Tag: hiking

Denali National Park-Wonder Lake and Reflection Pond

It seemed like a good idea at the time. If you are a part-time traveler, you can probably relate. While trudging through your 9-5, your trip planning grows more ambitious. While enjoying the comfort of my home sofa, catching the first shuttle bus of the day in Denali National Park, made so much sense. When…
Surprised in Sitka-Alaska

At first I am alarmed. We’re meandering around Sitka, killing time before we can check-in to our hotel. “Sarah. Shannon.” The calls echo. We look around, but there’s no one in sight. Once again we hear our names, “Sarah. Shannon. Up here.” Spinning around we see two familiar faces waving out of windows at The…
Bushwhacking and Skiff Tour-Magoun Islands-Alaska

My hand sinks into the dark, previously untouched earth, of Magoun Islands, Alaska. After finding the next foothold, I reach for a branch covered in soft, fuzzy, lichen. Our group climbs, or more correctly, crawls up the hill. It’s a careful, joyous, scramble, that leaves our hands and knees covered in dirt. I hum the…
Kayaking, Bushwhacking, and Music-Saook Bay-Alaska

The paddles are in hand just after breakfast. The morning mist still dances in the sky as we adjust to the quiet serenity of Saook Bay. I can hardly believe my eyes. Saook Bay is more Alaska, than I imagined Alaska could be. The colors on the horizon are stunning. Yellows fade to greens, that…
Bushwhacking in The Bay of Pillars-Alaska

“Kissing a banana slug is good luck,” our Uncruise Alaska, Adventure Guide, proclaims. My love of creatures is far reaching. With a blubbery body and fun antennae, the banana slug looks adorable wiggling around in my palm. Always on board for procuring an extra bit of luck, I lightly touch my lips to the slug’s…
Glacier Bay National Park-Alaska-Uncruise

The morning begins like most…with coffee. Unlike most of my mornings however, I’m sipping my caffeine in front of the grey, moody, Alaskan landscape, of Glacier Bay National Park, instead of my grey, moody, office cubicle. When we planned our trip to Alaska, seeing a glacier was at the top of my wish list. So…
Idaho Inlet-Alaska-Uncruise

The morning begins with safety briefings on our Alaska Uncruise. One briefing is for water safety, another for land safety. It’s the first of many “bear talks” we will receive. Our Adventure Guides do their best to make safety fun and entertaining. After a hearty brunch (including the best bacon ever), we set out on…
The First 48-Juneau-Alaska

Day 1 To reduce anxiety caused by possible flight delays, we arrive in Juneau, Alaska, 48 hours before our cruise sets sail. Exiting the airport, we are struck by the gorgeous mountains. The hotel we are staying at provides airport pickup. The driver loads our bags into the back of the van, and we are…
The Florida Botanical Gardens

It’s often a travel dilemma. What to do when you have a night flight home? Not being a full time traveler, I don’t bring work with me on trips, so a full day keeping busy in an airport lounge isn’t the best option. I didn’t want to choose an activity that either takes all day…