Traveling with the Jones — Sharing Travel Discoveries

Photo Friday: My Ethereal Place in the Sky

by Janis on March 11, 2011

No matter how much I fly, I never get tired of the view. Light, fluffy cotton-candy clouds, with vast barren landscapes peeking through as the plane cuts across the sky.

Like many air travelers with long legs, I don’t generally choose the window seat. It doesn’t have enough leg room, and it’s a pain to ask two people to get up to let you out.

But if I’m in first class with Mr. Jones sitting in the aisle seat next to me (he always gets up without an eye roll), staring out the window at the clouds gives me an incomparable feeling of peace.

An ethereal experience.

Of feeling close to heaven.

Terrific for dreaming big dreams.

Brainstorming big ideas.

Creating new thoughts.

And, reflecting on what’s right in my world.

Do you like the view out the window when you fly?

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Visiting Anchorage, Alaska? 12 Tips from Local Residents

by Janis on March 8, 2011

View of Anchorage from Flat Top.

Every Tuesday is Travel Tip Day

Today: 12 Tips to Anchorage, Alaska from Local Residents

Going to Anchorage, Alaska?

We interviewed a group of friends who live in Alaska year round for their recommendations on the best things in Anchorage.

Here’s the locals’ list of 12 things to see, do, eat and drink while enjoying Anchorage, Alaska:

From Jo Ann Malloy:

1. Take a Hike up Flat Top.

For a fabulous view of Anchorage and the surrounding area, hike Flattop Mountain. The trailhead is 13-miles from downtown Anchorage, about a 30 minutes’ drive. If you don’t have a car, Flattop Mountain Shuttle on 4th Ave between C & D streets will take you to the mountain and give you a ride back downtown with several hours in between, all for $22 per person.

2. Have a wine flight and with some delicious food at Crush Wine Bistro and Cellar. We loved the “All day I dream about Syrah“ and “The Tao of Dao“ flights along with Charcuterie & Cheese plate, the baked Mac & Cheese and several of the evening’s chef specials like beef and portabella bundles with blue cheese. When you find your perfect wine from flights or by the glass, you can visit the retail store upstairs to buy a bottle or two to take with you.

3. Visit the Native Heritage Center in Northeast Anchorage to gain an understanding of Alaska’s first residents.

: Local Alaskans share their insider tips on Anchorage. Black row, from left, clockwise; Monte Davis, Jeff Jones, Sue Johnson, Beep Johnson, Damien Cass, Jo Ann Malloy.

From Tom “Beep” Johnson:

4. Load up on Anchorage’s best bread, made fresh daily with natural ingredients at the House of Bread at 8130 Old Seward or at the other location in Wasilla. They bake different kinds of bread every day of the week. Beep’s favorites are the parmesan basil and the garden herb made with tomato juice in the batter.

5. Enjoy a movie for $3 while eating and/or drinking at The Bear Tooth Theatrepub. This 12,000 square foot location combines a bar, restaurant, movies and live entertainment into one destination. The Bear Tooth offers freshly prepared food and draft beer and wine for consumption inside the theatre while watching the movie. Alternating rows of movie seats have replaced with tables, allowing you to eat and drink in comfort while watching the movie. A separate seating area allows underage movie goers the same dining and movie experience minus the beer and wine. Reserved seats are $5 per person.

From Sue Johnson

6. See moose and other wildlife at Kincaid Park on Anchorage’s west side by the airport. This park allows you to get deep into the woods and is home to Anchorage’s largest moose populations. Reach by driving west on Raspberry Road. Park at the Kincaid Outdoor Center or “chalet.” If you want to test yourself, try the 6-mile Lekisch Loop; it’s the hilliest competition-certified 10K in the country.

Sue warns, “Be careful not to get between a mother and her baby and don’t take dogs.”

7. Book a flight tour. See Denali or any number of spectacular Alaska sites. One option from Lake Hood Seaplane Base: Rusts Flying Service offers floatplane day tours ranging from bear-viewing to Denali.

From Monte Davis:

8. Take a hike on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Hiking is easy from downtown Anchorage on the 11-mile-long paved trail. Pick up the coastal trail on 2nd Avenue, only two to three blocks from most downtown Anchorage hotels.

9. Enjoy gourmet pizza at Moose Tooth’s Pub and Pizzeria at 3300 Old Seward Highway. Spicy Thai Chicken is Monte’s favorite pizza while Sue loves the Raspberry Vinaigrette Spinach Salad. Moose Tooth also brews beers, from Polar Pale to Pipeline Stout.

10. Ship home a taste of Alaska at 10^th & M Seafoods in downtown Anchorage. From the cool waters of the 49^th state, 10^th & M ships fresh or frozen salmon, halibut, crab, and shrimp almost anywhere in the world.

11. View bald eagles, tundra swan geese and other wildlife at Potter Marsh. A 1,550 foot boardwalk allows you to walk over the marsh and across watery openings, the perfect habitat for a rich variety of birds. From May to August, gulls, Arctic terns, shorebirds such as yellowlegs, and occasionally trumpeter swans are present during spring and fall migration.

From Damien Cass:

12. Eat at the Glacier Brew House in downtown Anchorage. Damien loves the bread pudding.

The best thing about Alaska is the local residents.

Have you visited Anchorage, Alaska? What are your favorite Anchorage discoveries? Please post in comments.

Other related Alaska posts:

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Destination Photo of the Week: Where’s this ship about to dock?

by Janis on February 22, 2011

Sunrise View from a Cruise Ship about to Dock in a Baltic Port

What Baltic port city is this? In what country?

Hints: This city

boasts one of Europe’s best preserved Medieval fortifications
once claimed the world’s the tallest building
has a its Parliament in a castle; the same castle housed every ruling empire/government since the 12th century

Be the first to post your answer in comments.

Check back on Wednesday for a post on the destination.

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Do I need a passport to go on a cruise?

by Janis on February 16, 2011

Every Tuesday is Travel Tip Day

Today: Do I need a passport to cruise?

Want to go on a cruise?

We find cruising a relaxing way to explore the world without unpacking more than once.

We’ve visited some of the world’s most unique spots, like the Polar Ice Cap, via a cruise ship.

A frequent question we hear is “Do I need a passport to go on a cruise?”??

Our simple answer is “Yes.” Why wouldn’t you get a passport? Don’t you want to see the world?

It is a valid question, since less than 40 percent of U.S. citizens have passports, while the percentage of the Americans wanting to cruise–especially to the Caribbean and Alaska — continues to grow.

US Citizens Do Not Need a Passport for Some Cruises

As much as we’d like to see you get a passport so you can explore the world, it turns out that U.S. citizens do not currently need a passport for some “closed-loop”? cruises to foreign ports within the Western Hemisphere.

If the cruise begins and ends in the same U.S. port – such as Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, New Orleans, or Seattle — for example, U.S. citizens are able to enter the United States with a birth certificate and government issued photo ID.

Check out this page of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for more information. Be sure to scroll down to the paragraph on “Closed Loop” Cruises.

Be Aware

Just because you can get on and off the cruise ship in Miami without a passport does not mean that you will be welcome off the ship in the countries your cruise is visiting.

Many Caribbean islands and Canadian ports on Alaska cruises allow visitors from cruise ships without a passport, but check with your cruise line to ensure you have the proper documents.

After all, you don’t want to be left at the pier.

Getting a Passport is Still Best Advice

Even if you are on a closed-loop cruise visiting non-passport required Caribbean islands, a passport is still a good idea. Why?

If you need to leave the ship to fly home due to an emergency, you would not have proper documentation required for a border crossing by air or land.

Additionally, countries can always change their positions about immigration with little to no notice.

Just Do It

Just get your passport. And get ready to explore the world.

Learn how to apply for a passport at the State Department’s travel web site, or visit your post office.

Are you a cruise fan? Do you have a passport?? Why or Why Not? Please share in comments.

Other travel tips posts:

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