Alaska Vacation News, Stories and Photos from an Alaskan Perspective
The Alaska Vacation Blog is my mini-journal about South Central Alaska. I'm a local Alaskan, having all the fun that tourists have when they come here, except that I never have to go home!
I like to think of myself as a "full-time" Alaskan tourist!
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Alaska Northern Lights ~ Aurora Borealis Forecast, Photos, Tours and Viewing - Fairbanks
Things to Know About Northern Lights. Tour Information and Viewing Northern Lights in Alaska. display of the Aurora Borealis
Video: Coronal Aurora Borealis over Fairbanks, Alaska
The northern lights are going wild up here in Alaska. THis is a video from the 22nd of January 2012.
More sights like this are expected.
2012 North to Alaska Travel Guide
If you are considering a vacation in Alaska in 2012, I highly recommend the North to Alaska planning guide and Milepost Map. Both can be requested for free, by clicking the link below.
In Valdez Alaska, Snow is Just Another 4 Letter Word
"...with half a winter still to come and history-making accumulation already for this point in the season -- 322.1 inches as of Saturday -- the snow has begun to take a toll on the mental and physical well-being of the hardy residents here.
"Many of us can't see out of our windows," said Sheri Pierce, the city clerk. "My house, when you look at it from the street, it's completely covered. It's a little like living in a cave. It's dark inside."
Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2012/01/14/2264389/valdez-digs-out-from-a-world-class.html#storylink=cpy
Focus on Whittier Alaska
Getting to and from Whittier Alaska. Kayaking and Lodging at Inn at Whittier. Whittier tunnel information
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Whittier to Anchorage or Anchorage to Whittier Travel ~ Tunnel Road to Airport
Whittier to Anchorage travel arrangements are needed for most all north-bound Alaskan Cruises arriving in Whittier. If you arrive by one of these cruises then you will need transportation from Whittier to Anchorage. Perhaps you need Anchorage to Whittier transportation
Gwennies Old Alaska Restaurant ~ Anchorage Restaurants ~ Price Menu
I just recently went out to eat at Gwennies Old Alaska Restaurant in Anchorage and I thought I'd share some pics and comments.
Tell the Truth About Life in Alaska
Great article that I read in the local Wasilla/Palmer (Alaska)Frontiersman newspaper. It is a comical read. If you've ever been to or lived in the State of Alaska, you'll really get a kick out of it.
Here is a short snippet. The article is in a question and answer format.
Q: My cousin went there last summer. The photos were beautiful. I didn't see any snow.
Response:Alaska law requires that every May 30 through Sept. 15, all snow must be shoveled off the ground, trees, houses, etc., and placed out on the road, where it is then collected and pitched over the fence into Canada.
Q: But he said it was warm
Response:Your cousin is a liar. We tell all tourists they have to lie when they return home or they can't come up here ever again.
Alaska Vacation Checklist - Alaska is Huge so Planning is essential. Things to Do
Plan and create your Alaska vacation checklist of this to see and do. Alaska is too big to see all on one trip
Alaska Vacation Guide - Glacier Cruises, Rental Car Planning and Alaskan Railroad planning
When planning your Alaska vacation, insider tips become invaluable resources when it comes to finding the best deals and advice on Alaskan offerings.
Alaska Travel Lodging Guide - Cabins Hotels Motels or 5 Star Resorts
Choosing the right Alaska travel lodging arrangements can enhance your vacation. Cabins, five start resorts, hotels or motels
Cage, Cusack Possibly in New Alaska Movie
The Anchorage Daily News is reporting that another major motion picture is to be filmed, this fall, in Alaska.
The movie, "The Frozen Ground", is based on the events surrounding Alaska's most notorious serial predator, Robert Hansen, a respected family man who for over 12 years, systematically abducted more than 24 women and flew them into the Alaskan wilderness to be hunted.
Read more: http://www.adn.com/2011/07/27/1987853/27-million-movie-set-for-anchorage.html#ixzz1TO708OPI
7 Teens Attacked by Sow Bear with Cub
According to Alaska State Troopers, seven tens were injured in a bear attack, deep in the Talkeetna Mountains.
The teens were a part of an outdoor leadership school. Two of the teens sustained serious injuries!
King Crabbing Through Ice
Came across this new video about catching King Crab through the ice in the Bering Sea. You'll like this.
Driving to Alaska in a Model A Car
They will travel approximately 5,000 miles to reach their destination in what they expect to be 15 days. Ray and Teri will be accompanied by a couple from Marietta who will be driving their 1930 Model A.
Something You've Never Seen Before: Kotzebue Ice Pileup
Shuttle Schedule to Native Heritage Center
Here is a link to the downtown Anchorage shuttle schedule to the Anchorage Native Heritage Center.
It is a place not to be missed, while on vacation in the Anchorage area.
http://www.great-vacation-in-alaska.com/alaska-native-heritage-center.html
Wanting to Visit
We've recently made some good friends who live in Wasilla and we would very much love to come visit them. We would be flying from Dublin, Ireland to
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Free 2011 North to Alaska Travel Guide and Map
The new 2011 North to Alaska travel guide AND Milepost map is now available. This is an excellent resource for Alaska travel planning.
Important Info on Anchorage Hotel (Ramada Inn)
We just stayed nearly two weeks that we prepaid at the RAMADA Inn in Anchorage only to find out after filing complaints with Ramada online that just because
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Visited
In 2006, I got the chance to come to Wasilla and it was AMAZING!!! I loved it! It was so beautiful and I hope I get the chance to return again
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Traveling Alaskan Highway Alone in Fall and Winter
Hi, I'm contract employee and I will be taking a 13 week assignment in Anchorage at the end of Sept. I'm thinking about driving and was wondering if this
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Alaska Feature Video
PDXposed #121 Alaska from PDXposed TV on Vimeo.
U.S. Airways: Non-Stop Philadelphia to Anchorage
June 1st 2010
Perhaps for the first time, there is non-stop service from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Anchorage, Alaska.
This service is offered by U.S. Airways and is expected to be just a summer offering (2010).
Check with your travel agent, or favorite online booking site, for current airfare prices.
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Flights to Alaska - Cheap Alaska Air Travel in 2010
Flights to Alaska are to increase significantly in summer 2010 thanks to United, Continental and US Airways airlines
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Ketchikan Weather - Be Prepared for any Ketchikan Alaska Weather
Prepare for Ketchikan Weather - What to wear while visiting Ketchikan Alaska
Whittier to Anchorage: Which Side of the Train or Bus to Sit On?
I received a question about which side of a vehicle (train, bus etc) should one sit on when traveling from Whittier to Anchorage.
Use the link, below, to view my response.
Knik River Lodge
The Knik River Lodge is at the end of the Knik River Road. It is an eleven mile extension of the Old Glenn Highway, near Palmer Alaska.
The lodge hosts, Evelyn and Peter, claim that the road, and especially this lodge, are still a relative secret. Many Alaskans do not realize that it even exists.
I can vouch for that. My family and I discovered it only last December, while out on a Sunday drive. Its location is ideal and the surroundings are very beautiful. The Knik Glacier is not too far from here. You'll see it, in the distance, as you approach the lodge.
Here is a short video, produced for the Knik River Lodge.
Knik River Lodge from Rika Woodhouse on Vimeo.
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Moose in The Backyard
One of the greatest things about living in Alaska is seeing a moose or two (or 3) when you least expect them.
Seeing them in your yard never gets old. Even after living here in Wasilla Alaska for almost eight years, we still get excited and run to look at the moose, out the window.
Today we had a yearling in the yard. He even bedded down for a few hours out near one of our large birch trees.
Alaska Vacation Planning Help
Hi Mike, My family and I are planning our second trip to Alaska, this upcoming July, 2010. We'll have 15 days total. We'll be flying into Juneau,
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Top Hotels in Anchorage, AK
Some of the other preferred hotels in Anchorage are (not in any order): 1) Hotel Hilton Airport 2) Hotel Sheraton 3) Holiday Inn Express 4) Captain
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Alaska Travel Info - Great Vacation in Alaska Sitemap
Alaska Travel Info - Easy to find list of all Alaska vacation pages on Great-Vacation-in-Alaska.com
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Alaskan Cruise Attraction - Alaska Zip Line
This is one of the coolest videos that I've seen. Although I love thrill rides, like roller coasters, just watching this video made my toes curl!
Located in Icy Strait Point Alaska, is this zip line that stretches more than 5000 feet (1646 m) and will have you "flying" high above the trees.
For more information click here
Shipping Fish To Your Home From Alaska
Just the other day I was talking to a middle-aged man and his wife. They were from the Palm Springs California area and they had traveled here in their RV.
He had about 50 lbs (22.7 kg) of Alaskan halibut that he wanted to ship home. He told me that UPS wanted nearly $200 to ship it.
Instead, he went to Wal-Mart. Purchased a small chest freezer that he could fit into his RV.
I thought this was pretty smart. Instead of giving his money to UPS, he bought the freezer. At least when he got home, he not only got his fish there, but he also HAS a freezer...to show for it.
Of course, if you are not traveling in an RV this wouldn't be an option. But it is always smart to think things through and think of alternatives.
If you are not traveling by RV and still wish to ship fish, you might want to check the procedures for shipping your fish on your particular airline.
Here is the Alaska Air guidelines for shipping fish.
http://www.alaskaair.com/as/www2/cargo/Shipping-Fish.asp
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Hiking Eklutna Lake Trail - Hiking in Alaska - Twin Peaks Trail - Elevation
Eklutna Lake offers multiple trails for some of the very best hiking in Alaska
Breaking News: Alaska Govenor Sarah Palin to Step Down
It was just announced today, at 11am Alaska Time, that Governor Sarah Palin will be stepping down as Alaska's Govenor in two weeks.
The announcement came from her home in Wasilla. She made no mention of national plans or ambitions, during the announcement.
Lt. Governor Sean Parnell will be sworn in at the governor's picnic in Fairbanks later this month.
First King Salmon Spotted at Ship Creek
It was reported that the first King Salmon arrived in Anchorage's favorite fishing location.... Ship Creek on Saturday.
Get your fishing poles ready!!
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Save Money on Alaska Cruise Excursions
I just read a blog post by Rick, that simply restates what I've always said. When it comes to an Alaska cruise, do your homework.
Alaska cruise ships offer all kinds of excursions, but contact those tour operators yourself....and see what kind of price discount they may be able to offer you.
Rick saved almost 45% on a day excursion in Skagway Alaska. The tour operator (a local Alaskan) talked to Rick for almost an hour on the phone, booked him into a longer (by 1 hour) tour, with more fun things to do...and saved him, as I said, nearly 45%.
Instead of $386, Rick paid $218. So if you are looking for an Alaska cruise discount, make a few phone calls (or emails) before you go.
Save your money on these day excursions.
I've had similar experiences with booking at Alaskan bed and breakfasts. I saved about $20 a night by contacting the Alaska B and B directly.
Hope this helps you on your Alaska Vacation!
Anchorage Weather and Regional Alaska Weather
Anchorage Weather both strange and wonderful! Be prepared for weather for Alaska weather in general. Anchorage weather is no exception, it is just a matter of acclamation.
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Alaska Airline to Start Charging for First Bag
Alaska Airline announced yesterday (April 23rd) that it will begin charging $15 for your first piece of luggage.
A similar policy has been put in place by other airlines previously.
The new policy will take effect July 7th 2009.
National Weather Service - Snowfall and Ice Almost At Near Historical Averages
Just purely going off my own memory, I would say that this winter has been the snowiest, since I moved to Alaska seven years ago.
Now, I have the National Weather Service telling me that my hunch has been correct.
The National Weather Service is predicting a messy spring (we call it breakup) and that many remote villages face possible severe flooding because of the huge amount of snow and ice.
Hydrologist Larry Rundquist says snowfall and the thickness of frozen ice is almost at historical averages in much of the state.
He also went on to say that temperatures, in Alaska, have been holding about 3 to 5 degrees colder than normal.
No wonder most Alaskans laugh when the subject of global warming comes up!
Mt Redoubt - Alaska Volcano Video
I came across this time-lapsed video clip the other day. It shows one of the many eruptions of Mt. Redoubt. This particular occurrence was on March 27th.
Mt. Redoubt is about 150 miles fromwhere I live, in Wasilla. The only ashfall that we've had, was a trace amounton Sunday morning. One could smell thesulfur in the air.
The multiple eruptions have been reakinghavoc on the Anchorage air traffic. Flights, inbound and outbound, have beencanceled, off and on.
Iditarod - Day 3
Alaska is having a heavy snow year and Iditarod 2009 is underway. Follow all the action, updates and each sled dog team!
Alaska Vacation Insider Newsletter - Issue #001
17 Feb 2009 - Issue #001 of The AlaskaVacation Insider Newsletter. Alaska Glacier Cruise,Alaska Native HeritageCenter and more!
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Anchorage Attractions - What to do in Anchorage
Anchorage attractions are many
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Enjoy Winter in Alaska!
Winter in Alaska is cold, beautiful and fun!
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Anchorage Tour, Alaska
Top Anchorage Tour Attractions. I'm local. I'll let you know what to see on your Tour of Anchorage
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Wasilla-Lodging-Agate-Inn
The Agate Inn in Wasilla is our favorite place to stay - Wasilla Lodging
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