So you want to take a cruise through the Inside Passage, but you're concerned that the fast-paced schedule won't allow you much freedom to explore its romantic frontier towns. Then consider an alternative: the Alaska Marine Ferry.

Don't get me wrong–I have nothing against cruises. But my wife, Grettis, and I recently used the ferry to poke around the Passage, and it was one of the most exciting trips we ever took. Read the rest of this entry »

I've seen a lot of airports, but Alaska's Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Anchorage is truly unique. With 800 takeoffs and landings each day, it's the busiest seaplane airport in the world.

Near Palmer, Alaska, I discovered a very unique attraction–the Williams Reindeer Farm.

I thoroughly enjoyed letting friendly reindeer eat out of my hand–a gooey experience that was an adventure in itself–as well as learning all about these interesting animals. For instance, I found out that reindeer can't kick their feet backward because of the way their leg tendons are structured, which is why they walk with such an odd, high-stepped gait. Read the rest of this entry »

Get a close-up look at Alaska's fast-moving Columbia Glacier.

We live in sunny Florida, so it's only natural that Alaska is our favorite destination–we've been there five times.

One of our most exciting day trips there began in Valdez, where we boarded the Glacier Spirit for a cruise through Prince William Sound to the mighty Columbia Glacier. Read the rest of this entry »

IF YOU'RE EVER near Valdez in southeastern Alaska, we highly recommend a side trip through vast Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve to the remote Alaska ghost town of Kennicott and its abandoned copper mine. Read the rest of this entry »

To celebrate my retirement, my husband, Ron, and I took a once-in-a-lifetime trip to vast, wild and rugged Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska.

I've always dreamed of visiting Katmai (pronounced "cat-my"), renowned for its abundant bears, towering mountains, active volcanoes, misty fjords and mind-boggling vistas. This 4.7-million-acre park, which extends for 340 miles along the Alaska Peninsula, exceeded even our wildest expectations. Read the rest of this entry »