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When to Travel to Alaska

I've been told we should travel to Alaska during the shoulder season to get the best deals. I'm not sure what that means or if it is a good idea. I asked

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Questions about Alaska, Answered by an Alaskan

Ask questions about Alaska life and travel. I will get you answers about what it is like to live here, as well as things you want to know for visiting and enjoying the state as a tourist.

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Halibut Fishing -- Bob Shares His Day on a Charter Boat Out of Homer, AK

Halibut fishing ... Thump, thump, thump. You feel their tail pushing them. You feel the sheer power of the big flat fish, running. Bob's describing his day on a charter boat trip.

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Springtime in Alaska - More Snow

The calendar says it is spring. Easter has come and gone. But, today, it is snowing here on the Kenai Peninsula.

Talked to a friend in Soldotna today who said his wife and daughter drove to Anchorage yesterday afternoon. He said they reported they were driving through inches of snow and slush, and the road was generally a mess.

Other reports were that as the day turned to night, the Seward Hwy. turned from slushy to icy and was treacherous.

Happy Easter

Bob and I are celebrating Easter from our home base near Soldotna, Alaska, this year.

Wherever you celebrate Easter, we hope your day is filled with peace, blessings, and all things good.

Site Search for the Alaska Life and Travel Website

Welcome to the Site Search for the Alaska Life and Travel website. Use this page to find the articles, tips, and ads you are looking for on www.alaska-life-and-travel.com.

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In Clam Gulch, the Center of Activity is Baker's Clam Shell Lodge

Clam Gulch is the place to go clamming in Alaska. Once you get there, you'll fine Baker's Clam Shell Lodge is the hub of this small town. Food, drink, a place to stay -- and friends.

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Kasilof, AK … Home of Iditarod Racers, Alaskan Salmon Fishing, and The Merc

Downtown Kasilof, AK is the The Merc and the post office. At least that's what you see at first glance. Look closer, though, and you'll find great Alaskan salmon fishing and services for visitors.

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Take a Salmon Charter Out of Seward for a Fun Filled Day of Alaska Fishing

A salmon charter when the silvers are running ... what a way to spend a day on Alaska's icy waters. A Seward fishing trip makes a fine introduction to Alaska's salmon fishing.

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Shower Facilities In Alaska For Travelers and Alaskans Without Indoor Plumbing

Shower facilities are readily available for travelers in Alaska. Between RVers and campers, and Alaskans without indoor plumbing, there's a demand for coin operated and public showers.

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Subway for Breakfast

Alaska isn't known for its inexpensive restaurants. One of the best deals around, though is Subway. We've started going there for breakfast sometimes.

It is also one of the few chain restaurants you'll find in many smaller Alaskan towns. I think it is the only one in Seward and one of only two in Homer. Not, that I'm a big fan of chain restaurants, but I understand that some folks like to see a familiar reastaurant sign.

Kenai Peninsula Residents Lose Electrical Power

A couple thousand homes on the Kenai Peninsula lost electrical power early this morning. Wet, heavy snow took down some of the power lines. Our electricity here was restored mid-afternoon.

We've received close to a foot of snow. It is the wet, water drenched kind. It piles onto the trees. The extra weight on the branches causes them to bend downward, onto the power lines.

Bad Weather Travel Advisory

The highway road conditions between Seward and Anchorage are bad. Alaska State Troopers are advising no unnecessary travel.

There's no doubt it is blustery. It is windy. What snow we have is blowing and there's more coming down. These winter road warnings are no surprise.

The Sterling Hwy. has had an icy glaze all day. DOT road crews are out sanding. But, with blowing snow they can only do so much.

Isoms Cafe On Funny River Road, Soldotna, Alaska

Isoms Cafe could be named Isom’s Café and Bakery. The fresh baked cookies and pastries are super. Go when the restaurant owners are there and it’s a welcoming, community gathering spot with good food.

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Exit Glacier Salmon Bake Restaurant and Pub, Seward, Alaska

Exit Glacier Salmon Bake features pick your own pickles, root beer on tap, and Alaskan Brewhouse beers. You can also find Alaskan salmon and halibut at this Seward restaurant, along with burgers.

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There's Hope in Alaska

All sorts of lame political comments come to mind. Yes, there is still Hope in Alaska, even though Governor Sarah Palin is resigning.

What do you find at the end of the road in Alaska? Hope. Well, at least if you are on the Seward Highway and you take the Hope road cutoff and follow it to the end, you find Hope.

We're in the town of Hope, AK (Alaska, not Arkansas). More on Hope in the following days. Unless our plans change, we'll be spending the next few days here. It's a small community, but there's much to write about.

The Smokey Haze Across Alaska

Over 70 forest fires around the state are causing a smokey haze that comes and goes. It was particularly bad this morning, causing us to shut our windows. Beetle kill trees fuel these fires. The warmer than usual temps and some wind keep them going.

Bear Paw Festival 2009

Excali-Bear & the Knights of the Paw, July 8-12, 2009. Downtown Eagle River, Alaska. All sorts of activities and entertainment. Here's just a sampling of what you'll find: parade, Slippery Salmon Olympics, outhouse races, carnival, Jammin' Salmon Cook-off, horse-drawn carriage rides, arts and crafts, Running with the Bears, and the Air Force Band of the Pacific.

A Heatwave -- Into the 70's

Temperatures got up into the 70's yesterday, and, oh, it seemed hot. It's been a while since we've summered in the lower 48 and I forget how hot it can be. As warm as it was here, even the thought of it being another 20 degrees warmer was uncomfortable.

This morning, we were back down to a comfortable temperature, in the 50's.

Kings in Kasilof

I just got word that they are catching Kings near Kasilof! These are the highly sought after King Salmon. Reports are coming in of Kings weighing 30 to 50 pounds each.

Best Deal in Town

The best deal in town is an ice cream cone at McDonald's for 50 cents. So often Alaska is excluded from advertised specials at fast food places. My hats off to McDonald's for making this available to folks in Alaska. Thanks, McD!

Happy Independence Day

We hope that however you are celebrating this Independence Day that you are doing it safely. Remember why the 4th of July is a holiday here in the USA -- and thank an active serviceman or retired veteran.

Cool and Comfortable (or Chilly)

Oh, what another beautiful day -- sunny and cool. Tourists in short sleeves are shivering. Actually, travelers in long sleeves are shivering, too. I suppose our 50 and 60 degree weather is quite a shock if you'd had 90 and 100 plus degree temperatures at home.

Alaska Time Zone

Alaska has its own time zone. As I write this, it is 2:50 pm Alaska time. That's 3:50 pm Pacific time, 4:50 pm Mountain time, 5:50 pm Central time, and 6:50 pm Eastern time. We notice the difference the most when making or receiving phone calls. It can be barely afternoon here, but a business in Eastern time zone may already have closed for the day.

It's a Beautiful Day in AK

It's a beautiful day here in Alaska. Temps here on the Kenai Peninsula are in the upper 60's -- that's warm for us!

They say tourism is down, but I don't believe it. There's a steady stream of traffic -- everything from motorhomes to motorcycles.

Breakfast at Sal's Diner

We went to Sal's Klondike Diner in Soldotna for breakfast this morning. Locals just call it Sal's. The 24-hour diner, up until a year or so ago, was actually owned by Sally. However, when Ted bought it, the famous name stuck. Sal's has plenty of parking. You'll usually get a generous portion of decent food, served by a friendly waitress.

Our breakfast recommendation? Split a taco omelet or the breakfast burrito.

Bring Your Sweater!

I've received a couple emails from friends today (one in Wisconsin and one in Arkansas) telling me about the awful heat they are living in. Well, here in Alaska, it has been chilly. I'm comfortable wearing a long-sleeved turtleneck and cardigan sweater. When we went to breakfast this morning, the waiter told us he had frost at his place last night. This is near Homer, AK, on the Kenai Peninsula.

A Few Days Relaxing in Homer, AK

We're in Homer, AK today. Specifically, we're out on the Homer Spit. The Spit can be crazily busy. Mid-week, though, it isn't so bad. Weather-wise, it's overcast and chilly. However, we're cozy and comfy in our travel trailer. For $15/night, we can park in a waterfront campsite at any of the city campgrounds. The fishing is good for Pollack. One of the things that struck me about Homer this trip is how lush and green it is with vegetation right now. The other thing that struck me is that large cups of hot coffee, with free refills, are only a buck. You may have noticed there were no updates the past couple of days -- well, blame Homer and the fact that I've been recreating more than writing while we are here.

Alaskans Give Practical Gifts

Alaskans are practical. We have a second hand store and sell lots of used merchandise that people give as gifts. Power tools, roasters, ice cream makers, axes, fishing equipment, flower vases, jackets, punch bowls. Wedding presents, Father's Day, Christmas, the list of occasions goes on.

Northern Lights Coupon Book

If you are in the Anchorage area and you like to go out to eat, you need a Northern Lights Coupon book. Most of the restaurant coupons are the kind where you buy one meal and get the second one free. The book includes all sorts of eating places, from fast food to fine dining, from drive-through espresso stands to full-service diners.

There are coupons for things other than food and beverages, but those are the sections we use most. Although, you can get some great discounts at tourist attractions, and when you use those, the savings really add up quickly.

Most of the coupons are for Anchorage. However, there are some for adjoining parts of Alaska, namely the Kenai Peninsula (Seward, Soldotna, Homer) and the Mat-Su Valley (Palmer, Wasilla).

Don't Feed the Birds and the Bears

We bought a bag of birdseed at the grocery store today. The bag had been torn and taped, so it was in the half-price mark down bin. Nothing so unusual about this -- except that we can't feed the birds until fall. Here in Alaska, we are supposed to take our bird feeders down in the spring and not put them up again until October.

The reason is bears. Food for birds is also food for bears. There's an Alaska saying, "A fed bear is a dead bear." Garbage, pet food, bird food, animal feed, and picnic foods left outside all can attract bears. When bears get accustomed to being fed by humans, even unintentionally, there's trouble.

So, we'll store our bag of bird food in a sealed container, inside a shed, until the snow flies and the bears are hibernating for the winter.

Alaska Gardening -- Great Results with Garlic

I'm not much of a gardener, but we do have a few tomato plants and a couple planters with herbs. And garlic. When I think of growing garlic, I think of California, probably because I'm familiar with the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Gilroy, CA. Garlic just doesn't sound like a cold weather crop.

A few years back, I had a head of garlic from the grocery store that was starting to sprout. I didn't want to throw it out. I separated it into cloves and stuck those that were sprouting into my herb planter.

They were fun to watch all summer. We've measured them and found they sometimes grow more than an inch a day. They really shoot up in our days of almost 24 hour a day daylight.

I don't do anything particular with them. No special planting soil or fertilizer. No doing anything special with the tops. We water when we think of it. Come fall, I'm rewarded with fresh heads of garlic.

It's Baby Moose Viewing Season

Tourists come to Alaska and want to see wildlife. We've lived here since 2001, and we still are in awe of the wildlife we see, even though it is on a daily basis. Of course, the wildlife viewing changes with the season.

Now is the season for baby moose. We were out running some errands yesterday and spotted the cutest little calf. Mother moose and the baby were standing along the roadside. The cow was munching brush. Baby would stand by for a bit, then take off to frolic, then return to mom's side.

AK Travel Tip of the Day

Bring a sweater or jacket, or plan to buy one after you get to Alaska. Temperatures this afternoon are in the 40's here on the Kenai Peninsula. It is overcast and downright chilly. You can save a chunk of money by heading to a second hand store and buying jackets there. At AK Secondhand, a little second hand store at Mile 102 of the Sterling Hwy., they have sweaters, sweatshirts, and jackets for only $3.00 each. Other second hand stores should have similar deals.

Sunday Radio in Kasilof, AK

As I do website updates this Sunday afternoon, I'm listening to the Parade of Old Time Bands. It is hosted by Doug Johnson, who calls himself "DJ the bearded Scandinavian." The song that happens to be playing is "The Sara Palin Polka," named for our notorious governor and V.P. hopeful. DJ plays an assortment of polkas and waltzes, many featuring Alaskans or Minnesotans. Just like me, DJ was born in Minnesota, and later moved to Alaska. Sure, you betcha, I understand his humor. The radio station is KWJG 91.5 FM out of Kasilof, AK.

Save On Your Alaska Trip by Traveling the Shoulder Seasons

Rates for motel rooms, campgrounds, restaurants, and other services are highest during the peak travel season. Gasoline also seems to go up during the summer tourist season. Another thing that goes up during the summer months, at least in some parts of Alaska, is the sales tax. You can save a lot on your trip to Alaska if you come in the spring or in late summer.

Take Time to Enjoy the Day

If you are in Alaska today, whether visiting our great state or if you live here, take time to really enjoy the day.

Alaska is famous for its scenic beauty. Yet, when here, it is easy to take it for granted. Take a few minutes to stand quietly outside and simply look. Look at the mountains. Look at the wildlife. Look at the water if you are near the ocean or one of our many lakes or rivers.

Memorial Day Weekend Report from the Kenai Peninsula

We haven't ventured down to the campgrounds or boat launches, but the reports coming in say they are packed. Lots of people are trying for Kings; few are getting any. Clammers are having better luck.

There were some predictions that tourism would be down this summer, with people staying at home instead of traveling. That doesn't seem to be happening. What I see is heavy traffic. Motorhomes, pickups pulling trailers and ATVs, and trucks towing boats form a steady stream on the highway -- in both directions. License plates show a mix of Alaska and out of state vehicles.

Have a happy and safe Memorial Day. Remember to thank those who served in our military.

Free Vacation Guide

Looking for a free travel guide? Here's the link for the official Free Vacation Guide. It is a free travel planner, with page after page of travel information for both tourists and locals. You may have heard of a book referred to as the "Bible" of Alaska travel, well, this free book from the Alaska Travel Industry Association is where it all begins.

Click for more info

Sunrises and Sunsets

Where ever you are in Alaska, relish the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The colors are fantastic.

Grocery Stores In Alaska From Supermarkets To Farmer’s Markets

Grocery stores in Alaska range from Fred Meyer supermarkets to neighborhood convenience marts, to warehouse clubs. You can find bulk groceries, locally grown produce, organic foods, and ethnic food.

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Watkins Vanilla In Alaska

Think of vanilla and you may think Mexico. Think of Watkins, the door to door Watkins man that sold spices and extracts, salves and ointments, and you may think of Minnesota and the mid-west.

But, Alaska? Turns out you can get Watkins pure vanilla and Watkins Original Double Strength Vanilla in Alaska at AK Secondhand. AK Secondhand is a little shop located at Mile 102 on the Sterling Hwy., just south of Soldotna, AK. And, among the fishing equipment, dishes, and one of a kind Alaskana items -- you'll find Watkins products.

The folks who own AK Secondhand store are also Independent Watkins Associates. They have some Watkins products available in the store. And, what they don't have in stock, they'll gladly order for you.

Alaska Celebrates 50 Years of Statehood

The declaration of statehood for Alaska was signed on January 3, 1959. This summer, you should be able to find special activities and special deals. Alaskans are celebrating our state's 50 anniversary across the land of the mid-night sun.

Campgrounds in Alaska Include Full Service RV Parks and Primitive Tent Camping

Campgrounds in Alaska have one thing in common – spectacular views. Alaska has full service RV parks and primitive tent campsites. The cleanest campground we’ve ever been to is in North Pole, AK.

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Alaskan Spring Breakup Is In Full Swing

It's a beautiful day here on the Kenai Peninsula. It's April, the sun is shining, the snow is melting, and yards are a muddy mess. That can only mean one thing - we Alaskans are in the middle of spring breakup.

Alaska Life and Travel By Alaskans Living and Traveling In The 49th State

Alaska Life and Travel gives you our view of AK. Alaska, as seen and lived by Alaskans. Where we eat, camp, fish, tour and shop. Where we go on vacation, the tourist attractions we visit. How we live.

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Subscribe to the AK Life And Travel Newsletter (Alaska)

Sign up to receive the free AK Life and Travel Newsletter. We live in Alaska and write about our life and travels here.

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Harry’s Family Restaurant, Soldotna, AK – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Cafe

Harry’s Family Restaurant is full of travelers all summer long. Come winter, you’ll find Alaskans there. You can get breakfast all day. But, I suggest you try Harry’s Special Sandwich.

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Acapulco Mexican Restaurant – Best Mexican Food Cafe in Soldotna, AK

Acapulco Mexican Restaurant is one of several cafes in Soldotna, AK, that serve Mexican food. We like it the best. I recommend the chile verde enchiladas and the homemade flan.

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