National Historic Trails Interpretive Center--Casper WY

This was one of the BEST museums we have seen so far. It included in-depth looks at each of the historic trails that passed through this area: the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, the California Trail, and the Pony Express. It has many truly hands-on exhibits (not just computer screens to click for information).





I'm usually not very interested in the movies at parks and museums, however this one was quite good. It used voices reading journal excerpts along with narration to explain the basics of travelling west in the 1800s. A mix of video and still photos were blended and shown on 5 screens above life-size dioramas of travelers. Typical sounds which would have been heard accompany the narration in surround sound format. DON'T MISS this movie!

For more information: http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/NHTIC.html

National Historic Trails Center

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The BEST thing: Seeing the Pony Express exhibit. There was an actual horse and they went fast, fast and they delivered mail.

Another FUN thing: playing with the pieces to have wagons cross a bridge over the Platte River. You had to get the parts all the way across with people on both sides to take care of things.

The most BORING thing: (1) staying so long. It kind of hurt my legs to stand around. (2) not being able to do a junior ranger badge. They don't have the program yet!

For FAMILIES:
(1) If you like horses, look at the pony express area. Also, try out the telegraph.


(2) Try crossing the river in the fake wagon. It's kind of bumpy but you don't really get wet! Don't be worried if you see things floating off on the river...and DON'T get up. You might tip over the wagon!

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National historic trails is an excellent place for the whole family to go to.

There are several hands on things for kids to do. These include packing a "trunk", virtually riding a covered wagon, pulling a handcart, and lifting a 65 pound backpack. There is some informative stuff that is nice for adults and kids might like it as well....

Every family should go here at least once to try it out.

(Plans) Alaskan Pipeline

Didja know my dad helped to design the oil pipeline which carries crude oil from northern alaska down to shipping in the south? So, I have two, count 'em TWO, generations of family who have involvement in Alaska!

We plan to learn more about the pipeline and take photos beside it (or under it!) There is a visitor center just outside of Fairbanks. http://fairbanks-alaska.com/trans-alaska-pipeline.htm

We can also tour Pump Station No. 9 near Delta Junction and see where the pipeline crosses the Tanana River just north of that town.

We'll let you know what we learn!

(Plans) Riverboat Discovery Cruise -- Fairbanks, AK

We are making reservations to take this riverboat cruise on the Chena river in Fairbanks. It is possible we will be tired of canned, tourist tours and will cancel our reservations. If not, we will have a guided tour Chena Village, of an athabascan fish camp, and a fly-over demo by a bush pilot in a float-plane.

Let us know if YOU think we should take this trip...or should cancel our reservations!! Info: www.riverboatdiscovery.com

(Plans) Fairbanks, AK

We plan to spend another full week in Fairbanks, AK (from July 5th through July 12th). While we are in the area, we plan to take some more R&R time, plus some final alaska sightseeing.

This will be our last chance for window-shopping, including at a local fur company www.alaskarawfur.com

By now we might be totally sick of museums. If not, we will probably take time for Pioneer Park. This special park has a number of small museums, plus mini-golf, and a Big Stampede Show (about the Gold Rush). This feels pretty laid-back so we might well check it out! http://co.fairbanks.ak.us/pioneerpark/visitor_information/visitor_information.htm

We will possibly also visit the UAF Museum of the North which has highly rated exhibits on art, culture, history and wildlife of alaska. Info: www.uaf.edu

Then again, maybe we won't do much of ANYTHING!!!

(Plans) Denali National Park, Alaska

We are HOPING for a clear view of Mt. McKinley while we are in the area. (Apparently that is somewhat rare in the summer because the mountain creates its own weather and is usually shrouded with clouds...)

We plan to spend a few days (July 3rd through 5th) here in this park. I'm hesitant to schedule a long-day tour bus trip through the park. So, we will just see what we can on the free shuttle buses which travel up to 15 miles into the park. We also plan to see a Dog Sled demonstration (maybe then my family will better understand my fascination with the Iditarod race??!!) While we are here, Anna will gather one more Junior Ranger badge.

For more information about this park which holds the highest mountain in North America: http://www.nps.gov/dena/

(Plans) Hurricane Turn Train -- Talkeetna AK

Didja know there is still a "flag-stop train" that makes regular runs? This is the only way trappers and people living in remote cabins in central Alaska can get to their homes. They take this train out of Talkeetna. When they want to catch it for a return to "civilization," they just flag the train down with a large square of white material!!

I loved some of the rules and regulations---which included that dogs (for sleds or hunting) must be caged for the trip and stipulated that all carcasses must be already butchered and wrapped up in a proper bag!! Yep! It's another "Toto, we aren't in Kansas anymore" experience!

We plan to take the 5 hour roundtrip train trip on July 2nd to see more of the remote areas of Alaska. It would be fun to get off the train and flag it down to get back to the start...but I'm not sure we are THAT adventuresome!! We'll let you know!

More information: http://www.akrr.com/arrc127.html

(Plans) Anchorage Again...

While Jill is attending the Idita-Summer Camp (June 21st through June 29th), Randy, Nettie, Jakob and Anna will be doing a variety of things in the Anchorage area and in the Mat-Su valley (around Palmer and Wasilla). I don't know for sure what they will do...

Here are some of the possibilities:

Alaska Native Heritage Center (includes music and dancing by native americans, plus native village sites with interpreters in an outdoor setting) www.alaskanative.net

Anchorage Museum (supposed to be the best museum choice with art, history, science and culture of Alaska) www.anchoragemuseums.org

There is a huge playground, skateboard park, and BMX track in Wasilla.

There is both a reindeer farm www.reindeerfarm.com AND a musk ox farm www.muskoxfarm.org in the Mat-Su valley.

They could go to a baseball game of the Summer Collegiate League of the Alaskan Baseball League. Apparently these are VERY competitive games---teams throughout Alaska in this summer league attract collegiate/future major league players from all over North America. For more information and commentary about this league: www.matsuminers.org and www.alaskabaseballleague.com and http://www.modernerabaseball.com/id29.html

(Plans) Idita-Summer Camp -- Wasilla AK

Didja know that Jill has followed the Iditarod Sled Dog Race (held yearly in Alaska--from Anchorage to Nome) for YEARS?? Yep, ask some of my kids who were forced to learn about this race and follow it as part of home-school curriculum!

Seeing the start of this race AND its finish 9+ days later in Nome AK is in my "book of dreams" (things I would like to do sometime in my life...) That may still be a long time before it happens, but I've found the next best thing:

I discovered this year that the Iditarod Committee holds a 9 day summer camp for educators. The purpose is to give hands-on experience and special speakers to cover many aspects of the race. We will also visit some museums in Anchorage and will write our own lesson plans to share with each other. I'm SO EXCITED!!

To see the tentative schedule of what will be covered during the camp: http://iditarodblogs.com/teachers/2009/04/08/2009-summer-camp-for-teachers/

To learn more about this race: www.iditarod.com

PS: anyone who might be inclined to give me a birthday gift (May 27th) could send money to Randy toward the cost of this camp instead!! (It's not cheap...but it certainly is a dream-come-true!)

(Plans) Winner Creek Gorge -- Girdwood AK

We hope to make time (June 19th) for a hike along this gorge and a trip by hand-tram across the gorge. Supposed to be beautiful---we'll let you know!

More information: http://www.akhs.atfreeweb.com/Hikes/Winner.htm

(Plans) Historic Crow Creek Gold Mine (!!!) -- Girdwood AK

Yep! On June 20th, if the weather cooperates, we plan to try our hand(s) at panning for gold! There are historic buildings gathered here. "Miners" are given equipment to use and can see what they can collect out of the creek. The website promises "lots of photographs!" which means I obviously can't skip this place, right?!

I will certainly post photos of our "miners" ... and we will let you know if we "strike it rich" !! (yeah, right...)

More information: http://www.crowcreekmine.com/index.htm/History_of_a_Gold_Mine.html

(Plans) Sterling AK (Kenai Penninsula)

We plan to spend 3 nights/2 full days based here with possible area day trips (June 16th through June 19th).

We could take a trip to the town of Kenai---which offers a tour of a fish processing plan, walking tour of the old town, and hanging out at the kenai river beach to watch fishermen, possibly see beluga whales, and check out the volcanoes visible across the bay. (Will Mt. Redoubt still be spewing ash while we are in the area??!!)

We also hope to take a day trip to the K'Beq' Interpretive Center which focuses on the native american views of life, traditional plant use and storytelling. More information: http://www.kenaitze.org/KBeq/Index.html

(Plans) Homer AK

We plan to be in Homer Alaska for a full week of R&R (June 9th through June 16th). There are many laid-back things to do here...and we plan to be as laid-back as possible! There is window-shopping at art galleries and boutiques along the "spit." There are fishermen to watch. There is fresh caught halibut to try...okay, maybe Randy and Nettie will try it! We can try clamming and exploring tide pools along the beach. We hope to have dinner and get to know Jill's cousin Amy better while we are here. If we get desperate for museums, there are two for us to check out:

The Pratt Museum has indoor and outdoor exhibits about life in the Homer area: www.prattmuseum.org

There is also a good place to learn more about the ocean and land environments of the area at the Islands and Oceans Visitor Center www.islandsandocean.org
They apparently have special programs for kids throughout the summer---maybe we will be organized enough to check these out as well?!

(Plans) Kenai Fjords Tours -- Seward AK

All of us are excited about this tour (scheduled for May 6th). It is the "splurge" of the summer. It's not cheap...but we hope it is well worth the price! (As always, we will let you know!) We will take a 5 hour tour along Resurrection Bay---with the hopes of seeing whales and of seeing glaciers "calve" off icebergs. This tour also includes a stop on shore for a park ranger talk and for an all-u-can-eat salmon & prime rib lunch!

For more information: www.kenaifjords.com (see the description of the "Resurrection Bay Tour")

(Plans) Kenai Fjords National Park -- Seward AK

Time for another National Park visit. (Probably on Friday June 5th.) Another Junior Ranger badge is calling Anna's name! While here, we will learn more about glaciers at the visitor's center. Plus, we hope to walk to Exit Glacier and see its face.

For more information: http://www.nps.gov/kefj/

(Plans) Lake Hood Air Harbor -- Anchorage AK

Yep! That's right! This is an air HARBOR...not an air port. This lake has the largest concentrations of float planes taking off and landing on any given summer day any where in the world (approx 800 take-offs and landings daily!!)

I am certain we will spend some time watching the planes here. Randy is also hoping to take a flight with an instructor so he can see what it's like...and maybe even practice a take off and landing or two. (If he doesn't arrange it for May 28th through June 4th, he will try this later in June when we return to the area.)

Hopefully we will have some photos for you...and maybe a little video footage as well!

(Plans) Alaskan Earthquake 1964 -- Anchorage AK

The Earthquake that hit Alaska in 1964 made huge changes in the land. It was the strongest earthquake ever recorded in North America.

While we are in Anchorage May 28th through June 4th we plan to learn more about this traumatic event. We will visit Earthquake Park, which has outdoor exhibits and signs. It is also an excellent place to view the incoming bore-tide, if we time the visit correctly.

We also plan to visit the Alaska Experience Theatre which includes an 180 degree wraparound multimedia show all about Alaska plus an earthquake exhibit which includes the full sensory experience of shaking, rumbling floors and building. We will let you know if this highly advertised show is a "tourist trap" or well-worth-visiting! Info: www.alaskaexperiencetheatre.com

(Plans) Alaska Wild Berry Products -- Anchorage AK

Hey, we CAN'T miss this place! It has a chocolate waterfall, plus free tours and tastes. For a choco-holic, the question won't be "will I buy anything?"...it will be "WHAT will I buy?" Nettie will be with us...so she will definitely be my "partner-in-crime." :-)

Here are some fun fact pages about chocolate and about this factory/store:
http://www.alaskawildberryproducts.com/education/

(Plans) Anchorage AK

We plan to spend a week in Anchorage Alaska (from May 28th through June 4th)Nettie will join us here to spend a month exploring Alaska with us.(YAY! It will be good to see her!)

Since it will have been 6 months since Randy's last MRI and CT scans, we plan to arrange for more check-up/monitoring tests while we are here.

We hope to enjoy watching fishermen along the river at midnight. We plan to enjoy some window-shopping in town. We've read that we MUST taste reindeer sausage purchased from a street vendor. We also hope to visit the Vineyard Church in Anchorage while we are there.

We will try to keep you updated on what we are seeing and experiencing while we are in this city!

(Plans) Wrangell-St. Elias National Park -- AK

We plan a day trip to visit this park---the largest anywhere in the USA's National Park system. We will spend time at the Visitor's Center to learn more about the mining in the area and to learn about the environment in this area of Alaska---land, climate, animals, plants, etc. We also hope to do a little hiking here---don't you think stretching our legs after thousands of miles of driving is a good idea?!! Anna will also work to get another Junior Ranger badge here.

For more information about this park: http://www.nps.gov/wrst/

(Plans) Glennallen AK

We will be staying 3 nights in Glennallen Alaska. It will be high time for a rest break by now! We won't have finished the entire length of the Alaskan Highway...but we will finish the last few 10s of miles when we leave Alaska from Fairbanks headed back to the lower 48 sometime in mid-July.

We will be staying at a campground with (supposed) stream-side RV sites, plus a short walk to its very own bubbling mudpot spring. (Maybe a small substitute for Yellowstone National Park which was still snowed in when we left Wyoming on May 1st!!)

(Plans) May 24th -- In Alaska for the Summer--FINALLY!!

We plan to enter Alaska sometime on May 24th to stay through much of the summer. After almost a month of travel, we will finally reach this state. (Can it REALLY be part of the USA when it is SO far separated from the rest of the states??!!

(Plans) Whitehorse Yukon Territories

We don't know for sure how much energy we will have for sightseeing by the time we have gotten this far (historical milepost 918 on the Alaskan Highway). We know we plan some rest and relaxation time for the 4 nights and 3 full days we will be here.

Some of the sightseeing possibilities include:

Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre (about the animals and people who crossed the bering land bridge and lived in this area): www.beringia.com

SS Klondike (Canadian) National Historic Site (tour of a sternwheeler boat which helped supply the Klondike gold camps): http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/yt/ssklondike/index_e.asp

If we still have energy after the above, we may check out the Yukon Transportation Museum (cars, planes, and a whole lot more) www.yukontransportationmuseum.ca

We will let you know what we decide to do...and what we think of the places we visit!

(Plans) The Days of '98 Show -- Skagway AK

We are hoping to catch this musical revue show about Soapy Smith on May 18th. We learned a little bit about this con-man from studying Colorado Mining History. Eventually, Soapy made his way up to the gold camps of Alaska.

For more information about the show: http://thedaysof98show.eskagway.com/index.htm

For more information about con-man Soapy Smith: http://www.soapysmith.net/page35.html

(Plans) Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park -- Skagway AK

This will be our first stop in Alaska. Skagway doesn't actually connect directly to other parts of Alaska by any route other than by ferry, so this will be a short 3 night/2 day visit (May 17th through May 20th) back to the USA surrounded by time in Canada both before and after this.

Skagway was the entry point for the Klondike Gold Rush miners to head further north to the gold fields in search of riches. This Visitor's Center tells the story of hopes and heartbreaks for these miners. I wish we could attempt to hike at least part of the Chilkoot Trail...but we are definitely NOT prepared for that much difficulty! (Yes, we would have FAILED as Klondike Gold Rush miners!)

Anna will get another Junior Ranger badge here to add to her collection.

For more information: http://www.nps.gov/klgo/index_old.htm

(Plans) Northern Lights Centre -- Watson Lake YT

We will spend a day in Watson Lake, Yukon Territories, on May 15th. This center has a reportedly awesome planetarium show about the Aurora Borealis. Since we will not be in Alaska during the winter and will miss seeing the Northern Lights in person, this might just be the next best thing. We will let you know!

For more information: www.northernlightscentre.ca

Casa Grande National Monument

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Most INTERESTING: Being able to walk into the rooms. The houses were on the open ground, not in a canyon like at Walnut Canyon. Also, these houses were MUCH bigger. The walls were taller than me. There weren't any roofs. There was also a huge building in the middle.

Most BORING: Not being able to go into the big castle. Now there's big bars to keep people out.



For FAMILIES: This is another place to get your Junior Ranger Badge. Here is a picture of me being "sworn in" as a Junior Ranger. This was my seventh badge!