Alaska Glacier Cruise Experience

Alaska Glacier Cruise Experience
By Celia Namart

Alaska is truly a special place, it has been said that the people that chose to live in Alaska are trying to run away from something and avoid it, or that these people are trying to get as far away from society as they possibly can. Alaska is still, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful states in the USA. The impressive mountains, the snow and ocean power make many people come visit Alaska to see and experience it first hand, you will be surprise to learn how many people choose Alaska as their vacation destination.

This place is chosen because of its difference form anything else, it is unlike any other state in the U.S., and in fact it is unique to anywhere else in the world.

Many people who experienced the close contact with the Alaska glacier will tell you that it is an experience unlike any other and that the visit to the glacier is a close look at something amazing, most of the people who just looked at a glacier form far away are not aware of this since they have not seen the glacier from that close, it is truly a once in a lifetime experience. The numbers talk for themselves, as many tourists to Alaska as flocking to the Alaska glacier cruise.

Unfortunately the weather conditions and some new threats are making the glaciers something that needs to be seen now, and not something that we can assume will always be there for us to visit, the global warming effect is just starting to claim it very high toll on the glaciers and because of its effect we know that many glaciers are losing great parts and melting into the ocean. Other problems that raise a serious concerned for the glaciers are new decisions by the U.S. congress makes difficult decisions about the right to drill in glaciers. This situation causes some people to go and see the wonder before it will be gone, or even out of a great concern to the environment.

The way to travel to the glacier by cursing next to it and slowly observing every activity that is happening around it or on it is just perfect, not only perfect it is the natural way to observe these giants since they also have a rhythm of their own, and not rushing to watch the whole glacier as fast as possible will provide you with a much more fulfillment than any other way. This travel method does cost a little more and demands more time, but it is certainly worth it.

There is a very good chance that in your cruise you will witness very special events that take place on the ground, Alaska has an abundance of wildlife and seeing the wild animals in their natural habitat, behaving as they would weather or not you would have been cruising in a considerable distance from them is something as unique as the glacier visits.

In conclusion, the Alaska glacier cruise has something unique to offer, it can be a special vacation for you and you family, the cruise itself is an experience and the glaciers are phenomenal, enjoy this remarkable way to travel and you will not forget it for the rest of your life.

Celia Namart an avid traveler has collected her thoughts and ideas during her many travels around the world, she is now writing travel and vacation tips and advice, as well as her Alaska Glacier travel notes at http://www.glacier.travelzupa.com

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Alaska Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Coming

Alaska - Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Coming
By Roger Sanders

How will I get to Alaska?

Flying

Advantages- Most economical and fastest way to reach Alaska.

Disadvantages- missing the experience of driving the Alaska Highway (ALCAN).

Most tourist that choose to fly to Alaska, arrive at Anchorage. Anchorage is an excellent starting point for your Alaska vacation. From there, the Interior and South Central Regions of the state can be easily accessed. Anchorage has two main exit highways. The Seward highway, which provides access to the Kenai Peninsula, and the Glenn highway, which provides access to the Interior and the Matanuska and Susitna Valleys. These areas have some of the most majestic scenery anywhere.

Driving

Advantages- Driving the ALCAN is adventuresome and memorable to say the least.

Disadvantages- Expensive & time consuming. Many parts of the ALCAN are gravel. A cracked windshield is pretty much guaranteed. Canada has some very strict laws regarding what can be brought across the boarder especially regarding firearms.

Most tourist that choose to drive to Alaska, arrive at Tok. From there the Interior and South Central Regions of the state can be easily accessed.

Cruise Ship

Advantages- Fantastic Scenery of the coastline and Inside Passage.

Disadvantages- Somewhat expensive. Forced to travel with large groups. Somewhat inflexible itinerary. Much time is consumed aboard a cruise ship. It's hard to see the REAL Alaska from the deck of a cruise ship.

Most tourist that choose to cruise to Alaska, arrive at the South Eastern regions of the state such as Ketchikan and Juneau. Practically all the cruise ships provide shore bound excursions and inclusive tours.

What type of Vacation am I looking for?

Small Group Pre-Packaged Vacation

Advantages- Very economical by the inclusiveness of bundling packages such as wildlife viewing, flight seeing etc. Small group environment. Guides are provided.

Disadvantages- Somewhat inflexible itinerary. However, far more flexible than the larger group tours offered via cruise ship or rail.

Remote Lodge Vacation

Advantages- More time spent on activities rather than traveling. Provides the real Bush Alaska experience.

Disadvantages- Somewhat expensive.

Cruise Vacation

Advantages- Fantastic Scenery of the coastline and Inside Passage.

Disadvantages- Somewhat expensive. Forced to travel with large groups. Somewhat inflexible itinerary. Much time is consumed aboard a cruise ship. It's hard to see the REAL Alaska from the deck of a cruise ship.

Self-Guided Vacation

Advantages- Very flexible itinerary. This is the main reason so many people choose the self-guided vacation. However, it can be inflexible. Alaska has a short travel season. Most of the roadside lodges are booked up very early. The same goes for most of the other vendors i.e. flight seeing operators, rafters and so on. Rarely can you just stop in a town and find a place to sleep or a bush plane operator that isn't already booked. So if you're planning a self-guided trip, it is strongly advised that you book as early as possible.

What most self-guided vacationers do today is a mix and match vacation. First they book a pre-packaged tour or a remote lodge vacation the majority of their vacation. Then for the last few days they will rent an RV or a rental car and just drive around taking in the scenery. Many choose to camp out along Alaska's many campgrounds. There are a multitude of roadside streams available for fishing. However, make sure you read the fishing regulations carefully.

Disadvantages- Usually more expensive than a pre-packaged tour. No guides provided. A little more difficult to plan.

Alaska is huge. Many people make the mistake of trying to see the whole state in one trip. You can't experience all of Alaska in two weeks. Most tourist pick a region and enjoy all it has to offer.

What type of Activities & Tours am I looking for?

Fishing

Hunting

Flight Seeing

Rafting

Glacier Viewing

Native Culture

Wildlife Viewing etc...

What type of Alaskan Experience am I looking for?

Do I want to strap on a backpack and sleep in a tent?

Do I want to sleep in a cozy cabin?

Do I want to sleep in a luxury lodge?

Do I prefer a large group tour or small group tour?

Do I prefer a flexible itinerary or one that is flexible?

Do I prefer a self guided tour?

Do I want to see as much or the state as possible or do I just want to relax at a remote lodge?

Do I have the wilderness skills to travel in the Alaskan Bush alone?

What is my budget?

Do I prefer an outside agency plan my Alaska vacation or would I prefer a consultation by someone who actually lives in Alaska?

I have attempted to put together an online Alaskan vacation planner. The goal of this site is to provide you with the tools to plan your vacation yourself.

Alaska By Alaskans Alaska Adventure Vacation Guide
Visit http://www.alaskabyalaskans.com

Roger Sanders
Arrived in Alaska courtesy of the USAF. Alaskan resident since 1994. Owner Alaska By Alaskans Alaska Adventure Vacation Guide.

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Alaska Cruise Lines

Alaska Cruise Lines
By Jennifer Bailey

Among the famous cruise lines offering services in Alaskan seas are the Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, Radisson, Norwegian, Holland America, and American Safari. Each cruise line has its own ships and itineraries, and is most active in the peak season between May and September.

The Royal Caribbean Cruise Liner is one of the most famous Alaskan cruise liners. Its main ship is the Radiance of the Seas, with sister ships Serenade of the Seas and Vision of the Seas. Royal Caribbean provides an eight-day, seven-night Alaskan cruise. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line specializes in cruising along frontier towns, and glacier cruising.

The Princess Cruise Line is highly recommended by cruise critics. Its huge ships are often called floating cities due to the vast number of restaurants, Broadway theatres, casinos, health spas, movie halls, lounges, discotheques and other forms of relaxation present onboard. Their popular ships are the Diamond Princess, Sapphire Princess, Coral Princess, and Island Princess. They have weeklong itineraries, and people can book them either during their northward or southward voyages.

The Celebrity Cruise Line is known for its fleet of large opulent ships like Zenith, Mercury, Infinity, Constellation, Summit, and Millennium. Celebrity has recently launched ships in the Xpedition class, which are made for adventure cruises.

Besides the huge cruise lines, small ships are also very popular. Small ships have better navigation ability and hence are favorites among adventure seekers. Lindblad specializes in its small cruise ships that can hold up to 120 guests. Holland America has five ships, namely Statendam, Veendam, Ryndam, Zaandam, and Volendam, which offer small cruises on the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay.

American Safari provides long as well as short Alaskan cruises in yachts. Their yacht Safari Quest has both five day-four night as well as eight day-seven night cruises. Safari Spirit and Safari Escape also conduct fortnightly cruises to Alaska. Most cruises conducted by American Safari are chartered, and the charter rates for the Safari Quest are about $58,000 for five days.

Alaska Cruises provides detailed information on Alaska Cruise Lines, Alaska Cruise Reviews, Alaska Cruise Ships, Alaska Cruise Specials and more. Alaska Cruises is affiliated with Alaska Vacation Packages.

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Alaska More Than Just A Block Of Ice

Alaska - More Than Just A Block Of Ice
By Michael Russell

Alaska. Talk about a place that's gotten a bum rap. Half the world thinks it's part of Canada and the other half thinks it's just a big block of ice. Well, hold on to your fur coats because there is more to see and do in Alaska than you know.

For starters there's Kenai Fords National Park. Here you can go on a sightseeing cruise to visit some glaciers and see some marine wildlife. The ship sails out of Seward. The park is just 130 miles south of Anchorage. It is made of a range of coastal mountains which slowly sink into the ocean, transforming its former glacial valleys into long fjords with rocky and steep walls. Photos just don't do it justice. You have to see it in person.

While we're on the subject of parks, there's also Denali National Park & Preserve. It features North America's highest mountain, 20,320-foot tall Mount McKinley. The park is more than 6 million acres. Now THAT is a huge park. It comes complete with a sub arctic ecosystem featuring such animals as grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, and moose.

Then there's the Alaska Sealife Center. It's a non profit marine science facility dedicated to understanding and maintaining the integrity of the marine ecosystem. In other words, they're doing everything they can to see that the fish don't end up belly up.

Speaking of fish, if you're into that sort of thing, there's the Homer Spit Fishing Hole. Here you can fish for kings and silvers right off the bank of the Homer Spit.

Then there's the Ididaride Dog Sled Tours in Seward, Alaska. Here you'll find three generations of top-20 Iditarod racers and fourteen generations of champion sled dogs. It was founded by Dan Seavey Sr. in 1965. His oldest son Mitch took over the racing program in 1982.

For those looking to get a bit of an education there's the UAF Institute of Marine Science Seward Marine Center which is a unit in the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. Yes, there is a lot of education in Alaska about Marine life. Considering fishing is one of their main industries it certainly makes sense. The park was established as Mt. McKinley National Park on 26 February, 1917. The original park was designated a wilderness area and incorporated into Denali National Park and Preserve in 1980. The Park was designated an international biosphere reserve in 1976.

Believe it or not, people DO have fun in Alaska. It's not just all ice and snow. There is a nightlife that would give any city a run for it's money.

One of the hottest spots in Alaska is Club Oasis located on Seward Highway. Here you'll find live music, great drinks and no cover charge. This is where those wild Alaskans really let their hair down.

Then there's Chilkoot Charlie's in Anchorage, Alaska where you'll find the famous Bird House Bar, great drinks, music, wild women and non stop fun. You can even cater private parties here.

Yes, Alaska certainly is more than just a chunk of frozen wasteland. When you're in the neighborhood stop on by. You may not want to leave.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Alaska

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Reserving Alaskan Vacations

Reserving Alaskan Vacations
By Seth Miller

Situated in the northwest part of the US, Alaska is awe inspiring with its breathtaking views and diversity. No wonder then that a vacation to Alaska is considered a lifetime experience. However, to ensure that this experience is pleasant, it is important to reserve hotels, transportation, sightseeing and escorts well in advance of the trip.

There are many websites that offer guidance to people who are planning their vacations in Alaska. There are website directories which make it easy for vacationers to choose from the different destinations in Alaska. These provide information about the different packages available, suggestions and product descriptions. They also educate travelers on the various agencies, which specialize in conducted tours to Alaska. It is possible for tourists to reserve themselves either by calling directly, sending e-mail or by filling online forms.

The most important aspect of traveling is to make adequate arrangement for boarding and lodging in order to make the trip a pleasant experience. While making reservations, it is important to first decide on the overall budget for the vacation and allocate to the different cost heads such as accommodation, flight tickets, local transportation, sight seeing and guided tours. Quite obviously, getting good deals on hotel rates is critical to have surplus for the other expenses.

There are many luxury hotels in Alaska that have toll free central reservation numbers or toll free direct hotel numbers. Reservations can also be made online to avail of the best facilities available. To make a trip to Alaska adventurous and exciting, many people reserve comfortable and reliable RV's.

There are many private airplane operators who fly chartered groups to Alaska. It is advisable to book private flights in advance to avoid disappointment.

Alaskan Railroad's adventure packages, day trips and sightseeing tours along the rail belt are a traveler's delight. An Alaskan cruise is another delightful trip that enables tourists to appreciate the region's unspoiled natural wonders. Either of these can be booked online.

There are also many travel referral services dedicated to promoting Alaska's travel and tourism industry that provide information to tourists about reservation and costs involved.

Alaska Vacations provides detailed information on Alaska Vacations, Alaska Fishing Vacations, Alaska Vacation Packages, Alaska Paddling Vacations and more. Alaska Vacations is affiliated with Alaska Cruises and Ships.

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The Alaska Adventure

The Alaska Adventure
By Jonathon Hardcastle

Six months ago, one of my best friends called me to announce that she was going to visit Alaska and participate in a hiking group adventure! I admired her enthusiasm and her ability to overcome with ease any usual reservations one would experience when thinking of exploring an unknown land surrounded by strangers. Although my schedule did not allow me to accept her invitation and join this one-in-a-lifetime excursion, I decided to research on the opportunities Alaska gives to interested individuals and why would it pay off for someone to spend his or her summer vacations on a snow land.

Located on the northwest tier of North America and being the largest U.S. state in area, although the least populated one, Alaska is one of the greatest places one could visit to get a sense of nature's wilderness. Apart from seafood exports, Alaska's economy depends on industries such as natural resource, extraction, shipping and transportation. Recently, Alaska has been enjoying a great increase in its tourism sector. Visitors from around the globe have been allured by Alaska's beauty and decided to discover this land's amazing scenery of calm lakes and snowy mountain tops. Since Alaska is arguably the least-connected U.S. state in terms of road transportation, it offers a great opportunity, for those willing to explore the unknown, to visit its immense landscape by using one of the alternative ways of traveling. Backpacking, hiking and climbing, kayaking, rafting, cruising, dogsled riding, and camping or RV touring, can offer to visitors the chance to perform a number of outdoor activities, like bear watching, birding, fishing, flight seeing, glacier viewing, hunting and wildlife viewing. Alaska constitutes one of the most adventurous places one could visit and people that have explored this icy place on earth stated that its ecotourism is beyond compare.

North to the Future is the official state motto of Alaska, portraying this land as one of promise. If you hope that one of these days you will be given a chance to expose your eyes to Alaska's beauty, stop wishing and act. The Internet offers some amazing deals for you and your friends to enjoy again nature in its fullest and special packages can accommodate your needs and fulfill your wishes. You should always consider visiting a new place during your vacations. Why not exploring one of the purest places on this planet? Alaska is not just another place for you to engage in any outdoor activities. Some believe that it is THE place!

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Outdoors, Recreation, and Travel

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Alaska History of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race

Alaska - History of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race
By Michael Russell

The annual dog sled race in Alaska, the Iditarod race, is held the second Saturday in March each year. The race starts in Anchorage with the finish line in Nome, approximate distance of 1,200 miles. The first race was held March 3, 1973. Since that first race, the popularity of this event has grown through the years, along with the amount of the prize money. The winner of the 1973 race received $50,000 and today that amount has increased to around $500,000.

The mushers spend anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars on the race. Not only do they have the entry fee to pay, but also the cost of their sled, their clothes and equipment; plus the cost of keeping their dogs all year, which estimated total cost of everything runs around $60,000. They do have corporate sponsors who sponsor them, which helps to defray their cost.

The Alaska Iditarod is to Alaska about the same as the Indy 500, the Super Bowl or the Olympics. It is the longest distance dog sled race in the world. It was originated as a tribute to an actual event which occurred during the winter of 1925. During that winter of 1925, a deadly outbreak of diphtheria had struck, threatening all the children of Nome. They needed the serum to fight this disease, but the serum was in the city of Anchorage, over 1,000 miles away to the southeast.

There was one airplane that could have been flown to Anchorage to pick up the medicine, but it had been dismantled and stored for the winter. A large Alaskan wilderness of uninhabited land lay between Anchorage and Nome. There was frozen and rough terrain with no roads. As a last resort, it was decided to try sled dogs to travel to Anchorage and pick up the medicine.

The medicine was taken to Nenana from Anchorage by the Alaska Railroad. A dog sled relay would be used to pick up the medicine at Nenana, a town north of Anchorage. Twenty mushers volunteered to relay the medicine from Nenana to Nome, 674 miles away. It was 50 below zero, when the first musher left Nenana and six days later, on February 2, 1925, the dog team of Gunner Kaassen arrived in Nome. Legend has it that on this last leg of the trip, a big gust of wind turned the sled over, with the life-saving serum falling out onto the snow. Kaassen used his bare hands to dig the serum out of the snow, turned his sled upright and proceeded to finish the trip into Nome.

The lead husky of Kaassen's dog team was Balto. He immediately became a world hero, as the world had been watching this story unfold through newspaper accounts. Balto traveled the United States for two years after the serum run, with people celebrating his heroic deeds that helped save the children in Nome.

Then in 1933 when Balto died, his preserved body was put on display at Cleveland's Natural History Museum. His popularity lives on, as in 1995 an animated movie about Balto was made.

He has become a highlight with the Alaskan children and some are working to get Balto brought back to his home state of Alaska to the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Museum in Wasilla.

Balto is also partly responsible for the Iditarod race which was first started in 1973. It is held to commemorate the courage of the mushers and the dogs who participated in that life or death race to save the children of Nome.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Alaska

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Alaska A Brief History

Alaska - A Brief History
By Michael Russell

Alaska has seen many different people on her land. In 16,000 BC Paleolithic families moved western Alaska after crossing the Bering Land Bridge. Alaska became populated by a variety of Native Americans. It wasn't until the 18th century that Alaska saw the first European influence, the Russians, although there are reports of them settling there much earlier but there is no written indications proving that.

Russia decided that Alaska was one of the best places in the world for fur and quickly established fur trading posts. The Russian-American Company was created for fur trade. It wasn't too long before the land became over hunted. That and the reliance on American supply ships meant the profits of fur trading began to fall. Rather than let the British try to take control of Alaska, Russia sold it to the United States and the Russian-American Company was dissolved.

Russia wasn't the only one who tried to lay claim to Alaska. Spain also sent expeditions form Mexico to explore Alaska in 1775. They stopped at a few places and renamed a few things. And eventually headed back south after a few months. Another expedition was sent in 1791 to search for the Northwest Passage. They ran into the Tlingit tribe and studied their way of life. But it proved toward the end that the rivalry was too much and withdrew with only a few place names kept such as Malaspina Glacier and the town of Valdez.

Not wanting to be left out, the British followed in pursuit of Alaska, in Spain's wake. James Cook, who also has famous ties to Hawaii, mapped the west coast up to the Bering Strait, which proved to be impassable. Even after Cook died in Hawaii after visiting Alaska, his crew continued to sell fur that they had bought in Alaska for a very high price which spurred the British to increase their presence in Alaska.

In today's Russia, there is a myth that still circles, that Russia did not sell Alaska to the United States, but rented the land for 100 years. There also was another myth that circulated that the Untied States deal with Russia was a direct result of bribery and that the United States manipulated the stocks of the Russian American Company. However, the United States bought Alaska from Russia on April 9th 1867 for $7, 200, 00 in gold coins. That would equal to $90, 750, 00 today. The purchase of Alaska was known as Seward's Folly. At the time the purchase was unpopular until later it was discover that gold was in Alaska.

Alaska was considered the Department of Alaska until 1884. There was no government there yet and Alaska stayed under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army until 1887. The United States Department of Treasury took over from 1877 to 1879. It then shifted hands again to the U.S. Navy for 1879 to 1884.

Alaska changed names again to the District of Alaska. But government was too busy with reconstruction after the Civil War to devote any time to Alaska. After gold was discovered in the Yukon Territory in 1896, the U.S. economic depression ended over night. Although gold had not been discovered Alaska yet, but miners had to travel through Alaska to get to the gold rush. It wasn't until 1899 that gold was discovered in Alaska and even more towns were built. Copper mining, fishing and canning also became popular and helped build the population in Alaska.

In 1916 Alaska's population reached 58,000 and renamed the Territory of Alaska. It was also reorganized. It wasn't until July 7th 1958 the President Eisenhower signed the Alaska Statehood Act. Alaska's admission to the U.S. was finalized and recognized as the 49th state on January 3rd, 1959.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Alaska

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City Bethel Alaska: Full of Thrill

City Bethel Alaska: Full of Thrill
By Sumit Sharma

Located on the banks of winding Androscoggin River, Bethel has developed on the rolling Oxford Hills. White Mountain rough foothills back the city. It is not only year round resort but also a wonderful hub of educational center and wood production establishments. The renowned Gould Academy of Maine is established in this city giving it good recognition. Being in the heart of Oxford County, it is breadbasket of gemstones of Maine. A beautiful place amidst the mountains splendor of Maine!

City Bethel Alaska has everything that a city can hanker for. Right from sporting adventures to scenic properties, everything is in abundance. Skipping, jumping, Skiing make your afternoon full of thrill. It proves to be a perfect place for sports freaks. Hiking, swimming, and golfing, all varieties of sports are available here. Besides these, wonderful dining opportunities and movie theatre entertain both the inhabitants and the tourists. Incorporated as a city 200 years ago after changing to the current name from Sudbury, it has deep roots in history.

The city of Bethel was founded in 1855 in Northern Fairfield and it is 50 miles southwest from Hartford. Redding, Danbury, Brookfield and Newtown flank the city as its neighbors. David W. Deakin Educational Park is a famous place in this New England town. It has two great ski areas, Sunday River and Mt. Abram. It also provides nice golf courses and wonderful educational opportunities. The State-owned Bethel Airport is the regional transportation center.

As for tourists attractions, there are many which mesmerize the visitors. To name some of them: Sunday River Ski Resort, Grafton Notch State Park, Big Adventure Center and Goose Eye Mountain. Grafton Notch State Park contains the stunning views of waterfalls and caves.

http://stayresusa.com/hotels-in-bethel.html

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Cruise to Cold and Beautiful Alaska

Cruise to Cold and Beautiful Alaska
By Graham Grant

Alaska is an amazingly popular cruise destination. Hundred of thousands of cruise revelers go there every year and this is due to the breath taking beauty of the Alaska landscape as well as the fact that it has a large coast line ideal for cruising. On those cruises you will not only enjoy the wonderful scenery but you will also enjoy non stop entertainment to make your trip as enjoyable as possible.

The itinerary for Alaska cruises are usually via Vancouver and Seattle which take approximately a week from start to finish. Along the way there will be further stops that vary from one cruise line to the next. Other cruise liners could offer other types of round trips from busy North American ports. Different cruises will typically go to visit different beauty spots of Alaska like the Sawyer Glacier, Glacier Bay, the Hubbard Glacier etc.

As said many different companies offer Alaska cruises each having their own distinct routes to attract different kind of customers. The most popular cruise liners are Celebrity cruises, Holland America Line as well as Royal Caribbean. So depending on what kind of cruise you wish to go on you most definitely would need to check the itinerary offered by each of these companies to see which one you would like the most. Also at different times each of these cruise companies offer different special offers which you may want to take advantage of.

Once you planned the route you want to take, it is important that you pick the best time to go and this is during the northern hemisphere summer or between the months of May to September. During the winter it would be almost impossible for the cruises to make the trip due to the very freezing weather which can in places freeze up the water. To this end it is very important that you book your cruise well in advance of the summer months which is also a good idea because the earlier you book the more likely you are of also picking up a special discount.

Graham Grant is the owner of Cruises - Articles, News, Information,which specializes in providing useful information and resources forpeople who are considering a cruise for their next vacation. For more details click here: Go On A Cruise

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Adventures on Kodiak Island Alaska

Adventures on Kodiak Island Alaska
By Allen Walburn

Visitors to Alaska who travel to Kodiak Island are surprised to find the mulitude of exciting wilderness options that are available. From the moment you touch down in Kodiak you are surrounded by wilderness Alaska. Kodiak is most noted for the large population of Kodiak Brown Bears, the world's largest land carnivore. Polar bears are considered marine animals and only they are bigger. If you visit Kodiak you will not only have a great opportunity to see Brown bears in the wild but also several different speices of whales including humbacks and orcas. The Island also has an enormous population of Sitka Blacktail Deer, Foxes, Bald Eagles, Otters and many more, too numerous to mention.

If fishing is your passion no where is the fishing better or more diverse than on Kodiak. Steelhead and Rainbow Trout frequent many streams and share the waters seasonally with annual runs of Chinook, Pink, Coho and Chum Salmon. When you tire of stream fishing you can move into the salt water for barn door size halibut, rockfish and all of the salmon species. And to make your options more inviting crabs are plentiful around the island also. Check with Alaska Fish and Wildlife for sportfishing permits to catch King, Tanner and Dungeness Crabs. All crabs are are plentiful around Kodiak and can be caught in season with a recreational fishing license.

If you are a sportsman and looking for a diverse opportunity to sample wilderness at it's most exteme and best might I suggest a trip to Kodiak Island and one one the the local villagaes around the Island! Kodiak has a road system that covers over 100 miles. For people seeking more adventure flight seeing or a boat charter around the Island will fill the bill.

Don't forget to think of Kodiak Island when your adventure spirit begins to wander. Kodiak is the premier location for wilderness adventures.

For more information regarding adventure in Kodiak contact Allen Walburn through his website at http://www.kodiakresort.com.

Allen Walburn has been a U.S. Coast Guard licensed master of power vessels up to 100 tons for 30 years. He has operated A&B Charters http://www.aandbcharters.com from the Naples City Dock since 1977. Recently he has become managing partner for Alaska's Kodiak Island resort. http://www.kodiakresort.com

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Alaska: Great Alaska Itineraries & Sample Trips

Alaska: Great Alaska Itineraries & Sample Trips
By Roger Sanders

Tour1 -South Central & Interior Alaska-The Great Land of the North-Self guided tour via rental car or RV.

Day 1
Anchorage- Begin your journey in Alaskas largest city Anchorage.
Activities/Tours Options
Flight seeing/Bear Viewing adventure over to Katmai.
Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum of History & Art or the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum.
Sleep Anchorage

Day 2
Anchorage-Denali-Get up early and hit the road for a truly majestic drive via the Glenn Highway. Turn left and take the Parks highway all the way to Denali National Park. Along the way there are various activities to choose from.
Activities/Tours Options
ATV- Enjoy a true Alaskan pastime at Eklutna just north of Anchorage.
Jet boat tour through south side of Denali.
River Rafting
Flight Seeing- Have your breath taken away with aerial views of Mt.
McKinley/Denali
Sleep: Denali

Day 3
Denali National Park
Activities/Tours Options
Take the Park service guided wilderness tour of Denali National Park. Panoramic views of mountain ranges, rivers, lakes and glaciers provide the backdrop as you look for bears, caribou, wolves, marmots, ptarmigan and other animals. We recommend the full day tour to Wonder lake. Bag a lunch. After the tour continue north to Fairbanks overnight.
Sleep: Fairbanks

Day 4
Fairbanks
Activities/Tours Options
Start the day on a riverboat cruise aboard a sternwheeler.
Gold Panning
Trans-Alaska Pipeline Visitor Center
Add-on Arctic-Take only one or more extra days depending on the tour you choose. Visit Far North Alaska via a guided group tour out of Fairbanks. Explore native culture and more.
Sleep: North Pole

Day 5
North Pole--Kennicott/McCarthy
Head south on the Richardson Highway and enjoy a spectacular drive. Spend the night in Kennicott/McCarthy which lie in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias Park and Preserve.
Activities/Tours Options
Visit the Santa Claus House in North Pole where you can mail a letter from Santa.
Flight Seeing
Sleep: Kennicott/McCarthy

Day 6
Kennicott/McCarthy-Valdez
After spending the full day in Kennicott/McCarthy, head south to the seaside town of Valdez the gateway to Price William Sound. Valdez is also known as Little Switzerland because of the mountains that surround it. On the way, stop at Worthington Glacier.
Sleep: Valdez

Day 7
Valdez
Activities/Tours Options
Take a day boat cruise to Columbia Glacier, the second largest tidewater glacier in North America.
Sea Kayaking
Sleep: Valdez

Day 8 & 9
Seward
Access the Seward Highway via the Alaska Marine Highway through Whittier. The Seward highway heads south from Anchorage through the Kenai Peninsula. Head south to Seward.
Activities/Tours Options
Sea life Center
Full day Combo Halibut/Salmon Charter. Either mail your catch home or take aboard the plane when you fly home..
Exit Glacier
Horseback Riding
Sleep: Seward

Day 10
Anchorage
Return to Anchorage via the Seward highway.
Add-on Remote Fly-out Lodge- By now you are pretty tired. Why not before heading home spend a few days relaxing at a remote Alaskan lodge and enjoy the real Alaska. You can do a little more fishing and perhaps even go on an Alaska hunting adventure as well. This way you could have even more memories to bring home.

Tour 2 -South Central- Anchorage & the Kenai Peninsula-Self guided tour via rental car or RV.

Day 1
Anchorage- Begin your journey in Alaskas largest city Anchorage. That night head south to Seward via the Seward Highway which is considered one of America's scenic byways.
Activities/Tours Options
Flight seeing/Bear Viewing adventure over to Katmai.
Sleep: Seward

Day 2
Seward
Activities/Tours Options
Sea life Center
Kenai Fjord boat tour-See a variety of sea life such as sea lions, otters & puffins.
Full day Combo Halibut/Salmon Charter (this will take an extra day in Seward)- Either mail your catch home or take aboard the plane when you fly home..
Exit Glacier
Horseback Riding
Sleep: Seward

Day 3
Seward-Soldotna-Kenai
Drive through the Chugach National Forest west to Soldotna, famous for Kenai River King salmon, and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, home to Brown bears, moose and other wildlife. Visit nearby Kenai, rich in history and culture, and tour the Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Church, a National Historic Landmark.
Activities/Tours Options
Fishing-Russian River, Kenai River
Rafting
Sleep: Soldotna or Kenai

Day 4
Kenai-Homer
Take a morning drive south along the bluffs of Cook Inlet, where sightings of beluga whales and seals are common. At the end of the road you'll reach Homer, the Halibut Capital of the world.
Sleep: Homer

Day 5
Homer
Activities/Tours Options
Full day Combo Halibut/Salmon Charter (this will take an extra day in Seward)- Either mail your catch home or take aboard the plane when you fly home..
Add-on fly to Kodiak Island, Alaska's Emerald Isle. Explore Kodiak's magnificent coastal scenery by land and by sea, enjoy world-class sport fishing, view Giant Kodiak brown bears which is the largest land carnivore, marvel at the marine wildlife and birds and learn about Kodiak's rich Alutiiq and Russian heritage.
Sleep: Homer

Day 6
Homer-Anchorage
Anchorage
Return to Anchorage and fly home.
Add-on Remote Fly-out Lodge- By now you are pretty tired. Why not before heading home spend a few days relaxing at a remote Alaskan lodge and enjoy the real Alaska. You can do a little more fishing and perhaps even go on an Alaska hunting adventure as well. This way you could have even more memories to bring home.

Tour 3 -South Central- Best of the Mat-Su Valley-Self guided tour via rental car or RV.

Day 1
Anchorage- Palmer
Drive 45 miles north to Palmer via the Glenn Highway. An historic Midwestern style farm town in the heart of the Valley. On the way turn on the Old Glenn Highway and head for Butte.
Activities/Tours Options
On the way to the Valley-ATV- Enjoy a true Alaskan pastime. At Eklutna just north of Anchorage.
Reindeer Farm
Grocery Shopping- Stop by Pyrahs Pioneer Peak farm in Butte and pick your own vegetables.
Musk Ox Farm
Wolf Country-See real Alaskan wolves
Independence Mine State Historical Park
Sleep: Palmer

Day 2 & 3
Palmer - Paxton
Travel north on the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway to visit the Matanuska Glacier, Alaska's largest road accessible glacier. In Paxton you are at the gateway to the Denali highway. This is not a highway but a gravel road. This road which is 110 miles has what many consider some of Alaska's most majestic scenery. This is the remote Alaska you've been looking for.
Activities/Tours Options
Berry Picking
Fishing- along the roadside streams
Hiking
Fantastic wildlife viewing- If you listen at night there is a good chance you will hear wolves.
Sleep: Campgrounds along the Denali Highway roadside.

Day 4
Denali Highway-Talkeetna
Drive to Talkeetna
Activities/Tours Options
Enjoy the many souvenir shops in Talkeetna.
Jet boat tour through south side of Denali.
Flight Seeing- Have your breath taken away with aerial views of Mt. McKinley/Denali
Sleep: Talkeetna

Day 5
Talkeetna to Anchorage
Drive to Wasilla then drive to Anchorage.
Activities/Tours Options
Historic Dorothy Page Museum in Wasilla.
Fishing-The Little or Big Susitna rivers
Iditarod Headquarters-Take a real dog sled ride.
Add-on Remote Fly-out Lodge- By now you are pretty tired. Why not before heading home spend a few days relaxing at a remote Alaskan lodge and enjoy the real Alaska. You can do a little more fishing and perhaps even go on an Alaska hunting adventure as well. This way you could have even more memories to bring home.

Tour 4 -South Central- Mix & Match- Combine any of or parts of the Self guided tours above with a Small Group Pre-Packaged or Remote Lodge Vacation.

Money Saving Tip
What most self-guided vacationers do today is a mix and match vacation. First they book a pre-packaged tour or a remote lodge vacation the majority of their vacation. Then for the last few days they will rent an RV or a rental car and just drive around taking in the scenery.

Pre-Packaged Advantages - Very economical by the inclusiveness of bundling packages such as wildlife viewing, flight seeing etc. Small group environment. Guides are provided.

I have attempted to put together an online Alaskan vacation planner. The goal of this site is to provide you with the tools to plan your vacation yourself. I hope this article was helpful.

Alaska By Alaskans Alaska Adventure Vacation Guide

Alaska's Other Ferry System

Alaska's Other Ferry System
By Michael Miller

You hear a lot about the Alaska Marine Highway System, and no wonder. It's been around for more than four decades now doing yeoman service for Alaskans and Alaska visitors who are looking for a ferry cruise from the Lower 48 states to Southeast Alaska, Prince William Sound,and even to the Aleutian Islands. It's been a perennial huge hit.

But have you heard about Alaska's other ferry system - the passenger and vehicle ships of the Inter-Island Ferry Authority?

Unless you live in Ketchikan or in one of the communities on Prince of Wales Island or in Wrangell or Petersburg the name probably means little to you. That may change.

What they have - the people who live in these Southeast Alaska communities - is a really splendid little ferry operation connecting three islands and more than a half dozen communities to each other and the outside world. For Alaskans or visitors from Outside who are looking for an easily accessible Off the Beaten Path experience for a few days or longer the routes of the Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA) can be ideal.

Two Vessels

This pleasurable travel opportunity is possible because of IFA's two vessels: the m/v Prince of Wales which entered service in 2002 and the new-in-'06 m/v Stikine. Both ships are 98 feet long and can carry 160 passengers and 35 standard-size autos. And make no mistake about it, these are no plain and simple utility craft. Each contains a comfortable forward observation lounge with recliner chairs, reading room, a quiet room for passengers who need privacy, galley and restaurant, and a solarium. And attention parents or grandparents traveling with children: Each ferry contains a youngster's playroom.

Prince of Wales connects Ketchikan twice daily in summertime with Hollis on Prince of Wales Island (POW) and 1,100 miles of paved and gravel roads. These highways run through forests and alongside streams, lakes, saltwater inlets and bays. The fishing can range from good to grand and the wildlife viewing and birding can be equally superb. Colorful totem parks exist in Hydaburg, Kaasan, and Klawock. And for a walking tour unique in Alaska the U.S. Forest Service offers escorted underground excursions (bring your own flashlights) through the El Capitan limestone caves in the northern portion of POW. (The USFS asks for two days notice; call 1-907-828-3304 for details.)

Especially for visitors with RVs or autos the travel opportunities are the stuff of dreams. You'll find a number of government and private campgrounds and if you're not a camper don't despair. Friendly Alaskan hosts run lodges and B&Bs in the larger communities on the island as well as in Wrangell and Petersburg where you'll find comfortable hotels as well. After a day or two (or a week or two) of exploring POW travelers have only to drive to Coffman Cove Thursdays through Sundays to catch the new Stikine for a two-hour, 45 -minute ride to Wrangell on the island of the same name. The Stikine then proceeds on a one-hour journey to the southern end of Mitkof Island and 25 miles of road travel to Petersburg. Wrangell and Petersburg also are served by the ferries of the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Wrangell and Petersburg

You may have heard about many of the visitor attractions in Wrangell and Petersburg. At Wrangell you can book Stikine River tours up one of America's swiftest flowing navigable rivers, as well as a daycruise to observe and photograph the bears at Anan Creek. Too, you can view ancient petroglyphs along the city's shoreline, play a round of Muskeg Meadows golf, or take in a flick at the community's new movie theater. On Chief Shakes Island in the middle of the community boat harbor you'll find one of the most varied and photogenic totem parks in the Alaska panhandle. The Tlingit tribal house on the island is no small item of interest as well.

Petersburg, known as Little Norway because of its Nordic heritage and dcor, also provides access by daycruise to nearby thundering LeConte Bay and Glacier. Petersburg, you'll find, is an easy walkabout community. If you take a stroll be sure to visit the Clausen Memorial Museum where you can view a record 126.5-pound king salmon, the old Cape Decision light station lens, a Tlingit canoe and all kinds of old time fish processing equipment. At least one eagle is almost always in residence at Eagle Roost Park and whale watching can be awesome on day cruises from the community or from Outlook Park on Sandy Beach.

Ketchikan

At Ketchikan where travel aboard the Prince of Wales begins or ends the things to see and do are well nigh endless. You'll find three world class totem collections in the community - at Saxman village just south of Ketchikan, at Totem Bight State Historical Park 10 miles north of town, and at the Totem Heritage Center in the City Park near downtown. The heritage collection contains nearly three dozen magnificent ancient totem poles or fragments, retrieved from outlying deserted Tlingit and Haida villages. The center ranks as the largest exhibit of original totems in the United States. Other monuments in cedar may be seen around the community.

The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center on Ketchikan's Main Street near the waterfront is one of four federal Public Lands Information Centers in Alaska where visitors can gather tons of information about travel throughout Southeast Alaska and the entire state. Fishing charters abound in the city, as do daycruises to outlying attractions such as nearby Misty Fjords National Monument. A new (in 2005) attraction, Alaska Canopy Adventures, offers zipline tours, during which visitors zip through Southeast Alaska forest canopies at 35 miles per hour - suspended in harness from treetop cables sometimes 135 feet above the forest floor.

Want to know more about the Inter-Island Ferry Authority, including senior discounts on both vessels? Contact the IFA toll-free at 1-866- 308-4848. The authority also hosts an excellent informative website at www.interislandferry.com.

# # #

Copyright (c) 2006 by Mike Miller; all rights reserved

Alaskan travel writer Michael Miller lives in Juneau where his current passion is publishing an information-packed website about Alaska cruising and ferry travel: http://www.AlaskaCruisingReport.com. Says Miller: It's all there - all the cruiseships, all the lines, all the ferries and all the ports plus excursions, health afloat, Alaska family cruising, and even a fun Alaska travel trivia quiz. Miller has authored or contributed to a number of books (Fodors, Sierra Club Books, Globe Pequot, The Milepost and others). He also writes for TravelAge West (for travel agents) as well as for major newspapers and magazines.

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Alaska Cruising 2006A Quick Overview With Links to All the Cruiselines

Alaska Cruising 2006-A Quick Overview, With Links to All the Cruiselines
By Michael Miller

Thinking about an Alaska cruise this summer? You've got tons of options along the sea routes of he Great Land in 2006. And few, if any, passengers who make the trip will return home disappointed in this region of towering mountains, lush forests, endless acres of untrammeled wilderness, whales in the water and brown (grizzly) bears on shore. Equally exciting: Alaska Native cultures still vibrant and living, and Sourdough goldrush history still reflected in many structures and sites connected to the Klondike stampede to the Yukon.

16 Cruiselines, 47 Vessels

Among voyaging choices: No fewer than 16 cruiselines will dispatch a total of 47 big and little vessels on literally hundreds of sailings this spring, summer, and fall. And that doesn't include Alaska's 11 wide-ranging state-owned passenger and vehicle ferries, most with staterooms and food service. You can board a couple of these ships as far south as Bellingham, Washington.

Some of the major vessels in the cruiseliner fleet -- floating grand resorts actually, with swimming pools, fitness centers, Vegas-style shows, casinos, movie theaters, and lounges -- will accommodate more than 2,000 passengers per sailing. In contrast, some of the smallest ships will pamper only a dozen or so.

Cruiseship ports of departure include Seattle, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Prince Rupert, plus a number Alaska coastal communities - among them Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau, Cordova, Whittier, and Seward.

Cruise lengths: 3 Nights to 24

Cruise lengths vary. You can book a short cruise of three nights/four days in Prince William Sound or you can sign up for a traditional seven-night/eight-day roundtrip Inside Passage voyage from Seattle or Vancouver to Southeast Alaska and return (longer from San Francisco). Or you can book a seven-night/eight-day one-way Gulf and Glaciers cruise between Vancouver and Seward or Whittier. If you have the time (and budget) you may opt for an expedition sailing. Longest is 24 nights/25 days and includes the Bering Sea and even Russian ports and cruising areas.

Glaciers

Of course, an Alaska cruise would hardly be an Alaska cruise without a day or more at major glacier viewing sites, among them: Glacier Bay National Park north of Juneau; Hubbard Glacier, which flows off Wrangell-St.Elias National Park into Disenchantment Bay and Russell Fjord north of Yakutat; twin Sawyer glaciers within the U.S. Forest Service's Tracy Arm-Ford's Terror Wilderness Area between Juneau and Petersburg; and Southcentral Alaska's Prince William Sound with College Fjord and other glacier-rich sites.

Cruisetours

If you want more than sea travel you can book the increasingly popular option of a cruisetour. That is, before or after your cruise you can experience the likes of a tour to Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Prudhoe Bay (on the shores of the Arctic Ocean), Canada's Yukon Territory, or other popular land destinations.

For cruiseline-by-cruiseline itineraries and options, following are the names, phone contacts, and websites of the 16 companies cruising Alaska in 2006.

Large-ship Cruiselines, 1,000 to 2,672 passengers

Carnival Cruise Lines, 1-800-CARNIVAL (http://www.carnival.com)

Celebrity Cruises, 1-800-437-3111(http://www.celebrity.com)

Holland America Line, 1-800-637-5029 (http://www.hollandamerica.com)

Norwegian Cruise Line, 1-800-327-7030 (http://www.ncl.com)

Princess Cruises, 1-800-PRINCESS(http://www.princess.com)

Royal Caribbean International, 1-800-722-5045 (http://www.royalcaribbean.com)

Companies With Mid-Size Vessels, 300 to 999 Guests

Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, 1-866-314-3213(http://www.rssc.com)

Silversea Cruises, 1-800-722-9955 (http://www.silverseacruises.com)

Smallship Lines, Serving a Dozen Guests to 299

American Safari Cruises, 1-888-862-8881 (http://www.americansafaricruises.com)

American West Steamboat Co., 1-800-434-1232 (http://www.americanweststeamboat.com)

The Boat Company, 1-360-697-4242(http://www.theboatcompany.com)

Clipper Cruise Line, 1-800-325-0010(http://www.clippercruise.com)

Cruise West, 1-800-888-9378 (http://www.cruisewest.com)

Discovery Voyages, 1-800-324-7602 (http://www.discoveryvoyages.com)

Lindblad Expeditions, 1-800-EXPEDITION (http://www.expeditions.com)

Maple Leaf Adventures, 1-888-599-5323 (http://www.mapleleafadventures.com)

Ferries

Alaska Marine Highway System, 1-800-642-0066 (http://www.FerryAlaska.com)

BC Ferries, 1-250-386-3431(http://www.bcferries.com)

Copyright 2006 by Mike Miller. All rights reserved.

Alaskan travel writer Mike Miller lives in Juneau where his current passion is publishing what he believes to be the most information-packed website about Alaska cruising and ferry travel on the web:http://www.AlaskaCruisingReport.com Miller has authored or contributed to a number of books (Fodors, Sierra Club Books, Globe Pequot, The Milepost and others) and contributes to TravelAge West (for travel agents). He frequently writes for major newspapers and magazines.

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A Brief History and Tour of Alaska

A Brief History and Tour of Alaska
By Michael Russell

Alaska may be the next-to-youngest state, but it also the largest state of the United States of America. Alaska shelters Point Barrow, which is the northernmost point in the United States, as well as Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in all of North America. Though Mount McKinley was named for William McKinley (the 25th President of the United States), the native name for this peak is Denali, the Great One. The land seems to be covered in snow most of the time and for good reason: almost a third of this huge state already belongs to the Arctic Circle.

The State of Alaska is a peninsula, just like the state of Florida. The main land territory of Alaska protrudes out of the northwest corner of the North American continent resembling a big thumb on a doubled-up fist. Alaska contains hundreds of islands, with the Aleutians as its biggest chain. On the western side, the state is only 55 miles from the Asian continent, which comes as no surprise since the mainland of the two continents used to be connected thousands of years ago. Now, they are separated by the Bering Strait while the international date line runs between Alaska and Russia's Big Diomede Island.

The Alaskan coast is ragged with a huge number of bays, sounds and inlets. From the air, the Alaskan Peninsula looks like a long, carrot shaped piece of land. The state includes four major land forms of the US: the Pacific Mountain region, the Arctic slope, the Interior Plateau and the Brooks Range. Most of Alaska is flat and treeless with permanently frozen subsoil known as tundra. The Yukon is the great river of Alaska, which crosses the Interior Plateau at the distance of more than 1200 miles and empties into the Bering Sea. The state also has many naturally lakes, the largest of which is the Ileamna Lake which covers about 1000 mi. at the northern end of the peninsula. The general coastline of Alaska is longer than the general coastline of all 48 continental states. Its total shoreline is almost 34000 miles long.

Alaska is inhabited by three major groups - Eskimos, Indians and the Aleuts. They refer to their state as he Great Land. Most Alaskans are adventurous people who have lived most of their lives answering the challenges of the last United States frontier.

Alaska had no government of its own to develop its rich natural resources for many years. Its history has been spotted with gold rushes and men trying to strip the land of furs and fish. Russia had even owned Alaska for more than a hundred years. During this time, so many fur seals were killed that only a fraction of them survived. Even then, uncontrolled hunting almost left the sea otter extinct. Then, the United States bought Alaska in 1867 and the land lay almost forgotten for many years. Interest in Alaska returned in 1896 with a new gold rush calling men back to it. However, many of the gold seekers returned to home disappointed. At the end of the Gold Rush, some Alaskans compared their land to Cinderella, whose riches were depleted at the stroke of midnight. This continued until 1959, more than 90 years after the purchase, when Alaska gained control of its resources and was granted statehood.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Alaska

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Alaska The Beauty The Lure Its People

Alaska - The Beauty - The Lure - Its People
By Michael Russell

Just the mention of Alaska to some people almost immediately precipitates thoughts of ice, snow, wild animals, isolation and relentless harsh cold winter conditions. And although Alaska does have the other seasons as well however short lived like fall, spring and summer arrayed with a multitude of spectacular flowers to gaze upon and a variety of berries and vegetables to pick from and enjoy, to many people Alaska just equals cold. Brrr.. Some first impressions are just hard to chase away.

For others, those who call Alaska home, the true Alaskans you might call them, the challenges that come with the mysterious Alaskan territory are just a part of the enticement and lure of the Last Frontier. Just like love with its broad range of ups and downs and twists and turns, Alaska also has its own idiosyncrasies and a distinctive price of its own to be loved, lived in and enjoyed.

The price of course is the uncertainty, the variant cold, the breathtaking yet perilous wilderness and the shocking barrenness in unexpected places. It's also the differences in how and when things grow and mature, or whether a thing will grow at all. And it's the people. Oh yes, it's also the Alaskan people themselves. Alaska was made just for them so one can't very well leave them out of the picture. They too are different. Even those who are destined to later become Alaskans are different. Ironically, Alaska seems to have called them to her.

Alaskans - they are all from a different but indispensable breed of people, one long forgotten. You might even go so far as to say that Alaskans are a last best hope for any nation; a remnant reminder of what good men and women of honor and integrity from any nation look like when living under duress and hardship. Alaskans are like the end result of refined gold or silver. The many hardships and trials that the Great Land of Alaska serves up seems to purify and refine a people, any people and it makes this particular breed of people overcome, stand out, excel and shine in splendor giving glory and honor to the God who created them.

Alaskans are a strong, sturdy and hardy strain of good people. Although they appear to have strange and peculiar ways, they are a type of people you used to read about; the type of people your grandparents told stories about during family gatherings at picnics and campfires. Those were the stories you wanted to hear over and over again. Those are the stories we all stop and listen to. Stories about mysterious brave men and women who did what others were too afraid to do, went places others were too afraid to go and tried new things against all odds and endured through hardship after hardship. Stories about a stubborn people who refused to let life dictate to them or beat them down. These strange people took what life had to offer and made it better. They made it their own and also opened their arms to share with all. All of this is and more is Alaska.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Alaska

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Capital Cities Tour: Discover Juneau Alaska

Capital Cities Tour: Discover Juneau, Alaska
By Priscilla Faith Rhodes

Extreme best describes Alaska, America's outermost northern state, one-third of which lies in the Arctic Circle. Although Alaska is the largest state in the Union, (two and a half times bigger than Texas), its rough terrain prohibits intercity travel. As a result, each Alaskan city and town preserves its unique charm and village-like quality, marked with ancient totem poles. Towering snow-covered mountains with menacing jagged peaks preside over charming little towns of humble, one- and two-story wood buildings. American Bald Eagles soar over the onion domes of Russian Orthodox churches, reminiscent of the time when Alaska belonged to Russia.

Alaskas landscape is primitive, pristine and perilous. Its exotic blue ice for example, (referring to Alaskas turquoise ice floes that sail passively over a midnight sea), seems as gentle as deer, yet as deadly on waterways as deer are on highways. This stunning blue ice floats silently beneath towering glacier walls called white thunder, so called because they look like white, foamy tidal waves frozen in midair.

Although the modern worlds cruise ships and airlines frequently penetrate this massive snow-fortified land, much of the state remains a vast wilderness that defies man's taming or domestication. Alaska is full of awe-inspiring beauty and deadly dangertwo extremes of Mother Nature's personality. As the state's unofficial nickname claims, it is The Last Frontier.

STATE TOURIST INFORMATION (907) 929-2200, JUNEAU

Juneau is the only landlocked capital in the United States. No major roads travel in or out of the city. However, frequent air and boat service make this hard-to-reach capital a manageable trek thats worth the effort and expense to get to. Where else can you find state business being conducted at the base of a snow-covered mountain, down the street from a moving glacier, close to a lush rain forest, in a wilderness where bears roam freely, Bald Eagles soar; a city where Tlingit totem poles stand, onion dome Russian Orthodox churches rise, and the remnants of 19th century gold miners mark their distinctive claimall in one city?

Things to See in Juneau:

Alaska Statehouse

Built in 1931, the Territorial and Federal Building became the State Capitol in 1959, and has housed the state legislature, governor's office and Lt. governor's office ever since. Four columns of Tokeen marble from Prince of Wales Island south of Juneau, embellish the exterior brick-faced concrete structure. The Alaska State Seal in the lobby, made of gold nuggets from Alaskas Gold Rush era greets visitors. The doors to the Senate Chambers have handles of hand cast brass etched in totemic symbols representing an eagle, a whale and a bearstill commonly found in Juneau to this day.

Check it out . . . The portrait of former state senator Bettye Fahrenkamp shows her wearing earrings of native symbols that mean in one ear, out the other. She wore them during all Senate sessions.

Check it out . . . The map of Alaska on the third floor is made from a piece of the Trans-Alaska pipeline.

Alaska State Museum

Founded as a territorial museum in 1900 the Alaska State Museum today displays Alaskas natural history, native history, state history, art and culture with exhibits containing more than 23,000 artifacts and works of art.

Check it out . . . The Alaska Native Gallery includes a Northwest Coast clan house complete with totems, a 38 ft. umiak, a whaling boat made from driftwood covered with walrus skins and the states unique bentwood hunting hat.

Check it out . . . The Natural History Gallery exhibits Alaska's bald eagles in a full-sized nesting tree that includes seven eagles at various stages of life, from egg to adult.

St. Nicholas Church

St. Nicholas Church, situated above downtown Juneau is the oldest original Russian Orthodox church in Alaska. A gilded gold onion dome crowns a humble, thatched roof cottage of white clapboard trimmed in Nantucket blue. The bell hanging from a small steepled doorway beckons visitors inside where solemn, 19th century Russian icons and liturgical items transport one to Russias past.

Tip: Weekend services sung in English, Tlingit, and Old Slavonic are held Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings.

Mendenhall Glacier

One of Alaska's most popular attractions, Mendenhall Glacier, is just few miles from downtown. So close to town, yet so far from civilization, this primordial mass of ancient ice stretches 12 miles, spans a width of 1-1/2 miles, and is 400-800 feet deep, depending on where you stand. Naturalist John Muir considered it one of the most beautiful of the coastal glaciers. An easy trail along Mendenhall Lake leads to close-up views of this massive chunk of ice and rock, which is merely one arm of the colossal Juneau Ice Field, a 1500-square-mile block of ice larger than the state of Rhode Island.

Tracy Arm Fjord

A natural fence of jagged white mountains surrounds this narrow, deep waterway. The base of the mountains descend almost in equidistance to the depths of the greenish blue water below. Triangular ice floes that look like huge wedges of aquamarine pie topped with whipped meringue on a crust of snow sail past boats half their size. Waterfalls spew out between a fringe of evergreens, cascading into an awaiting green sea, synchronized like the well-rehearsed leap of a ballerina into the arms of her anticipating partner. The wide-winged Bald Eagle commands the skies overhead as whales, seals, porpoise, and other wildlife splash and splatter below in their private swimming hole, protected by glacial stone palisades. The waterway is like a gigantic moat shimmering past a glorious ice palace. Glaciers, waterfalls, feathery green pines, and flirtatious ice floes of translucent blue and opaque white make this a wintry fairyland to dazzle the eye and make ones heart soar with the eagles.

Priscilla Faith Rhodes is the author of DISCOVER AMERICA DIARIES: 50 STATES, 50 STATES OF MIND, and co-publisher of the award-winning website, Postcards from America, http://www.postcardsfrom.com, a edu-travel site that helps students and families learn about America through postcards.

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The Best Way To See Alaska Is On An Alaskan Cruise

The Best Way To See Alaska Is On An Alaskan Cruise
By Mary Hanna

Nothing is more fun and exciting than taking a cruise. But why not go one step further and take a cruise in Alaska. It is just a matter of making up your mind that it is time to take an Alaskan cruise and see one of the natural wonders of the world. An Alaskan cruise will be a beautiful memory.

There are various ways to cruise in Alaska; here are a just few of them:

Alaska Inland Cruise you will have the chance to visit all the inland wonders of Alaska. You will surely be captivated with icebergs and glaciers. It is truly amazing to see walls of ice that are thousands and thousands of years old. When you see the icebergs calving you will be awed. The Alaskan inland cruise is offered by all of the Alaskan cruise ships.

Alaska Day Cruise is just what it states, a tour on a day cruise. You can have a face to face with a huge wall of ice on an Alaskan day cruise. Or experience the beauty of dancing humpback whales. Of course, this is only practical for people who are doing a land package in Alaska.

Alaska Celebrity Cruise this is the so-called first class cruise of Alaskan ships. You will experience more royal treatment with a Celebrity cruise. On the other hand, this is a little more expensive among all the Alaskan cruises.

The usual attractions that passengers love about Alaskan cruises are the humpback whales, deep sea fishing and sailing through the Fjords and glaciers. The sights you will see will amaze you. Nothing can compare to the magic of Alaskan cruises. This is the only place where you will see the mighty glaciers and experience incredible wildlife.

The Alaskan cruise package that you choose will also determine the length of your stay. Usually, most Alaskan cruises are seven-day cruises. This is enough time for you to explore the intriguing ports of Alaska. However, the length of your stay can also be extended to as long as 14 days.

The other option is to book a day or two pre or post-cruise package where you can stay in Anchorage or even Vancouver. Many of the cruise lines run what is called land tours. This is where you take your cruise than you board a train that will take you through Alaska to places like the Denali National Park. It includes first rate accommodations and usually lasts 10-14 days including your Alaskan cruise.

Consider the size of the ship before you book your Alaskan cruise. On a smaller ship you will have less passengers and less competition for the incredible views. The smaller ships can also get into smaller coves that are less traveled.

On the bigger ships with more than a thousand passengers, it is harder for you to get out of the crowd, get a closer look, or even touch one the glaciers. But be aware that on the larger ships you will find more amenities.

Find the best Alaskan cruise that will fit your needs. When taking an Alaskan Cruise be sure to book some of the Alaskan cruise tours offered by the cruise line. Some of the tours offer amazing trips like a helicopter ride where you will land on one the glaciers. If you want to experience a real adventure, book the tour where you go dog sledding. (Book it early it sells out fast). Go to a salmon hatchery and watch the bears eating the fish.

Nothing will ever compare with an Alaskan cruise; this will be a cruise of lifetime.

What are you waiting for?

Happy Cruising!

Copyright Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com, http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com, and http://www.CruisingTips.com

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Visiting Alaska The Domain of Mother Nature

Visiting Alaska The Domain of Mother Nature
By Richard Chapo

These days, it seems like humans are everywhere. Finding an adventure is outright impossible. A visit to Alaska, however, will convince you there is still open space in the world.

Visiting Alaska The Domain of Mother Nature

Make no mistake, the northern most state in the United States is the domain of Mother Nature. While there are pockets of civilization in Anchorage, Juneau and a few other spots, the vast majority of Alaska is untamed. With the exception of Siberia, this makes it one of the last great open spaces on our planets.

For pure beauty, it is hard to beat Alaska. Once you hit the open spaces, your appreciation of nature cannot help but increase dramatically. From soaring mountain ranges to wide open spaces that seem to go on forever, the state is candy for the eye. A trip to the areas with glaciers can be dangerous as mosquitoes tend to fly into your mouth since it is open in wonder all of the time. Unfortunately, the glacier areas are receding in many places do to increased temperatures on our planet, which means you should go sooner than later.

One of the best ways to experience Alaska is to undertake a fly in adventure. Fly in trips put you in very remote areas, ones that can only be accessed by plane. You can fly in for fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, rock climbing and skiing trips to mention only a few. Regardless of your choice, you will develop a new respect for the world around you after the plane has been gone for a couple days. It is truly amazing to think what the original explorers must have gone through.

An excellent way to experience Alaska is to take a ferry up and down the coast. The views in the bays are amazing. Of particular interest are areas where the glaciers are calving into the bays. If at all possible, you should rent kayaks and paddle up to them. The glistening ice and size of the glaciers is simply stunning.

When visiting Alaska, it is vitally important that you bring a good camera with lots of film or data storage for digital models. Inevitably, you will start clicking off pictures at an amazing rate.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of travel journals.

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Alaska Fishing Tours Picking The Best

Alaska Fishing Tours - Picking The Best
By Susan Dean

Alaska fishing tours are the best money that you can spend on your fishing trip to the north. You have heard that they have a fish here, called the King Salmon. You have heard that it is often caught at a weight of 50 pounds or more. You are ready to spend a weekend or longer on those waters, searching for your fish. But, because you are a newcomer to the region, chances are that youll need to find a little help with luring them in. A tour can be the best way to do just that.

Why Take A Tour?

Guided fishing trips are essentially an added bonus to fishing. Just think about it. You are able to get into the water in a location where it has been known that your specific type of fish is lurking. You can often find a guide willing to take you and your small group of friends to a remote location where there is a hot spot for trout. Or, you may find that you just are not good with fly fishing just yet. These guides are more than willing, most of the time, to provide you with a little information about how to improve your skill.

The tour will take you to many of the best locations around the state. Youll also find some of the best salt water fishing right off the southern coastal areas. For your trip, you may want to explore the best known local location to catch the King Salmon or you may be after the trout that are also huge and beautiful.

Where To Get Them

Many of the tourists that head to Alaska do so just for a specific fishing trip. If you are to be one of them, do a little planning before you head out. The best thing that you can do is to plan your trip to the right areas before hand. The good news is that youll find extensive planning guides online to help you. Visit the states website and find out where the best Alaska fishing tours are. Your first goal is to find the best location for the type of fish that you are after. Although just about every area of Alaska is teaming with beauties, some areas are more well known for specific types.

Now that you know where you are going, get ready to find the right guided tours offered in that area. Youll also find these available online. Take the time to check out the Better Business Bureau to make sure they are legitimate but then book them a head of time. You should do this because many of them book up months or more in advance of busy seasons.

You will also find a wide range of these Alaska fishing tours available through the lodge that you stay at. These often are an excellent choice for local areas. They can also have a wide range of guides available to take you to nearby locations to fish. Some will take you to the perfect location to find the fish you are after if you ask.

Susan Dean is the webmaster and publisher of http://www.discount-alaska-fishing-trips.com/

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What Type Of Alaskan Cruise Will You Enjoy?

What Type Of Alaskan Cruise Will You Enjoy?
By Lynette Ross

Alaska is nothing short of a majestic wilderness that is one of the very last frontiers left in the world. Here, you will see all that is natural with the beautiful peaks of mountains to the crystal waters of the ocean. You will also see some of the most amazing wildlife, perhaps even migrating if you travel during the summer months. Of course, there are the Alaskan communities to stop in and see with their quaint towns and local culture. If you will be traveling on an Alaskan cruise, you have several options to take into consideration.

Consider Inside Passage Cruises. For about a week long, these cruises will take you out and back in to the same port. They allow for some of the most beautiful choices. You will find them leaving from locations such as Vancouver as well as from Seattle.

The Gulf Cruise. Another option offers a one way cruise to Anchorage. This cruise will take you up close to glaciers as well as mountains and allows you some of the most amazing picturesque views.

The Small Ship. Another type of Alaskan cruise is a small ship cruise. These allow you to travel into some of the more remote locations with a smaller ship. You will see glaciers, whales and even bears. The wilderness lover will truly enjoy this type of cruise.

There are plenty of cruise lines that offer cruises of each of these. You are going to find one that offers just what you are interested in, of course. It is always best to plan your Alaskan cruise as soon as possible as some of the cruises will fill up quickly, keeping space limited. Remember that Alaskan cruises only span from May to September and in that short time there is much to see and do.

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Wildlife Alaska Vacations

Wildlife Alaska Vacations
By Seth Miller

The most exciting experience one has on an Alaskan vacation is seeing the wildlife. A wildlife Alaska vacation involves sightseeing adventures on land, and fishing for big game at sea.

Wildlife fishing vacations in Alaska are famous, as there are many water bodies in Alaska from rivers to streams to vast oceans. One can catch salmons, trout and halibut. A wildlife vacation can be enjoyed under the guidance of a wildlife vacation expert or on your own. There are charter boats organized by a vacation guide that will take you fishing. The guides provide you with bait, fishing equipment and advice too. Since days are very long in Alaska, you can have hours of fishing experience at your disposal.

Another aspect of wildlife vacations in Alaska includes adventurous and fun filled activities like rafting, hiking, boating, glaciers, viewing whales and bears. These wildlife vacations can be experienced by anyone from a novice to a veteran. The guides who organize wildlife vacations make arrangements for all types of anticipated issues ranging from food and comfort to first aid.

While preparing for a wildlife vacation to Alaska, one should understand the risk involved, as nature is unpredictable. Moreover appropriate clothing and camping gear should be checked to make sure all types of weather and sleeping conditions are considered.

There are many guides and travel companies ready to extend their services to help you plan a wildlife vacation to Alaska. They offer great discounts along with expert services if the group has a large number of members. They also guide you to the right places in Alaska for an adventurous wildlife vacation. You can also find tailor-made wildlife vacations to Alaska to accommodate all budgets.

Alaska Vacations provides detailed information on Alaska Vacations, Alaska Fishing Vacations, Alaska Vacation Packages, Alaska Paddling Vacations and more. Alaska Vacations is affiliated with Alaska Cruises and Ships.

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Wintertime Fun in Alaska Alyeska Ski Resort

Wintertime Fun in Alaska - Alyeska Ski Resort
By Ron Richards

If you are a winter sports enthusiast, then the Alyeska Ski Resort is the place to be! Regardless what your sporting interest, you are sure to find it at this phenomenal complex tucked away in the lovely Chugach Mountains on the states south central coast. Rated a four diamond hotel by the American Automobile Agency, this resort is the only four diamond in the entire state. Conveniently located a mere 40 miles from the bustling hub of Anchorage in the quaint town of Girdwood, this resort is easily reachable from the airport or port. The resort is lovely year round, but it certainly comes alive during the winter, when outdoor and winter sports enthusiasts alike flock in the great outdoors to pursue their passions.

Whether you are an old pro or a newbie, the Alyeska Ski Resort has your ticket! For less experienced folks, enjoy a lesson in skiing or snowboarding on the resorts more beginner-friendly hills. These classes range in experience from beginner to intermediate, allowing individuals to learn new techniques or simply serve as a much needed refresher. Classes are available for individuals of any age and are usually performed in a group, although individual lessons are offered. For the more advanced winter sports enthusiasts, the runs are phenomenal! Mount Alyeska features an average annual snowfall of over 600 inches, skiers and snowboarders have truly found paradise on earth.

For youngstersor just the young at heart---hit the slopes at Glacier Tube Park. Visitors of all ages will jump at the chance to whiz down these soft, powdery runs on a large inner tube. Perfect for all ages and skill levels, the Glacier Tube Park is a popular spot at the Alyeska Ski Resort. Many adults enjoy the tube park, especially those who are a bit too hesitant to entrust their life to a pair of skinny skis or a single snowboard!

The fantastic winter sports opportunities at the lovely Alyeska Ski Resort are just one aspect of the wintertime fun. The hotel itself is truly phenomenal, offering every imaginable amenity found within the state of Alaska. Designed in a gorgeous chateau style, you will soon forget you are in the Alaskan wilderness, as the massive hotel boasts 307 guest rooms, a phenomenal Royal Suite, and three spectacular townhouse suites. From curling up in front of a cozy fireplace with a cup of warm cocoa to indulging in a luxurious bubble bath in the rooms fantastic tub, your room will be calling you off the slopes and into its warm haven.

The exquisite Alyeska Ski Resort is the perfect getaway for the entire family. Whether you are an avid skier or choose to stick to the bunny slopes, you cannot go wrong choosing this world class resort.

A lifelong Alaskan, Ron Richards lives in the beautiful Matanuska Valley. Ron invites you to come and see Alaska. One excellent way to enjoy Alaska is by taking an affordable Alaska Cruise. Visit http://findanalaskacruise.com

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Discover Alaska With Princess Cruises

Discover Alaska With Princess Cruises
By Michael Russell

There are several different cruise options in Alaska offered by Princess Cruises. Two different regions of Alaska are available to cruise in, the Inside Passage and the Gulf of Alaska. The Inside Passage cruises show off the southeastern coast of Alaska as well as part of British Columbia. The Inside Passage cruise has a 10-11 day option that goes round trip from San Francisco, California or a 7 day cruise is available round trip from Seattle, Washington. Destinations on the Inside Passage cruise are Ketchikan, Alaska which has the largest collection of totem poles in the world, Alaska's capital Juneau, Tracy Arm Fjord which is full of waterfalls and provides amazing view of glaciers and Victoria, British Columbia, a little piece of Europe in the Pacific Northwest.

The Gulf of Alaska cruises provide an amazing view of the many glaciers in Alaska. There is a 7 day cruise option that travels from Vancouver, British Columbia to Whittier, Alaska or vice versa. You also have the option of an Alaska Sampler cruise, which is a 4 day cruise from Vancouver, British Columbia to Seattle, Washington. On the Gulf of Alaska cruises, you will get to travel to Skagway, which was the site of Alaska's gold rush, Glacier Bay National Park, full of breathtaking glaciers and beautiful islands, Juneau, Alaska, the capital of the USA's largest state and College Fjord located in Prince William Sound and the site of 16 different glaciers.

Many of Princess' fleet of cruise ships do tours in Alaska, so you have your pick of boats. You can travel aboard the Coral Princess, Dawn Princess, Diamond Princess, Golden Princess, Island Princess, Pacific Princess, Regal Princess, Sapphire Princess, or Sun Princess ships. Every ship has different amenities and sizes. The smallest ship that travels to Alaska is the 670 passenger Pacific Princess. The largest ships available are the Sapphire Princess and the Diamond Princess that each hold 2,670 passengers. Aboard every ship, you can expect to find many amenities, including pools, spas, restaurants, theaters and on-board entertainment and shows. All of the ships also provide activities and amenities geared specifically towards children and teenagers.

While traveling on a cruise to Alaska you can add several different things to your cruise to enhance your experience. There are many short tours and activities available at the different ports of call on the cruise. The excursions you choose could be fly-fishing, ocean kayaking, attending a salmon bake, hiking, biking, going on a brewery tour, panning for gold, riding a tram, flying in a helicopter over a glacier or any other of the many exciting adventures that are available.

If you want to make your vacation to Alaska truly unforgettable, you could take a Princess cruisetour. A cruisetour includes a 7 day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise as well as a 3 to 9 day stay on land. Princess has several land resorts available for the cruisetours. You could stay in Denali or Fairbanks or right underneath Mt. McKinley. All of the Princess Alaskan resorts are accessible by Princess rail, a luxury train with panoramic view cars. On cruisetour option even takes you to Prudhoe Bay in the Arctic Circle. There you will experience the sun shining 24 hours a day.

Get ready for the Alaskan trip of your dreams when you choose a vacation from Princess Cruises.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Alaska

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Add An Alaskan Land Tour To Your Cruise

Add An Alaskan Land Tour To Your Cruise
By Lynette Ross

Those that love all that Alaska has to offer can consider making their Alaskan cruise even more meaningful and amazing by taking on a land tour of the location as well as that of the by sea tour. There are many reasons to do this, if you have time and are more adventurous rather than just being the tourist. Alaska is a wilderness that is full of some of the most amazing landscapes and people. The culture and the view are two things well worth taking in to the fullest. With a land tour, you can experience more in depth what Alaska can offer to you.

The land tours will last a bit longer than a standard cruise line trip. They are going to cost a bit more as well for that same reason. Nevertheless, you will find many benefits from these land tours. You will be able to stay at various mountain lodges on land or in standard hotels if you would rather. There are also adventurous tours that you can take onto mountain trains or fishing expeditions into the wild waterways of Alaska. In addition, you can see first hand what life is life in Alaska and take in the culture of the people.

If you are looking to explore all that Alaska has to offer, then consider what you will find here. There are a wide range of experiences to be had from both your cruise ship as well as from the land tours. A true adventure into Alaska is not complete without a bit of exploring on the land. So, if you can not do the land tour, make sure that your cruise allows for more than a few shore adventures as well. This will allow you to experience a bit more of what Alaska has to offer to you.

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