Alaska Cruises – Sitka Port-of-Call!

Posted on November 22, 2010 by AlaskaTravel

Brian Schmidt asked:

To experience the diversity and absolute beauty of Alaska, you must visit the port-of-call on your cruise to Alaska, Sitka. This seaside Alaskan town on Baranof Island has been both Russian and American.

The beauty of Sitka comes in part because of its location. With the Pacific Ocean on the west, and the forested mountains to the east, Sitka is considered by many to be the most beautiful of the seaside Alaska towns. The vistas of the area are a large reason why Alexander Baranof, the first Russian Governor of Alaska chose to build his castle here in the borough of Sitka.

Of course, the wildlife adds to the beauty of the area and is another reason these cruises often make a stop in Sitka. Humpback whales use the waters off the Sitka borough for feeding in early spring and late fall. During the summer, the area around Sitka offers cruise passengers chance sitings of tufted puffins and a myriad of other birds, sea otters, sea lions and many other marine and forest creatures. As a matter of note, Sitka lies in one of the largest temperate rain forests in the world.

Alaskan cruises to Sitka also provide a cultural insight into the development of the Alaskan frontier. As was noted earlier, Sitka played host to the government when Alaska was a Russian territory. Historical sites include the Baranof Castle Hill site.

The Tlingit culture is also quite evident in the Sitka borough. This native culture provides guests on cruises to Alaska yet another insight into Alaska’s development.

Currently, Sitka’s economy is based on lumber and processing, fishing, and of course tourism. Sitka is home to Sheldon Jackson College and the Sitka Branch of the University of Alaska. A Coast Guard air station is located at Sitka as well.

Many Alaska cruise itineraries make stops at Sitka. For example, Holland America Alaska cruises have about 18 itineraries that include Sitka. Norwegian Cruise Lines have 4 Alaska cruise itineraries that include stops in Sitka. Two Princess Alaska cruise itineraries stop in Sitka. Carnival includes stops in Sitka on both their north bound and south bound Alaska cruises. Royal Caribbean includes a stop at Sitka on at least one of its Alaska cruises.

The beauty of Alaska can by far be best seen while on an Alaska cruise itinerary that includes a stop in Sitka, arguably the most beautiful of all Alaskan seaside towns.

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Alaska Real Estate – The Great Outdoors

Posted on November 21, 2010 by AlaskaTravel

Raynor James asked:

Alaska is the biggest state in the Union and tends to be a take it or leave it proposition for relocation. For those choosing Alaska, the real estate market is a solid investment.

Alaska

Known as “the great land”, Alaska seems like a harsh, remote wilderness and certainly nowhere anyone would want to live. These assumptions are blown away once you visit and are overwhelmed by Mother Nature at her absolute best. From magnificent mountain ranges to ocean shores to glaciers to raging rivers, Alaska is an outdoor enthusiasts dream. In a state that compromises fully 20 percent of the total land mass of the United States, there is practically nothing that can’t be found. On a personal aside, Denali National Park is a place you should visit at least once in your lifetime. It will leave a mark and give you a new respect for nature.

Anchorage

Anchorage is home to roughly forty percent of the human population in Alaska as bears, moose and so forth seem to prefer other areas. If you’re flying in to Alaska, Anchorage is going to be your destination. Overall, Anchorage is a sprawling, chaotic city. It has received more than its fair share of criticism for being “un-Alaskan,” but it is the primary choice of homebuyers looking for a big city in Alaska.

Juneau

The state capital of Alaska, Juneau is the best city in Alaska in my opinion. The city abuts rain forests, mountains and the Gastineau Channel. Named after the first prospector to strike gold in the area, Juneau is a collection of modern amenities with old world charm. Buy a home in Juneau and you’ll wake up every morning to the most spectacular views in the world. Put another way, Juneau is where the cruise ships stop in Alaska.

Alaska Real Estate

In a state as large as Alaska, prices can vary tremendously. Property in small towns can cost next to nothing, but lets focus on the biggies. $300,000 is the average cost for a single-family residence in Anchorage, while it is going to take $450,000 to buy the same home in Juneau. For 2005, homes in Alaska appreciated at a rate of just over 13 percent.

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Travel Alaska: Alaska Travel – Alaska Travel Video

Posted on November 21, 2010 by AlaskaTravel

AtlasTravelWeb asked:

Travel Alaska: Alaska Travel-Alaska Travel Video www.escortedalaskatours.com Best selection of Alaska Tour vacations. Travel to the Northwest and see the beauty of Alaska for yourself. From its spectacular scenery to the fascinating wildlife Alaska offers an adventure of a lifetime. We offer tours and vacations to some of the most popular destinations in Alaska, including Anchorage, Fairbanks, Ketchikan, Inside Passage, Glacier Bay and more. – cNow vacationing in Alaska is even easier, as we have done all the work for you. The possibilities are endless as we have included many travel itineraries to suit your desires and your budget. There so much of Alaska to visit that it is hard to know where to start. There are tours for individuals, couples and families to experience the best that nature has to offer. Buying your Alaska Tour gives you peace of mind because you prepay for your trip and save up to 40% off the cost of traveling the same itinerary on your own.

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The Alaska Inside Passage Cruise

Posted on November 16, 2010 by AlaskaTravel

J. David Rogers asked:

An Alaska Inside Passage cruise is perhaps the most popular of all the itineraries any cruise line has to offer because of its spectacular and unbeatable scenery. This area of Alaska is also known as the Panhandle because of its history as an active center of gold mining. This is only one of the historic moments you will learn about when you visit this incredibly beautiful part of the state. Inside Passage cruises depart only from Seattle, San Francisco and Vancouver.

This Alaska Inside Passage cruise is almost always taken as a round trip from Seattle or Vancouver and this is just one more reason it is as popular as it is. Economical round trip airfare to and from either of these cities is extremely affordable for any travel budget. The duration of this passage option is seven days on average and this is enough time to get a great taste of all there is to see within this part of Alaska. If you are looking for a longer cruise they are sometimes offered out of California but the extra three to four days are generally spent at sea, therefore this extra time is time spent aboard the ship and not within Alaska. On the other hand shorter cruises of four to five days are offered as well from Klondike Cruise tours directly within Alaska.

Let’s go through what an average Alaska Inside Passage cruise itinerary would include. Your first day is often spent cruising through the Inside Passage of Alaska and taking in the sights of breathtaking glaciers, mountains and wildlife of all kinds. You will then spend the next three to four days exploring different cities and ports of Alaska including Juneau, Skagway, Misty Fjord, Glacier Bay National Park and several others. Your final day is spent retracing your path to your port of origin.

If you are debating on a family cruise vacation, it is not uncommon for families to travel to Alaska this way. There is a great deal for children to see and learn about this part of the United States and many of the land excursions are child friendly which makes for a great family vacation.

The best time of year to take an Alaska Inside Passage cruise is anywhere from the beginning of April until the end of September. This is when the weather is most agreeable and wildlife is everywhere to see. The migration of the whales is one sight many travelers never forget when they take this cruise during the spring months of the year. Always consider the time of year you choose to travel so you will be sure to see the sights you want to be able to see.

There is nothing like an Alaska Inside Passage cruise, especially if you are interested in seeing something truly different. Take in air so fresh you will feel like you have never breathed before, see mountains that go on for miles and miles and witness whales leaping from the sea and bears lumbering along the shore. Really see nature for the first time when you visit Alaska. An Alaska Inside Passage cruise is one you will want to take again and again because there is so much to see–seven days is just not enough!

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The Wonders of Alaska DVD official trailer tracy arm cruises

Posted on November 16, 2010 by AlaskaTravel

dunghoe2007 asked:

www.amazon.com Alaska is one of the most amazing, untouched places left on the planet. Many travel there every year in order to see the amazing Last Frontier. The Wonders of Alaska DVD is a great way to see what Alaska is all about. This DVD takes you on a tour where you visit Alaska’s animals and glaciers. This Alaska travel movie really gives you a good look at some of the most desired parts of Alaska. A lot of the filming took place in the famous Tracy Arm fjord. Many cruise ships, as well as independent companies, take tourists to see the fjord. Tracy Arm is absolutely breathtaking and this video gives you a good glimpse of why. The Wonders of Alaska is an out-of-this-world Alaska travel video with stunning footage, educational narration and enjoyable music. Featuring Alaska’s magnificence, beauty and pristine nature, The Wonders of Alaska is a pure delight for all ages. Go on an incredible journey and visit humpback whales, black bears, sea otters, birds, harbor seals, mountain goats, killer whales and salmon in this Alaska tour DVD. Observe Alaska’s magnificent waterfalls, gigantic icebergs and watch huge pieces of ice crash into the ocean. The calving glaciers in this movie are astonishing. Some even say, “Unbelievable!” There is no movie with glacier calving like this. See climate change and global warming happen in front of your eyes! Experience nature at its best. This Alaska movie is loaded with amazing Alaska footage of glaciers and animals. Visit, learn and …

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Panning For Gold In Alaska

Posted on November 14, 2010 by AlaskaTravel

Michael Russell asked:

Alaska is truly one of the world’s most beautiful places. Many of those who visit today are drawn by the beauty of nature and abundance of outdoor activities available. In the late 1800s floods of people were drawn to Alaska for another reason; gold. Many new settlements were established as a result. Many of these settlements, Fairbanks, Juneau and Nome, still exist today.

When you visit Alaska today, you will find evidence of the state’s connection to gold mining just about everywhere you go. From locally held events like Fairbanks Golden Days to the gold nugget jewelry and painted gold pans you’re sure to find in local gift shops.

While many consider gold prospecting a thing of the past, there’s still gold in Alaska’s hills and streams today. In fact, just recently a huge gold and copper deposit was found about 235 miles southwest of Anchorage, near Lake Iliamna.

If you plan to visit Alaska you might want to consider doing a little gold prospecting of your own. You never know what you might find. One of the most popular techniques for finding gold is panning. During the gold rushes of the 1800s, this was the preferred method used by prospectors. In Alaska today there are still a few places where you can pan for gold and not worry about being accused of claim jumping. These are public areas open to the general public for recreational gold panning and sluicing but you cannot file a claim. The Bureau of Land Management office and the Department of Natural Resources office in Fairbanks will provide information on these areas, including maps.

Before you get started, you’ll need to pick up the necessary prospecting supplies. You should be able to find what you need at local mining supply shops and discount stores. Please be thoughtful about the tools you select and the methods you use in your search for gold. Avoid anything that might impact negatively on nature and the environment.

OK, are you ready to find your fortune? The following areas are open to the general public for recreational gold panning and sluicing. You are allowed to use gold pans, metal detectors, sluice boxes and rocker boxes in these areas.

Bachelor Creek: Located 80 miles North of Fairbanks just past Montana Creek on the Steese Highway, this is a remote area that does not provide camping facilities. Once you get there you will need to hike about 4 miles to the mining area.

Nome Creek: Located north of the Steese Highway in the White Mountains National Recreation Area, there are three campgrounds in the area. Facilities such as restrooms (outhouses) and drinking water are provided, but a recreation fee is charged. Gold was first discovered here in the early 1900s and has a rich history of gold finds.

Pedro Dome: Located approximately 25 miles north of the city of Fairbanks, this is where Felix Pedro discovered gold in 1902. The area is relatively small, about 1 acre in size. There are no restrooms (outhouses) and you will need to bring your own drinking water and food.

A couple of more areas you can try are Caribou Creek and Dalton Highway.

Some of these areas are very remote. In addition to your prospecting supplies you will need the necessary outdoor supplies and equipment. If you’re really not looking for a wilderness experience, but you still want to enjoy the excitement of finding gold, there are other options available.

There are several companies located in the Fairbanks area which have tours of mining towns and areas. These companies generally provide you with everything you need to do a little panning. Some even “stock” the sand so that you can be assured of not going home empty handed.

Here are a couple you can check out:

Klondike Gold Dredge Tour Company, Skagway, Alaska

El Dorado Gold Mine, 1.3 Mile Elliott Hwy, Fox, AK 99709

Chicken Gold Camp & Outpost, Box 70, Chicken, Alaska 99732

One way or another, I’m sure you will have a lot of fun prospecting for gold in Alaska. And who knows? You just might go home with a couple of gold nuggets.

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Alaska – Geography of the Largest State

Posted on November 14, 2010 by AlaskaTravel

Michael Russell asked:

Today, although it still has problems with communications and agriculture, the natural beauty and mineral wealth of the country as well as its prized fishing and timber industries, makes it a desirable place. Not to mention its strategic position, being only 84 km (52 miles) from mainland Russia. Oil strikes indicate that Alaska may sit on one of the largest oil reserves in the world.

Sometimes referred to as ‘the last frontier’ due to its small population and large opportunities, it was an administrative territory of the US government from 1912 to 1959, when it became the 49th State.

Total landmass is 1,518,800 sq kilometres (586,412 sq miles) and is more than twice the size of Texas. It has 10,700 kilometers (6,640 miles) of rugged coastline and a wide array of scenery. The southern coast sweeps in a wide arc from the south-east, encompassing the Gulf of Alaska, to the chain of the Aleutian Islands in the west.

Moving inland, it rises steeply, particularly in the east where glaciers reach down to the sea. Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet interrupt an otherwise never-ending coastline. The Alaska Peninsula separates the southern coast from the Bering Sea, the coast of which is ice-bound for most of the year. The coast then runs northwards indented by Bristol Bay, Norton Sound and Kortzebue Sound and on to the Arctic Ocean.

Alaska can be divided into 3 regions; the mountains along the southern coast; the lowlands and hills of the interior; and the mountains and Arctic shore in the north. In the Panhandle in the south-east, the mountains form islands, due to the valleys being below sea level, the area known as the Inland Passage.

Further northwest, the mountains are wider and higher and nestle spectacular glaciers. Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city and is at the head of the Cook Inlet. Inland from Anchorage is the Coast Range, a continuation of the mountain range, which runs through the rest of the US and home to Mount McKinley, at 6,194 meters (29,322 feet), the highest mountain in North America.

Volcanic activity in Alaska is frequent, the whole length of the coastal mountain ranges is geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes. The population is sparse and little damage to property or human life occurs, notwithstanding the huge quake of 1964, which flattened many parts of Anchorage.

The central lowlands are drained by several rivers, of which the Yukon is the largest. Permafrost underlays huge tracts of land and therefore they have poor drainage in summer. Gold was discovered in the valleys in 1898 and the area still produces this mineral. Fairbanks, the second largest city, is found in the Tanana Valley and is the main agricultural area in the interior. The Tanana River is a tributary of the Yukon.

The lowlands are framed on the north by the Brooks Range, a continuation of the Rocky Mountains. Elevations range between 2,800 meters (9,200 ft) in the east near the Canadian border to 900 meters (3,000 ft) in the west near the Bering Strait. The Brooks Range averages 130 km (80 miles) in width. North of the range are foothills which descend into the coastal plain. These form the North Slope and where, in 1968, oil and natural gas were discovered in immense quantities.

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Alaska by Rail

Posted on November 12, 2010 by AlaskaTravel

Michael Russell asked:

One of the best ways to see the sights of Alaska is through a railroad tour! The Alaska Railroad is a railway that runs between Anchorage and Whittier and also from Anchorage to Fairbanks. On the southern Whittier route, the train also stops at Seward and on the northern route, it stops at Denali and Talkeetna. These tracks cover some of the most beautiful Alaskan countryside and the Alaska Railroad operates several scenic tours for tourists.

Taking an Alaska Railroad tour is one of the best ways to view some of the more remote locations in Alaska’s vast countryside. You will not have to worry about where you will stay each night, because the tours include your hotel accommodations at luxury hotels. You will stop periodically along the route to get out and enjoy some of the scenery, as well as mingle with native Alaskans. When you park yourself in the observation car, you will be gazing on some of the most beautiful views in the northern hemisphere.

One of the most popular Alaskan train tours is offered by the Alaska Railroad and is called Alaska by Rail. This tour is designed for the railway enthusiast and takes riders through some of the local culture. You will explore the Kenai Fjords National Park, as well as the shoreline of Kenai. The train will take you into some of the interior areas of the state and you will revel in the wildlife of Denali National Park. One of the stops even allows travelers to ride a sternwheeler down the Fairbanks River! This is a nine-day tour, with eight nights in luxury hotels. It begins and ends in Anchorage.

For those interested in a natural experience, the Visit Denali Tour offered by the Alaska Railroad takes guests on a three-day trip through the massive national park. This is a great way to experience the mountains that Alaska is so famous for. Do not be surprised if you see a herd of caribou on this trip!

For the ultimate rail experience in Alaska, consider the Alaskan Odyssey trip. This is an eleven-day tour of the entire state, starting at the Pacific and ending at the Arctic. It takes visitors to all of the most famous Alaskan destinations and includes transportation by train, plain and bus. You will experience the midnight sun over the Arctic Ocean, the thrill of the Arctic National Park and the opportunity to see some of Alaska’s wildlife in Denali National Park. This tour also takes you through the vast tundra, an experience you are sure to never forget.

The White Pass and Yukon Railroad offers tourist trips through the Alaska into the Yukon of Canada. This railway is historic, as it was built around the turn of the century during the height of the Klondike Gold Rush. This trip takes you on cars that are recreations of the original cars through train stations that are also reminiscent of a time gone by. Like the other railway, you will enjoy the most stunning views on this trip and the cars have large windows for you to use to view the passing scenery. Each car is also equipped with outside viewing platforms that you can use to get a taste of fresh air.

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Thinking About Alaska?

Posted on November 11, 2010 by AlaskaTravel

Matt R Carter asked:

Let me start by telling you a short and relevant story. I am from Juneau, AK, born and raised. My wife and I were living there while she got her Master degree. This was an ideal time for my in-laws to come and visit because they could do it on the cheap by staying with us. My brother in-law flew across the country to come visit. He wanted to experience Alaska so I set him up to do what we do to pass the time. I took him fishing for Salmon, where we saw some Humpback Whales and Sea Lions, and caught some Silver Salmon. I dropped him off at the trail heads of some of the trails that the locals use to hike or mountain bike. I had a buddy of mine fly him out, in his float plane, to a glacier where they landed and walked around, saw some bear and all that good stuff. Mostly, I packed about a months worth of living in Juneau into about a weeks time. Luckily for him we also had a stretch of awesome weather which makes everything in Alaska better! Obviously he had and awesome time.

A few years later he decided to go on another trip to Alaska to do some river fishing. He spent thousands of dollars on his adventure. He stayed at a fishing resort where he got all of meals made for him and walked right down to the beach and fished at his leisure. The problem was that thousands of other people each summer book that exact same trip with the massive amount of fishing resorts that Alaska offers. We Alaskans call that experience “Combat Fishing” because you are literally packed in with every Tom, **** and Harry who wants to catch some salmon. The nice thing about this style of trip is that it requires very little planning on your part. You don’t have to think about food, or housing or bait ect. Although, he did catch more fish at the resort he told me after the trip that he spent over 10 times the money to go to that fishing resort and when compared to visiting me and he considered it a disaster.

It is always difficult when going to an unfamiliar location because you don’t know exactly what you should be doing to get the experience of a life time. Here is what I recommend.

1. Decide far ahead of time exactly what it is that you want to experience. Not visit but really experience. Remember that it is OK to just want to have visited something too!

2. Visit blogs and forums. There are literally thousands of sites that will give you insight into trips that others have experienced, and what they experienced.

3. Use local services and not big corporations. Locals depend on you so they will bend over backwards to give you the experience that you are looking for. Employees of larger corporations get paid regardless of your experience. Lots of large companies will ship in employees who don’t even know Alaska and will only tell you info that you could get off of their brochure because that is all that they know.

4. Call the businesses ahead of time. Talk to the owner of the Charter Boat or whatever and let them know exactly what it is that you want to experience. If they can’t meet your needs they will most likely know someone else who will.

5. Don’t be shy about your desires. If you want to swim with the spawning Salmon someone will be able to accommodate you so make sure that you let your contacts know the truth. Remember that this is trip is all about you so you don’t have to do what everyone else does.

6. Don’t be afraid to change your plans on the go. You may get to your destination and realize that you really want to go on a glacier hike and did not plan it in. Change your plans and do what you want.

There is nothing wrong with going on preplanned excursions. They are designed to pack a lot into a simple program and they are usually a pretty descent bargain. On the other hand it is likely that you will want to spend more time doing one thing than they allow for and less time doing another so be flexible! Have fun and enjoy your trip to the last frontier!

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Alaska Pipeline Importance

Posted on November 11, 2010 by AlaskaTravel

Bob K. Jent asked:

The oil fields of Alaska remain a mostly untapped resource that the United States looks to for fuel in the future. The U.S. has been depending on Alaska for 17% of its domestic crude for about 3 decades now, due to its large supplies that have been found thus far and one of the largest pipelines of its kind in the world.

Oil was discovered at Prudhoe Bay in Northern Alaska in 1968, and motivated an assemblage of different oil companies to pool their financial resources and find a way to get the precious petroleum to port and to consumers. The five oil companies decided the most efficient way to move the oil would be an enormous pipeline stretching from the bay to the port of Valdez, a nearly 800 mile route which would stop at the northernmost ice-free port in the United States. These companies decided they would share profits and rights to the pipeline and hired the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company to keep the pipeline clean and running after its construction. The pipeline construction itself cost over 8 billion dollars and was the largest privately financed construction project ever.

The companies involved in the project and their shares in the pipeline, determined by the amount of money invested, are British Petroleum (46.93%), ConocoPhillips (28.29%), ExxonMobil (20.34%), Unocal (1.36%), and Koch (3.08%). These companies make sure that their private contracting company, the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, keep things running smoothly, helping to protect their interests in Alaska and helping serve their customers around the U.S. Construction began in 1975 and was completed in 1977. The pipeline has a diameter of 48 inches and spans 800 miles across three mountain ranges and over nearly 800 Alaskan rivers and streams. In many sections, the pipeline needed to be elevated in order to protect the permafrost, permanently frozen soil, in danger of melting from the heat emanating from the crude carrying pipe.

The oil supplies at Prudhoe Bay have provided nearly 500 billion gallons of oil since the pipeline’s construction in 1977. Nearly 40 billion gallons of oil coarse through its steely-veined infrastructure every single day! The Trans Alaska Pipeline System is not only important to United States oil consumers and companies; perhaps its largest contribution is to the state government and inhabitants of Alaska itself. The pipeline provides nearly 80% of the funding for Alaska’s state government as well as giving Alaskan natives royalties from the oil production to help offset the use of their land for pipeline construction. As more oil is discovered in Alaska, more pipelines will surely become necessary for transport, further benefiting Alaskans and the United States population alike.

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