Tag Archives: alaska

What Were Those Eagles Thinking?

Yesterday on my way to the grocery store I was listening to the radio. As I pulled into the parking lot the announcer was getting ready to talk about news stories. “In Alaska, nearly two dozen bald eagles are dead after an unfortunate encounter with a truck.” Say what? Instead of shutting off the engine and going inside as planned, I hung around to hear why so many of these once endangered species had died at once. Them Crazy Birds Turns out they were responsible for their own demise. The temptation? A truck full of fish waste outside of a … Continue reading →

The Alaska-Hawaii Vacation Swap

As I prepare for my family’s annual trip to Hawaii I can’t help but think of the thousands of Alaska residents who are doing the same right about now. Each year around this time the annual winter exodus from the 49th state to the 50th state occurs and the land of Aloha gets a boost from its northern neighbors. Growing up in Hawaii it seemed a way of life that during the winter Alaska residents invaded the state and in the summer thousands of island locals headed north on fishing expeditions and to whale watch. The winter exodus from Alaska … Continue reading →

Your Chance to Run, Run with Rudolph

Here’s a trip my daughter would love to sign up for… thankfully she is only 3 years old and can’t read this blog. However, if you are as intrigued with reindeer as she is (her stuffed Rudolph–complete with battery powered red nose–from Build-A-Bear Workshop is practically Velcroed to her) you might consider booking a flight to Anchorage, Alaska. The northern city is hosting a reindeer adventure that is akin to the running of the bulls in Spain. The big event dubbed the “Running of the Reindeer” makes its inaugural debut next month. The opportunity to run shoulder-to-shoulder with a herd … Continue reading →

Traveling To Hawaii—Good News Bad News

Residents and travelers to the 49th and 50th states are dealing with some good news and bad news. Alaska Airlines just announced it plans to offer year-round direct flights between Hawaii and Anchorage—-that’s the good news. The bad news is that some Alaskans are worried that the lack of competition for the route could lead to higher fares in the long run. For years Hawaiian Vacations Inc. was the only company offering direct flights between Anchorage and Honolulu. When Alaska Airlines bought out Hawaiian Vacations Inc. it promised to offer roughly the same amount of flights per week that Hawaiian … Continue reading →

Marriage Laws – Alaska & Hawaii

Yesterday, we completed looking at the marriage laws in the 48 contiguous states and today, we complete the set by journeying north to Alaska and across the Pacific to the islands of Hawaii. So let’s get started and thanks for joining me on our journey through 50 states worth of marriage laws and licenses. Alaska Obtaining a marriage license in Alaska is pretty straightforward. You will need a picture ID to present when you turn in your application. However, because some locales are pretty remote from a marriage license office, you can submit an application via postal mail or fax … Continue reading →

“Hang Up The Phone, We’re On Vacation”

If I had a dime for each time my sister-in-law spat those words out during our Easter vacation… I’d be rich. My two older brothers are cellphone addicts—they take their phones everywhere. I will admit their addiction grew (somewhat) out of necessity. One is a firefighter and the other is the spokesperson for the county’s Department of Emergency Management. So each carries at least two cellphones at all times. Which, of course, means that during our spring vacation there was nary a moment that went by when one of their phones was not ringing. (And frankly, I couldn’t blame them … Continue reading →

Hot Deals In A Cool Spot

In a previous blog I wrote about the rising fees at U.S. national parks—not such good news. However, this blog provides much better news—in the form of two-for-one deals and other discounts being offered at one of Alaska’s most popular national parks. Spring is a slow time in the land of the midnight sun and the Alaska Office of Tourism Development is hoping that the following deals will help sway some travelers their way this May. I know what you are thinking: Who wants to visit Alaska in May? It’s true; the average daily temperature from May 1 to June … Continue reading →

Alaska’s Hidden Treasure

Typically, you’ll find me blogging about the 50th State (where I was born and raised), but today I will be singing the praises of the 49th State—Alaska. Believe it or not, Alaska is a prime travel destination for residents of Hawaii (they love the fishing). Regardless of where you live, I’m sure you will find an Alaskan vacation is one you won’t soon forget. Locals call it a “hidden treasure,” while tour guides call it the “Paris of the Pacific.” Whatever you call it Sitka Sound is a sight that will stay with you for years to come. Sitka Sound … Continue reading →

Visiting Beautiful Alaska

The state of Alaska is located in the northernmost and largest part of the country. Reaching out into the Artic Ocean, this state is divided from Russia by the Bering Strait. In addition, Alaska boasts one of the longest rivers in the entire North American continent called the Yukon. By the 1890s, the Klondike gold rush occurred, which doubled the population in Alaska’s capital. Then by 1900 during the peak of the gold rush era, over $22 million of gold was panned. However, production of gold stopped in 1966, by which time $220 million of gold had been panned over … Continue reading →

Homeschooling In Alaska – The “Forget-Me-Not” State

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The next state in my blog series of state requirements for homeschooling is the great state of Alaska, the state flower is the gorgeous “Forget-Me-Not” and how could we forget a state that has not one, not two, but FIVE different options for homeschooling your children! The following summary of information regarding homeschooling options comes from the Home School Legal Defense Association’s website www.hslda.org. Required school age is between 7 and 16. (A child who is six years old and enrolled in the first grade in public school is subject to the compulsory attendance law. A parent may withdraw such … Continue reading →