Category: USA

A Skagway Cruise Excursion On My Own: Driving off the Beaten Path on the Scenic Klondike Highway

There are many options for excursions on an Alaska cruise. It was easy to do a Skagway excursion on my own and go off the beaten path with a self drive trip on the Klondike Highway to explore the road to Carcross Yukon and back again. I am sharing my Skagway travel experience including tips on how to get the most of an independent day in Skagway.

A cruise through southeast Alaska is a convenient way to stop and discover the coastal towns that are not always easy to get to by other means. My recent Alaska cruise offered many Skagway excursions to discover this historic port. Tempting as they were though, this time I chose to take my own road less traveled to Carcross, Yukon in Canada on the very scenic Klondike Highway.

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Discovering the Best Alaska Quilt Shops

If you are a quilter taking a cruise in Alaska, taking a dedicated Alaska quilting cruise, or are just exploring Alaska on your own, you will find this list of Alaska quilt shops helpful.

An Alaska cruise is at the top of many people’s wish list. Quilters can get the best of both worlds by participating in a quilting cruise that includes an Alaska itinerary.

But, you do not have to be on a dedicated quilter’s cruise to explore and enjoy the quilt shops in an Alaska destination. I look for quilt shops wherever I travel and these Alaska quilt shops are the ones I discovered while cruising and also on extended road trips throughout Alaska.

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Yes, You Should Visit Fairbanks in Winter to See the Northern Lights in 2022!

Want to visit Fairbanks in winter? I am sharing my one week itinerary, personal experiences and tips on seeing the northern lights in Fairbanks, along with ideas for other things to do in Fairbanks and the surrounding area.

Alaska is a popular travel destination. With glaciers, an abundance of wildlife and the tallest mountain in North America, the diversity of things to see and do is as big as the state. But for most people, an Alaska journey usually takes place in the summer months. Not for my husband and I. Always on the lookout for unique travel experiences, we chose to visit Fairbanks in winter so that we could see the northern lights.

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PhotoPOSTcard: A Moment Frozen in Time

One of the best reasons to visit Fairbanks, Alaska in winter is to see the amazing sculptures created during the World Ice Art Championships that are held here each year. The year we visited, this highly detailed and delicate ice sculpture was my favorite. Two acrobats are frozen in time as they perform their aerial acrobatics with ice rings. This sculpture was impressive to see during the day, but it really came alive at night once it was lit up.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: It’s a Dog’s Life in Denali

One of the experiences I enjoyed most during my winter visit to Denali National Park a few years ago, was spending some time with the park’s sled dogs. Since Denali NP is under snow for so many months of the year, the rangers use sleds pulled by Alaska huskies to patrol the park. The day we were there, most of the dogs were out with the rangers, but a few were taking it easy in their little wooden dog houses. We were told that if the dogs come out and get on top of their dog houses, they are willing to be social and get attention. This beautiful pup was quite friendly and happy to have us provide some love. And since we were the only people in the park that day because it was the middle of February, we had the dogs all to ourselves.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: Denali in Winter

The tallest peak in North America can often be difficult to see. But on a visit to Alaska one winter, I was fortunate to see Denali peeking out above the clouds. In fact, the 20,310 foot tall mountain was visible from almost 200 miles away as I was driving from Anchorage to Fairbanks.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

Reflections from 2019 – An Epic Year of Travel

This was an epic year of travel for me – the best ever. I was very fortunate to be able to go somewhere special each month.

I visited National Parks in the US  as well as a few new places in my home country. I had a completely unique experience as a volunteer citizen scientist in Kenya. And my feet touched the soil of South America for the first time. To top it all off, I was totally spoiled on a one of a kind barge cruise on the Burgundy Canal in France. I don’t think any year in travel can get much better.

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Rogue Luxury – My Lodge to Lodge Rogue River Rafting Trip Experience

A lodge to lodge Rogue River rafting trip in Oregon is an active adventure experience that entertains everyone from ages 10 to 75.

Luxury comes in many forms. There is the obvious five star hotel with concierge service and private infinity pool type of luxury. But for me, experiencing the solitude of pristine, unspoiled wilderness is a more important form of luxury. A lodge to lodge Rogue River rafting trip gave me that experience with the added comfort of sleeping in a bed and hot showers at the end of each day, along with hearty home cooked meals and fine local Oregon wines. Now that is five star luxury indeed.

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Tips for Seeing the Sisters Quilt Show

The sister Outdoor Quilt show is one of the most unique quilt shows you can attend. For one day only, the buildings in the Town of Sisters, Oregon act as a backdrop for 1400 quilts. This is a unique gallery showcasing amazing art and craftsmanship in a beautiful setting. I am sharing my tips on how to visit and get the most out of a Sisters Outdoor Quilt show experience.

The sun is shining. A soft breeze keeps the temperature comfortable. Not far in the distance, the snow capped Three Sisters mountains glow in the early morning light. It is the second Saturday in July in Sisters, Oregon and there is a festival-like atmosphere engulfing this small western town. A week of diverse quilting events and activities have been the prelude to this single day – the day of the Sisters Quilt Show.

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