AK on the GO

Hummmm, hummmmm. Hear that? It’s the sound of a peaceful, content Alaska parent; me. I get this way each spring when the lawn becomes more than a grayish pile of snowy rubbish, and robins wake me up in the morning instead an alarm clock. Yes, I do love springtime in Alaska.

In true 49th state fashion, people are in the annual mode of frenetic busyness that only happens in Alaska when daylight stretches toward the 16-hour mark. From boating to biking, families are outdoors, all the time. Alaska is also readying itself for the annual influx of visitors, with the first series of cruise ships making their way up the Inside Passage in mere days. I love this time of year, and hope today’s Fun Friday lineup will encourage and inspire your crew to get active.

BEST BETS:

Sailing on the clear and bright, blue water aboard a Major Marine boat from Seward.

The spring day cruising season is nearing it’s culmination before the usual summer schedule begins, so the next few weeks are a great time to take advantage of excellent rates, packages, and experiences out of Seward. AK Fam boarded a Major Marine boat, the Orca Song, last weekend and had a blast, despite not finding any of the elusive gray whales we’d heard so much about. But with Major Marine’s awesome Spring Fever Package, who cares? Your family can take a four-hour cruise, receive admission to the Alaska Sea Life Center, and spend the night at the Holiday Inn Express for $110/pp, through May 13. Great deal, great learning, and great fun. Check out this video I shot from the Orca Song during the rockin’ and rollin’ portion of our cruise, as we crossed the mouth of Resurrection Bay and the clouds closed in. Wahooo!

Alyeska Resort is still in high gear through the month of May with their Ski and Stay in May package, offering a room, lift ticket, and $25 in resort credit starting at $179/night. Not bad if you consider most other areas around the United States are pulling in their lifts and admitting winter is over. Be different this Memorial weekend, go skiing or riding! Also, a heads up to the dads and kids among us; Mother’s Day is almost here; maybe take mom to the resort for a little pampering and a brunch? Hope AK Dad reads this.

Take the Tram to the top of Alyeska Resort and check out the springtiime views!

Today marks the start of the annual Native Youth Olympics at the Dena’ina Center in downtown Anchorage. Never been? Pack up the kids and head over, I promise you won’t be disappointed. The events, the teamwork, and the  athleticism of these teenagers will amaze you. We go every year, and every year leave with our mouths hanging open in utter amazement. The fun begins today at 9:30 a.m., and runs through Sunday afternoon.

Saturday is the Alaska Heart Run in Anchorage, and while we personally don’t do this run anymore (so, so crowded), we do like to promote and say a huge “thank you” to all those who work tirelessly to make sure we live healthy, exercise-filled lives. Not registered? No problem. Sign up tomorrow morning at the University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive. Here’s all the details.

Birding with kids is fun! Here the guys explore Creamer's Field in Fairbanks.

Birds, birds, birds! The birds are coming back to Alaska, and to celebrate, I’m headed to Homer in a few weeks to speak about “Birding Beyond the Backyard” at the Kachemak Shorebird Festival. I’m not a birder, per se, but in creating this presentation, I discovered that AKontheGO does a fair amount of travel to places that are quite birdy. Places like Anchorage’s Potter Marsh, where the swans and gulls and ducks are congregating and making photos look professional, even from me. Or Creamers Field in Fairbanks, where cranes and geese are flying in daily, and where your family can observe, hike, and take in the squawking and squalling of these magnificant creatures. Down the southeast Alaska way? The Ketchikan Hummingbird Festival is winding down, but kids can still participate in activities and explore the beautiful Southeast Alaska Discovery Center downtown, or hike the trails at Totem Bight State Park. Flap your wings and give it a try!

Speaking of exploring with the kids, our friends at the Anchorage Park Foundation have launched their new Mobile App Park Directory! I was so excited to get this email, since parks are a huge part of any parent’s life. Get this, you can find directions, see what equipment/facilities are available, and even rate the park using this handy Android or iPhone app. Love, love!

The Travelgram Team (L-R) of Scott, Kirby, and Erin! Somewhere in Alaska.

Have you missed the Alaska Travelgram Radio Show? Good news! Scott and I, and our new sound engineer, Kirby Kaufmann, met yesterday at an undisclosed location (I do love being mysterious) for the first-ever, all-podcast, always awesome recording of the show. We chatted about all the good springtime deals, fabulous airfare specials, and had some fun chatting about Scott’s recent trip to Seattle. Kirby is working up the final details, and we’ll push that along to you as soon as is humanly possible via iTunes.

It’s a wonderful world, get out and savor this place in which we live. Happy weekend.

EK

Emails frequently fill the AKontheGO inbox with inquiries about suitable itineraries for a week of frolicking in the 49th state. Thrilled to share my two cents about family travel in Alaska, I happily tick-tap replies with glee.

Most questions center around activities to fill a weeklong trip with children of multiple ages, often with grandparents along for added fun (my favorite sort of Alaska adventure). With summer just around the corner, here’s a little itinerary-checker for families who just aren’t sure how to begin plotting and planning their Alaska adventure. Note: Do utilize the links provided to make any necessary reservations for activities; many prime time slots for attractions fill up fast.

Big fish in a big state!

The AKontheGO 7-Day (ish) Trip Ticker: (days are estimates, you may find more time is needed)

Purchase an Alaska TourSaver coupon book. For $99, this little blue book of two-for-one deals will provide thousands of dollars in savings on everything from museum admission to railroad tickets. Even for a family of four, somebody will go free, and that, we know, is always a good thing. Find them online HERE, or purchase upon arrival in Alaska at any Carrs/Safeway store customer service desk.

Fly into either Anchorage or Fairbanks. Both cities provide artierials to the other via the Parks or Richardson Highways, OR via the Alaska Railroad.

Riverboat Discovery in Fairbanks is full of kid-friendly fun

Stay at least two days in either city. Fairbanks has the beautiful Museum of the North, Riverboat Discovery and El Dorado Gold Mine, and very informative Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center. Take time to hike Creamer’s Field and learn about the rich history of this migratory bird refuge, or wander their boreal forest trail. Everyone will enjoy the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, with cars and trucks from way, way back.

Consider driving back to Anchorage via the Parks Highway and making a stop at Denali National Park, where the High One greets you with a splendid show of ice and snow. The Murie Science and Learning Center can provide your family with Junior Ranger programs, guided hikes, and tons of exhibits that encourage hands-on learning. Stay at one of the many lodges in “Glitter Gulch” (just outside the Park), or camp at Riley Creek campground, one of our favorites due to the accessiblilty of a store and trails nearby. Allow two or three days to explore the area; longer if hiking is high on your agenda of family fun.

Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage is worth a visit

Anchorage boasts a beautiful museum, too, that offers a Culture Pass deal to the must-see Alaska Native Heritage Center. Transportation can be provided, too, a nice bonus. Don’t forget to wander downtown Anchorage, either, and take the Trolley Tour, listen to some Music in the Park, or hit up Iditarod 2012 Winner Dallas Seavey’s Wildride Sled Dog Rodeo on the banks of Ship Creek. The Alaska Zoo is a kid-pleaser, with forested trails and just enough walking to satisfy little legs. Like to hike? Drive up to the stunning vistas of Arctic Valley and trek among the blueberry and crowberry bushes while taking in the amazing views of the Anchorage Bowl, Cook Inlet, and even Mt. McKinley.

From Fairbanks head south, (and from Anchorage, head north) along the Parks Highway to the mountain town of Talkeetna, where folks are just plain cool, and where kids will find a playground built by the community to satisfy their urge to climb, shout, and run about. Talkeetna is about 2 hours from Anchorage, and about four hours from Fairbanks. Take a jet boat ride with Mahay’s Jet Boat Adventures, then head over to the historic Talkeetna Roadhouse and rub shoulders with climbers fresh off the flanks of Mt. McKinley. Stay overnight at the Roadhouse, or at one of the many cabins available for rent.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center cares for orphaned moose calves

If more mountains appeal to your family, and Anchorage is your home base, drive 45 miles south of town to the ski village of Girdwood, home to Alyeska Resort and a slopside of hiking opportunities. Take the tram up and hike down, or, if you’re really hardy, hike up and score a free tram ride down. Warning: hiking boots, packs, and poles are a must for this hike. Be careful. Stop by their community playground after a visit to the Bake Shop for coffee, cocoa, and a plethora of baked goods, then drive another ten miles south to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This beautiful property is dedicated to preserving and rehabilitating all sorts of northern animals; from elk to bears and a whole herd of endangered Wood Bison, AWCC does a great job of educating and informing visitors. Oh, do stop in and see Snickers the porcupine; we love him.

The trip to Girdwood is easily done in a day; if you’d like to continue on, think about driving an additional 1.5 hours to Seward, where the mountains meet Resurrection Bay and a wealth of marine-type activities. Don’t miss the Alaska Sea Life Center, where kids and adults will enjoy a view of the rescued marine mammals, see a puffin up close, and learn more about Alaska’s fragile ocean world.  If you’d like to get closer, consider a glacier/wildlife cruise with Kenai Fjords or Major Marine tours, both of whom offer great options for families. Spend the night in Seward and head back to Anchorage the next day.

A stop in Portage after a fun day around Spencer Glacier

Don’t want to drive? The Alaska Railroad is a great way to show kids of school-age or older the scenery and have a little family time, too. Big kids relish the opportunity to hang out in the dome car or restaurant, and parents enjoy some relaxation, too. Bring your camera; the views are incredible. Find all sorts of railroad options; from day trips to Spencer Glacier with a rafting trip thrown in to a truly expeditious venture from Anchorage to Seward. We love the service, we love the trains themselves, and we love the way visitors can see wild Alaska from their seats.

Seven days. Big adventure. Happy family. Need more? Keep checking in to the AKontheGO blog for more posts about traveling Alaska with kids.

EK