caesars. Ultimately, Vegas is whatever you want. What that is exactly changes over time. My first visit to Sin City: for a friend’s 21st birthday, 1997. We stayed at the Egyptian-themed Luxor; it felt dark and exotic. I drank electric-green Midori margaritas on the rocks, felt ultra grown-up. Clearly that was a very, very long time ago. My head hurts just thinking about it.
“Les messieurs” chill at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. Left-right: our friend Jack, husband Joe, and his son, UAF student Dominic. Since then, Vegas has drawn me in for weddings, friends’ much-later milestone birthdays, sunny getaway weekends, or just because. And just a few weeks ago, husband Joe and I headed to the glittering Nevada hotspot once again for a vow renewal ceremony for my brother and wife, who married there a dozen years ago.
Joe and Katie goof off before the vow renewal at the Chapel of Flowers. The trip yielded opportunities to revisit old favorites and discover new attractions too, yet again proving out that while a foundational underside of Vegas is comfortingly unchanged, there is always something new to see and do. Here are some highlights:
Battista’s Hole in the Wall is a sentimental favorite, a just-off-strip Vegas institution on the Stratosphere end, nestled in a down-and-dirty strip mall. One end features the Stage Door Casino, a snug locals fave that calls itself “Las Vegas’ favorite dive bar.” Its adjacent liquor store promises the lowest prices around. Both Stage Door and Battista’s have held their ground since the 1970s.
Friend Jack and husband Joe at Battista’s Hole in the Wall.
When you dine at Battista’s, you feel like you’ve sunk into the layers of Vegas history, with its red leather upholstery, Tiffany lamp shades, dim lighting, and walls covered in black-and-white photos of Hollywood royalty – many of the snaps autographed, showing the rich and famous enjoying Battista’s celebrated hospitality.
A rare quiet moment in a corner of Battista’s. It also claims to have the world’s largest collection of mini alcohol bottles.
Is it really the world’s largest collection of mini-alcohol bottles?For set prices – which are shockingly low – you’ll enjoy your selection of a classic pasta dish, crusty garlic bread, a soup or Italian salad, bottomless carafes of house wines, and to end the evening, a chocolaty cappuccino topped with a fluffy puff of porous whipped cream.
Salad, bread and wine at Battista’s. While lacking the decades-old pedigree of Battista’s, pausing to enjoy a show at the Bellagio Fountain on Las Vegas Boulevard is a must. It’s easy to skip it – the fountain is visible from many buildings and its shows seem constant. But only up close can you appreciate the hefty gusts of water, the delicate bows and swirls of the streams, and how the opulent display is so artistically timed to music. Bonus: it’s free.
The Bellagio fountain.More and more vendors are posting up with coolers full of cheap drinks and waters for sale. Generally speaking, the fountain sounds off every 30 minutes between 3-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and every 15 minutes those days from 7 p.m. to midnight. On Saturday, Sunday and holidays, fountain show hours are every 30 minutes from noon-6:30 p.m. and every 15 minutes from 7 p.m.-midnight.
The Bellagio fountain.Because this trip included a vow renewal, it also included a bachelorette party of my sorts, and my sister-in-law had her sights set on the classic Vegas male revue, Thunder From Down Under. Rather than try and explain it, let’s just share what their website said: “Think golden tans, smiles for miles and the kind of chiseled bodies you can grate your fantasies on.”
The men of Thunder From Down Under. We were only allowed to take photos during this one song! If you’re in a position for a Vegas night out full of laughter, OMG moments, and a “Girls’ night Outback” (their words, not mine!) I do recommend this, um, experience. Staff kept the fruity drinks flowing while Aussie dudes leaped from table to table in increasingly silly costumes set to familiar music, gyrating with humor and flirtation, sometimes pulling willing women on stage for one-on-one performances.
Inside Libertine Social. Well, we were all hungry and thirsty after that endorphin-draining experience, so we hopped in a couple Ubers and headed to nearby Libertine Social in Mandalay Bay. Conceived by James Beard Award-winning chef Shawn McClain, it prides itself as a gastro pub with an array of artisanal small plates and New American bar food. It also has a game-day special where, for a set prices, guests can enjoy an all-you-can-eat-and-drink experience for the duration of sporting events, convenient seeing as Mandalay Bay is basically next door to Allegiant Stadium.
The BLT salad and Libertine G&T. We were there post-show, and the vibe was quiet. I tried the BLT salad, with maple-glazed bacon, sweet acidic bits of tomato, bleu cheese crumbles and buttermilk ranch dressing. On the advice of the waitress, we also shared a short rib flatbread, a long oval of perfectly puffed dough topped with mozzarella, caramelized onions, herbed goat cheese and fennel pollen.
The highly sharable short rib flat bread.To drink, I ordered the exceptional Libertine G&T: Bombay Sapphire east gin, grapefruit, lime, pink peppercorn, and Libertine Social’s proprietary tonic and spice blend.
The Block 16 Urban Food Hall at the Cosmopolitan.Here’s a great thing about Vegas: you don’t have to drop a ton of money or have way-in-advance reservations to enjoy great food. Look no further than the Block 16 Urban Food Hall at the Cosmopolitan. A series of order-at-the-counter restaurants curated from national favorites make up this fast-casual dining environment that’s trendy and affordable.
Fried chicken galore from Hattie B’s Nashville Hot Chicken. Among the culinary residents is Hattie B’s Nashville Hot Chicken, a must-do for my spice-loving husband. This is Hattie B’s only Western-U.S. location, and your chance at choosing between an array of dizzying spice levels – from no or low heat on up to “Damn Hot” and the intimidating “Shut the Cluck Up.” Pro tip: wash it down with the peach vodka sweet tea slushy.
A crisp glass of rose at Vanderpump.
If you are feeling indulgent, though, we were delighted by our experience this trip at Vanderpump à Paris in the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. We were able to get same-day reservations on the last night of our trip. After lots of time running around with family and friends, it was just Joe and I, and an elegant way to end our days in Vegas. The restaurant shoots for upscale Parisian feel, with huge floral bursts, curling pastel wrought-iron, decadent lighting, and an expert wait staff.
Joe browses the menu. We enjoyed mini slider Wellingtons as an appetizer – chicken poulet, with gruyere cheese, Dijon, candied bacon, wrapped in a warm puff pastry. For my main, I opted for a coq a vin pot pie, which was a succulent combination of braised chicken and soft vegetables in a white burgundy veloute sauce encircled with a halo of flaky pastry.
The delicious pot pie at Vanderpump. Oh! And as for the reason we all went to Vegas – the vow renewal! Well it was lovely. The renewing bride and groom looked fabulous in rented attire, the Chapel of the Flowers venue was a charming and serene setting, plus their gift shop sold mini bottles of champagne!
The whole happy Pesznecker family stuffs into a limo post vow-renewal. Afterward, the family loaded into a limo bound for El Segunda Sol at the Fashion Show Mall where we ultimately feasted on bowls of guac and taco platters as the happy couple cut cake.
The happy renewed couple: Jane and Scott Pesznecker. And a pretty cake! I’m not sure when or why I’ll next be in Vegas but I am curious to see what’s changed when that time comes. While New York calls itself the city that never sleeps, it’s Vegas where, when it’s all over, I always need a nap!
One last glass of wine in the lobby of our hotel, Planet Hollywood, before heading home. Hasta la vista, Vegas!The post Trip Report: Katie does Las Vegas. You can, too. appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
The Iceworm makes its way through downtown CordovaFly Alaska Airlines over to Cordova. Check out the Iceworm Festival Jan. 28-Feb. 4.
Use discount code ECME428 to save seven percent at AlaskaAir.com
“It’s a quintessential Alaska moment,” said former Mayor Margy Johnson. “When that 100-foot-long Iceworm comes down the street in the parade…life is good.”
Seriously, the whole town comes out to play.
– Miss Iceworm contest
– Shuck-n-suck oyster shucking contest
– “Beer Mile” running and drinking contest (I guess)
– Big contest to find the “Iceworm Tail”
– Food trucks
– Swag
– Basketball, volleyball, photo show
– Cake competition, paper airplane competition, Iceworm trivia
– Survival suit races
– Iceworm breakfast at St Joseph’s Catholic Church
– Street food vendors
– PARADE (don’t miss it!!)
– FIREWORKS!!
Stay at the Reluctant Fisherman or at the Prince William Hotel (also some Airbnbs available).
The post Fly to Cordova and see the ICEWORM Festival appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Our last “Travel Secrets” soiree in 2018. All photos by Rob Stapleton. Love and travel go so well together. I still remember the honeymoon my wife and I took after our wedding. BOY, did we have to travel A LONG WAY from home.
After our wedding in Greenville, Mississippi, we spent our wedding night in Vicksburg. From there, we journeyed to the Gulf Coast of Alabama for an extended stay at the beach.
How many times have you traveled to see loved ones in far-off lands? Have you fallen in love while traveling? Did it change your life?
SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. Buy your tickets HERE. CLICK HERE.
We love planes.That’s when we’re gathering once again (in person) to celebrate the miracle of travel. In a curtsy to Valentine’s Day, our theme is “Travel Secrets: A Love Story”.
We hope you’ll join us at the Alaska Aviation Museum on the shores of Lake Hood for our fun event. Our dear friends at Moose’s Tooth will be bringing pizza, beer and root beer (water also is available…no fine wine or spirits tonight HA).
Juno Kim shares a Travel Story.LOVE STORY: I’ll go first. Travel really did change my life. But we have some fun stories lined up to get you in the mood.
FARES WE LOVE: The latest. The greatest. Not just in the back of the bus, either. We’ll talk about what it takes to get the FAT seat…and when it’s worth it.
PRIZES: We’ll have lots of prizes from our friends at Alaska Airlines, Alaska Railroad, Major Marine Tours, Northern Alaska Tour Company and many, many more. There’s a good chance you’ll walk away with a free trip for two…or a lovely refrigerator magnet. HAHAHAHAHA
Somebody won a trip on the Mighty Alaska Railroad! DETAILS: We’ll get “granular” on topics like frequent flyer plans, travel insurance, airline meltdowns and COVID-19 protocols. Bring your toughest questions. We’re ready!
ACT NOW: We only have a limited number of seats.Then we’re SOLD OUT. Cost is $25. Here’s the link.
The post Travel Secrets: A Love Story appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Aerial view of Ted Stevens Anchorage Int’l Airport (Adobe stock photos)Much ink has been spilled on this holiday season’s disasterous air travel mess. Bad weather played a big role. Throw in a dose of long security lines, short-staffing and outdated technology and you have a wicked cocktail…should you ever make it to the airport bar.
Still, some of us have to fly. Whether it’s for work, for medical care, or to answer an urgent call from a friend or family—off to the airport we go.
IMPORTANT: Meltdowns will happen. Even if it’s not at your airport, the ripple effects of bad weather, staff shortages or computer malfunctions extend systemwide. Here are some quick tips to give you better odds in a crisis.
Lost luggage (#sigh). 1. Get Airtags for your checked bags. These are the handy devices from Apple that show you exactly where your item is, even if your airline can’t find it. The Airtags only work with iPhones, but there are similar devices available for Android phones. Normally, I’d recommend NOT checking luggage. However, for Alaskans traveling with firearms or liquor (or both)…that’s not an option. HA
2. Global Entry. This costs money, but it’s worth it if you’re a frequent traveler. It’s $100 for five years—and the big benefit is that you get TSA Pre-Check. That means shorter (sometimes much shorter) lines at the TSA security check. Global Entry also offers a short line for international arrivals. CLICK HERE to apply.
Hurry up and wait.3. Get to the airport early. I’m a two-hours-prior kinda guy. You can play the odds if you wish that there will be no line at security, or problems with your boarding pass, or no place to park. I’ll meet you at the gate. IMPORTANT DETAIL: check your flight’s status BEFORE you leave home. Finally–catch a ride to the airport and avoid trying to find a place to park.
4. Get the airline’s mobile app on your phone. I have Alaska Air, Delta, United and American. The airlines are pretty good at alerting you of delays, gate changes, etc.
5. No tight connections. Think of the slowest member in your party. Then think of how far you might have to go in a big airport like SEA-TAC or LAX. If you have the option of a 90-minute connection over a 50-minute connection, take it. Flights are late—and there’s no guarantee that an airline will hold a connecting flight for a late arrival.
6. Travel insurance. I’ve talked to dozens of people who have had their trips upended by flight delays and cancellations. These things happen. I recommend travel insurance to help you recoup non-refundable components of your trip. I have an annual plan from Allianz, but it doesn’t include trip cancellations…only delays and lost baggage. Your credit card likely has some travel insurance components—but you have to check. Here are two sites that offer comparisons of travel insurance:
a. Insuremytrip.com
b. Squaremouth.com
The post Airport Survival Guide: 2023 appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
My original light-duty day pack (L). It’s still awesome–but it’s too small for laptop + gear. On the right, my new “Synik 30” from Tom Bihn.When did you get your first backpack? For me–it was in high school. Then, I upgraded to a frame backpack for extended trips. At the time, it was pretty high tech!
Headed back to college after visiting my grandparents in Santa Barbara.After years of carrying a briefcase, I’m back to the backpack for travel and going around town.
When it came time to upgrade, I checked in with my friends at Tom Bihn in Seattle.
The folks at Tom’s Seattle HQ (in the Georgetown neighborhood) share his meticulous eye for craftsmanship and utility. All his gear is designed and manufactured in Seattle.
Take a look at his site: www.tombihn.com
You’ll see that there’s a bag for every trip: gear bags, carry-on travel bags, cross-body bags, tote bags and on and on.
All of this stuff fits in the “Western Flyer” travel bag (above). Read the BLOG post about it..But I drilled down on a backpack, which I could use to carry my fat laptop and my other electronic gear.
Because I’m hooked on my MacBook Pro (15-inch), I settled on a new pack that the just released: the Synik 30. It comes in a smaller version, a 22-liter version—but I’d have to get a smaller laptop. So the 30-liter model it is.
This is NOT me…but it shows how the Synik 30 contours line up with your back.Since I go everywhere with my laptop, lots of things end up in the corners: lens cleaners. Small cameras. Pens and magic markers. When I poured out my old pack, I even found the keys that my grandfather used to start his streetcar in Portland.
Those removable straps are good for holding in clothes or a packing cube.Christy said “Where does your water bottle go? Well, they thought of that. Since water is heavy and exterior pocket drags your whole pack to the side, the front+center pocket is perfect for your water bottle.
Water bottle goes in front. Or, you can slip it in the bottom pocket.This is my first full week with the Synik 30. I’m still getting used to all the bells and whistles. That means packing a little differently– it feels good.
Is there an upgrade in your future? Check the site before you get your next pack—or travel bag.
I like it already–stay tuned for updates.
The post Time to upgrade your backpack? appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
When I was in Juneau last summer, I ran into my friend Harriet Baskas.
You may recognize Harriet’s name from travel articles in USA Today. Plus, she authors a fun blog about airports: StuckAtTheAirport.com
When we were talking, though, she told me about her latest book project: “111 Places in Seattle The You Must Not Miss”.
Me and Harriet near the base of Mt. Roberts in JuneauHey, I travel to Seattle all the time (ever since my first family trip in 1962), so I wondered if there was information I could use.
Wow!
Harriet lives in Seattle and teamed up with photographer Cortney Kelley to offer a series (yep….111 stories) of very eclectic destinations. Here are some of my favorites:
Number 46: Georgetown Steam Plant. Georgetown is an industrial district between downtown and Sea-Tac. In fact, the old steam plant, which now is a museum, is right next to Boeing Field.It was built in 1906, specifically to power the city’s electric streetcar system. Right now it’s only open on the second Saturday of each month from 10a-2p.
Number 30: Fast Penny Spirits. If you’ve never heard of the Italian drink called “amaro”, you’re about to find out. Two Seattle women opened an amaro distillery. Best described as an Italian “digestiv”, Jamie Hunt and Holly Robinson set out to win the world over to the potion which features a secret blend of 45 botanicals. Stop in for a tasting!
Number 73: The Pinball Museum. This is a story Charlie Martin and his expanding pinball collection. I paid special attention because some of the names are familiar to me. I dallied away hours of my misspent youth in pinball arcades. Now you can check out machines from the 60s, the 70s, 8-s and 90s.
You’ll find descriptions of “old standards” like the locks that connect Lake Union to Elliott Bay, the Great Wheel on the waterfront and Boeing Field (location for the Museum of Flight).
Even if you know the destination, you’re bound to learn something new and interesting that Baskas dug up.
“111 Places” is a great book for locals and visitors alike. I’m taking mine with me when I head down to Seattle next month.
FYI, there are 41 “111 Places” books. Check out the Seattle book at Amazon.
I wish I’d had the book for my first visit to Seattle…for the World’s Fair (below).
The post REVIEW: “111 Places in Seattle That You Must Not Miss” by Harriet Baskas appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
While the days are getting shorter, the nights are getting brighter. That’s especially true north of Fairbanks. Northern Alaska Tour Company has vans and planes that go up and down ...
The post It’s “Aurora Season” in Alaska’s Far North appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Special correspondent Jennie Flaming (above) is a frequent contributor to the Alaska Travelgram. But she has other gifts as well. Altho’ she now calls Seattle home, Jennie has lived and ...
The post Meet Jennie: your Alaska itinerary expert appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Katie Pesznecker opts for a weekend in Phoenix to relax and recharge as snowflakes fly in Anchorage. This time of year, Alaskans are short on destinations that are ...
The post Run to the Sun. As the snow flies, Alaskans…uh…fly appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Okay. This one kinda snuck up on me. Forty years ago, I started writing a weekly travel column for the Anchorage Daily News. When the first one came out, on ...
The post Forty years is a long time appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Yup, it’s a Homer weekend to kill for at Land’s End Resort! Mark Nov. 11-13, 2022 on the calendar. And get ready for clues, intrigue, chilling suspense and cold-blooded Murder! ...
The post Murderous Good Time in Homer! appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Katie Pesznecker can’t sit still. She’s always on the go–and this week she’s got a trip report from Maui (with photos). This is a rough season, as nonstop ...
The post Here today…gone to Maui appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
It’s been almost three years since the Saab 2000 aircraft has flown from Anchorage to Dutch Harbor. Starting Nov. 16, Aleutian Airways will begin nonstop service between Anchorage and Dutch ...
The post “Aleutian Airways” to fly Anchorage-Dutch Harbor nonstop starting Nov. 16 appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Stephen Bugno offers keen insight on Creamer’s Field in Fairbanks. Bugno’s own migratory path includes periodic visits to Fairbanks, the Golden Heart City. Learn more about his trips and adventures ...
The post Creamer’s Field – An Unlikely Tourist Destination in Fairbanks, Alaska appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
We’re drilling down on all the PFD Travel deals. Sign up for Airfare911 text-to-phone alerts to get live updates on the best fares. First out of the gate is Alaska ...
The post PFD Cruise Deals appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
If you want to w-o-w your friends and relatives visiting Alaska, take a 7-day Kenai Backcountry Safari Trip with Alaska Wildland Adventures. The Alaska Safari Adventure includes: Stay at three wilderness ...
The post An Alaska Safari: adventures in paradise appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
On a pedestrian bridge over the Chena River, close to the Morris Thompson Visitor Center in downtown Fairbanks
The post The Golden Heart city of Fairbanks, Alaska: a river runs through it appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Now’s the right time to explore Anchorage—and win some prizes along the way. Our friends at Visit Anchorage put together the “Challenge” so you can learn more about Anchorage. From ...
The post Fun travel game-o’-the-week: Anchorage Neighborhood Challenge appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Extreme birders know where St. Paul Island is. So do Bering Sea crab fishermen. Most other travelers think St. Paul is the city next to Minneapolis. Think again. The island ...
The post Hello from the edge of the world: St. Paul Island in the Bering Sea (25 percent off) appeared first on Alaska Travelgram.
Well, things have changed since I last sat in the studio. During my #RushAroundTheWorldTour2017 , which included two stops at Dubai’s international airport (with Emirates, pictured above), co-host Alyssa London aka “Miss Alaska USA” has ...
Whoa. Listen to our Travelgram promo for the show on Saturday. Here in Anchorage, tune in to 95.5FM/1020AM KOAN. Our show plays each Saturday, between 11AM and 12Noon.
Erin and I taped a couple of radio show promos. Here’s the newest one: Travelgram PROMO 1 Oh–check out John, our producer, in the background. Ha. You know–Mister Maturity. HAHA
Erin Kirkland and I have a great time doing the Alaska Travelgram radio show. Each Tuesday, 2-3pm local Alaska Daylight time on KOAN FoxNewsTalk Alaska. 95.5FM. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN: ...
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN: Alaska Travelgram KOAN Radio Promo You should tune in to the show each week here in Anchorage. Listen over-the-air at KOAN 1020AM. Or, listen live online: ...
In my “real” life, I sing with a great gospel group at our church, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton on Huffman Rd. in Anchorage, AK. That’s me on the left (duh), ...
Above, Niece Meredith shares her Alaska adventures with the class. Listen up: Alaska Travelgram radio show
Listen to this radio jingle here: Great Alaskan Toursaver Then click on the link HERE to order your very own book. Everything is 2-for-1: Lodges, tours, activities, fishing, admissions, glacier cruises, ...
I stumbled on this tune while looking around for a soundtrack for a video. I use a great service called “Music Alley” by Mevio.com . In the process, I discovered ...
Great day in Manzanillo! I haven’t met Stephen yet, but he publishes a great blog on Manzanillo. Check it out here. Lots of tips on what to do, where to ...