Good Taste is the Worst Vice

Dining at North Face Lodge, Denali

Our first North Face Lodge "dinner" was actually a picnic buffet, served in about the least optimal conditions imaginable: in a muddy lot on the side of the park road in Denali, during a torrential downpour, beneath a tarp stretched between two buses. Given how luxurious that turned out to ... continue reading...


Three days in Denali

Despite persistent rain, we had an incredible experience in Denali during our three days in the park. Day 1 North Face Lodge offers three levels of daily excursions: a "foray" that's pretty relaxed, a moderate hike, and a strenuous hike.  We chose the foray on the first day, figuring we'd ease ... continue reading...


North Face Lodge, Denali Alaska

Most people only see Denali National Park from the windows of a bus - that's how I first experienced it as a child.  An all-day trip may get you only to the Eielson Visitor Center at Mile 66 of the park road and back, 4 hours each way.  But 30 miles farther along, there's some private land with a ... continue reading...


Among the glaciers in Alaska

Our little fleet of zodiacs launched from the Sea Lion and headed towards Dawes Glacier, weaving among ice floes on the way. It was the final day of our Lindblad / National Geographic trip, and we were off on one last adventure.  The glacier itself is beautiful to see, a mile-wide wall of ... continue reading...


Flightseeing and tacos in Petersburg, Alaska

There was just one town on our Sea Lion itinerary: Petersburg.  It may be small (just about 3,000 residents) but it's a very interesting place! Mitkof Island, where Petersburg is located, was long a Tlingit fishing site before the arrival of Europeans Petersburg itself was founded by Peter ... continue reading...


Lindblad National Geographic Sea Lion in Alaska

Our adventure started off with a 7-day voyage through Southeast Alaska, with Lindblad National Geographic on the Sea Lion, and I can't say enough good things about it. The ultimate travel luxury?  Simply showing up, knowing that everything is thoughtfully planned and every detail taken care of to ... continue reading...


Taiyaki House, Anchorage AK

If you'd like the perfect Japanese Alaskan fusion food, look no further than reindeer taiyaki.  You'll find them at the Anchorage weekend market, at the Taiyaki House stand. Taiyaki are Japanese cakes filled with sweet anko red bean paste and named for their fish shape - tai is sea bream ... continue reading...


Anchorage, Alaska

Did you know I was born in Anchorage? D's mother and I wrapped up our trip here, in Alaska's largest city and my birthplace. One of our first stops was the Anchorage Visitor Information Center.  It hasn't changed since I was a baby (except for the sign).  The "air crossroads of the world" ... continue reading...