Alaska Firefighters helping us folks in the Lower 48

AlaskaPublic.org Announces on August 10, 2012

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

Alaska firefighters are helping battle blazes in the Lower 48 again. Alaska Fire Service spokesman Mel Slater says a total of 200 firefighters headed south this week. The deployment includes village and regional crews managed by the State, Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. Slater says Alaska is in a position to help out.

Slater says five Alaska based firefighting aircraft, a mix of helicopters and planes remain in the Lower 48, since being sent out of state last month.  This year’s fire season has been slow in Alaska, with only 207,000 acres burned.


Thank you Alaska.  From all of us in the Lower 48 ! 
Vivian M. Webb, MCC, C.Ht, CPLC

Why do you go on vacation ? Why not Alaska ? Yes bring your bathing suit !

What is your ultimate goal in going on vacation ?

Fun ?
New Experiences ?
Adventure ?
Sites/sightseeing ?
Culture ?
New forms of entertainment ?

For those who are unsure of venturing to Alaska, why ?
Love the sun ?
Fear of cold ?
Think you might be bored ?

　

Though it most certainly rains in Alaska, and the whether is unpredictable, just like Hawaii and Florida, the sun does come out in Alaska ! Matter of fact, a many a cruisers have laid out on the deck of the pool, while in port, in their bathing suit, and received a sun burn !

Did you know, they even offer snorkeling in Alaska ?
http://snorkelalaska.com/ 　


Per TravelAlaska.com …. “If you’re addicted to the History Channel, you stockpile old issues of National Geographic, or prefer to visit places where people practice customs different from your own, Alaska offers endless options.”

CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT. “Alaska visitors can experience the state’s unique Native culture through many avenues including totem carving, Native dancing, the blanket toss, traditional music, crafts and festivals as well as cultural and historical museums, heritage centers and academics. Whether you want to explore Alaska’s vibrant Native culture or other artistic and intellectual attractions like music festivals, local artisan handiwork, Russian iconography or museum exhibits, a long list of things to do and see awaits you.”

Russian Heritage
http://www.travelalaska.com/Things%20To%20Do/Art%20Culture%20History/Russian%20Heritage/Index.aspx

SIGHTSEEING. “Every step along the way offers sightseeing and touring opportunities in such a wide variety you'll never lack for choices. From whale watching, wildlife and glacier tours to historical towns and gold mines to cultural experiences to pure Alaskan wilderness adventure, you'll find much to experience and savor. From the Inside Passage to Fairbanks in the heart of the state to the frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean to the tip of the Kenai Peninsula you'll discover the best Alaska has to offer.”

ADVENTURE. “If you're looking for adventure, Alaska has it from the mild to the wild. Raft a world-class river, kayak along rugged coastlines, hike or bike a mountain trail. All are available on your own or with an experienced guide. Out of town adventures include charter fishing trips, sightseeing cruises and flightseeing tours. The railroad can take you in comfort through some of the world's most spectacular scenery.”

Alaska Rail Road traveling is fun !
http://www.alaskatravel.com/alaska-railroad/
Fishing
http://www.travelalaska.com/Things%20To%20Do/Fishing.aspx
Kayak and Rafting
http://www.travelalaska.com/things%20to%20do/adventure/kayaking%20rafting.aspx

Zip Lining
http://alaskacanopy.com/
Wildlife Viewing
http://www.travelalaska.com/Things%20To%20Do/Wildlife%20Viewing.aspx

Golf
http://www.alaskagolflinks.com/golfcourses.html
Shopping
http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/alaska/alaska-shopping

View photos:

http://www.travelalaska.com/Experience%20Alaska/Photo%20Gallery.aspx 　

There’s basically something for everyone.

What are you waiting for !

Is this an Alaska White Bear or what ? Is it an endangered animal ?

AlaskaPublic.org reports this month, by Anne Hillman, KSTK (Wrangell) … ‘Spirit Bears’ May Be Facing New Threat. “Some black bears, especially those on the coast of British Columbia, carry a genetic anomaly that makes their fur white. They’re popularly called spirit bears. KSTK’s Anne Hillman spoke to bear biologist Wayne McCrory, who has been studying the bears and trying to protect them for the past 30 years. He says they could be facing a new, larger threat. “

Why not take a moment and learn a little more about this unique bear …


Per Wikipedia, “Kermode bear, also known as Spirit Bear“.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kermode_bear

From National Geographic:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/08/kermode-bear/barcott-text

Charles Russell writes… “Princess Royal Island, an uninhabited spot of land off the coast of British Columbia, is the home of the rare Kermode bear, a variety of grizzly bear. Also called the white, ghost, or spirit bear, it has long been the subject of myth, curiosity, and fascination to humans. ”.

Call your local book store and order your copy today:
Spirit Bear: Encounters with the White Bear of the Western Rainforest.
Diane Swanson writes … “The Spirit Bear is a unique subspecies of the North American black bear. It's neither a polar bear nor an albino, but a black bear that's white.”

Call your local book store and order your copy today: Welcome to the World of Spirit Bears, which contains nearly 30 titles and inspires, fascinates and educates children. “

Personally I have never seen or at least, never been pointed out, that a bear that I was viewing was one of the Spirit Bears.  I will ask better on my future adventures to Alaska !  








　
　

Great Shopping Opportunities in Alaska

Who loves to shop ?

There’s most certainly different kinds of shopping, and at the same time, different kinds of shoppers !

Unlike many women, my taste in shopping is not clothes looking/buying. Once or twice a year, I specifically go out to the store, and buy needed shirts or pants, etc, and get it all done with at one time. Which then, unfortunately, the other cloth items, in the closet, tend to just “sit”, though they may still be wearable !

Personally, I’m a collector. I love souvenirs, to reminder me of my many travel destinations. “I love stuff” !
Bing definition of “collector”: Somebody who collects objects: somebody who accumulates objects for their interest, value, or beauty.

Jewelry is also a weakness. Though I have lots of costume earnings and necklaces, more valuable items, I don’t prefer these sit, but would rather wear them “all” each time I go out !
Well, both these type items can most definitely be found in Alaska. After 12 times there, I find new things to purchase and bring home each time !

You’ve heard how great jewelry shopping is in the Caribbean ? Well, believe it or not, many of these vendors move up to Alaska during the cruise season of May to September. So if you’re looking for bargains, like the Caribbean, don’t forget Alaska for your bucket list.

My 7^th time to Alaska was in September. Wow, did I find the bargains at the end of the season. So then I revisited my # 8, #10, & #11, again, in September, to capture savings. This year in 2012, I decided to try May again. I wasn’t as much in the shopping mood this time, however, I still picked up to pieces of jewelry, and re-learned, there are deals all the time. I was after “brown quartz” and “lavender jade”. Love them !

There is so much to do in Alaska, but truly, if you are a shopper, like I am to collections, be sure to have amble time in port to satisfy your appetite ! When you call me for a cruise, “one” of the most important things, that I suggest cruisers place in their cruise planning decision, is to look at “times in port”. For me this is valuable. If the ship leaves at 12:30 or 1pm or even 3pm from any port, I better like everything else about that cruise, to accept this “not enough time” in port.
　
　

Here’s a few items from my Alaska travels. Note, they are all for sale, as my original intension, in years of collecting, was to open an Art & Trinket store. Too many other current goals, so it’s time to let them go.

　

Outfit that of Alaskan Indian culture.

Like Marble.

Marble.

Whale painting on Salmon skin.  Artist now moved away.

Dolphin painting on Salmon skin.  Artist now moved away.

Alaskan art.  This is the Alaska drawing of a bear in the background.  I have 9 other pictures, such as an eagle, the sun, etc. 






Parkay type wood bear.

Collector pictures from the Alaska Railroad.  I have 2 more. 

Made of ash from Mnt St Helen eruption.

Happy Shopping in Alaska !




See other trinkets around the World, available for purchase, where pricing is listed on CraigsList. Go here: www.CruiseTrinketsAndArt.com
Or here: hhtp://vwebb.cruisesinc.com/travel/admin/CMSTemplates/DisplayDraft.html?draft_display=true&edOid=1611909162