A two and half drive north of Anchorage, Talkeetna is the image most of us have of quintessential Alaska.  It’s something like we saw on the TV series ‘Northern Exposure’ with quaint wooden homes built to withstand the cold and even a moose or two walking down the main street. 

If the moose don’t appear ‘in the flesh’ they are not far from the thoughts of Talkeetna locals and you’ll see them in some form or another in front of every shop, restaurant or bar in town!  There’s even an annual Moose Dropping Festival in July that’s as much fun as it sounds.

As interesting as this little town is, its main attractions are nearby so consider these three top Talkeetna travel tips and enjoy the best that Talkeetna has to offer.

Tip 1

On a clear day, Talkeetna has the best views if Mt McKinnley (also known as Denali), the tallest mountain in North America.  This standout draw-card in the Denali National Park is so high that it creates its own weather system.

Even though in good weather, you can see Denali clearly from Talkeetna, make certain to take a flightseeing trip around this incredible mountain for breathtaking scenery and an ‘up close and personal’ encounter.  There is more than one aviation company in town but we took one of the first K2 Aviation flights one spring and saw bears appearing from their winter hibernation on snow covered ridges below.

Tip 2

North of Talkeetna is true Alaskan wilderness.  A train journey into this part of the world is likely to be on one of the last flag stop train runs in the world.  One summer, we shared part of our ride to and from Hurricane at the end of this train line with locals who live in the wilderness there.

These colorful individuals were either returning home with supplies or traveling to town to collect them.  They flagged the train down at one of the 7 stops along this route, threw their rifles and other gear on board and made use of the only transport available to anywhere.  The spectacular views of Hurricane Creek nearly three hundred feet below the bridge that spans it along with sightings of bear, moose and bald eagles were close ‘seconds’ to our encounter with the locals on a most unusual Talkeetna travel rail experience.

Tip 3

Roughly translated from the Athabascan language, Talkeetna means ‘where three rivers meet’.  There are many outdoor options available on these rivers and Talkeetna travel visitors can select from white water rafting, fishing or even more laid back natural history float trips.  You can discover salmon spawning areas, view old miner’s cabins and spot local flora and fauna.  If you prefer, catch salmon or ride whitewater in the canyons of this part of the Alaskan Bush.  Some day-long rafting adventures include a helicopter flight to the beginning of your river journey.

There’s always more to do at a place as unique as Talkeetna but our experience has shown us that these are the top three Talkeetna travel tips worth following.  Enjoy Talkeetna as much as we have!

Warm regards

Rowena French

For theteam@MightyDigitalDownloads.com

Transforming Lives, One Person at a Time

If you’ve enjoyed these Talkeetna travel tips and would like more information about the other faces of Alaska travel, go to my website at www.alaskatravel4U

While adventuring ‘on the road’ one Aussie fall, we discover that as long as you have some time up your sleeve, Australia road travel is the very best way to see this country and a great way to meet the people who live there.

Day 3

This morning our Australia road travel adventure takes us into our third state, New South Wales.  Pick ups in Australia are called ‘utes’ abbreviated (like much of the Australian language) from ‘utility truck’ and when we arrive at Denliquin we notice a ute atop a pole.  We learn that Australia’s annual ‘ute muster’ is held here.  Must get that next time!  We move on to Junee where we are taken aback by the main street which looks like its come straight out of the late nineteenth century.  Cootamundra is close by and the local pub there serves the biggest steaks we’ve eaten for years!

Day 4

Instead of heading up and over the Blue Mountains we travel a little north across rolling hills, past happier fatter sheep and paddocks of lush green wheat to the inland town of Orange in the New South Wales rural heartland.  We spend a day in Orange (no orange groves in sight) and enjoy some wine tasting (yes another wine district) that afternoon.

Day 5

The Blue Mountains are spectacular and yes, very blue.  The bluey haze from the mountain tops seems to go on forever.  We spend the day winding through mountain villages lit up by the red, orange and yellow of fall leaves not seen in warmer parts of this country where native trees display none of this dramatic change. 

We stop for afternoon coffee at Katoomba near some rock formations called 'The Three Sisters' and reflect on our 5 day Australia road travel.  We decide that this was by far the best way to see the countryside and meet local Aussies between these cities.  We will always remember the guys at Tailem Bend who offered advice about our newly cracked windscreen and made us laugh.  If we’d taken a plane we would have missed them and the Aussie farmer we saw ploughing his paddock after sunset on a tractor with lights.  We’d never have seen the kangaroos hop along side us at dusk or heard the locals regale their ‘yarns’ over a beer in every country pub we called in to. 

We’re glad we decided on this Australia road travel adventure.  We could have taken longer and should have but the lure of Bondi Beach and the Sydney Opera House had us heading to Sydney before the end of Day 5.

Warm regards

Rowena French

For theteam@MightyDigitalDownloads.com

Transforming Lives, One Person at a Time

Rowena French has traveled Australia extensively, exploring much of this vast and very diverse country. If you’d like to read about Part 1 of our Australia Road Travel Adventure – 5 Days from Adelaide to Sydney go to our website at www.AustraliaTravel4U

When traveling Down Under we find its best to adopt the policy of ‘When in Australia, Do as the Aussies Do’. These Australia travel tips reflect what the Aussies ‘do’ in their country even in the ‘outback’ where you are most likely to encounter Australia’s wildlife in its natural environment. 

Road Travel. Aussies travel on the left hand side of the road.   Obtain an International License if your own license is not likely to be accepted.  Hitch hiking is illegal and dangerous so don’t!  Speed limits are 100-110 kph on highways and 50-60kph in towns and cities. Take care when entering a flow of traffic that will come from the opposite direction to what you generally expect.

Watch out for kangaroos hopping across country roads especially at dawn and dusk when they are most active.  Keep an eye out for them sitting on roads where they like to enjoy the warmth of the bitumen during winter.  If a kangaroo hops in front of you while you’re traveling at high speed, don’t swerve to miss it.  A head on hit is likely be a safer outcome than ‘rolling’ your car as you leave the road.

Avoid leaving young children in a locked car in hot weather as dehydration commonly occurs in this situation.  Take care to ‘Stop, Revive and Survive’ every two hours to avoid driver fatigue.

Another important Australia travel tips relates to safety in the ‘bush’ or ‘outback’.  Avoid traveling on outback roads without others who know the area well or at least with a reliable means of communication.  Australia’s outback is vast and being stranded if you break down in an isolated area is just not worth the risk. 

Banks and Shops. There is some limit to the number of shops open on Sundays in Australia.  Most tourist centers provide 7 day trading.

Banks open between 9 am and 4pm Monday through Friday.  Most towns have automatic teller machines for 24/7 transactions. There are facilities in all cities for changing foreign currency.

Safety. Protect your skin by wearing 30+sunscreen, especially in summer as well as a sunhat and protective clothing.

Aussie beaches are some of the best in the world but to stay safe when you visit them follow beach safety rules and only swim at patrolled beaches and between flagged areas where local lifesavers patrol daily.  Avoid swimming in northern Australia because of the presence of marine stingers (box jellyfish) October–June. Only swim in stinger protected beaches. To avoid the painful and sometimes fatal sting of well camouflaged stonefish, always wear thick sole shoes when walking on a reef or in shallow waters.

Air Travel to Australia is a long flight.  Reduce the impact of this by either requesting a seat with extra leg room near exit doors if possible, moving around the plane often or even by breaking the journey with a stop-over in Hawaii or even Fiji.  A stop-over will ensure that you arrive fresh and ready to start your vacation here having minimized the effects of jet lag.

Warm regards

Rowena French

For theteam@MightyDigitalDownloads.com

Transforming Lives, One Person at a Time

Rowena French has traveled Australia extensively, exploring much of this vast and very diverse country. If you’d like other Australia travel tips to help you plan your vacation here, go to our website www.AustraliaTravel4U

We’ve traveled to spectacular Alaska a number of times and learned the hard way about how to be selective when packing our Alaska luggage. This is our list of core essentials that we’ve found accommodates space and weight for Alaskan purchases on our journey home.

Alaska Luggage Packing List

2 prs jeans

1 pr shorts

4 long sleeved t-shirts

2 short sleeved t-shirts

5 prs socks

Underwear

Sweater

Sunglasses

Warm jacket, scarf, gloves and woolen cap (for glacier cruises)

Water proof jacket and pants (for off shore fishing trips)

Cotton sun hat

Leather walking shoes/Runners

Walking sandals

Toiletries

Small Hairdryer

PJ’s

camera

Buy on Arrival

Mosquito repellent

Sun cream

Overseas travelers can buy a cheap hairdryer or bring an adapter with their own

Take a camera that you’ve has plenty of practice using. Alaska is a photographers paradise but ‘photo opportunities’ come and go quickly so you don’t want to be caught trying to focus a new camera as a moose heads across the road and out of sight!

Buy bear repellent (pepper spray is popular) when you arrive in Alaska if you plan an extensive walking and camping vacation. Make sure you get a copy of the National Parks and Wildlife’s excellent bear safety pamphlet as well and be well prepared for every aspect of your safety.

Take light weight rainproof pants and top if you plan to visit southern Alaska where it rains frequently in summer or even if you take a fishing trip off the coast when it may rain.

Buy a bottle of Mosquito repellent when you travel to Alaska in summer. Mosquitoes thrive in the wet or receding snow in warm Alaskan summers and they’re big! Alaskans call the mosquito their ‘state bird’.  We were surprised at how they were so silent so include repellent in our luggage as soon as you arrive.

Err on the side of taking less rather than more clothes or other gear if you are uncertain about the best luggage to take. Clothes are generally inexpensive and easy to locate in supermarkets and other outlets in Alaska . Anchorage stores have a wide selection of sports gear for hunting and fishing. Better to take less Alaska luggage than get stuck lugging around its dead weight for your whole trip.

Always take an equivalent to our trusty 'blue bag' as carry on luggage during long planes journeys or for the many day cruises, rail trips or short plane flights you can take during your Alaska vacation. Our blue bag is the most used of all our luggage and travels everywhere with us!

Warm regards

Rowena French

For theteam@MightyDigitalDownloads.com

Transforming Lives, One Person at a Time

If you’d like more information about how to keep your Alaskan luggage light with plenty of room for reminders of your Alaskan vacation, read How to Pack Alaska Luggage and Avoid Excess Baggage Costs Part 1 on my website at www.alaskatravel4U

I’ve traveled to Alaska many times and enjoyed different cruises there often. This is largely because so much of Alaska's impressive scenery can be viewed from the water.  Some of the most appealing cruises take a day and these generally run daily from May to September from Alaska’s coastal towns. They are guided by well informed locals and compact in length.  All you need to do is book early, arrive on time and sit back and enjoy unique viewings only available from a boat!

An Alaska day cruise whale watching around Resurrection Bay and further off the coast of Seward is likely to provide close up views of wildlife and sea creatures for most of the day. Cruise goers are often treated to sights of orca (killer whales), humpback whales or grey whales and even to sightings of Stella sea lions, bird rookeries, puffins, eagles, and even porpoise and sea otters. Puffins are amazing creatures only venturing on to land to nest. They can dive underwater for up to one minute and this is a sight worth seeing!

An Alaska day cruise from the town of Valdez through the edge of Prince William Sound can see you exploring the spectacle of the Columbia Glacier.  This is Alaska's largest tidewater glacier and is well worth visiting.  Columbia and the nearby Mears Glacier both feature active calving along their faces. As a result a large number of floating ice bergs move in and around nearby waters across the warmer months of each year. Regardless of the time of the year, always take warm clothes on this day cruise as glaciers have a substantial impact on the surrounding air temperature.

Alaskan wild life features in these glacier day cruises as this is the habitat of whales, sea lions, puffins, seals, sea otters, eagles, goats, bears and other land and sea creatures. As Valdez endured the Alaskan earthquake of ’64 and the ’89 oil spill a 6.5 hour day cruise in the pristine waters surrounding this interesting town always include historical information around these events.

Further south, consider taking an Alaska day cruise from Juneau to the spectacular fjord Tracy Arm and Sawyer Glacier there.  Be prepared for a long day (8.5 hours) as traveling to the Taku inlet from Juneau takes a while. It is well worth traveling the distance and this part of the journey is made interesting as it follows the migrating pathway of whales along Alaska’s coastline. Viewing these creatures breaching and tail waving is common.

The rest of the trip is breathtaking as well. Waterfalls, bears, mountain goats, seals, sharp glacier-ravaged cliffs, deep teal colored waters and the striking contrast of white ice flows and then the calving glacier – up close and very real, stimulate all the senses in this very unique experience. There is nothing quite like a day cruise to Tracy Arm!

An Alaska day cruise is often an experience not able to be replicated on large cruise liners because if the navigation maneuverability of smaller cruise vessels. So consider one or even each of these Alaska day cruises when you visit.  You will remember them as highlights of your vacation. For more information about Alaskan cruising go to my website http://www.alaskacruisetravel4u.com/

Warm regards Rowena French

For theteam@MightyDigitalDownloads.com

Transforming Lives, One Person at a Time

Rowena French has enjoyed a life-time love affair with Alaska, returning often, ‘just once more’, to experience another aspect of this spectacular part of the world.

As the Silverseas Inside Passage cruise travels up the Lynn Canal, the longest and deepest fjord in North America, it stops at Haines a fascinating town with the carefully preserved Fort Seward, built there in 1901. The world’s largest hammer museum is located in Haines and this little town looks out on to some of the world’s most spectacular mountainous scenery.

Juneau is Alaska’s political capital, set at the foot of Mt Robertson. Its population is with an unusual combination of ‘suits’, part of the political scene there and the local folk, environmentally aware and keen to maintain Juneau’s integrity. Walks around this hill city are only for those with stout shoes and clear arteries. The foreshore abounds in shops catering for every tourist need.

A range of activities are available for Silverseas cruise passengers, including helicopter flight seeing over the Juneau icefield and the famous Mendenhall Glacier along with dog sledding, bear spotting, whale watching, kayaking or salmon fishing.

The thrill of a dog sledding experience high up in the icefield behind Juneau leaves its participants feeling jubilant! After landing on Norris glacier the amazing silence of the place is interrupted only by the occasional yelp of the huskies and the sound of the sled blades cutting the ice. The breathtaking scenery all around makes this whole day seem almost surreal.

Glacier watching on an Inside Passage cruise is a close up and personal way to grasp the enormity and grandeur of these ‘rivers of ice’. Nothing can prepare you for their sheer size or their impact on the temperature of the surrounding air. Despite the cold, they always seem more authentic when viewed outside so passengers are advised to dress well as they venture out.

The Silverseas cruise headed south to Ketchikan listed on the top 100 artisan communities in the US. A popular option there is a Ketchikan Walking Tour starting at the Visitors information Center and taking in the Totem Heritage Center’s impressive collection of 19th century totem poles, This is one of Alaska’s most extensive collections of totem poles most of which were rescued from abandoned native villages when this center was established in the 1970’s.

Homeward bound to San Francisco, this Inside Passage cruise was the trip of a lifetime providing the best of amazing scenery, cultural insights and wonderful service with someone else ‘doing the driving’!

If you’d like to read about other information about this Inside Passage Cruise read my article ‘What to Expect on an Inside Passage Cruise Part 1’ on my website at alaskacruisetravel4U

Warm regards

Rowena French

For theteam@MightyDigitalDownloads.com

Transforming Lives, One Person at a Time

Rowena French has enjoyed a life-time love affair with Alaska, returning often, ‘just once more’, to experience another aspect of this spectacular part of the world.

Whenever I travel to the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’, I never take for granted the fact that I share this pristine environment with bears in

Polar bears in Alaska are the least likely bear to be encountered by humans as they exist is in its most remote parts and sadly are diminishing in number.  Visits to polar bear country should be planned with great care as these bears are aggressive hunters.

The National Parks Service from the US Department of the Interior is the government authority on bears in Alaska and the source of this important information. It suggests that in the case of brown and black bear encounters, always assess the situation first. Does the bear see you? If not, simply move away and the encounter is over. If the bear sees you follow this advice about both non defensive and defensive encounters with bears from the experts.

NON DEFENSIVE Bear Encounters
These encounters occur when the bear is aware of you or is moving steadily along a route.

Hikers and kayakers – change your course, moving away and remaining aware of the bear’s presence.

Campers - as you cook or eat:

Keep all your gear under your direct control.

Make sure that the bear is aware of your presence and stand your ground.

Stay together if you’re in a group. Don’t block the bear’s route and allow the bear to pass peacefully.

Do not retreat if the bear approaches. Stand tall and make lots of noise by shouting and banging post and pans and wave your arm if the bear continues to approach stand your ground.

Stand your ground if a bear charges you, and make yourself look big.  Most non-defensive charges don’t end in contact but use bear pepper spray if you have it.

Fight vigorously if the bear makes contact. Kick, punch or hit the bear’s face, eyes and nose.

DEFENSIVE Bear Encounters

These occur in close quarter when bears are defending their food or offspring. They can involve snorting, huffing, jaw popping and charging

STOP and STAND YOUR GROUND if you notice any of these behaviours. Your safety lies in calming the bear

Talk calmly to the bear, move slowly away if the bear is stationary

Monitor the bear as you leave the area

Stop and stand your ground again if the bear renews its stance.  Talk calmly to the bear.

Remain non-threatening and stand your ground if the bear charges. Most non-defensive charges don’t end in contact but use bear pepper spray if you have it.

If a Bear Makes Contact during a Defensive Behavior:

PLAY DEAD IF IT IS A BROWN BEAR. Lie face down with your hands around your neck so the bear can’t turn you over. Remain still until the bear leaves.  If it begins to feed on you, fight back vigorously

DO NOT PLAY DEAD IF IT IS A BLACK BEAR. Fight back vigorously!

NEVER PLAY DEAD WITH A BLACK BEAR! Most black bear attacks are predatory.

FIGHT ANY BEAR THAT ATTEMPTS TO ENTER YOUR TENT!

Many visitors to Alaska return there often, understanding that this magnificent part of the world is home to a large number of bears and that these creatures need to be treated with caution and respect.

Warm regards

Rowena French

For theteam@MightyDigitalDownloads.com

Transforming Lives, One Person at a Time

Rowena French has enjoyed a life-time love affair with Alaska, returning often, ‘just once more’, to experience another aspect of this spectacular part of the world.

If you want to learn more about ‘Bears in Alaska, How to Share Your Vacation with Them’ read this article on my website www.alaskatravel4U

The opportunities for negotiating the best deals for Alaskan cruising are worth pursuing. Follow these basic steps and enjoy cruise discounts that will make this vacation of a lifetime affordable as well as breath taking!

1. Consider arranging a cruise during the off-season. Avoid wherever possible the peak seasons of cruise vacations and schedule your time three to four weeks away from peak season. Alaskan cruising normally has its peak season in July and September. Planning an Alaskan vacation cruise outside these dates generally saves a lot of cash.
2. Choose a cruise line that meets your budget. Research these carefully and avoid being cajoled into a cruise that is too expensive. Some travel agencies push a specific line for different reasons. Careful comparison of the shipping lines fees and services will save a lot of money.
3. Avoid travel agencies that promise the world for nothing. Talk to more than one travel agent and to find one that will work within your budget. The right Alaska travel agency can give very important information that can result to significant savings.
4. Find an Alaskan cruising quote that includes the port fees and tax revenues. If the traveling agency doesn’t provide this information, look for another agency. Avoid hidden fees and uncertain collections as port fees can be a much as couple of hundreds of dollars each for each person.
5. Get an inside cabin. Usually, an inside cabin is the cheapest and can be more comfortable especially of the temperature takes a dive.

Remember to avoid the stresses in Alaskan cruising by always book at least two weeks before your departure. Check out for a list of the Alaska cruise trips and spend time examining the best offers and locating a reliable travel agent to help you with planning and the most affordable payment.

Follow these tips and then enjoy your vacation of a lifetime to this unique part of the world that wont break the bank!

For more information about Alaskan cruising go to my website http://www.alaskacruisetravel4u.com/

Warm regards

Rowena French

For theteam@MightyDigitalDownloads.com

Rowena French has enjoyed a life-time love affair with Alaska, returning often, ‘just once more’, to experience another aspect of this spectacular part of the world. 

Why Alaska?

Alaska is a beautiful, unique place that amongst many other spectacles, offers extensive mountains of glaciers and icebergs. It is also a place where whales and bears live and flourish and it offers breathtaking scenery reflecting the unadulterated beauty of Mother Nature. It is also a unique location for cruises offering the best of both worlds, from the naturalistic to the urbane.

What Surprises can Alaskan Cruisers Expect?

Many cruisers who have enjoyed the splendor of Alaskan cruising often describe their vacation there as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Many are ‘hooked’ and return for more of these Alaskan surprises.

The mountains are towering high. The animals that call Alaska home are a wonder to behold. Many of these are animals easily seen in Alaska are not found in other places.

In summer Alaska is transformed from white to green as it spouts a wide collection of nibbling grass and brings on a mystical color. We often imagine Alaska as an ice covered white blanketed land so these summer grasses come as a surprise.

The coastline gives an outstanding view of sparkling ice formation. The regular water flows from melting ice create an emerging deep blue color. The sky is illuminated by the warm sun during extended hours of sunlight and the fields of flowers and wild grass are stunning.

Why Cruising in Alaska?

Alaskan Cruising is not the only way to enjoy a visit to this unique part of the world. Cruising along the coastal areas of Alaska however, provides views not seen from any other route. On a cruise you will have the chance to witness the action of the massive collection of glaciers as they meet the ocean.

Cruisers can also observe the different lifestyle of the people in Alaska in destination stops that are part of their cruise and they can also enjoy up close experiences of wildlife like different kinds of whales as they play along in their natural habitat.

When is Alaskan Cruising more than Just Cruising?

Cruise ships included stops at picturesque locations along the Marine Inland Passage like, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan where tourist guides explore the local area and traditions with cruise passengers. Others make their way to places like the island of Sitka, where influence of the Russian Orthodox Church still remains.

Most Alaskan cruises offer inland pleasure trips into Alaska’s national parks. In places like well known Denali National Park and Mt McKinnley, passengers have the chance to explore the inner beauties of Alaska’s mainland through magnificent tours there. Alaska from a cruise ship is spectacular and there’s even more to see as you travel inland.

Warm regards

Rowena French

For theteam@MightyDigitalDownloads.com

Rowena French has enjoyed a life-time love affair with Alaska, returning often, ‘just once more’, to experience another aspect of this spectacular part of the world. Want to go Alaskan cruising and stay within your budget? Read about ‘How to Save on the Best Alaskan Cruising Deals’ on my website www.alaskacruisetravel4U.com