Living in Alaska for a Week Part 2

The next morning Jason and I were up to go to the airport and fly up to Fairbanks.  Earlier in the year Horizon had started service between the two cities, and we had always wanted to take one of the flights up there.  And in true Horizon spirit they decorated a couple of their aircraft to represent a couple university sports teams in the state.

It was a quick flight up there and while it was cloudy, I did get some nice views of Denali poking above the clouds.

The flight up to Anchorage was wide open.  There were probably only 20 people max on the plane.  When we got up to Fairbanks it was very cloudy, but when we got below cloud level I could see the gorgeous colors.  Fall had already settled on the area.

Arriving at the airport we saw how small it was.  Jason and I grabbed some souvenirs from the gift shop, and then then walked outside.  It was cold.  We didn't realize the bus would come and we could ride into the actual city.  But I also happened to check the flight loads back to Anchorage: almost all full.  So we decided it would be a good idea to start trying to get back.  We missed the first couple flights (including an Alaska Combi flight) because they were full.  So we went to the cafe and Jason bought us some chili dogs.  It was by far the best chili dog I've ever had.

Jason and I did get lucky, however, and got out.  Two people happened to no-show, and we got their seats.  We were pretty happy.  We enjoyed the flight back home, and to celebrate I even tried some of the free Alaskan Amber that they served.  Jason was proud of me for even finishing it before he did.

We had "plans" to get up early and catch another Horizon flight, to Kodiak Island, but we halfheartedly said "screw it" and went back to bed in the morning.  Instead, we caught an afternoon flight up to Barrow, making a stop in Prudhoe Bay.  Prudhoe Bay is pretty much just a town existing to support the oil company there.  It feeds the Alaskan Pipeline that travels down to Valdez.

The temperature was hovering right below freezing, when we arrived in Barrow.  I wanted to go eat dinner at Arctic Pizza, with Jason, but we couldn't find it.  So we just wandered the town for a while, and walked out onto the beach of the Arctic Ocean.

It was pretty muddy, and there was snow on the ground.  We trekked through the part of the town close to the airport, but didn't have time to go to the main part.  But we did get to see a big whale skull outside the city hall "building".

I hope to make it back to see the rest of the town (and maybe a polar bear too).  But we didn't have much time.  If we didn't make this flight, we were stuck until the next morning.  And who wants to be stuck in Barrow?

We didn't go through security until we boarded the aircraft; that's how small the airport is.  But we got boarded up, and once again had to stop in Prudhoe Bay.  We got back to Anchorage, and into the motel around midnight.  And thus ended my fun flying experiences around Alaska, for this trip.  Now it was time for my boring work training.....

                                                    (Point Barrow)

Living in Alaska for a Week Part 1

Again, back in September, not soon after getting back from Mexico, I had a big trip planned.  Jason was meeting me up in Anchorage.  I followed up the morning of the 19.  We had checked bags full of gear, and cheap food from the grocery store to eat.

I arrived late morning, and we got checked into my motel room at the Millennium Hotel.  I would be up here later for training, so I just came up early to do some traveling.

We really didn't do much that day except relax and sleep, after long flights from Boise.  We used our coffee maker to get hot water for our noodles.

In the morning, one of Jason's friends that lives up in Anchorage came and picked us up.  He had offered to drive so we wouldn't have to rent a car, to drive down to Exit Glacier, near Seward.  So after stopping at a store to get some butane fuel for my stove, we set off.  It was about a 3 hour drive down to Seward, through some really pretty country.  We drove along the Turnagin arm, and then down across the Kenai Peninsula.

It was pretty chilly, and it had been raining off and on.  The humidty was high as well.  The three of us fooled around on the easy foot paths at the mouth of the glacier, before starting the 4 mile hike up to the top of the trail/ridge where we would see a view of the Harding Ice Field.

For a while we didn't get good views.  But after we cleared the tree line we started to get better glimpses of Exit Glacier, as we gained height.  I believe it was about 1000 feet of elevation gained for every mile of trail.  It was pretty steep.

As we got closer to the top the view began to open up and we could see the glacier getting wider.

The view from the top was pretty incredible.  I can only imagine how much better it would have looked on a gorgeous clear day.  I won't complain though.  It would be fun to traverse the ice field, like some groups of people do.

We rested at the Emergency Shelter at the top of the trail.  We pulled out my stove, and we boiled water for some meals, stocked up on calories, and then eventually started the hike back down.  We drove into Seward to see the town, and we also got to see somebody's boat burning in the harbor, as well as a baby moose alongside the road.

We got back to Anchorage late.  I was able to mostly stay awake and talk with Jason's friend.  We had been planning on flying up to Barrow in the morning, but we decided to switch that trip to another day.  Instead, we would sleep in a bit and try to make it up to Fairbanks.  We wanted to fly on Horizon's flights they operate between Fairbanks and Anchorage, now.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

I've been majorly behind on my traveling posts, but this one is about a short trip I took to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico back in September.

On Saturday, September 13 our station manager sent my roommate, Jason, and I down for a 2 night stay at an all inclusive resort in Puerto Vallarta.  We had a long day of traveling; flying to Portland, then San Francisco, and finally arriving in Mexico.  By the time we got checked into our place it was dinner time.  We didn't do much the entire trip, and I only got a couple photos.  We ate food, sat in the sun, ate more food, had drinks on the beach.  Sunday morning we did go see a timeshare.  In exchange for our time that morning, we were given taxi fare to and from the airport, free tequila, and free snorkeling tickets (which we weren't able to use because we didn't have another day in Mexico).

Flying home, we connected through San Diego.  We barely made it through customs, rechecked our bag, and got on our flight to Seattle.  Then we arrived on the last flight into Boise for the night.  It was neat to see the area, and experience the jungle and some authentic Mexican culture.  However, it wasn't really worth all the travel time and headaches we put up with for the trip.

Shreveport, LA

Wednesday, April 23 I left Boise in the afternoon.  The flights out of Boise had filled up the next morning, so I made the decision to leave a little bit earlier than usual.  I was trying to make it to Shreveport to visit Daniel and Lauren.  So I took a flight to Seattle, that stops in Lewiston on the way there.  I was barely able to make it to my connecting gate and reach my flight to Phoenix, AZ from there.

I had to spend the night in Phoenix, but I got on the first US Airways morning flight to Dallas.  Daniel met me there and we drove the 3 hours to Shreveport.  That afternoon we went over to a couple's apartment nearby, Patrick and Suzanne, for dinner.  We played a game and visited for a while before they went to bed sort of early.

For most of the time in Louisiana, I spent my time doing nothing but relaxing and working on a book with Daniel.  But there were some "bigger highlights."

That Saturday we went to the local Air Force Base.  The Thunderbirds were performing there.  I cared more about one aircraft: a B-17 bomber from WWII.  I'd never gotten to go inside one before, but now I finally was able to.

The following Monday we drove out to West Monroe, LA.  The purpose?  To visit the Duck Commander warehouse.  We also ate at Willie's Duck Diner.

Later that night Daniel and I made a giant meat filled sandwich.

The next day Daniel took me to Cross Lake.  I got to see a little bit of what "swamp" in Louisiana is like.  There were some areas of backed up water into the Cyprus groves.

I didn't sleep any Tuesday night.  Wednesday Daniel and I were up at 1:30 in the morning to drive me into Dallas.  I was sick and had a fever, but at least I made all my connecting flights and got home.  I flew on US Air from Dallas, to Phoenix, to Portland.  Then I flew Horizon back to Boise.

Channel Islands National Park

It was time for another much needed vacation.  Ever since my visit to the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center with my Uncle David last October, I wanted to actually plan a trip out to some of the islands.  This was by far my most ambitious trip yet.  The day before I had left, I flew to Portland for the day to get some mountaineering boots at the local REI.  I got back late, but with a little bit of my sleep I returned to Portland the next morning.  Then I had a connecting flight to Burbank, California.  It was on Skywest Airlines, that basically flies Alaska Airlines routes.  It was a CRJ700 jet aircraft, unlike Horizon's Q400's or Alaska's 737's.

I made it to Burbank and then made the short walk to the Amtrack train station outside the airport.  I waited for probably an hour before the train arrived.  I rode all the way to Ventura, CA.  On the way there was a delay due to a car blocking the tracks ahead.  But the delay allowed me a gorgeous view of the sun setting over the ocean as I walked almost 2 miles from the train depot, to my motel.  It was the local Motel 6.  Wasn't the greatest, but it was cheap and I needed a place to stay.

In the morning, I bought some snacks and then made the 2 mile walk from my motel to the marina.  A company called Island Packers works with the National Park Service to provide boat service to the 5 main islands.  However, during this part of the year they were only providing service to Santa Cruz and Anacapa islands.  That worked out well for me.  My first day would be spent on Santa Cruz Island.

After boarding, it was about a 1 hour trip out to the Scorpion anchorage.  Santa Cruz is over 90 square miles in size; by far the largest.  However the Park Service only owns the eastern portion of the island.

On the way over we did witness some dolphins swimming next to our boat, and then later there was a feeding frenzy going on.  Dolphins were pushing a large group of fish near the surface and we eating them.  Sea lions and birds were taking advantage of this as well.

As we approached the Scorpion landing, I began to see some of the small caves the wind and waves had carved into the cliff faces on Santa Cruz Island.

When we landed, we all had a quick orientation from a volunteer guide.  We were allowed to split up, but I chose to stick with the guide for a while.  He did a walk around one of the old ranches left behind by a Spanish family, and then we hiked up to Cavern Point.  From that point on the "guided hike" was over.  We were free to go on whatever hiking trails we wanted.  The only catch was, be back at the dock at 3:15.

                                (View of Cavern Point)
I decided to do a 5 mile round trip hike to Potato Harbor, and back.  Potato Harbor is a small, secluded cover on the northern coast of the island.  The trail simply ran along the top of the cliffs until I reached the viewpoint.  I managed to find a less used trail and hiked down to a small overlook where I ate my lunch and took in the view.

I turned around and made a loop trip all the way around Cavern Point.  I got some beautiful views overlooking Scorpion Anchorage.

The boat arrived a while later, and everyone rode back to the mainland.  It was a long walk back to the motel, but I was happy to be off my feet.

The next morning it was cloudy.  A big storm system was moving in, and I hoped the rain would hold off until I got back.  This time I was going to Anacapa Island.  This island is actually three parts: East, Middle and West.  East Anacapa is the section visitors are allowed on.  This particular island has a lot more history involving the US Coast Guard.  A lighthouse was built on the island to aid in navigating the Santa Barbara Channel.  The island is riddled with shipwrecks along the coast.

I went on another guided tour with a few other people and a park volunteer.  This particular island is a giant breeding ground for sea birds, so they were everywhere.

There were three gorgeous views on the island that I think are my favorite.  The first is Cathedral Cove.  I watched as the kelp forest under the water swayed back and forth in the surf.  I watched sea lions swim about in the clear blue waters.

The second was Inspiration Point.  This lookout is on the western end of East Anacapa.  You look out over Middle and West portions of the island.

On my way back to the boat landing I stopped by one of the old buildings that housed the original Fernsle lens from the lighthouse.

The boat returned and after everyone loaded up we stopped by my last favorite view on Anacapa.  The famous Arch Rock on the eastern tip of the island that is 40 feet wide.

On the ride back, we were treated o an incredible view as hundreds of dolphins swam and leaped across the ocean around our boat.  The weather was turning a bit worse, but the rain held.  A couple I met on the island were kind enough to give me a ride back to my motel.  Later that night, the first storm moved in and dumped rain.

I woke up and there was a brief pause between the first and second storm systems.  I was able to enjoy some sunshine as I walked back to Ventura Amtrack.  Instead of going south, though, I went up north to Santa Barbara.  After another 2 hour walk from there I arrived at the airport.  I was able to get a seat and fly to Portland.  Flight loads out of Portland were full, and I got bumped, but I made it back to Boise on the last flight in for the night.  I was tired and happy to get back.  I hope to someday get out to the three other of the Channel Islands: Santa Barbara, San Miguel, and Santa Rosa.

Until my next trip!

San Diego, CA

Saturday, January 18 was the start of my next, much needed trip away from Boise.  In November of last year, Alaska Airlines started direct flights to San Diego from Boise.  I didn't have any problem getting a seat, so I sat back and waited for the 2 1/2 hour flight to end.

When I stepped off the plane I was greeted by the hot warm sunshine.  It felt nice to sweat.  On the approach to the runway I had spotted the USS Midway berthed at the pier.  That was my destination for the afternoon.  I hopped onto a bus that runs loops between the airport and downtown San Diego, and got off near the waterfront.

I bought my ticket to get inside the ship. The majority of the tour involves headphones and a remote player.  As you progress through the different areas of the ship set up for viewing, you push a button and listen to narration.  It was enjoyable.  Scattered throughout were veterans, or other experts to answer any questions you had.

It took me a couple hours to explore everything below decks.  The anchor storage, crew quarters, mess halls, ready rooms, medical bays, ordinance storage, machine shops, etc.  It seemed to go on forever.

After I was done below decks, I went onto the flight deck.  There were a lot of aircraft and helicopters set up to view.  It was basically showing the different types that had served aboard the Midway during its career.

I could see another carrier across the harbor, and later on a guide explained to us it was the nuclear powered USS Ronald Reagan.

I got in line to get my tour of the deck superstructure.  It was limited to 20 people per group.  This part of the tour was led by an actual guide.  It was a nice change, compared to the rest of the ship.  It took about 30 minutes to go through, and then we exited.  Overall, it was a great day on the Midway.  I wasn't in any frame of mind to run myself ragged, so I pulled up my GPS on my phone and made my way to downtown and checked into my motel room.  I was here to relax.

The next morning I got breakfast and then my plan was to go out to Cabrillo National Monument for the day.  I hopped on one of the trolleys, then connected on a bus that took me to Shelter Island.  I waited around for the next and final bus to go out to the Monument.  Another couple was doing the same.  I soon figured out, however, that the bus didn't run on weekends.  So I wandered around looking at the expensive yachts that rich people owned, before taking the bus back to downtown.

Now that my day was suddenly freed up, I decided to take a trolley down to the International Border.  I got off in San Ysidro, and I felt pretty uncomfortable being almost the only white guy.  I got something at McDonalds there, and wandered around looking at the wall separating the U.S. and Mexico.  Then I decided to head back to downtown San Diego and go to my motel.

The next day was my last day in San Diego.  My direct flight back to Boise didn't leave until 5:35, so I again slept in, and then walked down to the harbor again.  I decided to explore the San Diego Maritime Museum.  It encompassed old sailing ships, a couple submarines, an old steam ferry, and some luxury yachts.  The big stars of the Museum are the Star of India...

 And a Russian B-39 submarine from the Cold War

Forward Torpedo tubes in the B-39

Inside the steam ship Berkely, were were able to go below decks and walk through the massive boiler, engine, and furnace rooms.

When I was all done I bought some souvenirs, and then proceeded to the bus stop to eventually make it back to the airport.  It was a holiday weekend and flights were filled up.  However, I had a high enough priority I had no problem getting a seat for the flight back to Boise....

Next time I plan on making sure the bus to Cabrillo is running so I can see the lighthouse and open ocean coast...  Until my next flight, adios!