Only in Alaska

Each  destination has it's unique qualities, claims to fame, and personality.  Where in the lower 48 one state tends to blend into it's neighbor, Alaska tends to be an "island" and is one of a kind.  It's no secret that we share the outdoors with wildlife and we must respect their boundaries.  Aircraft also has first priority on our road system.  We can walk into the local Fred Meyer and purchase groceries, back to school clothes, a TV, dog food, linens, furniture, salmon roe, a gun and ammunition.  No waiting period here.  So many times we find ourselves saying "Only in Alaska".

Where else can you drink glacier water along side the highway?  

Camo lingerie for Valentines Day?  Located in the gun section of Three Bears.

Water pump available at Eklutna Lake.

Sign between Lake Hood and Lake Spenard remind us that planes have 1st priority on the roads!

Campbell Track signs reminding us that we are a visitor and the wildlife was here first!

                                  

Eklutna, Alaska

Eklutna Lake

I find myself driving the same roads, seeing the same signs and same exits and wondering where that road goes.  I think my dad started the adventure side of me.  He would take us to the end of a road, any road, just to see where it went.  We would take our bright orange '69 jeep (which my mom still has!) to follow electrical poles because "if the pole is there SOMEONE was once there, therefore we can do it again!"  Many times we got stuck and I can hear my mom scream, Loren and I in the back of the jeep, no seat belts, no helmets, hanging onto the roll bar, throwing our weight (as if THAT would help because we were so young), and trying to get unstuck.  My dad and Bob, Loren's Godfather, digging, pulling, finding traction, and getting us out.  

I love to drive and go for a drive.  Sometimes that's the best time to think and chill out and listen to new music you've downloaded to your phone.  Yesterday I plugged myself in and took off.  Just a short distance but still a road and sign that I've passed many times that I have wanted to explore.  Eklutna Lake.  If I go east where does the road go?  If I go west where does the road go?  First I followed the signs east to Eklutna Lake.  10 miles, no problem.  Nice road a little icy but wide and I would take it slow.  At about 8 miles to go the road narrowed and I slowed down.  I was in 2 wheel drive and I was good..... until I lost traction.  Front went to the right and rear went to the left and everything you learn went out the window.  I forgot to steer into the swerve and I put on the brakes.  WRONG on both accounts.  Okay, maybe 4wd would be better.  I put it in 4 and slowed wayyyyy down.  So if 35 mph was going to make me lose control, 25 in 4wd should work.  The car behind me slowed wayyyyy down too, I think I scared him too!  Eventually I let that car pass me as I continued on my journey to the end of the road.

I passed beautiful houses with sprawling views and shacks that looked like they were left over from the gold rush.  The road was narrow and steep then wide and flat.  As I approached Eklutna Lake I see a pay phone.  A pay phone out in the middle of nowhere!  That was funny!!  No one was at the pay station.  It's winter and you are on the honor system around here.  No one was around except the car that passed me way back when.  At that point I'm thinking maybe someone should know where I decided to go today.  I could get lost, slip on the ice or encounter an ax murderer.  (Yes, my mind does think that way)  Umm, okay... no service.  Maybe next time, but my daughter is going to be really mad at me, adventuring and not following protocol.  :)

I walked around a bit but it was very icy.  The lake is beautiful!  Frozen all the way across with foot prints of people and animals.  Sprawling mountains all around the rim.  The clouds were low and it was raining.  It wasn't the most beautiful day but to see places for the first time always has a beauty about it.  As I walked across a little bridge and followed the trail to the T and an old water pump.  A water pump?  Water available to all.  The sign suggests boiling first but I loved it!  My thoughts kept thinking of spring and summer and how this is going to be an awesome place to come back to.  This will be PERFECT to walk and hike and bring the ATV.  Trails for everything!  

As I drove back the 10 miles in 4wd on the ice, I enjoyed the views of the inlet.  I drive over the highway and take the road west and the end of the road was only about 1/2 mile.  It ends at a private residence and railroad tracks so I turn around.  I go back to an old church that I passed and went to check it out.  Meghan told me about the Alaska App and it can look where you are at and tell you what attractions are near.  Love this app!  So I open the app and get the information on the church and interesting looking cemetery that is in the back.  This is the home of the Eklutna Historical Park.  There is the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church that dates back to 1650 when Russia still occupied Alaska and the cemetery of "spirit houses"  which is the final resting place of native and non-native members of the church.  

As I drive back to Anchorage and Adele's Hello plays for the 4th time I smile and think Adventure Accomplished and my dad would be proud that I went to the end of the road!

Always The Tour Guide, Never The Chaperone! (Until now!!)

It doesn’t matter where I go or who I am with, I’m ALWAYS the tour guide.  I have “the file” of things to do, places to go, where to eat, maps, yelp reviews, spa suggestions, etc.  While I may be mocked, I’m always the go-to person for information.  I’ve taken profession hockey players with their mascot and a hundred fans on a cruise.  I’ve escorted 200 science professionals with their families to Hawaii and I’m the leader on our annual girl’s trip    During my travel career I’ve been lucky to have many experiences of being the information booth and standing at the front of the bus describing points of interest.  When the opportunity came to chaperone my step son’s band trip to Southern California, I embraced the chance to go somewhere fun with the high school kids!  Sure, I’m ready for this! 

The experience of chaperoning incorporated all of what I’ve done previously to being responsible for 23 Anchorage high school students over 2000 miles from home.  The importance put upon us as chaperones hits like a brick.  What a culture shock from Alaska to Southern California;  temperature change of an 80+ degree swing and skin in desperate need of suntan location.  Add in the different ages, maturity and personalities of the students that have been put in our care for a week, some who have never been anywhere. 

Priorities are to keep them fed, hydrated, busy and above all, safe.  This task is exhausting!  The biggest help and the most fun is an app called GroupMe.  Advantage of this modern age is every student has a cell phone!  Have everyone in your group download the app.  It will be a saving grace and lots of laughs.  The leader or coordinator sends invites to everyone within the group and sets up the group.  Instead of doing a mass text and having everyone have your personal phone number, this provides the same type of platform for communication with added enhancements.  You can send pictures to the group.  You can meme the pictures and send them back to the group.  Members of the group can “like” the comments and/or photos and then see the most popular.  You can also personalize your settings with a personal photo.  This app can also be used on a girl’s weekend or family vacation.  Once you use the app, you can see the potential for a lot of uses.

Many of these students had never been to Southern California.  A few had never been out of Alaska.  Their excitement was contagious!  With redeye flights each way and four nights at the hotel, the package included as much as could be packed into a five day SoCal vacation.  The primary activity was to play for the World Strides Heritage Performance Program.  Each student brought their instrument and band attire and were playing for the scholars.  In addition to the performance we visited Hollywood with the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Redondo Beach, two days at Disneyland, California Adventure and Downtown Disney, Universal Studios Hollywood, Medieval Times, and an afternoon to enjoy the pool and activities at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.  It was nonstop from sun up to way after sun down!  Keeping the kids busy and exhausted also worked on us chaperones!

We had an excellent group of students!  Keeping them safe and allowing them their own independence is a balance.  They enjoyed staying with adults on and off throughout the days.  When not with us, we would have them check in via the GroupMe app at designated times and let us know where they were and with whom they were with.  The kids were great to check in prior if they were going to be on a ride.  If someone was late checking in, then the entire group was on watch for them and they were accountable to the group and not just the chaperones.  It didn’t happen often.  In the evenings, upon return to the hotel, the kids would have an hour or so until lights out.  After that time, we would do the bed check and tape the outside of their hotel door.  If the door opened in the middle of the night, we would know it and the kids would need to answer to us.  Again, very good students!

As I look at every experience as a learning curve, this chaperoning adventure was truly that, an adventure!  A good trip is one that you need to get back to everyday life in order to recover from.  This was no exception!  Being the tour guide, my responsibility is to provide an enjoyable time.  Being the chaperone, adds the level of safety to the already full job description.  Would I do it again, Hell YES!  

Alaska Activities and Excursions ....



The purpose of this blog is twofold.  Firstly, it is to share the piece of Alaska that we have been lucky enough to enjoy.  Secondly, to serve as my memory of the good companies we have found and used for our excursions and the fun areas we've been able to visit.  This is my notepad of thoughts, ideas, and not to miss outings. 

Alaska ..... the Last Frontier.  You have ocean, mountains, a mild summer climate, snow and winter activities in the winter.  You can enjoy endless sunshine in the summer and the Aurora Borealis in the winter.  There are roads for vehicles and roads for recreation vehicles.  Most of the state in not accessible by vehicle but by snowmachine, boat or plane.  There are natives in villages with their own language, economy and infrastructure.  Alaska is a beautiful state rich in culture and activities and it is a lifestyle that you must live in order to understand. . 

Advantages of submerging yourself and your family into a new destination and lifestyle are plentiful.  When we were given the opportunity to have Randy work in Anchorage, we had no idea all the fun we would have on his off time.  We have been very fortunate to learn ALOT about the 49th state and really enjoy the life it gives us.  We love to play and being outside.  Regardless of weather, Alaskans seem to enjoy the fresh air and gorgeous views around every turn, ourselves included.  The views I never get tired of. 

When people say they want to visit Alaska, most people first think about a cruise ship and visiting the ports of call.  It's a great way to see the lower part or Southeast portion of the state but you also want to see Anchorage, Fairbanks and what inland Alaska has to offer.  If taking a cruise is the only way you are going to see the Last Frontier, take full advantage of that opportunity.  If you have more time and are a bit more adventuresome, you may want to experience some of the hidden gems that we have found while living in Anchorage. 



Committing the following into my blog in order to serve as my memory ......

Girdwood, Alaska and the Alyeska Resort is a fun day trip from Anchorage.  It is less than an hour drive south of Anchorage along the Turnagain Arm.  As you drive along the inlet you can enjoy the scenery of snowy peaks with the ocean below.  It is vast and I always feel like I am such a small part of the universe and it gives me a feeling of "don't sweat the small stuff".  You can pull out at the Beluga Point Lookout or look for dall sheep at the Windy Lookout.  While in Girdwood do not miss the Double Musky Inn or Chair Five Restaurants if you are looking for a good meal.  If you are looking for a spectacular view, take the gondola to the top of Alyeska and enjoy the scenery (pictured below)!

Continuing south a beautiful side trip is the Portage Lake and Glacier Road and in the summer you can take the Portage Glacier Cruise out to the glacier.  It's gorgeous in summer or winter, although the road is much shorter in the winter.  :)  Continuing you come to the Whittier Tunnel which has quite the history and is a very interesting read.  It is a one lane, one way, 2 1/2 mile tunnel that is shared between cars, trucks, motorcycles for both northbound and southbound and the train.  There is a toll and a schedule.  This picture is the opening to the tunnel. 



The Kenai Peninsula is a playground for outdoor activities.  We have gone salmon fishing down in Kenai area rivers and enjoyed the little town of Hope.   When we have gone deep sea fishing out of the Seward Harbor our favorite fishing charter, whether for halibut or salmon is The Fish House.  They are always good and professional and we've always come home with a freezer full!    We have driven to the end of the road to Homer.  During the drive you go through Soldotna where you can look across the inlet to the volcanos and Ninilchik, an old Russian village and end down at the Homer Split.  While we visited Homer we took at flightseeing float plane excursion with Stellar Air over Kachemak Bay to see the glaciers, dall sheep, glaciers, islands and scenery.  It was an amazing experience with the bush pilot being our tour guide.  I'd highly recommend it for the experience of a lifetime!





Going north out of Anchorage has so many opportunities.  Most people that come to Alaska come to visit Mt. McKinley and Denali Park National Park.  We were no exception.  Mt. McKinley is the largest mountain in North America at over 20,000 feet and Denali Park is the only national park with one road in and out.  You can only take your own vehicle for the first 14+ miles and then you need to take the bus and park transportation until the end of the road in Kantishna at mile 92.  There is no actual town of Denali but just a wide part in the road of the Parks Highway on the Nenana River.  During the summer, tourist season they offer many activities, restaurants and tourist shops to enjoy the area and the outdoor activities in the area.  We went and visited the Husky Homestead and learned about their dogsled team and the Iditarod experience.  Snuggling with their puppies was a definite highlight!

Staying closer to Anchorage for day trips has been just as fun and interesting.  Around each turn there are activities and places to be investigated.  Wasilla, the home of Sarah Palin, and Palmer are both within an hour of Anchorage and are commuting distance for many residents.  We have done a lot in Wasilla and Palmer and they have a lot to offer their residents.  Outside of Palmer is the Hatcher Pass and the Independence Mine Historical Park.   It is a beautiful scenic ride for an afternoon.  In the winter it is the end of the road but in the summer you can reach Talkeetna after going over the pass.  At the summit it was very reminiscent of the Austrian Alps. 



Speaking of Talkeetna, that was a fun day trip when my mother came to visit.  It is a historic, frontier little town that is the jump off to Mt. McKinley and Denali National Park.  We had brunch at the Talkeetna Roadhouse which is a family style restaurant that has a warm fireplace and showers in their restrooms for the guests who are staying overnight after visiting the outback.  The food was delicious and the cinnamon rolls were amazing and not to be missed!!  While in Talkeetna we went to the Sun Dog Kennels, the home of Jerry Sousa's dog sled team.  The dog sled tour was exciting and informative about the Iditarod race.  The dogs led us on ATVs through the countryside and shared their excitement with "the run". 



You don't have to stay outside of Anchorage in order to enjoy the sights of Alaska.  While in Anchorage there is so much you can do to enjoy the day.  Looking for an incredible view, nice hike, and if you want to bike down, that's also an option.  Go to Flattop Mountain.  In the winter the road can be a bit crazy but the view from above is more than worth it.  When the kids have come to visit we have rented ATVs and gone on a half day ATV tour.  It's definitely a highlight.  It's perfect for adventuresome individuals who like to trail ride, like myself, to the crazies who want to jump, slide, skid and bust ass like my husband and my sons!  The tour guide was awesome for all skill levels.  There are 3 ski hills in the Anchorage area for skiing and snowboarding.  Hilltop, Arctic Valley and Alyeska.  Alyeska being the "destination" to ski where the others are day hills.

While in Anchorage there are activities not to be missed.  Fur Rondy is the annual Festival leading up to the start of the Last Great Race on Earth, the Iditarod.  It's held the 1st week of March and their is a huge schedule of events from downtown festivals to arts and crafts shows at the local mall. There was nothing that made me feel more Alaskan than my first Fur Rondy.  Villagers come into Anchorage and visitors come in to the city from all around the state to enjoy the festivities.  It's good ole fashion fun from the Fur auction, Outhouse races, Corn hole championships, Dog sled races, Jim Beam Jam, slow bike races, carnival, parade and running with the reindeer, plus lots, lots more.  It's a weeks worth of events for the entire family to enjoy!  The last day is the ceremonial start to the Iditarod with the dog sleds and mushers kicking off in downtown Anchorage.  It was so fun walking downtown with everyone showing and selling their wears.  Lots of pelts of fur and it's the time of year to show off your best furs.  It's a way of life and warmth up here!

In the summer downtown Anchorage has their Farmers Market.  It's a good way to taste the flavors of anchorage and buy some of the local goods.  There is also the Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall which has a great selection of some high end stores as well as normal mall flare.  Stores I were surprised to find in Alaska are Nordstroms, Michael Kors, Pandora, Lush, and Oil and Vinegar.  Dorothy, we are not in Kansas any more!   How about hockey?  The Alaska Aces is the local AA hockey team and is a great and affordable activity to enjoy with the family while in Anchorage.  When the Aces played the Stockton Thunder I was a little torn on who to root for!

Before we actually relocated to Anchorage I had been to Alaska on two cruises.  I always thought of it as a "port of call" and not necessarily as a city, town, state, with conveniences and amenities for it's residents.  I love Alaska.  I enjoy the small town feel.  I feel the scenery is unsurpassed and anyone lucky enough to visit is "lucky enough".  These notes are my takeaways and will be added upon.  Organizing my thoughts and ideas and favorites is only making me want to expand on my blog.  Standby for favorite restaurants, weekend getaways and what it's like to have MVP status on Alaska Airlines.  :)

ADA/Handicapped Hotel Rooms Are Not All Alike

The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted to give equal rights to those with a disability or handicap. This affects hotel rooms, parking spaces, seating and public spaces. One would think that these adjustments are standardized but not so!

As a travel counselor if asked to request a handicapped room or ADA compliant room, I would do just that.  I never thought of asking what it was that they really needed. My assumption was the client knew exactly what they were asking for and no further clarification was needed.  I also believed that these ADA rooms were standardized.   Not until I met my husband did I ask for, receive, and realize the differences in what you get when you receive a handicapped accessible room.

In 2006 my husband was riding his motorcycle and was hit by a car. He flew over 150 ft and sustained major injuries. Needless to say he is lucky to be alive but lost his left leg during the process. He is a below the knee amputee but does very well with his prosthetic.  The man comes across able bodied and if he has long pants on no one would know his disability.  We have been given sideways glances, apologized to, and asked if we requested a handicapped room almost everytime we have checked into a hotel room.  Until we explain that we actually requested that room and need it, do the front desk clerks settle down. 

ADA rooms are designed to assist every person with every disability. As we all know, we are not all created equal.  Are you in a wheelchair? Deaf? Blind? Elderly?  Do you need grab bars in the bathroom? Shower chair? Doorbell with tone? Smoke alarm and phone with light? Wide doorways for a wheelchair?

Many handicap accessible rooms have a roll in shower.  This is great if you are in a wheelchair. In my husbands case, he then needs a shower chair. It is very difficult to shower while standing on one leg!  Other rooms have the closet rods very low for the wheelchair bound patrons.  This is great but rooms also need rods up high for the tall man on one leg.  Grab bars in the bathroom are great but do you need them low or high? Is the adjustable shower head all u need? Or what about the companion of the disabled person, they prefer a shower head that is higher than their belly button!

I say so much of this in jest but it's food for thought for the hoteliers, travel agents, travelers and others who request the handicap rooms.  

Pet peave?? Why would any hotel put an ADA room on a 2nd or higher floor? If there was a fire or other emergency and their was an evacuation, how would a handicapped person get out? Elevator or stairs?  Elevator is deactivated during an emergency... FYI 

And, if the lowest priced room is not accessible for the disabled then they should NOT have to pay addition to get in a special room!

While efforts are being made to accommodate all individuals who needs added assistance, be sure to be clear as to what you need to make your stay workable and enjoyable. Where not all able bodied individuals are created the same, neither are the hotel rooms intended to assist those with disabilities.

Amenity? Or ammenity?

Have I really been spelling it wrong all these years???

I am a travel counselor and have been for  29 years. We talk added value, features and ammenities.  Even now auto correct didn't even change it. Is this one of those words that no one knows the real correct spelling or have I truly been spelling it wrong all these years?!?!  No employer, colleague, or client has ever corrected me. Maybe they don't know either?  OR could it be that this information card in the seat back on Alaska Airlines is the one with the error??

Mommy and Me Time

It doesn't matter how old you are and whether I'm with my daughter or with my own mother, the Mommy and Me time is always extra special. 

The goal is quality and not necessarily quantity. Life goes so fast and it can be difficult to coordinate time so we always want to make the most of out time together. 

My mother has always wanted to visit Alaska and the first time we tried the trip many years ago, it got cancelled for some reason that I don't recall. Now I finally got a 2nd chance to show her the Last Frontier.  Mom and I left California together and flew via Seattle into Anchorage.  Randy and the boys picked us up from the airport and the adventure began!

Not one day reached above freezing which anyone who knows my mom knows she HATES to be cold. Her travels normally include Hawaii, Arizona for the winter or Mexico (which she is currently in puerto Vallarta!).  Mom was a trooper!  She bundled up, put a hat and gloves on, 4 layers and off we went. 

The first day Randy drove mom, Zach and myself up to Talkeetna to the roadhouse for brunch, which I highly recommend and then we went to visit the dogs at Sun Dog Kennels.  I'm fascinated by the dogsleds and the Iditarod and this was a new excursion for us as well. We went out to the homestead and were briefed on their life and schedules and learned more about the last great race. Now for the ride!!  There wasn't enough snow on the ground for sleds so into the Polaris we went. The barking and excitement is contagious. Each one barking "pick me pick me" until the last is chosen. They "just know" the harnesses are full and quiet and lay down. Maybe next time. All 12 dogs out front and jumping to go and we are off. They navigate and run the 5 mile trail and don't want to stop when we get back to the homestead. Personally I wouldn't have made 1/2 mile in the freezing temperatures and rugged terrain!  We learn more about their diet, exercise, and the Iditarod from a 12 year veteran of the race. With camera battery dead, dog slobber all over us and toes frozen we headed back to Anchorage full of great memories for all of us!

The rest of the week continued with many many laughs and fun days showing mom why we love Alaska like we do. We enjoyed lunches at Chair 5 in Girdwood, Roadhouse BBQ in Palmer, the Firetap Alehouse and Peanut Farm in Anchorage. Then dinners we cooked at home.  One night we had moose burgers and another salmon caught from our last fishing trip. More great experiences that are indicative to the Alaskan lifestyle.

What is the funnest thing to do with you mom? Shopping of course! It was fun to explore stores, malls and boutiques that I wouldn't enjoy by myself or with the boys.  From Salvation Army to kohls to nordstroms to the 5th street mall downtown.... We shopped until we dropped! From bargains to unique gifts to a little Pulltab gaming..... We conquered and won.  

All the memories and inside jokes, laughs and experiences are special times. Knowing that your mom is getting to know your husband and step sons better is something that cannot be explained in words. The hugs goodbye said it all.

My takeaway from this week was no matter how old you are you are never to old for your mommy and me time!

Segale Travel Restaurant Favorites

Here is the link to a fun video that I created of staff favorite restaurants.  I think we all enjoying good food, fabulous scenery and exploring new destinations!  This highlights some of the restaurants that stick in our minds, and our bellies!
Segale Travel Restaurant Favorites

Our Segale Travel Service website is:
https://www.corporatetravelagency.net/

Tourist Season in Alaska

So crazy to be living in a place that is SUCH a tourist destination.  People said that it was coming, we saw changes in the weather, road and infrastructure and all of a sudden, IT’S TOURIST SEASON!  In one sense you want to complain and call them the “idiot tourists”, and then on the other hand you want the world to see and enjoy the beauty of Alaska ad you see through your eyes.  Flights are full with different dialects, languages and ages.  The roads are jammed with the rental RVs and trailers carrying various “toys”.  Traffic is crazy and we would benefit with reservations at our favorite restaurants.  Then I remind myself that the local economy is flourishing and when they only make their money in a short tourist season, we “endure” summer in Alaska!

While the lower 48 is having heat and humidity we are too, but the Alaskan way.  Temperatures range from the mid 60s to the mid 70s and it’s been raining all week.  Air is cleaned out and everything is green.  No air conditioning here but we had to install a ceiling fan in our bedroom just to move the air around.  Not sure if it’s more out of habit to have a fan over our bed when the windows are open but nonetheless, it helps!

If you cannot beat ‘em, join ‘em!  We’ve also taken to the road.  Denali here we come!  We headed to the interior of Alaska to enjoy some R&R and good weather and we were not disappointed.  With days longer, the weather mild and the scenery so green and lush, it’s beauty to behold in the Last Frontier! 

Denali is basically a wide spot in the road.  Addresses are mile markers and trust me; you know it when you get there.  No GPS needed.  While we thought Denali as a “place”, it’s more of an “area”.  An area dedicated to the outdoors, wild life, outdoor activities and of course, Mount McKinley.  The scenery is breathtaking and awe-inspiring and puts all new meaning of “being a small part of the universe”.  We did the touristy thing of driving the initial 15 miles into Denali National Park.  We visited a dog sled farm, held the puppies and heard stories of the Iditarod which fascinated me.  We also drove up to Fairbanks and the NorthPole.  We ate at some fun seasonal restaurants near the park entrance but the highlight personally was river fishing in the vast frontier. 

We met up with some friends who we last saw in India, of all places.  They were camping in the wilderness and we visited their camp site.  Their 360 degree view of mountains surrounding them and river below was amazing!  No potties and showers here… all nature!  Bear line with bells around their tent and shovel instead of toilet paper, this was nature at its finest.  I now have my own fishing pole and fishing license and tackle and the time we spent along the river was relaxing, serene and very much enjoyable.  This is what all those Idiot Tourists come to experience in Alaska, and personally, I don’t blame them!  

“Season” is upon Us!

Stellar Air Seaplane ride from Homer, AK

 

“Season” is upon Us!

I’ve never lived anywhere where there were true, distinct seasons.  Born and raised in California you go from winter to summer overnight.  Spring is a mild summer and fall is a cooler summer.  Trees change gradually and if you didn’t see what was in the “seasonal items” aisle at Costco or Walmart, you probably wouldn’t know that there was a transition upon us.

This last month up in Alaska has been amazing to enjoy the transition from winter into spring.  When I arrived mid-April there was still random snow on the ground and the temperature still dipped below freezing over night.  Then literally from dusk to dawn one day buds were on the trees.  Add in two days of rain and all of a sudden all the dead grass from winter turned green and the trees went crazy.  Nature must know that the progression must happen quick because you can just about watch the trees bud and blossom.  One day a lake is still covered in ice and the next day seaplanes are readying to use the same lake for their runway!

Randy and I took off for a weekend down on the Kenai Peninsula and the road that we have traveled many, many times had changed.  Same curves and scenery but the street sweepers have cleaned up the roads, studded tires now need to be off all vehicles plus signs have gone up to not park on the side of the road.  In additon port-a-potties are now set up at highway pull outs, speed limits have been reduced, and additional wildlife warning signs have been put up.  We see more and more 5^th wheels, motorhomes, motorcycles, trucks with off road toys being hauled and locals are trying to get in position before the tourists get here.  This is tourist season!  That time when the cruise ships begin bringing passengers to discover the Last Frontier.  All the shops are reading with logo items and trinkets to be brought home as gifts. 

You can feel all of this in the air.  Alaska is amped up!  Nature is changing.  Ice falls are now water falls.  Frozen lakes and marshlands are showing the birds and animals what they have to offer.  The bears are waking up hungry.  The moose have their young.  Mother nature is happy and thriving!  Days are longer.  Daylight is long.  From dusk to dawn you may only have 5-6 hours of complete darkness.  It will continue to stay lighter and lighter until the summer solstice and by the end of June there won’t be complete darkness.  The added light provides Alaska’s people exciting times to enjoy the outdoors and that energy is contagious. 

It’s difficult to put into words the energized feeling that is shared among the people.  Everyone knows that the summer is short and there’s a lot to do in a short amount of time.  Construction goes nuts.  Road work is in a hurry trying to balance the tourists visiting the state of Alaska and the short time to complete projects before the snow returns.  Summer activities begin, fishing boats going out, seaplanes, glacier cruises, white water rafting and seasonal restaurants and hotels are beginning to open for the season.  Ads on TV switch to activity companies and dinner cruises.

It’s so fun to be a part of this, to feel the energy and enjoy the excitement.  I no longer feel as if I’m the visitor, I am one of Alaska’s children readying for the masses.  As so many people have said to me, I now say to others, WELCOME TO ALASKA!

 

 

My First Break-Up - (Alaskan Style)

My First Break-Up (Alaskan Style)

 

So I have been to Alaska 3 times in the last five months and, as you all know, I love it here.  Everyone says, “Just wait until summer, Just wait until summer!”.  That goes without saying but I am definitely enjoying all the seasons here in Alaska.  Daylight has now surpassed what we are used to in California, temperatures are consistently over freezing during the day, the snow is melting, and spring is just around the corner.  This is what Alaskan’s call “break up”.  Locals may find it dirty and ugly but I see it as a glimpse of what is to come. 

We drove from Anchorage and Seward and back and this was the best indication of breakup.  The roads are clear, snow on the hills and in the mountains, ice walls have turned to waterfalls, the inlet has no more icebergs and just the fast water, ice ponds are turning into lakes and civilization is starting to rebound.  The roads were full with RV’s headed out and transportation companies taking boats to the ocean.  Restaurants in Seward are beginning to see tourists, resorts are beginning to open and activities are changing from dog sleds to ATV tours.  You sure get the feeling that spring is here!

As we look off the balcony of our condo, moose pellets are left on the edge of the forest.  I’m excited to see that there may be a creek through the forest and may attract the animals that we can see and hear mating calls from our windows.  The walking and biking trail at the end of street is now accessible.  The cruise ships haven’t begun to arrive but the tourist traps are gearing up for their arrival.  My stepson and I checked out the Ulu Factory and the Alaska Wild Berry Products and both were empty.  We were able to see their wears and check out their displays without anyone else in their stores.  In a month, that surely won’t be the case. 

In February we joined the Anchorage HOG club and we’re looking forward to being able to ride motorcycles through the Kenai Peninsula and Denali Park among other areas with the club.  At the time, there was very little glimpse that motorcycle riding was even a possibility in this state.  Now, oh man!, we cannot wait!  As we visited the shop today,  Anchorage House of Harley shop is jumping and their service department is getting the customers bikes ready for the season.  Spring is right around the corner.  Out on the road we are seeing more and more people enjoying their 2 wheels of transportation.  Life is Good! 

Born and raised in California our seasons are not pronounced.  The mildness of change can come overnight.  One week is winter and the next is summer.  Spring is endless weeks of 80 degree weather.  Here in Anchorage you can enjoy the snow, dead and frozen brown grass beginning to sprout, people wearing shorts as it’s now 50 degrees, and roads accessible without automatic 4WD.  People emerge and life begins to change.  Halibut fishing season is among us which my husband and son will partake in this week.  No more dog sled ride and Meghan and myself will now venture out on an ATV tour to Knik Glacier this week.  May 1^st begins even more options. 

I look forward to seeing the promise of summer.  Winter was amazing.  Spring with daylight until 930pm at night gives us such promise.  Summer, oh the allure of summer, may just seal the deal.  Anchorage and Alaska gives us such natural love and beauty that just the thought of what summer can bring holds much excitement of what is ahead.   

 

Alaska video

I have been commuting between California and Alaska and have chronicled some of our adventures into a video diary.  Please share in my adventure and enjoy the lovely pictures of our 49th state and the Last Frontier.  The link below will take you to the movie.

http://animoto.com/play/XF9iWXfnYCCIOfQm2ky9Eg

Anchorage -- Let's Go Play!

 

 

So we have been in Anchorage for a week now.  We've gotten acclimated to the weather, driving on ice, and have enjoyed the Anchorage downtown area.  We also got out into the elements and explored into the vast frontier.  This state is amazing!  The people say "Welcome to Alaska" and mean it.  Locals smile and I don't get the impression that anyone is in a hurry.  "Traffic" is 5 cars deep at a red light and everyone makes the light.  To put it in perspective, there are less people in the entire state of Alaska than reside in Los Angeles.  Anchorage is the biggest city with a population of less than 300,000 in the entire municipality. 

Our first road trip we drove from Anchorage down to Seward and back again.  120 miles each way, no problem!  Google maps said it would take just under 4 hrs.  I thought FOR SURE they were lying.  They were not.  :)  The scenery was more than worth it!  We experienced ice roads, snow, rain, snow plows and everything in between.  The road snugged the inlet with ice sheets and broken ice floating with the fast current while on the other side were avalanche areas and ice walls.  From people climbing the frozen waterfalls to snowmobiling to ice fishing and snow shoeing, winter sports are in full swing. 

As we drove from inlet to frozen lakes and then up into the mountains and over the pass you realize that you are such a small part of this vast earth.  It puts into perspective that there is such a bigger existence.  The mountains are so high and they reach into the heavens.  You cannot see where the white of the mountain tops stop and the white clouds begin.  Pictures do not do it justice, although we tried.

We finally reach Seward and realize that if we have lunch and go back then the daylight will be long gone.  Time for a Rockstar and beef jerky (or was it reindeer jerky?) and we begin our journey back to Anchorage before our 6 hours of sunshine is completely gone. 

Having now traveled south, next road trip was a venture up north.  We met Washington State friends who now live in the area, for lunch in Wasilla.  The hour drive north took us into the valley where Moose crossing signs on the interstate are commonplace.  It was another beautiful area with mega scenery.  More snow, more ice, wind and a lovely area that I cannot wait to go back and explore, but next time on sleds!!

BTW ..... I Love Alaska!

Seward Harbor

 

Turnagain Arm

 

 



It's New Years.... Let's go to Anchorage!

Anchorage, Alaska

 

 

Being the wife of a man who works on the road has it's many challenges and advantages.  I've been so fortunate to travel as much as I have being a travel agent but actually relocating to different places around the globe puts a different spin and perspective on the destination itself.  I may stay at our home base in California the majority of the time, but it would be no surprise to say that I do much of the research when a new city is mentioned.  I investigative and work on securing housing, utilities, restaurants, destination information and what there is to do and see when I go to visit.  It LOVE being able to see destinations as a local and not a tourist!

 

As a travel agent, when we visit a city or destination we are brought in, provided transportation to one of the nicest hotels in town, and are lucky enough to be wined and dined so we go home and talk about and sell that destination and their activities.  We see the good, best, and most popular.  These familiarization trips (FAM trips) are a lot of fun, quick and get you excited to go back to our offices to sell.  When Randy begins a project in a new area we go in as prospective residents.  We fly in, find our way to an affordable hotel and begin our adventure.  We meet locals and get a personalized tour from someone within his new office.  They show us the tourist areas, which normally we are told to avoid and then point out what we need to know in order to live here.  We are shown where to go shopping, good restaurants, talk about the local politics, how the transportation system works, what neighborhoods to watch out for and what the local people do on their day off.  These "tour guides" talk from the heart and don't get a commission from the places that they recommend.

 

I have been handed the best of both worlds for a lover of travel. 

 

Our newest adventure is taking us to America's 49th state and the Last Frontier.  Anchorage, Alaska!!

Let our journey begin...

 





My Girlfriend Time!!

My Girlfriend Time!!

Time with your girlfriends is the most rejuvenating.   It can be a quick happy hour, leisurely lunch, shopping trip or our annual girls weekend.  Who else would enjoy Black Friday shopping, a quick glass of wine, or trying to save as much as you can using the Extreme Couponing strategies?  My family would roll their eyes and make up other plans to get out of such craziness!  My girlfriends on the other hand would send out emails in order to get the entire group of us involved.

My girlfriends mean he world to me and I look forward to our girlfriend getaway each year more than anything!  Some years it’s long planned and other years it’s a spur of the moment invitation.  Regardless, it is the most anticipated vacation of my year.  Not all years are there 10 of us, sometimes only 5, but that time away is always the best. We laugh until our face hurts, stomach is in pain, and we literally pee ourselves from laughing so hard!  

During that time away, we break away from reality and only have to think about yourself.  No kids, no spouses, no household duties…. only us.  That is what makes this a true vacation!   Our ideal accommodation is a house or condo that we can all stay together.  We enjoy having a living room that we can all congregate but then bedrooms were we can have our personal space.  We’ve tried having individual hotel rooms and we’ve tried having a couple of different condos but it seems to defeat the purpose of “being together”.  We need one big house, one living room, one kitchen, one fridge, one Jacuzzi etc so we can always be together.  We have found what works best for us at either Lakeland Village in South Lake Tahoe, CA and most recently at Sea Ranch on the Northern California coast near Gualala, CA.   We are always looking for the perfect place and location in order to have other options for our getaways.  Suggestions welcome!

Sitting back and watching the dynamic of a bunch of women on vacation is funny.  You see girls fighting to putter, clean, cook, make beds, fold towels, and other household duties.  We set out snacks, offer refills, straighten the magazine pile, and clear the dinner table.  You cannot change what is automatically programmed in our genes, even when on vacation!  It’s humorous to watch!

Our days are filled with fun activities enjoyed together.  We go out for lunch, make dinner, watch chick flicks, drink margaritas, share good wine, go for a walks, enjoy nature and admire the scenery.  We have massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures.  We shop in boutiques, galleries, book stores, and tourist traps.  We go to casinos and check out local activities.  Some days we sleep in, read books, play on our computers and get caught up on the games we play on our phones.  No matter what are days are filled with, laughs are never missing.  We are able to visit and get caught up on eachother's lives.  This is the what is important.  :)

The time spent together is better than the hour on a psychiatrist couch!  We can solve each others problems, provide support for tough decisions, and commiserate with children and spouse issues.  It’s a reminder for each of us that the grass isn’t always greener, it’s just different.  We all have all lost parents, have adult kids that need assistance, have a home to take care of, jobs to complete and our own sanity to keep on an even keel.  This time together with girlfriends is so important and makes me who I am as a person, wife, mother and friend!

Thank you to Michelle, Vicki, Tracy, Char, Shannon, Stephanie, Stacy, Nicki, Melanie and to all the girls who have spend the girl's weekends with us.