May 3, 2012 - Solid fishing day in Alaska

The last day in Ketchikan was great. Our friend Graham took us out fishing and this is what we reeled in: 5 halibut (4 keepers), and two dork fish (aka rat fish). Right after fishing, we headed over to StudioMax for our last Cardio Boxing Session with Parker and the StudioMax Crew. Sure gonna miss that place and all the great people we met there. Then finished up the night with a great dinner at another friend's house (Erin,Tory and Wendy). Couldn't ask for a better day here in Ketchikan Ak.

Jan 10, 2012 - Ninilchik,Alaska

My wife and I are the owners of Ninilchik Saltwater Charters & Lodge in Ninilchik,Alaska.Our company charters customers to go Halibut,Salmon, Ling Cod and clam trips in Cook Inlet Alaska.We travel from California to Alaska in April in our motor home to take people fishing and travel back in October (what a drive)almost 4000 miles one way.Our website for Info and pictures is alaskabigfish.com God Bless America.

Oct 10, 2011 - 16th entry

Although we’re back in the lower 48, I just couldn’t resist sending these pictures. We had such a wonderful time in Alaska and I can understand why people go there on vacation and wind up not going home. The first picture is the last moon we saw in Alaska. The following pictures, I took advantage of the fact that John had to work for 3 days after I finished working and I went back to the Park to take these last photos. The picture of the train going over the bridge is a train that runs from Anchorage to Fairbanks and stops in Denali Park,...

Oct 6, 2011 - Rookies

We decided to be rookies on our 39th anniversary by purchasing our first coach. Just starting in the RVing world. Kinda excited. Hoping to head south to Chattanooga to pick up the coach and then get on the road with our first trip. Cross country to Washington and then back north to work. Hope to start the real enjoyment early next year. Looking forward to exciting times, seeing new places and meeting new friends and having fun with the grand children. Harold & Soncha

Oct 6, 2011 - Rookies

Hello All: Celebrating our 39th anniversary today and hoping to confirm the purchase of our first RV. Just getting started with RVing. Hoping to fly south to make our first purchase and then take our first trip heading north across the US. No time to have fun now. Have to be back to work in 8 days. Lots of driving to do. Will have time to enjoy our trips starting March 2012.

Oct 4, 2011 - North to Alaska

What a journey! So glad we decided to take it! We left Pagosa Springs, CO on September 6th. Dropped off good friends Barbara & Roswitha in Denver, following their ultimate sacrifice to visit us. And, officially, began our journey north on September 7th. We arrived in Anchorage, AK sixteen days and 4,100 miles later on Thursday, September 22nd. In between we visited another good friend in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; spent a few days in Jasper National Park; and took a detour to Haines, Alaska. We had the unbelievable luck of perfect driving...

Sep 20, 2011 - Salmon Capital of the World

The Island Princess arrived into Ketchikan at 10 am. Ketchikan, “Salmon Capital of the World”, is the 4th largest city in Alaska, and like Juneau, is only accesible by air & water. Our first excursion was the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show (never knew it was an international sport!). On the way to our next excursion, there were salmon sightings in a creek as they were making their way back to spawning grounds. It is illegal in Alaska to farm salmon. Which is in direct contrast to what we have experienced in the "lower 48". Then we were onto...

Sep 19, 2011 - Capital of Alaska

The Island Princess docked in the port of Juneau at 6:45 am. Today is Robert's birthday!! After breakfast, we boarded a bus for yet another glacier tour and also Rainforest & Glacier Gardens tour. Mendenhall Glacier was formed during the Little Ice Age (3000 years ago) and flows 12 miles from its source in the Juneau Ice Fields and has a 1.5 mile-wide face. This glacier is within Juneau’s city limits. The capital of Alaska is accessible only by air and sea. There are no roads from the interior of Alaska that connect to Juneau. Back on board...

Sep 18, 2011 - September 18 - Orlando to Anchorage

When we boarded Alaska Airlines and settled into our first class seats, we discovered that they don't give you an alcoholic beverage before take-off. Dan was disappointed. He had been talking it up and I wasn't able to experience the pleasure of a libation before take-off. However, that little disappointment was quickly overshadowed by the fact that we had a very nice chat with the pilot. He came out of the flight deck, looked around first class (as thought to see who would be interested in conversation). He asked us how we were. The pilot...

Sep 18, 2011 - Garden City of Alaska

Our next port-of-call was the historic town of Skagway. Skagway is known as "the Garden City of Alaska" due to the amount of sunshine and mild temps. And it is also known as the "Gateway to the Klondike". The town’s population exploded during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897. The completion of a railroad from Skagway to Lake Bennett in 1899 expediated the "stampeders" in their quest for gold. After browsing the quaint shops in Skagway, we enjoyed a 3 hour scenic rail ride up to White Pass Summit. The fall colors are just beginning. Back on...

Sep 17, 2011 - Bob and Julie head South

9-17-11 Fairbanks to Anchorage Got up at 7AM, made coffee and some phone calls. Julie talked to her dad who told us about a terrible accident at the Reno air races with many killed and hurt. I know a few people who were attending this event and hope that they are okay. We left our “campsite” in the parking lot of Sara Jo’s apartment building and went to a nearby Safeway for fuel and food for the last leg of our journey. We pulled out of Fairbanks by around 9:15AM. It is ironic, I suppose, that the “Bob and Julie heads South” trip ends with...

Sep 17, 2011 - Back to Anchorage: An end to a great vacation!!

Up early and on the road by 7 AM. It really was quite dusk, but it was cool to see the reflection of the new night snow that capped the peaks. We left the Kenai Peninsula and returned the motorhome to the dealer in Anchorage. Of course, I had to stop for my Chai tea latte, one last time. We are staying in a hotel room close to the airport. Our flight does not leave until 11 PM. It appears that all the flights to the lower 48 leave late in the evening or in the wee hours of the AM. So, we hope to be able to sleep during the flight. I won't...