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| Win a free vacation to Knik River Lodge 1. Win a free vacation to Knik River Lodge 2. Live from Katmai National Park 3. I drove the Alaska Marine Highway! 4. Headed to Seattle? 5. $100 Visa Cash Card jump-starts your Denali adventure! 6. Harvard, Smith, Bryn Mawr, Yale, Holyoke, Amherst and Williams 7. Get 500 Alaska Airlines miles on the m/v Ptarmigan 8. Cruise Sale at USTravel! 9. Fly Era Aviation: ANC-FAI $82.50 o/w, ANC-BET $132.50 o/w 10. GCI offers unlimited nationwide calling, texting ____________________________________________ 1. Win a free vacation to Knik River Lodge We took a drive out there at the beginning of the summer--it's a great spot. Just 50 miles from Anchorage, this unique lodge sits near the Knik Glacier on the Knik River. Check it out: www.knikriverlodge.com There is great hiking all around, plus adventures to the face of the glacier. It's remote--but your cell phone will work. Plus, there's free hi-speed wireless internet access! So, here's the scoop: Your free vacation includes: a. Overnight accommodations at the Knik River Lodge, including breakfast. b. Airboat tour for two people to the face of Knik Glacier with Hunter Creek Adventures (www.knikglacier.com) OK--I know this is tough to redeem if you live somewhere other than Anchorage. You have to use the prize between now and Sept. 17, 2008 since they'll be closing for the summer. But I spoke with Peter, who owns the place with his wife. And they want to show off the lodge--so let's all play along! First, go to the blog: www.alaskatravelgram.com Second, sign up for the RSS Feed so you get the updates as they happen, including upcoming fall fare sales! Third, tell me the name of the river in the Valley of the 10,000 Smokes out there in Katmai National Park. We posted a gnarly picture of this raging river. Don't fall in! Send me an email here: zoom@gci.net In the subject, you MUST put "Knik River Lodge" In the body, put the right answer, as well as your name, address and phone number! Good luck--and thanks for playing! Oh--congratulations to Debanjan D. in St. Louis, Missouri. He's the lucky winner of Clark Mishler's book "Anchorage: Life at the Edge of the Frontier".  Private cabins at Knik River Lodge The cabins are cozy. A peaceful getaway! www.knikriverlodge.com  top____________________________________________ 2. Live from Katmai National Park Wow. We had a great time in Katmai National Park. Scott Slone with Alaska HDTV (www.alaskahdtv.com) came along to film the Valley of the 10,000 Smokes. Even though Brooks Lodge is well-known for bear viewing and fishing, the tour to the valley was the reason the park was established in the first place. This followed the cataclysmic eruption in 1912 of the Novarupta Volcano. The valley was covered with hundreds of feet of ash and pumice. It's great hiking in the valley--be sure and set aside a day while you're at the park to take the all-day tour. Yes, we saw bears. Yes, we saw fish. Scott even caught a few of them on the Brooks River--one of several streams in the immediate area that yield glorious rainbows, char and Dollies. And the salmon are t-h-i-c-k. We visited with Jim Albert, the Lodge Manager at Brooks Lodge. It's possible to book one of the cabins at Brooks, but they typically sell out quite a few months ahead of time. But you can camp at the National Park Service campground. It's surrounded by an electric fence to keep the bears out--and there are covered eating areas. It's pretty nice--for just $8 per night. Oh, getting out to Brooks is easy. You can fly from Anchorage to King Salmon, then connect with Katmai Air for the flight to Brooks. The cost: $615. Or, use your Alaska Airlines miles to get out to King Salmon. Then, take the float plane for $184 roundtrip. I'd choose the mileage option. How about you? Whether you're camping or staying at the lodge, you're welcome to take your meals in the main dining hall. There's a big fireplace next to the buffet line. Nice.  Katmai's Grand Canyon You've got to check out the Valley of the 10,000 Smokes. Here, Scott Slone (L) and Ranger Mike Fitz (R) hike to the valley floor after lunch at the visitors center. Each tour includes a National Park Ranger. Mike offered lots of history and perspective on the park, the volcanoes and on the many different geological features in the valley. www.brookslodge.com top____________________________________________ 3. I drove the Alaska Marine Highway! That's right: I've got the sticker to prove it. Whether you use the ferry to explore Southeast Alaska like we did--or just sail from Haines to Juneau, you'll have a great experience. Closer to home here in Anchorage, you can take the ferry to Cordova or Kodiak, or ride from Whittier over to Valdez! There are several specials on the Ferry right now, including: a. See Alaska Pass. If you start or finish your travels in Prince Rupert, B.C., you can save as much as 25 percent off your ticket. Plus, you can choose three stops in Southeast Alaska. b. Driver goes free. This is a great special if you’re driving your car on board the ferry! Starts Oct. 1. c. Save 30 percent this winter. Starting Nov. 1, you can save up to 30 percent on your ferry ticket.  Off the fantail on the m/v Taku Here, we're passing the mouth of the Taku River on our way from Kake to Auke Bay. Typical SE Alaska weather: partly cloudy with some low-flying scud hanging around the mountains. Beautiful morning. Beautiful trip. L-o-n-g, but beautiful. www.ferryalaska.com top____________________________________________ 4. Headed to Seattle? The Seattle TourSaver offers more than $4,000 in 2-for-1 savings on accommodations, activities, attractions and tours including: Victoria Clipper, Argosy Cruises, Kenmore Air, Homewood Suites (on Pike St.), Seattle Art Museum, Taste of Washington, Tillicum Village and more. Now, travelers receive an extra "bonus" pack of 19 new offers between now and the end of the year, including: a) Theo Chocolate Tour: Receive one FREE chocolate-tasting tour of the country's only organic chocolate factory! Value up to $7. 2-for-1 b) Shuttle Express: Receive one FREE one way or round trip door-to-door luxury coach transfer between Portland and Seattle with purchase of an accompanying transfer. Wi-fi, fancy captain's chairs, lots of legroom--and more. Value up to $198. 2-for-1! c) Alki Kayak Tours: Receive one FREE sunset kayak tour with the purchase of an accompanying tour. Two hours before sunset, paddle out on Puget Sound, then sit back and relax as your day ends. $40 Value 2-for-1! d) Deception Pass Tours: Receive one FREE cruise tour of Deception Pass with the purchase of an accompanying tour. Learn more about Deception Pass, the bridge and the surrounding area from an interpreter aboard their state of the art aluminum catamaran, Island Whaler. $45 Value 2-for-1! e) Woodinville Wine Tour: Receive one FREE Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour with purchase of an accompanying tour. Visit popular wineries such as Chateau Ste. Michelle, plus several other "garage" wineries. $89 Value 2-for-1! The Seattle TourSaver is available online for $79.95:  Space needle, Washington State Ferry, Seattle Skyline. Nice. I wedged my camera onto the dock in West Seattle to try and get this picture in focus. Looking forward to another visit! www.seattletoursaver.com top____________________________________________ 5. $100 Visa Cash Card jump-starts your Denali adventure! Are you waiting for the right time to visit Denali National Park? How about now? Denali Park Resorts is offering two nights for the price of one, plus a 2-for-1 deal on the Natural History Tour. To sweeten the deal, they’re offering a $100 Visa cash card to help fill up the gas tank. Feed the kids. Or to take a raft trip when you’re visiting Denali. Or whatever–you choose. While you're up at Denali, be sure and go whitewater rafting. see the Alaska Cabin Nite dinner theater. Go flightseeing. Visit Iditarod Champion Jeff King's kennel. Guided hikes. Horseback rides. ATV Tours. Much more. This special offer is available through Sept. 17. This is a Great Deal to see the Great One! Learn more online:  Smile--you're on Candid Camera Some of the tours inside the park feature videographers who record your journey. Ask about the DVDs when you make your reservations with Denali Park Resorts! www.denaliparkresorts.com top____________________________________________ 6. Harvard, Smith, Bryn Mawr, Yale, Holyoke, Amherst and Williams Ivy league college tour? Guess again! These are just some of the glaciers you'll see on the 26 Glaciers Cruise in College Fjord! Thank the Harriman Expedition in the 19th century for naming the glaciers after those swanky colleges! Add to these glaciers the Surprise Glacier in Harriman Fjord--it's always calving--have your camera ready! Take the Klondike Express--it's the high-speed cat that takes off from Whittier for a 100+-mile trip where you see (you guessed it) 26 glaciers. Count ‘em! On cruises between Aug. 23 and Sept. 15, you can save $54 on the combo deal with the cruise and the Alaska Railroad. The special rate is $159 per person (plus taxes and fees). Ride the train from the Anchorage rail depot. Cruise right through the Whittier tunnel and arrive in Whittier for the 4.5-hour cruise. Enjoy an "Alaska Wild Cod" lunch on your fully-narrated cruise. Oh, there's a guarantee against seasickness. Everyone has a great time. Call Phillips Cruises and Tours now: (800)544-0569 or (907)274-2723.  The Klondike Express What an incredible ride! www.26glaciers.com top____________________________________________ 7. Get 500 Alaska Airlines miles on the m/v Ptarmigan Sail right up to the face of Portage Glacier on the mighty Ptarmigan! Just 60 miles from downtown Anchorage. Plus, earn 500 Alaska Airlines miles. Make your reservations today--there are several sailings each day! Call (888) 452-1737. Gray Line of Alaska is your package tour expert. Choose from three to 12-day packages including rail tours, hotels, attractions--all the pieces you need to build a memorable vacation! Choose the 6-day/5-night Deluxe 2008 McKinley Explorer Tour: It includes a memorable train journey into Alaska’s spectacular mountains and the best chance for viewing wildlife. Day 1: Anchorage. We’ll greet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Overnight Anchorage. Day 2: Anchorage – Denali See more of the Great Land aboard the luxurious McKinley Explorer. You'll arrive in time to go on an optional raft trip on the Nenana River--or optional Dinner Theater! Overnight Denali. Day 3: Denali National Park Venture into Denali National Park on the Natural History Tour in search of moose, caribou, bear and Dall sheep—and perhaps catch sight of Mt. McKinley peak! Participate in complimentary park activities or optional excursions. Overnight Denali. Day 4: Denali – Fairbanks Take time this morning for optional tours, such as flightseeing or guided hikes. then board the McKinley Explorer to Fairbanks. Your hotel transfer from the train depot is included. Overnight Fairbanks. Day 5: Fairbanks Relive the gold rush at its height in Fairbanks. Visit the fully restored Gold Dredge No. 8 to learn how it worked, pan for gold and enjoy a hearty miner's lunch. The afternoon is free for optional activities, such as the Riverboat Discovery. Overnight Fairbanks. Day 6: Fairbanks - Anchorage Transfer to the airport for your flight to Anchorage, where your tour ends (air fare is not included). Call now: (888) 452-1737  The mighty m/v Ptarmigan Sail right up to the face of Portage Glacier! www.graylinealaska.com top____________________________________________ 8. Cruise Sale at USTravel! August is Cruise Month at USTravel. Pick from these top-notch cruise lines. Check out the exclusive upgrades/amenities/shipboard credits. Ask the professionals at USTravel to custom-design your cruise-tour package! a. Princess Cruises - $50 to $100 Shipboard Credit per couple, $100 per person Reduced Deposit and Onboard Savings Booklet ($120 Value) on select sailings! b. Oceania Cruises - FREE Airfare and $100 Shipboard Credit per stateroom on select sailings! c. Crystal Cruises - Two-Category Upgrade or Save Up to $4,000 on select 2009 Asia cruises! d. Crystal Cruises - $250 to $800 Shipboard Credit per couple and Prepaid Gratuities! e. Celebrity Cruises - Up to $200 Savings per stateroom on select 2008 and 2009 sailings! f. Royal Caribbean International - Up to $200 Savings on select 2009 sailings! g. Carnival Cruise Lines - FREE Upgrade! h. Holland America Line - Enjoy Our Exclusive $50 to $100 Shipboard Credit on select 2008 cruises! i. Norwegian Cruise Line - Up to $100 Shipboard Credit per couple! j. Royal Caribbean International - Complimentary pair of Robes and Onboard Value Booklet on select 2008 sailings! k. Regent Seven Seas Cruises - Up to $600 Shipboard Credit per couple on select 2008 sailings! Check with Giovanni in Anchorage: (907)561-2434 or (800)544-2217. www.ustravel.us top____________________________________________ 9. Fly Era Aviation: ANC-FAI $82.50 o/w, ANC-BET $132.50 o/w Anchorage-Fairbanks for $82.50 each way, Anchorage-Bethel for $132.50 each way. NO advance purchase. Valid EITHER direction. Fly betwen now and Sept. 3, 2008. Anchorage-Kodiak: $112.50 each way. Anchorage-Cordova: $92.50 each way. Same deal: NO advance purchase. Fly between now and Sept. 3. Wow! When you're in Fairbanks, stay at the Fairbanks Princess for as little as $99 per night. Heck, it's right on the Chena River! Earn DOUBLE FlyAway Reward points between Anchorage and Kodiak, Fairbanks, Bethel, or Cordova from now until Aug. 31, 2008. Earn free flights faster! Learn more about the FlyAway Rewards program: www.flyera.com top____________________________________________ 10. GCI offers unlimited nationwide calling, texting I'm using GCI all around Alaska. It works in Petersburg. It works in Wrangell, in Ketchikan, in Juneau, in Kodiak--all around Alaska. OK--it didn't work in Katmai, but we're working on it!! GCI just came out with a new "Nationwide Unlimited" plan that includes calling and texting anywhere in the U.S. The cost? $99.99 per month. You can add one or two partner lines for $49.99 per month (each). Check out the Motorola V197 or Nokia 6085. Either phone is free (with two-year contract): Call GCI today and get connected: (907)265-5400 in Anchorage or toll-free: (800)800-4800. Learn more online: www.gci.com top |
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