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. This list of Alaska quilt shops will allow you to indulge in fabric shopping at all of these popular Alaska destinations.
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.
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.
Alaska is a popular travel destination, and there is no easier way to see southeast Alaska than on a cruise ship. Use my Alaska cruise excursion tips for Alaska’s most popular cruise ship ports to help you plan your best bucket list Alaska trip.
I have always felt that if you ever only take one cruise in your whole life, it should be to Alaska. It is a huge state with some of the least accessible national parks in the US, including the very popular Glacier Bay National Park which can only be visited by boat. The various ports of call and the many choices offered on Alaska cruise excursions provide opportunities to easily see more of this incredibly scenic state. Here are my Alaska cruise excursion tips based on the Alaska cruises I have taken in the last few years to help you plan your best Alaska trip possible.
Experience athletics and tradition at the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics, one of the most unique summer events in Fairbanks, Alaska.
This post was recognized by the North America Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) in the 2019 awards competition with a Bronze award in the Sports, Recreation and Adventure – Online Publication category.
Her eyes are closed as she takes in a few deep calming breaths. Like every athlete since the ancient Greeks, she is focused on getting into the zone at this Olympic event. With tool in hand, she is ready as soon as the whistle blows. Her white t-shirt and long sundress are somewhat unusual for an Olympic competition, but it doesn’t seem to get in the way. In 27 seconds, Kelly Lincoln is done while the rest of the field still struggles valiantly with their task. Proudly, she holds her completed salmon fillets up high for the judges and the audience to see. She has just won the the Fish Cutting event at the 2019 World Eskimo-Indian Olympics.
This post was recognized by the North America Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) in the 2019 awards competition with a Silver award in the Sports, Recreation and Adventure – Online category
Leroy Shangin attempts to win in the finals of the Ear Pull event at the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics (WEIO) in Fairbanks, Alaska. As with all the games at WEIO, this event is rooted in traditional games that tested and prepared the indigenous people for survival in the cold and harsh climate of the region. The Ear Pull tests a contestant’s ability to withstand pain, especially in the extremities due to possible frostbite. The event is played with two opponents looping a length of sinew around their ears and pulling as hard as they can until one of them gives up. A match is best two out of three.
Explore all the many Fairbanks activities on your next midnight sun adventure in Alaska.
You could say that Fairbanks, Alaska is a location of extremes. Winters may be cold and dark, but it is exactly those conditions that lead to perfect northern lights viewing. Summers are just the opposite – they are not cold or dark – in fact, I think they are nearly perfect. With average temperatures in the low 70’s and low humidity, it is my ideal climate. Good thing that there are two months of constant daylight because it gives you plenty of time to experience the long list of Fairbanks activities under the midnight sun.
During my stay in central Alaska this summer, I saw fireweed blooming everywhere. It is a colorful pink perennial which easily grows in sunny spots along the roads and the shores of lakes and rivers. It is one of the first species to come up after a fire, which is how it got its name. Supposedly it is also a harbinger of winter. I was told that the flower blooms from the bottom up and when the blooms at the top are done, winter will arrive in six weeks. I clearly caught it in mid bloom and mid summer.
Please note that my visit to Fairbanks was hosted by Explore Fairbanks. All content is my own.
This is what midnight looks like in the land of the midnight sun in Fairbanks, Alaska in mid July. I went to the Chena Lakes Recreation Area to get an unobstructed view of the setting sun over water. The sun did dip below the horizon, but just barely, so that it was this bright all night long.
Please note that my visit to Fairbanks was hosted by Explore Fairbanks. All content is my own.
