quote:

Originally posted by tj_jaime:
we must definitely meet up for a drink when we're there.

Thanks Jaime, but believe it or not, I'm not there right now. Can you believe I'm currently living in Texas? But I spend so much time in Alaska (all over the state) and so much time on the phone to Alaska, my friends there tease me about how much money I'd save if I moved there. I have been to all of the cities/states you'll be visiting on your trip (including Los Angeles and San Francisco), and my favorite by far is Alaska...as if it wasn't obvious! LOL! My SO (significant other) and I have no kids, so we just travel.

What's really cool is that my SO received a couple of incredible job offers in Alaska, so we are currently mulling over the thought of moving to Alaska. Our move would be fully paid for and he'd get a $25,000 bonus as well as a bunch of other perks from both offers! The only downside is moving so far away from family, but they can always come visit (for a few days, anyway! LOL!)

I would've helped you out in the Austin, Texas forum, but I know SOOO much more about Alaska. Anything I wasn't sure of I just made a call. I hope this information helps.

By the way, Jaime, I think you write incredibly well; you're so articulate and interesting. I've really enjoyed your posts so far, especially the ones in your blog. Keep up the great work!

ONWARD TO ALASKA!

quote:

Originally posted by 5takesusa_onlineproducer:
Leinani75,
You are amazing! Thank you for being so helpful to the TJs! Although cold, they will have a great time.

Thank you so much for the compliment. Yes, I'm a little obsessed about Alaska! But I think the TJs will understand my obsession after their visit.

Thanks again.

[/QUOTE]

. I have been to all of the cities/states you'll be visiting on your trip (including Los Angeles and San Francisco) [/QUOTE]

me too! except for memphis, but I've been to tennessee!

Bevis!

I saw in another thread you were looking for karaoke bars and you liked "colorful" places. Well, you can find both at Mad Myrna's! It's a bar where all lifestyles are welcomed, and while I've personally never been there I've only heard positive things about the place. Bring the TJs and dance the night away!

They are open daily from 3pm-2am. You can get in free before 10pm. After 10, admission is $3.00/person. They have karaoke on Wednesday nights beginning at 10. On Friday and Saturday nights you can see a play called "The Little Shop of Horrors" with a live band. It's from 7-9pm and costs $25/person. You can still get in those nights for drinking and dancing even if you aren't interested in seeing the play.

Mad Myrna's is located in downtown Anchorage at 530 E. 5th Ave. It's 2.5 miles north of the hostel. It's 1 mile due east of the Egan center downtown and about a half mile from the Anchorage Museum of History & Art. Phone: 907-276-9762

If you go, please let me know what you thought of the place!

hey everyone,
if you head up here you should just try and get out of having to pay for housing. there are more than enough places who may not bother to have you pay if you call them and let them know their business will be shown on TV. Call bed- and breakfasts, road-side cabins, etc.
Dont know when youd be headed up...the Iditarod actually re-starts in Wasilla or Willow but they move the ceremony into Anchorage because more people will show up, not to mention lack of snow over the past 4 years is putting a damper on things. You should definately get outside of Anchorage and not worry too much about Fairbanks, stay in the small towns...more unexpected things will happen! :P Check out Hatcher's Pass in Palmer, its a Gold mine that opened up before WWII and closed right after, you can tour the buildings if you call in advance, they usually close the place up for tours around the end of Aug, early Sept. Used to be a tour guide up there, very cool, but kinda creepy if you are there alone. Actually, if you call up there, you might be able to stay in the Manager Stoll's Home, in the 70's it used to be a Ski Shack.
Anyhow, take the trail up through Hatchers, it will bring you out by Willow.
Definately head down to Jim Creek and watch the crazy people race their snow mobiles across the ALMOST frozen river. Then follow the river back to the glacier, about 24 miles or so, go wlaking right on it and you dont even have to pay. (Same glacier where The GooGoo Dolls visited and shot a video three or four years back.)
Definately head to Alyeska, do some boarding or skiing, take the tram to the top and try some food at one of the 7 well-known dining facilities. :P
I dont know if any of this will help you figure out where you'll want to go, but hey, wont hurt huh.
If there is no snow in the Mat-su valley, which is about 45 mi north of Anchorage and about 348 or so south of Fairbanks, just head north, you'll find it and Caribou hunters, just ask to tag along with some of them.
And just a round about rule for AK, talk to whoever you want, most of us will certainly help you out and give you a good story.

If you want to try a night out in the wilderness (but not too wild) there's a great park near Anchorage where you can rent a log cabin or a yurt! A yurt is a big Mongolian-style round tent with a wood floor. Inside, are bunk beds and a wood burning stove to keep you toasty. It's a great way to spend a night out in woods without suffering. Check out the Eagle River Nature Center ( http://www.ernc.org/indexR.html ) which is just a few miles out side of town. It sleeps six and costs only $65 a night! And the view of the mountains from the deck is amazing!

quote:

Originally posted by jillian_rae:And just a round about rule for AK, talk to whoever you want, most of us will certainly help you out and give you a good story.

What Jillian said is true. Alaskans will bend over backwards to help you out. They are some of the friendliest people in America.

Alaska may be a cold place, but it has a very warm heart.

I know you guys won't be able to show everything you do in Alaska on TV, but I can't wait to hear of your adventures in your blogs and vlogs!

I'm keeping my fingers crossed you're able to do the dog sled tour, the cruise, hike the glacier and take a float plane trip to Denali! But I'm sure you'll have a blast no matter what you do. If I was there there rght now, my SO and I would be treating you to dinner one night and loaning you anything you might've forgotten to bring (clothes-wise).

Have fun, TJs!

Boom. That was the sound of my brain exploding from all that information. Haha. Kidding aside... this is all AWESOME. I met an Alaskan who recommended eating at MOOSE'S TOOTH. Another Alaskan recommended BURRITO KING. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. I'm excited for Alaska! Even though I think I'll freeze my yagbadoodles off. Haha.

I went fishing their last year, it rained for the entire time. Always be prepared for the rain, it can start raining out of no where. You have to see the glaciers. Their isn't much food wise up their. You will probably want to see some of the eskimos just because.

I learned from a friend that is actually pickin you guys up from the airport that you were coming to Anchorage! I know that you guys will have fun and you should try to visit our university's campus and hike our trails and see some moose. We have had alot on campus the past week! The mooses tooth is a great place to eat but it is always crowded and about that Alaska Native convention you guys should go Friday night for Quyana III dance night. And instead of $15 a ticket you could volunteer as an usher that night and see the show for free! I am also volunteering that night and it would be awesome if you guys could help out too! You would get to meet seem interesting people! You'll love it here!

Since they were commenting on how big everything was in america send them to the biggest home in america which i happen to live 10 miles from which is the Biltmore estate (in Asheville, NC)which you might have seen as the Rich house in richie rich. Let me just give u some facts real quick, America's largest home boasts 250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, an indoor pool, bowling alley, priceless art and antiques. And the floor plan covers a total of 4 acres itself alone, has its own winery and Many gardens not to mention it is 100years old. Just thought this would be an interesting place for them to go since i have been there many times and find it quite interesting.

Welcome to Alaska, "The Last Frontier". I work for Kenai Fjords Tours and if you guys are headed to Seward we'd love for you to experience Alaska from the sea. We can offer you a complimentary ticket aboard our custom built 95' sightseeing boat. Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park is a stunning place to visit, in fact most people say it's the highlight of their trip to Alaska. We could also set up some discounted transportation to get there. Check out our website at Kenai Fjords Toursand see what Alaska's #1 Wildlife tour has to offer.

quote:

Originally posted by kenaifjordscaptain:
Welcome to Alaska, "The Last Frontier". I work for Kenai Fjords Tours and if you guys are headed to Seward we'd love for you to experience Alaska from the sea. We can offer you a complimentary ticket aboard our custom built 95' sightseeing boat.

Hey Captain, awesome. Last week I spoke with Kimberly who offered them tickets for only $14.10, not quite free but close to it. (See my post about it on page 1.) But free is always, always better!

I read in Bevis' latest blog that he went on a boat tour yesterday for $45. Not sure if they went with another operator out of Seward or if that was a boat ride someplace else. I've done several trips with Kenai Fjords Tours over the past few years and was extremely impressed with you guys. I'll be back up there in early 2007...can't wait!

Welcome to Anchorage Tim, Bevis, Jaime, Lena and Zach... I know you guys are traveling on a budget, but if you'd like to experience a dog sled tour, I'd
like to invite you all to our dog kennel in Willow. If you guys are willing
to scoop up some poop, you can all have a go a dog sledding and we'll let
you take a ride on our ATVs. How does that sound?