Tag Archives: Alaska

Trip to Old Minto

July 9, 2009 – 6:43 am

The sense of community we all felt when we arrived at the Old Minto camp for an Athabasca Indian potlatch was incredible and inspiring. We were all very fortunate to interact with them and learned a great deal on our tour of the camp.

It began with a 30-mile boat trip up the Tanana River from Nenana, Alaska to the site that was originally settled in 1912. They have since moved their camp to a new location based on the flooding that continually caused them to flee, but still return to their old location for celebrations. It was here they were having a celebratory potlatch, as they come to the Old Minto a few times throughout the summer.

By Nels Thoreson | Posted in Events, Food, North America, USA | Also tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Photo of the Week: Icy Wonderland

July 8, 2009 – 12:01 am

While visiting Valdez, our final destination in Alaska, we had the pleasure of sea kayaking near glacial icebergs with our host, Pangaea Adventures. The scenery and colors were out of this world.

By Craig Johnson | Posted in Alaska, North America, Photo of the Week, USA | Also tagged , , , , | Comments (1)

New Photos – Nenana and the Old Minto Camp

July 7, 2009 – 8:17 am

A small town called Nenana lies south of Fairbanks with a large Native population. Up the river from there Craig scheduled for us to meet with Robert Charlie, the director from the Cultural Heritage and Education Institute. While Robert Charlie turned out to be a bit of a swindler and general let down as he rushed us through our meeting at the village to make $100 for a boat ride, our arrival at Old Minto was a memorable one.

By Steven Shoppman | Posted in Alaska, New Photos, North America, USA | Also tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

New Photos – Fairbanks

July 6, 2009 – 4:03 pm

Fairbanks is the second largest city in Alaska. It has amazing weather and in the summer time it does not get dark, so you can jet ski and boat and walk down the river it bright sun at 2 am. The river passes through the center of town and allows for decks and patios to eat dinners and have drinks while enjoying the Alaskan summer.

By Steven Shoppman | Posted in Alaska, New Photos, North America, USA | Also tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

New Photos – Deadhorse and Prudhoe Bay

July 5, 2009 – 1:46 am

At the end of a 500 mile road, in the middle of nowhere lies a town with a bleak name, of which no one knows where it came. It is freezing pretty much all year around, and no one calls this place home. It is where the famed Alaskan Pipeline begins and where millions and millions of barrels of oil continually pass to feed our need for oil.

By Steven Shoppman | Posted in Alaska, New Photos, North America, Road Conditions, USA | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

New Photos – Hyder, AK

July 4, 2009 – 10:29 am

At the very bottom of Alaska lies the town of Hyder. With only 100 citizens in the summer and as little as 40 in the winter, this little town is like no other. They have a total of 8 students in the school, no police force and the only way in and out in winter is via floatplane. It is full of bears.

By Steven Shoppman | Posted in Alaska, camping, New Photos, North America, USA | Also tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Nels’ Notes: Nomadic Wandering Shenanigans June 26-July 3, 2009

July 3, 2009 – 1:40 am

Miles, upon miles, upon miles. Miles in the rearview mirror. That, for sure, was the theme of this week, as we traveled from Valdez, Alaska to Edmonton, Alberta. That is a haul, spanning close to 2,000 miles.

We spent the weekend at the wonderful Brookside Inn Bed and Breakfast, and were graciously accommodated by hosts Jerry and Susie. We had some great meals and conversations with them, and were beyond lucky that they had an abundance of halibut. Home cooked meals are never taken for granted by anyone on the crew.

By Nels Thoreson | Posted in Accomodation Reviews, Action Sports, camping, Canada, Expedition Updates, North America, USA | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

1000 Miles Later

July 1, 2009 – 8:32 pm

One month ago we set out from Denver for the great wide open wilderness of Alaska. Before leaving, Craig and I conducted considerable research on the last section of road to Prudhoe Bay named the James W. Dalton highway. I found a website with an entire page devoted to the road named The Dalton Highway, “The Haul Road.”

By Steven Shoppman | Posted in Alaska, Challenge of the Week, Expedition Updates, Media Coverage, North America, Road Conditions, USA | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

The Alaska Sea Life Center

June 30, 2009 – 12:01 am

“It won’t be so funny if he starts courting you,” said the intern. Meagan and I were laughing because a puffin had just hopped on her leg. We were taking part in the Puffin Encounter Tour, one of the programs offered by the Alaska Sea Life Center in Seward, Alaska. This particular hour long tour involved learning about the sea birds on display and then getting a chance to interact and feed the birds. Apparently, feeding the puffins is serious business as the seemingly harmless birds can bite extremely hard; although there are two expert interns there to protect you.

By Craig Johnson | Posted in Alaska, Did you know?, North America, USA | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

View from Above

June 28, 2009 – 12:01 am

Sometimes, sensations created by certain experiences simply cannot be put into words. Flying in a tiny propeller plane that has glacier-landing and take-off capabilities over one of the world’s last vast wilderness areas untouched by man in one of this nation’s most mind-blowing national parks is undoubtedly one of those experiences. Thanks to the staff at Talkeetna Air Taxi, we were able to have the opportunity to enjoy this amazing ride.

By Kristen Magnuson | Posted in Alaska, North America, USA | Also tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)