AK on the GO

Call it like you see it, go ahead, but it is officially springtime in Alaska. Wait, isn’t that a Johnny Cash song? I have a feeling that before too long we’ll also be chiming in with other Johnny tune “How High’s the Water, Mama?” Yessir, this is going to be an interesting few months for 49th-staters in our Far Northern paradise. See the photo above? That’s the AK Hacienda backyard, and the remaining 5 inches of a 4-foot fence. Uh-huh. Go ahead, tell me again it’s spring.

Fear not, folks, for AKontheGO remains steadfast in our belief that kids and parents, if adequately prepared, can weather any sort of Break Up (massive melting season), this year included. To prove it, we’ve got a full calendar of events, both here in this post, and on our AKontheGO Calendar of Events, found at the top of this page. Of course, we couldn’t do this without the help of our friends at Alaska Center for Pediatrics, who are busy caring for Alaska’s children (mine included) who are snuffly and sniffly this spring. What would we do without them?

Indeed, this weekend is full of outdoor-themed events, and one has to do with our latest Alaska Travelgram Radio Show guest, Cecilia “Pudge” Kleinkauf, who wowed me with her flyfishing prowess and auora of serenity this week. She even invited me to her next Beginning Flyfishing class! Do you want to learn? How about your teenage daughter? Pudge is the goddess of flyfishing, so check out her class schedule HERE.

Find all sorts of outdoorsy information at the MatSu Sportsman Show this weekend

FRIDAY:

Pudge will actually be at the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show (hey, isn’t that sexist? How about Outdoorspeople?) this weekend, showing off her casting skills and drumming up fishers for her trips and classes. The show runs Friday-Sunday (hey, Sunday is FREE admission) at the Menard Sports Complex in Wasilla. Great deals for trips, activities, and the like for showing off Alaska. Look for lots of our visitor industry friends there.

High-fives all around for the Ski Train!

SATURDAY:

Campbell Creek Science Center and 4-H are offering another fantastic Science Saturday program from 1-4 Saturday at CCSC. Designed for ‘tweens and teens 9-14 and the adult in their lives, Science Saturday this month will focus on “Mining and Minerals” and is a great opportunity for indoor and outdoor learning. Call 786-6300 for information and registration. $5/child, plus a one time 4-H fee of $6.

The annual Ski Train chugs away from the Alaska Railroad Depot in Anchorage early, early Saturday morning, and we happen to know you can still get on the short waiting list if you hurry! Sponsored by the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage, the Ski Train is an epic day trip to the historic townsite of Curry, near Talkeetna, where folks (including us) ski, snowshoe, eat, and generally are very merry. Interested? Call NSAA right now at 276-7609. AK Fam will be in Car #551, by the way, if you’d like to stop by and say “howdy”!

Eagle River Nature Center is offering a Geocaching For Families class on Saturday from 1-3 p.m. Always wanted to know more about this fun way to exercise with your kiddos? This class will teach you the basics, plus give tips and tricks for keeping children engaged and learning the whole way. Call 694-2108 to register. Free, $5 parking for non-members. Suitable for the whole fam, but do dress for crazy spring weather.

Ice Alaska ends this weekend, don't miss the fun, says AK Kid

SUNDAY:

This is the final weekend for Ice Alaska in Fairbanks! If you haven’t yet experienced some of the most beautiful uses of ice in the world, you must go now. Alaska Airlines and the Alaska Railroad both offer specials to the event, and with daylight hours stretching farther and farther toward the lighter side, this is the perfect time to go.

EXTRAS:

Don’t forget, loyal Alaska Travelgram Radio Show listeners, that Scott and I will be moving to a new day and time beginning Saturday, April 7 at Noon! Perfect while driving around town, dyeing Easter eggs, or shoveling snow. Ha! Still on KOAN 95.5 FM, or streamed live at 1020koan.com, but just more accessible to you.

Speaking of my intrepid co-host, he’s got some super airfare deals up on his website, ready for spring and summer fun in and out of Alaska. He says “go!” so, you’d better go and save a bundle!

Hey, did you hear that AK Dad finally jumped on the smartphone bandwagon, thanks to Alaska Communications? Yes, one too many missed appointments with yours truly prompted me to tow him on down to the 36th Avenue store and have the wonderful customer service folks fix him up so we could be in synch once again. Awww….

Have a sunny, bright, Alaska spring weekend!

EK

Happy winter!

Hard to believe, isn’t it, that last Friday I was crossing my gloved fingers for snow, and here we are today talking about skiing, snowshoeing, and frosty footpaths. Winter sure roared into town, didn’t it? But we here at the AKontheGO office are ready, because we’re always ready to provide your family with the utmost in winter family fun. Special thanks to Alaska Center for Pediatrics in Anchorage, who are always celebrating kids and the outdoors, and we give them a round of applause for supporting AKontheGO’s efforts!

FRIDAY:

“Mission to Mars’ Moon”, Eagle River Nature Center, 7 p.m. Part of the bi-monthly Astronomy series at the center, tonight’s presentation by Scott Girard is bound to be fascinating. Kids can earn a Junior Astronomer badge by attending all presentations and completing a short workbook (hint: GREAT for homeschoolers or scouts). FREE, $5 parking for non-members. Call 694-2108.

Time to gear up; ski swaps are a great place to exchange old for newer, or, at least, bigger gear.

SATURDAY:

AK Ski Swap, West High School cafeteria, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. This is IT! The biggest, most awesome ski swap of the year. Drop off equipment from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; sale is from Noon-5 p.m. Supports Alyeska Ski Club. FREE, but crowded. Really, really crowded. Obtain early entry by buying a book of raffle tix for the Ski Club, check their website for details.

“Outdoor Open House,” REI Anchorage, Noon-4 p.m. Want to know more about your winter recreation options in Alaska? Curious about programs for the kids? This is the opportunity to meet and greet a number of popular organizations and businesses offering outdoor recreation in Alaska. We’ll be there, too, showing off our website, answering questions, and sharing our top tips for safe, affordable, and awesome family fun in the 49th state. FREE.

“Children’s Craft Program, Birdfeeders,” Eagle River Nature Center, 2 p.m. Take a time-out this weekend to make a bird feeder and learn a little bit about which feathered friends stick around for the winter. Bring an empty 2L bottle. Limited to the first 10 kids who register, 694-2108. $5 for materials. Parking $5 for non-members. Suitable for kids K-6.

NSAA Ski Swap and Annual Meeting, Kincaid Bunker and Chalet, 4-6 p.m. A super way to outfit growing kids or switch out your own gear, the NSAA’s annual swap is also a fun opportunity to meet other Nordic skiers in our community. Swing on by, purchase or renew your membership, and stay for dinner (bring something to share!).

“Museum Without Walls,” Fairbanks Children’s Museum, Ryan Middle School. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.  Get excited, folks! Fairbanks is starting a children’s museum, set to open (fingers and toes crossed for them) in 2014 at a permenant location. Until then, the wonderful “Museum Without Walls” program is gearing up  for a great day of interactive kid-friendly fun at Ryan Middle School. $5/child, $15/family.

Hooray for outside!

Hikes/Walks: The wintery weather is a great opportunity to stuff hands into mittens, feet into boots, and hit the snowy trails of your town. Even one hour in the fresh air can better-equip kids for a healthy lifestyle, and it’s fun, too! In Anchorage, try the Alaska Botanical Garden for a frosty walk through the sleeping plants, or follow the Campbell Tract series of trails near the Science Center. Fairbanks has Creamer’s Field and Wander Lake, and Homer hosts the beautiful Wynn Nature Center for family fun. Do remember that the bears might not yet be sleeping off their salmon dinners of the summer, so continue to practice your best bear-aware behavior!

HEADS UP INFO:

AKontheGO just received a spectacular announcement from the Alaska Railroad regarding the Holiday Train! Yes, that’s right, your little elves could be riding a train with the Head Elf Himself on Saturday, December 10. Two departure times are available for the trip to Indian and back to the Anchorage Depot; 10 a.m., or 2 p.m. Trips will take approximately two hours and include complimentary snacks and water. Tickets are available now at a price of $49/adult, $29/child 2-11 AND infants who take up a seat. Lap infants/toddlers 0-23 mos are free (think air travel, though). Make reservations HERE.

Speaking of said holiday season: PLEASE help us provide families around the state with activities and events surrounding this most wonderful time of year. Send us an email at togoak@gmail.com, or click the “Calendar of Events” tab at the top of the page to directly input your information. We want to make sure everyone has the opportunity!