Alaska Cruisetours the way to go

ALASKA — The first thing you need to know about Cruisetours is: Don’t confuse them with shore excursions. Not only are they different, but “shore excursions” are available when you’re on a Cruisetour. In Alaska, Princess sets the standard for Cruisetours. They are combined with a 7-day cruise and there are four types of varying… Continue reading Alaska Cruisetours the way to go

School Buses for 'Leaf Peepers'

DENALI, Alaska — Passengers on Princess cruise ships have three choices when it comes to seeing the Denali National Park. You can spend 4 hours riding a school bus, 8 hours riding a school bus or 13 hours riding a school bus. Now, in case you think that sounds like torture worse than being punished… Continue reading School Buses for 'Leaf Peepers'

Going to the Dogs of the Iditarod

TALKEETNA, Alaska — Until now, Iditarod was a word that we always found difficult to spell and harder to say, but that was before we had a hand in training the dogs that run 1,049 miles in temperatures of minus 60 degrees. Yes, indeed, better them than us. So when the first Sunday in March… Continue reading Going to the Dogs of the Iditarod

Alaskan Wildlife Sanctuary a Hit

KENAI, Alaska — The three bears, said the young man from the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, are called Hugo, JB and Petrone. In a strange quirk of giving bears names, Hugo is female while JB and Petrone are male. Their names do indeed have something to do with alcoholic beverages. And why is a female… Continue reading Alaskan Wildlife Sanctuary a Hit

Anchorage: Gateway to Education

ANCHORAGE — In most of North America, this would be considered a small city. In Alaska, where everything else is big, it is the largest…and home to about half the state’s population. Along with its temperate climate — relatively speaking — that makes it something of an oasis in the wilderness…and a wealth of information.… Continue reading Anchorage: Gateway to Education