Alaska Vacation Blog

The Vacation in Alaska Blog keeps you abreast of all the changes and updates to the Great Vacation in Alaska Website.

Read Alaska Travel and Vacation News

Our family is lucky enough to be on a "full-time vacation" in Alaska and we want to share with you, through words and pictures all that south central alaska has to offer.

May 12, 2008, Anchorage Alaska Vacation

Things to See and Do on your Anchorage Alaska Vacation

Apr 24, 2008, Anchorage Airport Car Rental and Other Transportation Options

Transportation from Anchorage Airport including Anchorage Airport Car Rental Information

Jul 8, 2007, Wasilla-Lodging-Agate-Inn

The Agate Inn in Wasilla is our favorite place to stay - Wasilla Lodging

Jun 9, 2007, Anchorage Restaurants

Four Star Seven Glaciers Restaurant is one the best Anchorage Restaurants to dine at

May 22, 2007, Alaska Moose Videos

Collection of Alaska Moose Videos and Photos

May 9, 2007, Video - Grizzly Bear Attacks Moose in Driveway

Homer, Alaska - The news of a GrizzlyBear attacking a moose in the driveway ofa Homer, Alaska home over the weekend ismaking big news here in Alaska.

How would you like to wake up to this inyour driveway? You've gotta love Alaska!!!

May 7, 2007, Alaska Photography | Bird Creek Alaska

Pictures taken at Bird Creek Fishing Action! - Alaska Photography

May 7, 2007, Alaskan Grizzly Bear and Brown Bear Viewing in Alaska

Where to View Alaskan Grizzly Bear s | Bear Viewing in Alaska

Apr 25, 2007, Alaska Wildlife in Anchorage

Alaska Wildlife Hotspots in and Around Anchorage

Feb 2, 2007, Road to Juneau Alaska?

I think it was in 2001, when I first moved to Alaska, that I realized that there were no roads to the Alaskan State capital of Juneau.

That is embarassing to admit, but I know I'm not the only one that thought that!

Anyway, I wanted to fill you in on the current plans to connect Juneau, via a 50 mile highway, to other Lynn Canal communties such as Haines and Skagway.

The State of Alaska is still waiting for needed permits and Federal approval, but advanced road materials orders have been made.

The order includes steel culverts, concrete girders and steel pile pipe for bridges!

There is opposition to this project, of course.

There are some that believe that the cost of maintenance will suck away funds to the Alaska Marine Highway System, which currently links Southeast communties by ferries.

Advocates say that a road would provide new economic and recreational opportunities for the area.

Right now, the only way to reach Juneau is via airplane or boat. Both are expensive ways to get there.

This new highway would make Juneau more accessible to Alaskans and tourist alike!

Feb 1, 2007, New Slogan and Video for Anchorage!

The City of Anchorage, in an attempt to create a new brand and market itself to the world released the results of it's $80,000 project yesterday!

Here it is...are you ready?

"Anchorage...a Big, Wild, Life!"

My first impression? Say what...? I wasn't all that impressed. Surely they could have come up with something better.

But, after watching the new video, the new made a little more sense.

Overall, I like it now. I think it should have been a little more energic in presentation.

Watch the video and see what you think. Does it improve your image of the City of Anchorage Alaska?

Click the link below!

Jan 30, 2007, Anchorage Airport Shuttle and Other Transportation Options in Anchorage Area

Anchorage airport transportation options and shuttle services

Jan 23, 2007, Yahoo Authentication

Jan 21, 2007, Alaska Halibut Fishing Limited

Today the International Pacific Halibut Commission voted to reduce the daily Halibut catch (from two) to one fish for clients of fishing charter companies.

(Special Note: This limitation does not apply to those fishing from their own boat)

For southcentral Alaska ports, such as Seward and Homer, the reduced daily catch limits apply only from June 15th through the end of June.

For southeast Alaska towns, such as Ketchikan and Sitka, the catch limits apply from June 15th all the way through to the end of July!

This vote came at the suggestion of the commercial halibut industry. They claim that halibut charter companies have been over-fishing.

This plan still needs the approval of the U.S. Secretary of State.

Such a high-level approval kind of surprised me, but that is what the report that I read said.

I'll keep you updated.

In the meantime, you may want to reconsider planning your Alaska fishing vacation during the time frames I listed above.

Jan 19, 2007, Limit on Alaska Halibut Fishing?

Later this week the International Pacific Halibut Commission will announce whether to enforece new one-fish bag limits this summer for charter boat anglers.

The commission claims that the fishing charter industry in Alaska over-fished by 46% last year.

This would have big repercussions on the charter fishing businesses in all Alaska coastal towns.

The charter fishing industry, as well as the Alaskan Tourism Association, is up in arms about the harm that this will do to their businesses.

Their thinking is that most visitors to Alaska won't pay $250 for a fishing charter trip that will result only in one halibut being caught.

I agree!

The new proposal would restrict a bag limit of one halibut for charter boat clients operating in the southeastern region of Alaska during the months of June and July. (Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau etc).

Clients in the South Central region would only be restricted during the month of June. (Whittier, Homer & Seward, etc).

I'm not sure why the difference, but this is the proposal being voted upon late this week.

Stay tuned. This may change your vacation plans if fishing for halibut is a primary vacation activity for you.

Jan 3, 2007, Things to Know About Alaska Air Travel

What I know about Alaska Air Travel and The Anchorage Alaska Airport

Dec 19, 2006, Anchorage Alaska Hotel - Alyeska Prince Hotel

Alyeska is one Anchorage Alaska Hotel not to miss even if you already have other Anchorage Lodging arranged

Dec 15, 2006, Palmer and Wasilla Alaska Areas

Below is a my response to a message board post from a lady living in Maine that is considering moving to Alaska. She was asking about good places to live.

You may not be moving to Alaska, but thought you might find my post interesting. The MatSu Valley is also a great place to visit...not just live.

Dear MAINEr,

We live in Wasilla Alaska. Wasilla is the commercial hub for the MatSu Borough(county). We are ten miles apart from Palmer Alaska. Each location has a population of about 30,000, more or less.

For the smaller place to build your cabin consider small towns just outside of Wasilla and Palmer. For example, Willow or Sutton. Willow is getting popular and land values are starting to climb. Now would be a good time to get a piece of property there.

The locals refer to this part of Alaska as the Valley. We believe that it is the best part of Alaska in which to live. People are very proud of the Valley. It has been dubbed "Alaska's Playground" for it's beauty and abundant outdoor activites.

It is also the fastest growing area in Alaska. The economy is very good and the Valley is about the size of West Virginia so there is plenty of room to "get away from people". Although you'll find the people here very friendly. Hope this helps.

Michael Boyter http://www.great-vacation-in-alaska.com

Dec 7, 2006, A Locals Guide to Anchorage Lodging

Finding Anchorage Lodging -- Find the best hotel in Anchorage for your family to stay

Dec 6, 2006, Find and Learn About Anchorage Airport Hotel (s)

A List of Anchorage Airport Hotels -- Finding a Hotel Near Anchorage Airport

Oct 11, 2006, Alaska ATV Tour -- Alaska Adventure Vacation

Adventure on the Eklutna Lake Trail -- Alaska ATV Tour

Oct 6, 2006, Alaska Adventure Vacation Advice and Alaska Adventure Tour

Alaska Adventure Vacation Ideas and Tips from Real, Year-Round Alaskans

Sep 26, 2006, Take This Virtual Anchorage Tour. Top Alaska Tourist Attractions

Top Anchorage Tour Attractions. What to see and what to skip on your tour of Anchorage

Jun 30, 2006, PASS card placed on hold in U.S. Senate

An initiative to require a passport or a new form of identification from all travelers from Mexico and Canada to the U.S., as well as U.S. citizens seeking re-entry, is being blocked by powerful senators on both sides of the aisle.

Jun 24, 2006, People Just Don't Get Alaska

Hello to All,

Right now I am down here in Montana and I was talking with a middle-aged lady today. You should have seen the look on her face when I told her about our friends big limousine business in Anchorage.

"They have that type of thing in Alaska?"

No kidding. That is what she asked me.

I politely chuckled (at least I hope it came across as polite), but it still amazes me at the way the average American looks at Alaska.

I guess more of them need to come on a Vacation to Alaska to see it for themselves.