Visiting the town of Wasilla, Alaska
Anchorage and VicinityIn 2008 the town of Wasilla vaulted into the big time as the home of Alaska’s then-governor (and vice presidential candidate), Sarah Palin. Her meteoric rise to fame and infamy simultaneously brought international attention to Wasilla. Although widely regarded as the hands-do
Shopping in Anchorage: Gifts, Galleries, Malls, and More
An ice rink inside the Dimond Mall. Photo © Jeff Noble, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
Although big-city folks sometimes complain that Anchorage doesn’t have the fancy boutiques they’re accustomed to finding, it does have just about every other sort of place—from Sam’s Club to Nordstr
Best Places to Build a Snowman
For true snow sculpture aficionados, Harbin, China, hosts perhaps the world’s greatest International Ice and Snow Sculpting Festival. The month-long festival draws tourists from around the world to the northeastern corner of China where icy winds blow in from Siberia and bring plenty of sculpting
Ferrying Through Alaska's Inside Passage: A Two Week Itinerary
The ferry approaching Skagway. Photo © jerseygal2009, licensed Creative Commons Attribution No-Derivatives.
Alaska’s Inside Passage consists of thousands of islands spread in a long “Panhandle” hanging from the rest of the state. Most towns here are off the road system, with access by air or
Top Ten Alaska Towns to Visit
As quirky as promised, welcome to beautiful downtown Talkeetna!Photo by Frank Kovalchek licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
Wild places are the heart and soul of Alaska, but a number of small towns merit a visit, especially if you’re looking to see how real folks live. Here are a few of the aut
A Kodiak Adventure: Exploring Alaska's Emerald Isle
Kodiak brown bears. Photo © Shelly Lawson/USFWS, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
Alaska’s “Emerald Isle,” Kodiak Island is a world unto itself. Located 250 air miles southwest of Anchorage, the island is best known for its enormous brown bears, but also features everything from gourmet
Exploring East of Anchorage: Turnagain Arm
The Seward Highway curves around Turnagain Arm and can make for an exceptionally scenic drive. Photo © Frank Kovalchek, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
Anchorage and VicinityCook Inlet bends east from Anchorage, becoming Turnagain Arm. The inlet was named by Captain James Cook’s master
Gold and Oil Fever: The History of Fairbanks Alaska
A gasoline powered velocipede underway near a railroad siding on the Anchorage to Fairbanks railway in 1923. Photo by Mr. Floyd Risvold/USC&GC, in the public domain.
In August 1901, E. T. Barnette was traveling up the Tanana River on the Lavelle Young with a boatload of supplies bound for Tan
Hiking, Climbing, and Seeing the Portage Glacier
Hikers crossing frozen Portage Lake to see the Glacier. Photo © Frank Kovalchek, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
Fifty miles south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway is the turnoff to Portage Glacier and Whittier. A six-mile access road takes you through Portage Valley to Portage Glaci
Visiting Independence Mine State Historical Park
View from Independence Mine in Hatcher Pass. Photo © Dave Bezair & Susi Havens-Bezaire, licensed Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike.
Anchorage and VicinityIt’s hard to imagine a park that better combines the elements of the Alaska experience: scenery, history and lore, and that nob
Planning a Trip to Alaska: Where and When to Go
The Kenai Peninsula is perfect for quick escapes from Anchorage. Photo © Leighton O’Connor/123rf.
For many visitors, planning an Alaskan adventure entails going to a travel agent or website and booking an all-inclusive voyage on the HMS Geezer, where everything is packaged neatly for mass-ma
Visit Eklutna Historical Park and Arctic Valley near Anchorage
Athabascan spirit houses (graves) at Eklutna Historical Park. Photo © Jeffrey Beall, licensed Creative Commons Attribution No-Derivatives.
Anchorage and VicinitySix miles north of Anchorage along the Glenn Highway is the exit to Arctic Valley Road, which climbs seven steep miles to the parkin
A traveler's review of Cooper’s Pack Travel Guides
Photo © Laura Martone.
Last week, I shared with you several tips for traveling with children, which might prove to be helpful for those planning a family vacation. Admittedly, they weren’t my personal suggestions—after all, I don’t have kids of my own and rarely travel with others̵
Exploring Tracy Arm, Fords Terror, and Vicinity
A golden sunset at Tracy Arm fjord. Photo © Noël Zia Lee, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness
Located 50 miles southeast of Juneau, the 653,000-acre Tracy Arm–Fords Terror Wilderness contains country that rivals Glacier Bay National Park but costs half as much
Ferry Service in Alaska
The Malaspina of the Alaskan Marine Highway Service heads for the Auke Bay terminal after a daylong voyage from Haines. Photo © Xa’at, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.Ferries plying the Inside Passage from Bellingham to Skagway cruise up an inland waterway and through fjords far wilder
A Brief History of Nome, Alaska
Nome, Alaska in September 1899. Photo sourced by Snapshots of the Past, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.In 1898 the “three lucky Swedes,” Jafet Lindberg, Erik Lindblom, and John Brynteson, discovered fabulous deposits of gold in Anvil Creek above present-day Nome. Word reached Dawson the ne
Doing business & staying in touch while in United States of America
United States of America: Doing business & staying in touch
United States of America Weather, Climate and Geography
United States of America Weather, climate and geography
United States of America History, Language and Culture
United States of America History, Language and Culture
United States of America Travel Guide and Travel Information
United States of America Travel Guide
