AK on the GO

Welcome, winter!

Now I ask you, what kid wouldn’t like to spend a weekend in Alaska after reading a title like THAT? Yessiree, it’s Fun Friday at AKontheGO, time for another roundup of hot fun in the coolest state. Sit down, pour a cup of coffee to chase away the chill, and take notes, because this weekend’s gonna be F.U.N. Thanks, as always, to Alaska Center for Pediatrics in Anchorage, who takes care of AK Kid and sponsors our Fun Friday posts. We went for a flu shot today (ahem, did you get yours, yet?) and were so impressed by their compassionate staff. Can’t beat that.

Learn to build a snow shelter without the benefit of a 50-gallon garbage can.

Eagle River Nature Center is proud to host their own “Survivorman” in the form of Michael “Gus” Gustafson on Saturday for the popular Junior Naturalist program. Gus will show kids K-6 everything they need to know about staying warm when left out in the cold!  Building shelters, preserving body heat, and maybe even building a fire will take place at 2 p.m. outside the Center. Do dress very warmly, and make sure you are ready for some in-the-snow fun. FREE, $5 parking for non members.

Ready to tear up the slopes? Alyeska is not quite ready to open, with lifts scheduled to fire up on November 23, but Anchorage’s Hilltop has been cranking out snow, adding to the lovely dumps we’ve been getting lately, meaning they will OPEN on Friday at 3 p.m. for some Veteran’s Day Skiing. Hilltop’s a great place for a few hours of neighborhood skiing, so grab the kids after school and make a few turns. Find their lift ticket prices, hours, and conditions HERE.

Ski on a Military Monday at Alyeska Resort and stay overnight for just $109; and enjoy that pool!

Speaking of Alyeska, and remembering that tomorrow is Veterans Day, I want all active-duty military families to listen up! The resort is once again offering Military Mondays all through the 2011-12 ski season.  On December 5, 2011; January 2, February 6, March 5, and April 2, 2012, active-duty military (With ID) can ski for FREE, and receive 50% off all rentals at the resort. Additionally, most resort restaurants will offer lunch specials to help our military families save even more cash. AND, for those families wanting to stay overnight for a little R&R, Alyeska Hotel is offering rooms for $109/night on Sunday or Monday (except New Year’s Day). Call 800-880-3880 for room booking info. We thank you, Alyeska, for remembering our military. And we thank you, military families, ALL of you.

Care to take the kids rocking and rolling this weekend? Stop by the Alaska Miners Association Rock and Mineral Show at the Sheraton Anchorage. This FREE event, Friday-Sunday, is full of fossils, gems, jewlery, and kids’ activities that are sure to please your little rockhounds. Friday, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

UAF's Museum of the North is a stellar example of science, history, and culture. Don't miss it.

The Anchorage Museum and Wells Fargo are happy to bring back Free Family Days at the Museum, happening Sunday from 1-4 p.m. This month? Learn all about the diverse and absolutely wonderful Native Alaskan people of our state. Dancing, drumming, carving, crafts, and some storytelling will all be part of this afternoon event. Admission to the museum is FREE all day on Sunday, so stop by, peruse the other exhibits, and then attend the activities. Other Family Days are scheduled for December 11, 2011; January 8, February 12, and May 6, 2012. You can check out other museum events on the AKontheGO Calendar, above.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum of the North is hosting Family Day “Power Play,” Saturday from noon-4 p.m. at their awesome facility high atop the city. Learn about Alaska’s energy resources, make your own wind turbine or pinwheel, and take a time out with some fascinating scientists from UAF. Activities included with admission. (Have that Alaska TourSaver? There’s a coupon in there…).

Fairbanksians! Need skis? Head to the 45th annual (wow, that’s a long time) Ski Patrols’ Ski Swap on Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon at Pioneer Park. I’m thinking this is the best of the best Fairbanks has to offer, and it is bound to be a ton of fun, too.

Have a blessed weekend, AKontheGO’ers! We’re off to Seattle and Portland to celebrate Veterans Day with our favorite submariner grandpa (below, left). It’s not every day we get to do this!

Three of my favorite guys walking the trails of Lake Oswego, Oregon, near Portland.

Let the kids sleep in a bit while you peruse our absolutely incredible lineup of Halloween weekend activities. The combination of learning and fun just sends me to the moon this year; or, at least, to the pantry for a little Milky Way pick-me-up. Especially after looking at this photo (above) of AK Dad making his “I need more coffee” face.

This special Halloween Edition of Fun Friday is sponsored by Alaska Center for Pediatrics, caring for kids (and their candy-filled tummies) since 1982. We’ll be glad we said that later, won’t we?

Fish camp in Nome, Alaska. There's no place like it!

First, however, speaking of drama and costumes; do give a listen to the podcast of this week’s Alaska Travelgram Show. Our friend Richard Beneville of Nome Discovery Tours gave us a great verbal tour of the city, its history, and a few options for visitors, no matter their age. My cohost, Scott McMurren, called Richard “indefatigable,” and he always tells me I use big words! Hit the link HERE and tell me if you agree. And while you’re at it, DO sign up for Scott’s Alaska Travelgram newsletter. With all the airlines at their most crazy this time of year, you’d be crazy not to. Seriously, he has The 4-1-1 on all things travel-deal. Listen to him. I do. Sometimes.

The adorable crew trying to find their way out of the Palmer Reindeer Farm's hay maze.

HALLOWEEN HOOPLA!

FRIDAY: Reindeer Farm, Palmer. BIG KIDS. 6-10 p.m. Fri./Sat. The kinder-gentler Halloween pumpkin patch is done, and in its place is a haunted hay maze waiting to scare the bejeebers out of your middle school/high school kids. $10. 745-4000.

Haunted Trails, Goose Lake Park, Anchorage. Fun for ages 3+ from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Come in costume to impress the ghosts and ghouls who will hand out treats at various stations throughout the park. $15/family on day of event. Call 343-4130 for info. Goose Lake Park is at 2811 UAA Drive.

Girdwood Kids’ Carnival, Alyeska Resort Daylodge, Girdwood. 4:30-8:30. All ages. A fundraiser for the Girdwood School, this carnival is like the ones you rememer attending as a kid. Games, candy bar-walk, mildly scary haunted house, yep, it’s all here. Catch the music and fun this afternoon/evening in costume! $3/pp, $5/family.

SATURDAY:  The Reindeer Farm continues its family-friendly Halloween activities from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in Palmer. Wagon rides, pumpkin patch, and reindeer-kissing. Okay, maybe I made that last thing up. $10. 745-4000.

Night at the Museum, Alaska Museum of Transportation and Industry, Wasilla. All ages, 4-8 p.m. Oh my gosh, this is the COOLEST, ever. The Museum of Trans is our fam favorite, and everyone should dress up and head to Wasilla and find out why. A haunted train? EEEK! Museum characters who come to life in the gallery? NO WAY! Kids must be accompanied by parents. $5/pp. 3800 W. Museum Drive, Wasilla.

Wild Night at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Portage. 5-8 p.m., all ages. What goes “boo” in the barn? Not you, of course, but a ton of family-friendly wild critters who want to welcome you and your family to a great Halloween celebration! Check out skulls, scat, and scary animals at this carnival-like party, at the invitation of Snickers the Porcupine (I made that up, too, but I’m sure he’ll be there in his best prickly frame of mind). $10. 783-2025. Mile 79 Seward Highway.

Halloween at Eagle River Nature Center, Eagle River, 2 p.m., pre-school on Saturday. The Enchanted Forest awaits little ones, with a stroll through a lovely forest just right for small goblins. FREE, $5 parking for non-members. 694-2108.

SUNDAY: Bird TLC’s Owl-O-Ween, Alaska Heritage Museum, Anchorage. 3-5 p.m. All ages. Join a parliament of live owls as they celebrate their favorite time of year! Find out why owls are a witch’s best friend, and how ghost stories really got started. Kids, come in costume, of course! FREE. 301 W. Northern Lights Blvd (Wells Fargo bldg). 562-4852.

Eagle River Nature Center Halloween, Eagle River, 3 p.m. K-6. Meet a good witch and learn a little more about the history of Hallow’s Eve as you walk down to the classroom yurt today. Come in costume! FREE, $5 parking for non-members. 694-2108.

MONDAY: Zoo Boo! Alaska Zoo, Anchorage. All ages.Get your tickets today for this way-popular event where the animals invite you to trick or treat, their way! Take a walk along the spoooooky trails from 5-8 p.m. and see what treats the tiger has this year (remember, he just had a root canal!). Regular admission applies, pass-holders receive discount. Call 346-2133 for complete layout of info.

Live outside the greater Anchorage area? Check out AKontheGO’s post from a week ago, talking about other fabulous Halloween events, including some wonderful opportunities in Fairbanks! Hit the AKontheGO calendar, too, and don’t forget to list your event with us; remember, the holiday season is coming up and we’d love to give your business or organization a shout-out! Send us an email at togoak@gmail.com, or hit the “Calendar of Events” tab at the top of this page.

Save me some chocolate, somebody, please? Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Now THIS is one cute pumpkin!