Moose Pass, AK

The Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage is truly "Alaska's Playground". There are many wonderful towns to explore and miles of river and trails to see the natural beauty of Alaska.

The small, picturesque town of Moose Pass is located 30 miles north of Seward, surrounded by the Chugach National Forest, and the serene waters of Upper Trail Lake.

Recreation opportunities abound in the area - everything from fishing for Dolly Varden,Rainbow Trout and Grayling in Upper Trail Lake, to canoe or kayaking on lakes in the area, hiking/backpacking on the multitude of trails in the forest, bird and wildlife watching, photography, berry picking, and much more. There are places to camp, cabins to rent, Bed & Breakfasts, and the beautiful Trail Lake Lodge that offers 22 rooms with private bath and satellite tv. They also have a full service restaurant and bar.

There is a large variety of wildlife in the area, especially Moose which prompted the naming of this quiet little town.

The Alaska Railroad often stops at Moose Pass and you can buy a ticket or flag the train down for an unforgettable ride to view scenery that is not visible from the highway.

If you are wanting to experience the real Alaska - enjoy peace and quite along the shores of a clear lake, or hike for days without seeing another human being, be sure and stop in the wonderful town of Moose Pass for a day, a week or longer! You will be glad you did!

*For more information, check out:

Moose Pass Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
PO Box 147
Moose Pass, AK 99631
on the web: wwww.moosepassalaska.com

Trail Lake Lodge
PO Box 5
Moose Pass, AK 99631
Toll Free: (800)865-0201
www.traillakelodge.com

Hot Licks Ice Cream

Love ice cream? Don't miss the award-winning "Hot Licks Homemade Ice Cream" shop in Fairbanks, Alaska. This place makes the most delicious ice cream I've ever had and my favorite (when in season) is their "Alaska Wild Blueberry" ice cream! Yummmmmmmmm. They offer a wide variety of flavors every day, with something for everyone. There are several sizes to choose from, and they also offer sundaes, shakes, ice cream cakes, and more.

Although I frequent the Fairbanks location on University Avenue, they also have shops in Anchorage and in Denali National Park.

Their ice cream is made in small batches and made with natural ingredients. The company has been in business since 1986 and is going stronger than ever.

"Hot Licks" is a favorite with locals and visitors alike, and during the summer there can be long lines!! The employees are very quick to get customers served, so even with the long lines, you get your order quickly. There is nice outside seating at the Fairbanks location (not sure about the others) which makes it nice to sit on a warm summer day to enjoy your ice cream.

If you want to take home a momento of "Hot Licks" without worrying about melting, they offer T-shirts and coffee cups with their logo on them. I personally love their coffee cups - old fashioned heavy mugs!

For more info on "Hot Licks Homemade Ice Cream" check out www.hotlicks.net or call them at 1-907-479-7813

The passing of Captain Phil "Deadliest Catch"

We were saddened to hear of the passing of Phil Harris who was the Captain of the F/V Cornelia Marie on the Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch".

We have followed the show since the inception (my husband used to commercial fish in Alaska) and Captain Phil was a major part of this show. His sons, Josh and Jake, are wonderful young men and were greatly loved by their Dad.

Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the family of Captain Phil Harris. May you rest in peace.


The Fisherman's Prayer
by Thomas Keats


When far from land on the stormy sea
There are times when my boat seems frail to me
Where the rising wind and the monstrous waves
Have sent many souls to their watery graves


When the fog shuts down and blacks out the shore
And the heavy seas on the rocks do roar
Where the hidden shoal and the tricky tide
Could mean my doom without a guide

In times like this our hearts sometime fail
And we fear we'll be lost in the stormy gale
Our thoughts go back to our friends on shore
And loved ones whom we'll probably see no more


But then at last there is a light
Shining through the gloom like a beacon bright
It is our faith in Our Lord we see
Who rules the raging of the sea

Our thoughts go back to the story true
Of Our Lord who protects His disciples crew
Who were fishermen just like me
And we follow their tradition of the sea


So now all fishermen be of good cheer
And always remember Your Lord is near
The word of a hymn which can give courage to thee
Are "Jesus Saviour, Pilot Me".

Need coffee??

For those of you who need a cup of espresso to get going in the morning, Alaska has an amazing number of great places to get both regular coffee and espresso. Almost every town - and even a couple of home businesses in the middle of nowhere along the highways - have a variety of great espresso shops to choose from.

When traveling in the Fairbanks area, one of my all-time favorites is the "Alaska Coffee Roasting Company." This wonderful coffee shop has a large variety of gourmet coffee's to choose from - primarily from South America and Africa - and you can also buy whole beans if you have your own coffee grinder at home. Not only do they have exquisite coffee and espresso, but they make some delicious food items as well. From breakfast quiches, muffins, and bagels, to their outstanding "flatbreads" that they bake in a traditional open-fire pizza oven, this shop is a favorite local hangout for a quick breakfast or lunch. The traditional "flatbread" that they make in the pizza oven is one of their specialties. It comes with a variety of toppings, from German Black Forest Ham and Swiss Cheese, to more exotic toppings with feta cheese, Kalamata Olives, artichoke hearts, and more. I can attest to the fact these flatbreads are absolutely delicious and after one bite, you will be hooked!
The "Alaska Coffee Roasting Company" is located at 4001 Geist Road, in Fairbanks. (It's in a small strip mall behind Pizza Hut.) For more information on "The Alaska Coffee Roasting Company", check out their website at www.alaskacoffeeroasting.com Just a note - you can buy their coffee beans online!

Another espresso shop that is a favorite with the locals and college students, is the "College Coffeehouse" located below the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus at 3677 College Road. This is a small coffee shop, but has a nice variety of coffee and a good selection of bagels and muffins for a morning snack.

Off The Road House B & B (Tok, Alaska)

A wonderful Bed and Breakfast located just west of Tok at MP 1315.8 on the Alaska Highway, is called the "Off The Roadhouse". The road into the B & B is gravel, but well worth the effort to get there! This unique 2-story home is located in a peaceful setting, and is run by an energetic proprietor who is also a gifted artist! Her home is decorated with gorgeous art works and includes everything from fine art paintings to stunning stained glass.

This whimsical home is decorated both inside and out with artwork, flowerpots, birdhouses and more. This wonderful woman makes everyone feel welcome to her home, and her cooking skills are legendary - especially her traditional German dishes from her homeland.

This is one of the most interesting and fantastic B & B's I've ever been to, and I would encourage anyone traveling through Tok to plan a night at the "Off the Roadhouse B & B" for a night or even longer. Once you experience her heartwarming hospitality and the quiet peacefulness of the location, you may never want to leave! She has many repeat customers - many from Germany and other regions of Europe.

For reservations or to find out more about this B & B, check out their website at: www.offtheroadhouse.com, or by email at rdhouse@aptalaska.net

Welcome to the Alaska Travel Writer Blog!

This blog will be about travel in the great state of Alaska and will include reviews of local restaurants, hotels, bed and breakfasts, shops, and more. I will also try to update the blog with any new road conditions that may be of interest to those driving within the state.

I plan to expand the posts to also include some alaskan recipes, information on local artists, events and festivals, and any other information I can pass along that would be of interest to those planning a trip to Alaska.

The blog will be updated regularly, so please check back often!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Marcy