http://www.akonthego.com/blog Family fun in the 49th state! Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:13:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Following along as Alaskan local, Erin Kirkland, explores the many opportunities for families to enjoy The Last Frontier. Family fun in the 49th state! Erin Kirkland http://www.akonthego.com/images/podcasting_for_AKontheGO.jpghttp://www.akonthego.com/blog alaska,family,kids,fun,learning,activities,anchorage,travel,parents,parenting,children,family friendly no Erin Kirkland of AKontheGO.com e.kirkland0@gmail.com http://www.akonthego.com/blog/fun-friday-akonthegos-weekly-alaska-roundup http://www.akonthego.com/blog/fun-friday-akonthegos-weekly-alaska-roundup#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:18:08 +0000 Erin Kirkland http://www.akonthego.com/blog/?p=2322 http://www.akonthego.com/blog/fun-friday-akonthegos-weekly-alaska-roundup/feed 0 It’s going to be a fast and furious Fun Friday roundup, folks, because here at AK Hacienda, just in time for our first weekend back in Alaska – we have a lovely bout of strep taking up residence in AK Kid. Poor darling, he so wanted to go to school today. Begged me, even. Why? “PE is today, and I love PE.” Whatever it takes, I guess. But I love that he loves to be active, and that’s what AKontheGO is all about. Getting kids (and their parents) out and about, exploring the 49th state. How handy, too, that our Fun Friday sponsor is none other than Alaska Center for Pediatrics, who cares for our Kid, and so many others! Hallo Bay Bear Camp: Incredible Speaking of exploring, what a fun time we had on the Alaska Travelgram Show this week, talking with Simyra Hlebechuk, guide and co-owner of Hallo Bay Bear Camp across the water from Homer. Awesome, that’s what it is. Listen HERE and you will agree. Weekend highlights include: We heart Ski 4 Kids! Ski 4 Kids: Happening Saturday at Kincaid Park in Anchorage, S4K is a wonderful opportunity to introduce kids to a new sport, or encourage re-entry into a familiar one. Do the obstacle course, try the mock biathlon, or give skijoring a whirl. HEY, you can even enter a race and have AK DAD and I announce your name! Yes, we sure will be there, chatting and yelling and generally having a great time, just like you. 9:30-1 p.m. Be there. Donations accepted. Geared towards kids up to age 14. Ice Fishing Jamboree: Jewel Lake is the place to be Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Alaska Sportfishing Association welcomes everyone of every age for free fishing, cocoa, and snacks. They’ll even be giving away prizes. Head to the end of 88th Avenue and look for the warming shed. FREE. Eagle River Nature Center: Junior Naturalist program at 2 p.m. Saturday will focus on valentines for the birds. Crafts from 2-4 p.m. for kids K-6. Free, but $5 parking for non-members. On Sunday, join volunteers for a fam-friendly sunset hike at 4 p.m., with hot cocoa afterward. The weather should cooperate, so join the fun. Register at 907-694-2108. Free, $5 parking for non-members. All ages. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: Winter hours are here, meaning AWCC is open Saturday and Sunday only through February (good thing it’s a short month). Take the fam, check out the Wood Bison, porcupine, and share the love with a moose. A fabulous place to take the kids, any time. Do get out of the car and walk the property, you’ll get more out of the experience. $10/pp, $30/car. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 907-783-2025. All ages. Anchorage Museum Family Free Day: February is Black History Month, and the Museum is offering another Family Free Day, generously supported by Wells Fargo, on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. Music, storytelling, crafts, and demonstrations are all part of these important events. Go. You’ll love it. Kids preschool and up will enjoy this event. Homer Winter Carnival: Yep, a party in the winter; gets us ready for Fur Rendezvous, you know, coming up soon. Enjoy a Homer-style parade and other family fun all weekend long. Visit the event website HERE for the deets. HEADS UP! Our favorite Anchorage ski area, Arctic Valley, is hosting a huge party on Saturday, February 18 to celebrate 75 years of the Anchorage Ski Club’s dedication to the “little area that could.” From 10 a.m.-9 p.m., AV will be featuring music, food, activities, and an additional tubing time at their awesome Tubing Park. Fireworks and a torchlight parade will wind up the evening, and folks are encouraged to stick around for a full day of fun. Check out our blog post about the area HERE, and be sure to listen to the Alaska Travelgram Show on Tuesday, Feb. 14, to WIN a set of tickets to the new Tubing Park. WAHOO! Tubing for preschool and up. Fun for all ages, all other events. Oh, mercy, I must go. AK Kid finished his popcicle, and is calling me. Aren’t they cute when they’re sick? Poor darlings. Have a wonderful [...] It’s going to be a fast and furious Fun Friday roundup, folks, because here at AK Hacienda, just in time for our first weekend back in Alaska – we have a lovely bout of strep taking up residence in AK Kid. Poor darling, he so wanted to go to [...] http://www.akonthego.com/blog/fun-friday-solstice-and-santa-and-light-come-to-alaska http://www.akonthego.com/blog/fun-friday-solstice-and-santa-and-light-come-to-alaska#comments Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:22:53 +0000 Erin Kirkland http://www.akonthego.com/blog/?p=2179 http://www.akonthego.com/blog/fun-friday-solstice-and-santa-and-light-come-to-alaska/feed 0 Welcome to AKontheGO’s weekly post of good cheer! The holidays have arrived in their usual blustery fashion, with events, activities, and wintery fun for the whole family. Whether you’ve been a fan of AKontheGO since we launched in 2009, or are a new friend, we thank you for another incredible year of support. Alaska is a special place, and we love sharing our experiences, wonderful or challenging, with you. But the 49th state is also a big place, and we need feedback from families like yours to make our website sing the travel song. Look for some wonderful new opportunities in 2012, new destinations, and ways you can actively contribute to making family fun a reality for thousands of Alaskan visitors each year. I’m getting all goose-bumpy just thinking about it. What Alaska destinations will make the annual Top Five? Be sure to read our post on Friday, December 30 to find out! Speaking of wonderful, don’t forget to check in on Friday, December 30 for our annual AKontheGO Top Five blog post. 2011 was a full year for AK Fam, and we are hard at work trying to decide which Alaskan destination will receive top honors through very scientific analysis involving many sleepless nights and a few gallons of eggnog. Marian Call and I get ready for the Alaska Travelgram Holiday Show on KOAN 95.5 FM Did you hear our Alaska Travelgram Show this week? Marian Call blessed us with her presence in the studios, giving away a copy of her new CD, “Something Fierce” while Scott McMurren and I played Santa to five lucky listeners. Check out the podcast right HERE. Remember, we play radio each Tuesday from 2-3 p.m. on KOAN 95.5 FM, 1020 AM, or streamed live at 1020koan.com. It’s live, it’s informative, and it’s fun. At least we think so. Huge thanks to those businesses who contributed to our Alaska Travelgram Holiday Show; JetBlue, EraAlaska, Copper Whale Inn, Hallo Bay Bear Camp, Marian Call, Alyeska Resort, and K2Aviation. Need to relax? Head down to Alyeska Resort for the holidays The snow is snowing, the wind is finally not blowing, and hopefully your family will have a chance to get outside this weekend in between eating Christmas cookies and pumpkin pie. Alyeska Resort has a few rooms available over the weekend, and there is nothing finer than sitting in the gorgeous lobby of Hotel Alyeska, sipping hot chocolate and watching fluffy flakes of snow waft down from the heavens. And the hot tub is pretty fine, too. Check out the Hotel’s latest deals and head south, why don’t you? Friday happens to be Santa Day at the resort, and anyone who is daring enough to dress up like the Big Guy can ski for FREE. Yep, totally free. Get the scoop here. ZooLights continues through the holiday season at the Alaska Zoo All this fresh snow will make viewing ZooLights at the Alaska Zoo something special, indeed. AK Fam is headed there tonight for a little stroll and holiday picnic with some friends, and we can’t wait to see what’s new in the world of twinkling, winking, and sometimes singing light displays. Open Thursdays through Sundays, 5-8 p.m., ZooLights is $7 for non-pass holders, and $5 for pass holders. You can even buy tickets online here. Stay tuned for photos! North Pole continues its Christmas In Ice celebration all weekend at the North Pole Ice Park, right next to Santa Claus House. Even though St. Nick will be busy on Christmas Eve, he’ll be around to say howdy while making preparations, you can be sure. In the meantime, take the kids on an ice slide, hear some music, and enjoy  a bit of Christmas cheer, North Pole style… Winter Solstice from Campbell Airstrip trail near Campbell Creek Science Center How about taking a time-out from frantic preparations inside your house through a little snowshoeing or skiing outside, in nature’s hacienda? The kid-friendly trails around Campbell Creek Science Center in Anchorage are perfect for tromping the backwoods of Alaska without venturing too far from home. This is the [...] Welcome to AKontheGO’s weekly post of good cheer! The holidays have arrived in their usual blustery fashion, with events, activities, and wintery fun for the whole family. Whether you’ve been a fan of AKontheGO since we launched in 2009, or are [...] http://www.akonthego.com/blog/podcast-2 http://www.akonthego.com/blog/podcast-2#comments Mon, 06 Dec 2010 19:57:22 +0000 Erin Kirkland http://akonthego.com/blog/?p=1138 http://www.akonthego.com/blog/podcast-2/feed 0 Yes, I’m a little slow on the uptake, but here is the podcast from last week’s Alaska Travelgram Show, featuring Joe Sprague from Alaska Airlines and Eileen Floyd of the Alaska Zoo. Oh, and your hosts-with-the-most, Scott and I. We  now return you to your regularly scheduled Monday. Yes, I’m a little slow on the uptake, but here is the podcast from last week’s Alaska Travelgram Show, featuring Joe Sprague from Alaska Airlines and Eileen Floyd of the Alaska Zoo. Oh, and your hosts-with-the-most, Scott and I. We  now return [...] 45 min KUDO, Alaska Airlines, Alaska Zoo no