My wife is turning 50 today, and as often happens with milestones such as these, family and friends have been busy digging out old photos to share. As I rummaged through my closet this morning lo and behold I found the first photos I ever took of her, from June of 1988. She had just arrived in Alaska for the first time a month earlier, and clearly… she was a Cheechako.

Cheechako is a term Alaskan’s often use to refer to folks who are visiting or have recently arrived in Alaska, usually “from the lower 48″. If you come and visit our great state and someone calls you a Cheechako, not to fear, it is a term generally used in good fun. Sure, you may not know what “bunny boots” are or 101 uses for duct tape, but you are welcome just the same.

Back to those pictures. They were taken at the original Birdhouse Bar, a true Alaskan bar that was located in the little town of Bird Creek, on the highway between Anchorage and Girdwood. The bar was situated in an authentic circa 1903 miner’s cabin, which over time had sunk haphazardly into the surrounding terrain. This all had left the floor quite slanted and difficult to navigate, especially after a few beers. It had a number of interesting traditions, such as encouraging patrons to leave a dollar bill, driver’s license or article of their underwear stapled to the ceiling. The one Bird House tradition reserved just for Cheechakos was the “calling of the Ptarmigan” which, by the way, is the official Alaska state bird. (more…)

Comments(0) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

Anchorage, like all major cities does not have a shortage of restaurants. Even in the middle of our winters, we brave the cold temps and dine out often. But how do you pick great restaurants while visiting Anchorage? Some of the longest standing restaurants provide the best fare in town. Anything from a great breakfast with a unique Alaskan atmosphere to dinner at a small, intimate steakhouse we can point you in the right direction.

Gwennie’s Old Alaska Restaurant located at 4333 Spenard Road, Anchorage, AK, provides a uniquely Alaskan themed restaurant. Either sitting upstairs or downstairs you are surrounded by photos and paraphernalia from the beginning of Alaska’s Statehood to the present. Enjoy a hearty breakfast of Reindeer Sausage, eggs and home fries or something as simple as pancakes and waffles. Known for great atmosphere and food Gwennie’s will satisfy your stomachs and provide a great atmosphere. (more…)

Comments(0) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

There are many options when it comes to touring Denali National Park.  I will breakdown the choices so that you can choose the one that works best for you and your traveling companions.

Shuttle Bus versus Tour Bus
The Denali Park Road travels 92 miles into the heart of Denali National Park and Preserve.  Only the first 15 miles of this road are paved and accessible to private vehicles.  The Park Road, beyond Savage River (mile 15), is only accessible by shuttle or tour bus.  The first choice you need to make is to travel by tour bus or by shuttle bus.

Tour buses offer more of a deluxe Denali experience.  They offer narration which includes the history and geology of the Park, a boxed snack, wildlife viewing and restroom stops.  The drivers work hard to spot wildlife and to give you a complete picture of the national park.  The tour buses are upgraded school buses that have been altered to accommodate motor-coach seats.  This comfortable seating becomes even more important on the longer tours.  The tour bus departs from various Denali hotels.

The shuttle bus offers a less expensive trip into the Park and a way to see the Park at your own pace. This bus does not offer narration or snacks but does make stops for wildlife viewing and restrooms.  The shuttle bus offers traditional school bus bench seating. This bus offers more flexibility for visitors who want to hike and explore the Park.  You can board one bus, get off and explore, then re-board a later shuttle bus either going further into the Park or returning to the Park entrance.  The re-boarding process is based on seat availability so you may have to wait for up to an hour for a bus that can accommodate you.  The shuttle bus departs from the Wilderness Access Center.
(more…)

Comments(4) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

Congratulations to Jeff Bell from Weatherford, Oklahoma for being selected to win our 2012 Alaska Tour & Travel Photo Contest for his photo “Fall Colors at Riley Creek.  ”Fall Colors” was one of over 500 photos submitted to us this year.  Jeff visited Denali National Park in early September and captured some wonderful photos of Mt. McKinley, Alaska wildlife, and the rest of Denali Park. (more…)

Comments(0) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

What should I pack for my trip to Alaska? The question comes up for every traveler.

With Alaska’s diverse climate it can be tricky, so here are a few tips to get you on your way; It’s important to be prepared for a variety of activities and conditions. Alaska’s summer temperatures range from 40 degrees F to 70 degrees F. For more information on our average temperatures please check out our blog on Alaska’s Weather. The first key element in thinking about your wardrobe for Alaska is layers.  On an average day we have a variety of conditions so if you are going to be outside it’s good to layer up with a T-shirt, Sweater or Fleece Jacket, and top it off with a quality Rain Coat.  For the fleece or sweater layer it’s important to consider a wool or polyester product. Cotton is not a good option because once it’s wet, it’s no longer warm.

The second key item would be your footwear. Overall, Alaska is very casual and sneakers are acceptable just about anywhere. I would encourage you to have a comfortable pair of walking shoes or tennis shoes. If you plan to be fairly active you may want to make your second set of shoes a light hiking boot. If a portion of your trip will be by cruise ship you may want to consider a pair of dress shoes.

Here is a list of items to make sure you have included in your packing:

Clothing that can be layered (you may even want to consider a pair of long underwear if you are planning on any hiking, kayaking, or river rafting)

• Rain Coat
• Light Fleece Jacket
• Hat and gloves (sometimes it can be chilly especially out on the water or near any of the glaciers)
• Comfortable Shoes
• Camera
• A Backpack or Carry on type bag
• Binoculars (optional)
• Drivers License and or Passport (a passport is required if you are taking an Alaskan Cruise)
• Insect Repellent
• Personal toiletries
• Medications (some of our remote areas will not have pharmacies available)
• Swimsuit (only if you plan on using the hotel pool or hot tubs where available)

You can find average weather conditions along with links to current weather conditions by Alaska destination here.

Comments(1) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

This past weekend as my family and I headed to Seward I decided that since it was such a nice evening I would try my hand at sea kayaking.  I have only been sea kayaking once out of Valdez with my other son many years ago when he was a teenager.  Ironically, I am here again trying sea kayaking with my younger son who happens to be 16 years old as well.  We decided to take the evening adventure at 6pm with Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking company departing from Lowell Point.  Lowell Point is just a few miles away from the small boat harbor and at the start of the Caines Head State Recreation Park trail area. (more…)

Comments(0) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

I have defined many words in my years of high school. Ranging from ascorbic and acidic, to picaresque and punctilious, I have covered a great breadth of vocabulary. But if I were to be put to the task of defining Alaska, I would be forced to fall short. In a task too daunting, I would simply be forced to write “You must see for yourself.” After exploring Alaska on a recent day trip to Seward, I saw that it could not be simply defined through its glaciers and mountains, or its wildlife and human life. I saw that it could only be defined through a firsthand experience.
 
Many people know the phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words,” but I would take it a step further in saying that an experience is worth a thousand pictures. Millions and millions of photographs exist that depict many aspects of Alaska. But until a person truly experiences Alaska, those pictures will not have any real meaning. Take a picture of a breeching orca, if you are amazed by that still candid, then the true experience will be like no other. To witness such a monstrous creature arc and spout, knowing it is outside all human control, is both breathtaking and new. For it is a natural show, nothing planned, but still much more than any scheduled event.

My girlfriend and I set forth on our day trip to Seward on an early summer morning from Anchorage. We had made the decision to take the Park Connection bus down, and the Alaska Railroad back later that day. Boarding the bus from the Egan Center in Downtown Anchorage, we left at around seven that morning. Because travelers often prefer to take the afternoon bus, our morning departure only had five or six other passengers on the bus with us. Through the first portion of our ride the driver had a good amount to say about Anchorage, Seward, and many of the places we were passing along the way. As we reached the more scenic portion of the drive, our driver allowed us to sit back in the comfortable seating and enjoy all that Alaska had to offer for us. It was almost surreal to watch the rivers flow by, accented by the bright green pine trees and vibrant wildflowers of every color. I soon drifted off to sleep, lulled by the beauty of Alaskan nature.  (more…)

Comments(2) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post

We receive frequent questions regarding driving the Alaska Highway.  How long will it take?  What route should we take?  What services are available?  These are just some of the most common questions.  Alaska Tour & Travel does not offer any lodging or tours along this highway but we thought we should steer those interested to the best travel guides to help with the trip! The Alaska Highway is commonly called the Alcan Highway as it begins in Canada and ends in Alaska.  It was constructed in 1942 to serve as a link between Alaska and the contiguous United States (known locally as the “Lower 48”).  The highway has seen vast improvements since its construction, not only in road conditions but in services provided for travelers.  Now the highway is somewhat of a tourist destination in and of itself, not just a way of getting to Alaska!  Alaska Highway travelers truly experience the vastness of Alaska and are amazed at the scenery and wildlife offered by the last great frontier. (more…)

Comments(7) |  Email This Post |  Print This Post