My living room floor is littered with craft supplies, rain gear, and the dark blue uniforms of Un-Cruise Adventures. It’s time for my annual trek to Southeast Alaska and another session aboard my favorite small ship cruise line. Un-Cruise Adventures, with sailings in Alaska, Hawai’i, Baja California, and Washington, strives to be a different experience […]
It is, perhaps, a great irony that someplace so full of raw, untouched wildness, life, and death could be the very setting bringing me the most peace. I’m never really sure whether the intense bursts of adrenaline and miles of hiking are the reason behind my serene smile of utter contentment, or if it’s simply […]
It’s hard for many Alaska visitors to wrap their heads around summer in the 49th state. While their home state may be sweltering in a heat wave of epic proportions, Alaskans might be wishing for sunshine and temperatures above 55F. Or not. Alaska weather is both unpredictable and beautiful, and should in no way interfere […]
I wasn’t expecting to like Tonglen Lake Lodge to the extent I hesitated to leave after a tour this morning. Maybe it was the freshly-baked thyme, apple, and cheddar scone that complimented my hot coffee to perfection. Perhaps it was a fresh breeze high in the spruce tops that brought a toasty 80F down to […]
One of Alaska’s best attributes is the unique partnerships that develop among vendors in the travel and tourism industry. It’s no surprise, given the depth and breadth of activities, and so many ways to reinvent outdoor experiences to meet the demands of a diverse visitor demographic. That said, it always makes me smile when someone […]
Over the past two weeks, I’ve spent more time in Prince William Sound and the community of Whittier than I have during my 10 years of Alaska residence. This scenic area of southcentral Alaska entices thousands of Alaska visitors each year, eager for glaciers, wildlife, and a good dose of “real Alaska.” And they find […]
Simple, clean, and as inviting a space as I’ve ever seen, the Trail of Blue Ice practically begs for use. This five-mile, mostly-flat trail is the darling of many a casual recreation enthusiast, and with good reason. Built over a span of several years beginning with cooperative grants and public funding beginning in 2002, the […]
This essay originally appeared in Alaska Magazine last year. In honor of Mother’s Day, and mothers in general, it is my gift to strong women everywhere (human or otherwise) who sometimes need to do really, really hard things for the sake of their children. “My Alaska Adventure” (Alaska Magazine, April 2013) I shared breathing […]
(sponsored) AKontheGO’ers know how much I rely upon my smartphone. It’s a tool of the travel trade that simply can’t let me down, especially in Alaska where I’m here, there, and everywhere in the best interest of future family travelers. A few years ago, Alaska Communications and AKontheGO began a partnership that has been a […]
It was inevitable, I suppose. The question: “What has been your favorite trip?” When one is a journalist who searches day in and day out the best in kid-friendly adventures, one should expect such a query. But this is Alaska, and it’s not so easy to pick just one. So I picked five. Or, rather, […]
It’s the season all Alaska parents alternately pine for and approach with bated breath. Spring has arrived, bringing warmer temperatures, soccer balls, bikes, trips to the playground, and one more thing: DAYLIGHT. Alaska loves light. Imagine six months of the year (or longer, depending upon your geographic location) during which time you wake up, go […]