AK on the GO

Our boots are made for walking. Off we go, but we'll be back soon!

Hope we’re not messing with anybody’s internal calendars by posting Fun Friday on Wednesday, but since AK Fam is headed out today to the lovely Summit Lake Lodge, where internet and phone service will be sporadic (heavenly!), we thought an update would be in order today. So worry not, it is indeed only Wednesday, but we’re saying it looks a lot like Friday, which will make Friday seem like Wednesday…hmmmm, this might be rather confusing after all.

At any rate, there are some fabulous deals and events occuring this weekend and on into the last week of July, for which we are eternally thankful, since the weather seems to think it’s September. Blech, we say to that.

The Alaska Sea Life Center  in Seward is hosting its “Kids Go Free” celebration through the end of August. Yes, that’s right, kiddos 4-11 are FREE with a paying adult until August 31 at their educational and informative center found at 301 Railway Ave in downtown Seward. Ask about their special Family Encounters for groups of six or more and be wowed by a little bit of “behind the scenes” also. Call 888-378-2525 for info. AK Fam will be there on Friday to check out the latest and greates in marine mammals and birds, after which we might have to have lunch at Apollo’s, just up the street. Yum.

Fairbanks is holding its annual Golden Days festival this week/weekend. A Parade, music, food, and family fun began yesterday and runs through Sunday, July 25. The big parade on Saturday morning is guaranteed to be a winner, so if you happen to be up that way, don’t miss it. Visit the Fairbanks Chamber  for a listing of events.

Saturday is a big day at Eagle River Nature Center. Not only is it the finish line for the uber-cool Crow Pass Marathon sometime between 10 a.m.-2 p.m., where runners race with a will across the Pass from Crow Creek near Girdwood. It’s an exciting place to be, and when you are done cheering on runners, take the school-aged kids to the Jr. Naturalist Program at 2 p.m. to learn all about “Maps for Kids”. Discover the all-important skill of map-reading and way-finding, crucial elements to life in outdoor Alaska. Participants will take a walk to the Beaver Pond using their map and compass (bring your own, if you have one) and discover how fun it can be to trace a route using both. Limited to 12 kids K-6. Free program, but $5 parking for non-members. Call 907-694-2108 to sign up. Hurry, this class will fill up fast! Speaking of parking, it will be nuts with marathon finishers and guests, so plan ahead.

Hey, did anyone listen to our Alaska Travelgram show on KUDO AM 1080 yesterday? We had Jeanine Amon in the studio to talk about her upcoming trip to the Northern Pacific Gyre, a floating flotsam of (mostly) plastic in the middle of the ocean. Jeanine will be sailing on a gorgeous sailing ship from San Francisco August 10th with a crew from Project Kaisei to clean up as much of this junk as possible, then float it all back to San Diego in early September as part of an awareness and research campaign. The web site for the Project has all sorts of interesting information just perfect for teaching kids about the reduce, reuse, and recycle concepts and why it is so important to our ocean life. Check it out! Next week, we’ll have in the studio Candice McDonald of Salmonberry Tours, talking with us about her new family-friendly tours and trips, and why she is so darned dedicated to her biz and community. Don’t miss it, 2 p.m. July 27.

We sincerely hope you all have a busy, enjoyable, and safe weekend ahead. We’ll be back on Sunday with pictures and stories of our latest AK Fam adventure. We’ve got the raingear packed (to assure a sunny trip), plenty of puzzles, games, and stories to amuse ourselves in front of the fireplace, and a fully-charged camera. Stay tuned for more family fun!

Ship Creek's newest hangout, Bridge. Coffee, snacks, and a whole lot of fishing.

Yes, Holland America has brought another ship to the Port of Anchorage, so that means double downtown fun for families. Today is “Cruise Ship Monday” according to the Anchorage Downtown Partnership, and here we go with another fab outdoor concert at Peratrovich Park from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Today’s featured artist is Robin Hopper, an Alaskan icon for folksy-fun music. She’ll be playing from 11-11:45 a.m., then kid-friendly Fiddle Dee Dee will jump in at Noon for some Music for Little Ones. Matt Hammer follows from 1-2 p.m. Hmm, that seems to be right near lunchtime, and the Cake Studio is right next door, and, well, it is Monday after all. I deserve a cupcake, don’t I?

As long as you are downtown and the sun is out (YAY!), why not stay there for a spell and walk down towards the Alaska Railroad Depot (where AK Kid loves to fantasize about a train trip and peruse the gift shop), inspect the choo-choos, then cross the tracks to Ship Creek, where the salmon are running and so are emotions from fisherpeople. AK Dad spent Father’s Day there and came home skunked but had a fab time with his buddy. A 16 year-old recently landed the top prize in the Slam’n Salmon Derby with her 42 lb King, so the big ones are there and fun to watch.

There’s a cute little latte/snack place in the old Bridge Restaurant building, and we get a kick out of fishing folks as they slog up to grab a coffee and sandwich while taking a break from all that casting. They have kid-friendly drinks, too, and a nice area to sit outside and soak in the summer sun. Oft-forgotten since the Bridge went out of business, we like to take advantage of the uncrowded area and relax to the sound of the rushing water and even the trucks overhead. It’s all part of our city’s bustle and hustle, isn’t it?

We here at AK Hacienda are preparing frantically for the arrival of Extended AK Fam this weekend; Grandma/Grandpa, Aunt/Uncle and Cousins are all arriving from Seattle for a little family fun, so we’re getting the place spiffed up and our own calendar of events ready. We can’t wait to show off our state.

Happy Monday and don’t forget to stay up really, really late tonight, just because you can!