After four years of long arduous work and among much hype, the National Park Service recently held the opening of the Eielson Visitor Center on June 8th. The redesign of the visitor center began in 2002 when the National Park Service determined the the 2,000 square foot center could not accommodate the rapidly expanding number of visitors to the park.

Taking a step into environmentally friendly construction, the new center offers indoor and outdoor viewing areas as well as new exhibits and interpretive areas. Utilizing the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) the design encompasses a low profile building that blends into the landscape and offers sweeping views of the valley below. (panoramic from top of center)

With my recent journey into the park and stop at Eielson, I was in awe of those views as well as enchanted by the overwhelming number of furry residents that inhabit that area. Those of the arctic ground squirrels. On that particular day I spent most of my first 45 minutes of my break sitting outside with them while their emboldened curiosity would drive them up to tug on my hiking boot laces and sniff at my ankles.

One particularly cute ground squirrel reached up and put his tiny paw on my hand. I was in love. Believe me, if I could have adopted one and brought him home I would of.

With its creation and recent opening, Eielson definitely meets its goals of showcasing new technologies and educating the public about environmentally friendly practices. It is a site I look forward to visiting again and again.

Lonesome for Bears: A Woman’s Journey in the Tracks of the Wilderness
By Linda Jo Hunter
Photos by Amy Shapira
ISBN-13: 978-1599212104

Product Description
In Lonesome for Bears, author Linda Hunter weaves information about wild bear management and habitat conservation with compelling anecdotes and recollections from her years living among a particular population of bears in Alaska. She relates how she went from being terrified of bears to missing their company. Entertaining and informative the author is able to debunk popular myths about bears and offer startling new insight into their behavior gleaned from her interaction with them over the years. Illustrated with amazing full-color photos of the bears discussed in the text.

Review
Lonesome for Bears is the story of Linda Jo Hunter who was a leading bear guide and caretaker with her husband at Redoubt Bay Lodge in Alaska for a number of seasons. Lonesome for Bears shares with us the story of the bears that inhabit the area including Baylee, Amy, Mona, and James and their growth and behaviors from season to season. A professional tracker Linda delves into her experience with bears and gives some first hand insight into their behavior, experiences, and interactions.

Whatever your experiences with bears you may hold, Lonesome for Bears brings with it a moving account and wonderful perspective of what living life around them can be like. Linda’s skillful writing brings with it knowledge about what could potentially be a serious subject with a lighthearted approach. Because of this she succeeds in weaving a captivating tale of her experiences in Alaska with heart. Lonsome Bears is a wondrous and stirring read.

Truly enjoyable.

When it comes to travel there are those company’s that tend to stand out for top notch quality customer service. Whether it be just feeling a connection with the owners or expert in-depth knowledge in the services that they offer. And with tourism in Alaska being one of the number one draws to the state and the long lines of those that want to experience Alaska, the questions often arise. “Who do you recommend for…”

There are many great resources out there when it comes to finding out information about Alaska. Perhaps two of my favorite places are Trip Advisor which holds a wealth of knowledge about offerings around the state and in general the atmosphere of the state itself. There is a great team of local talent offering input on everything from places to stay, places to eat or even itinerary help. These are known as “area experts”. Whether it is requesting information from Healy and Denali area to Kodiak or even Seward. Trip Advisor should always be your first stop when it comes to collecting information about Alaska.

Another great local resource is a yahoo group called Alaska Living started many years ago by a local who has since passed on. But her spirit remains and the core group of Alaskans that belong to the list can’t be beat. The strongest focus of information seems to be relocation information. But Alaska Living is another such resource that shouldn’t be missed.

So what are some of my own favorite places? Being one that travels extensively throughout the state of Alaska there are several places that have become my own favorites. These are companies I have enjoyed going to again and again. And in some cases are the only places I’ll stay or the only guides I will travel with. Some of the more noteworthy includes:

Emerald Air Service, Homer Alaska. Offering bear viewing over in Katmai National Park, Emerald Air Service is one whose safety record and knowledge of the area are unmatched. Operated by Ken and Chris Day, Ken is a pilot of the company’s dehavilland Otter while Chris imparts unmatched knowledge about bears and the area itself. The company offers day trips over the waters of Kachemak Bay to the beautiful lands of Katmai National Park. Not one that is typically a fan of flying in small planes, I found Ken’s skill aboard the Otter to be top notch. The plane was obviously kept in top mechanical form and our landing was like landing on glass. Because of this wonderful match, when I’m going to Katmai for a day bear viewing trip, I will travel with no one else.

Denali Highway Cabins, Paxson Alaska. I happened to have come across this gem of a place a few years ago during one of my fall trips around Alaska. Given its central location to the Denali Highway, I booked an overnight stay and have been going back ever since. Operated by Audie and Jennifer, the Denali Highway Cabins offers a very comfortable place to stay surrounded by some of the most beautiful country within the state of Alaska. A variety of tours are also offered including everything from daily bird hikes to an evening float along the Gulkana River. I was lucky to experience one of the evening floats upon my last visit. Audie’s knowledge of the area is unparalleled. Plus Jennifer makes some beautiful handcrafted goods which are a tribute both to the eyes and the stomach. If you’re ever in the area of the Denali Highway or Paxson, book a visit at the Denali Highway Cabins. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

These are just a few of the recommendations I give without any doubts and recommend with the utmost confidence. Of course another question I often receive is “Have you had any bad experiences?” Well yes, who hasn’t. There was the time I booked a cabin outside of Denali National Park and I felt like I was on my own roller coaster the moment I entered the door. Why? The cabin sloped in excess of 3 feet from the front door down to the bathroom. And with hot water that didn’t work, obviously that made for a very cold September night. Or there have been those times I had food poisoning.  I would like to think though that my positive experiences far outweight the negative.

All in all there are those gems that we experience here in Alaska. The gift is finding them and building the friendships with those business owners that last for years to come.

Very few books about Alaska could be deemed as a literary work of art; one whose very images lend to wondrous learning’s of Alaska’s very beginnings. From its rich Gold Rush heritage to the beginning of the now world famous Alaska Pipeline.

Yet recently when I found myself paging through the images in “Historic Photos of Alaska” by Fairbanks author Dermot Cole, I was literally swept away in a path back to Alaska’s very beginnings in which I learned local history and culture and gained true insight into the historic nature of this beloved state. Historic Photos of Alaska portrays the history and awe-inspiring beauty Alaska through rarely seen black and white photographs. Author Cole whose background is as a columnist for Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and author of five books on Alaska says:

It is no standing secret to those that know me that I am what one would call a glorified bibliophile. The love of books and words is always one that has been able to brighten even the dimmest of days. And while my favorite genres have changed over the years, the love of words has remained constant.

However over the past few years I have found myself completely captivated by the subject of books dealing with this wondrous state I live in. Whether it’s from its earliest beginnings or chapters filled with details about its flaura and fauna. Usually if I find an Alaskan title that captures my attention, I will add it to my pile of books to read.

In my wanderings it is not often I find a book that has such a sense of spirit to it that the moment I open and begin to read I am completely riveted. It is these books that often encapsulate the Alaskan spirit I have come to know over the years that make their way to the front of my recommendation list. And it is one such book that has done exactly that as of late. That is Waltz With Me Alaska by Donna Blasor-Bernhardt.

Waltz With Me Alaska is the compelling true story of the Berndardt family who pulled up roots from their Anchorage home and ended up in Tok, Alaska where they struggled to survive in frigid arctic temperatures while building a log cabin. It was during that time the family survived by living in an old army tent. Through their perseverance of love, survival, and challenges, Blasor-Bernhardt weaves a enriched tale of what the true Alaska Spirit is all about.

With over 656,424 square miles there is no doubts that there remains a lot to do in Alaska for both visitors and residents alike. Summer brings with it a bustling tour industry filled with sightseeing, sporting activities, shopping, wildlife viewing and more.

However once winter rolls around we often find our streets and road traffic dwindling to smaller numbers.  After all winter tends to attract a different type of tourist. Often those who enjoy the winter activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, snow machining, aurora watching, and perhaps even some ice fishing for the more adventurous.

Of course there’s also the popular winter activities of the Iditarod, the Fur Rendezvous Winter Carnival here in Anchorage and the Ice Sculptures in Fairbanks. One of the things I am often asked for those that enjoy their wildlife viewing is does our winter offer such opportunities. Indeed it does. While the bears maybe hibernating during our long cold winter months there are also other animals to see such as moose, caribou, fox or even the more wiley wolverine if you are so lucky.

Of course there is always the definite ability to see the animals at such places like the Alaska Zoo. After all late fall and early winter offers a time when animals are fattened up for the days ahead and their coats shine from the summer feeding. While living in Alaska I obviously have been to the Alaska Zoo, I do admit I haven’t been there in years.

In fact one of my favorite winter escapes to see the animals is at a wildlife conservation center that is located 45 miles south of Anchorage on the base of the Turnagain Arm. And that is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Situated on 140 acres at the entrance to the Portage Valley, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation center opened to the public in 1993. Formerly known as Big Game Alaska the center offers care and rehabilitation for injured and orphaned wildlife and provides wildlife education and awareness for some of Alaska’s largest land animals including moose, bison, elk, deer, caribou, bears, musk ox, small mammals and birds of prey. Open every day the center offers a wonderful way to view these animals in their natural habitat on an up close and personal nature. Of course we know my personal favorites are the bears.On a beautiful recent sunny winter day in Anchorage, I decided it was time for me to head out of town with my camera and head down to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. My initial curiosity was nothing more than wondering if the bears had entered their hibernation state after a recent flux of warm weather here in South-central Alaska.

When it comes to the world of movies and motion pictures there are times I have found there is that rare movie that doesn’t necessarily offer an action packed entertainment picture but rather serves as an emotional reminder of what is going on in this world. A time when so many avoid the news because of the constant depressing topics that tends to go with it. Lions for Lambs directed and starring Robert Redford, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise is such a movie. Now obviously if you’re one that would rather keep their head buried in the sand in an effort to avoid the real world, this would not be the movie for you.

Under snowy skies and rain slicked roads I decided to venture out early Saturday in an effort to see this movie. Not being a fan of Tom Cruise I tend to avoid any and all movies he is in. But drawn by Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, I decided to go and see it on an otherwise quiet day. No sooner had I stepped into the theatre when I found the back row occupied by a large group of gentleman. About 4-5 in numbers. And with their cropped hair and obvious boisterous mentality I knew I was gazing upon some boys from one of the local military bases. Anchorage is after all a military town with home to thousands of soldiers at Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson Army Base.

I later learned out that these gents were in fact some of the Airborne Brigade that is in the process of returning from Iraq. Given they were here to watch a movie that focuses on of all things politics and the deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, I admit I eavesdropped a bit with interest on their conversation. Quite honestly it was difficult NOT to hear them given their loud tones. One thing I did hear a group of them say is they wholly expected this movie to bomb given most movies out with military action “simply aren’t realistic”. So I was interested to see what their reaction would be after the movie.

After wading through some great previews of upcoming movies, I began to watch in earnest as Lions for Lambs filled the screen. Broken down into three separate ongoing stories Lions for Lambs explores the tense reality of our situations over in Iraq and Afghanistan. Meryl Streep stars as reporter Janine Roth who is summoned by Tom Cruises senate character who hands her a story about a special forces mission occurring over in Afghanistan even as they are speaking. Over the next hour of their meeting you watch the two verbal volley back and forth at each other about the relationship between the press and the politicians. In my opinion Streep advances to such levels in her quips over Tom Cruise’s character that you are left with a realism feel of today’s political endeavors through the hands of our illustrious (gag) president. After watching their exchange on camera I do admit coming away feeling somewhat dirty. Finally a movie that finds a place where Tom Cruise belongs - cast as a slimy politician. How fitting.

Robert Redford plays a Californian political science professor who spends an hour meeting with his star pupil in an effort to gauge why his star has stopped showing up for class. The two run around and it is during this time that perhaps one of my favorite lines in the movie appears. “Rome is burning son and the problem is us –” says Redford. In his calm but very direct facade Redford hits all the obvious points about today’s political hijinx surrounding military action.

And why I can’t say that Lions for Lambs is the best movie out there, it did leave me with a need to voice my feeling for change. It was not a good escape from reality if that is what you are seeking. But rather it served as a show of living real in today’s society.

As I was exiting the theatre my eyes caught on those soldiers mentioned above. In hushed tones and many of them looking at the ground they were obviously reminded of the times they had just spent in the sand box.

Indeed, they were Living it Real and will continue to every day until change happens.

When, if, and ever, of course remains to be seen.

“Why can’t you just be what we want you to be”

On an otherwise quiet day I found myself reminded about the gift of each of us being unique. I have long since learned that such lessons often come from the most unexpected of places. And I certainly didn’t expect to be reminded of this when I found myself wanting to obtain a little “escape from reality” and went to see a matinee movie of “Martian Child” with John Cusack.

Not having received very strong reviews, I often find that when I go into movies with no expectations such as I did today, I typically end up coming out pleasantly surprised. And I have always been a fan of John Cusack in his sappier roles. Perhaps today was a day I simply needed sappy.

Martian Child delivers in my opinion. John Cusack who typically tends to excel with bruised characters continues along this path as David Gordon. A widower who is in and of himself described as a “unique” personality as a science fiction writer. He meets and ends up fostering Dennis. A misunderstood and abandoned lucky charm eating boy who figures himself to be from the planet Mars. Gordon plays along and the connection between the two characters is nothing less than heart warming.

We are left reminded that in a world where we are molded to be almost like everyone else and held up to constant expectations, uniqueness comes as a gift.

And you know what? That is perfectly okay.

If you like special effects. If you grew up with the story of them like I did.  Or if you just like sweet looking cars and shiny things. Then run don’t walk to see the Transformers.

After a day filled with meetings for 6 out of the 8 hours I was at work, I so desperately needed a break. Especially after I attempted to put my new rack on my mountain bike to find it was the wrong size.

Then I came inside to find out my GCI cable modem was down. So I took myself off to see it. Now I had heard it was good. But this defied good.

Excuse my language but that was one bad ass movie! I am definitely going to see it again in the theatre. Now if only I could manage to get my own bumble bee.

Warning:  If you are a bibliophile with a tendency to raid your bank accounts in order to pay for your supply of Alaska books, then the following post may be of detriment to your bank account and your sanity.  This would include you Cristine.

Having woven my way through a multitude of Alaska genre as of late, I didn’t know what to expect when I picked up “Walking My Dog Jane” by Ned Rozell. 

After all, it did have a cute cover of a dog and that is probably what initially attracted me to it.  I am a sucker for animals and wildlife after all.  Giving it a quick glance, I thought it sounded like an interesting idea and concept.  Rozell spent a summer walking the TAPS (Trans Alaska Pipeline) Row with his dog Jane.  The journey began in Valdez and ended at the Arctic Ocean.  Curiosity overtook me and in the end I picked it up and added it to my reading list.

The book is a fascinating look at the history of the Trans Alaska Pipeline and the people that call the area home.  It delves into and reminds me of what the true Alaska spirit is all about.  Furthermore, Rozell’s writing style is one which flows quite fluidly making the book an easy read.  It was in fact difficult to put down and I often found myself looking for excuses to pick up the book and continue reading, rather than facing my evening chores. If anything, it gave me a push to want to do something extraordinary with my life with regards to experiencing and traveling Alaska.  Perhaps not to the same extent, but the fact that it pushed my mode of thinking in that direction and challenged me to think “outside of the box” makes this another type of life altering book for me. 

They say that people that make these types of journeys are usually affected by them on such a drastic level that how they view and live life afterwards is never the same.  Most of the times for the better.  Walking My Dog Jane gave me that same kind of inspiration.  To reach beyond and experience that which is typical. I think it’s safe to say I highly enjoyed it.  Though I do find myself wondering what happened to Rozell in his life since then.