travel beyond the obvious
January is your last chance to see Yua: Henri Matisse and the Inner Arctic Spirit, a stunning exhibit of historic Alaskan Yup’ik masks and Matisse drawings influenced by them, at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Read More …
It’s been hot – at least for Minnesota – this summer. I’m a big fan of both tropical islands (particularly ones with cool ocean breezes) and desert landscapes (especially in the cool season), but I’m Read More …
Alaska Itinerary Day 1: Evening in Anchorage Apparently Denali is visible from the other side of the plane as we come into Anchorage. Even though we can’t see it, I’m taking that as a good Read More …
On a clear day, the drive between Anchorage and Denali National Park is stunning. Plan to take your time and enjoy it, as many of your best views of Denali itself may be from the Read More …
There are too many boxes of fish and too much luggage scheduled to go out with us and the other couple on our flight. However, some judicious packing and an agreement to send the rest Read More …
We land on a gravel out-wash that is low, flat, and braided with leaping streams. The stream itself seems to defy gravity, somehow leaping above the level where we stand watching it without ever breaking Read More …
We motor along the rocky shore of the Tarr Inlet, passing more gouged and scoured rock that is being colonized by vibrant vegetation. Between the bright fall foliage along the rock face and the dark Read More …
The landscape is fascinating, in some places raw and new-looking, as if just created. Of course, in a way it has been, when John Muir first visited here in 1879 much of the bay was Read More …
Our first new glacier for the day is Lamplugh, a rapidly receding tidewater glacier that sits underwater behind the sand piled in front of it. I’m fascinated by the way the compacted ice glows intensely Read More …
We are setting off on a gray morning that is misty with rain. The water churns a bit – making me reach for my sea sickness patches – as we motor through the Sitakaday Narrows, Read More …
The Great Land – Alaska posts
We quickly leave Whittier behind and move into a wonderland of alpine meadows, rushing water, and glaciated peaks. Obviously this really is a rain forest!Eagles swoop overhead or keep watch from the tallest trees, while Read More …
We had to leave Hope early this morning to make it to Whittier in time for our day cruise on Prince William Sound. More precisely, we needed to make the 9:30 passage through the tunnel.Yes, Read More …
Hope, Alaska, was a gold rush boom town in the 1890s. Today, it is a scenic isolated village comprised of smattering of historic buildings – some in everyday use, others falling into decay – and Read More …
We are back on the Sterling Highway again, headed across the Kenai to the Seward Highway and up to Hope. Instead of staying on the main highway, we switch over to the Skilak Lake Loop Read More …
Homer Spit juts out from the shore for almost 4½ miles – a narrow flat gravel bar that alternates between desolate empty spaces, active industrial uses, and a busy tourist commercial area. Despite being over-run Read More …
Skyline Dive offers some of the best views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers, including Grewingk Glacier directly across Kachemak Bay. At this time of year, the views are often framed by fireweed, the northern Read More …
The exhibits inside the Pratt Museum are tend toward artful, thoughtful, and edgy observations of the world in all its pain, joy, beauty, and homeliness. For example, Lisa Williams’ luscious black and white photos (PDF) capture Read More …