This community of just 111 residents in Mat-Su Borough is the spot for lots of activities involving things Alaska is known for, such as the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome each March.  Skwentna is an official checkpoint for this race.  They are also a gas top for the Iron Dog Snowmobile Race in February.  Then you go to the Iditarod Trail Invitational, a 350 mile race that combines skiing, mountain biking and snowshoeing and find that Skwentna is also a stop for this activity.

You can’t drive to Skwentna so you have to reach it either by sled dogs or fly in.  Skwentna lies on the south bank of the Skwentna River at its junction with Eight Mile Creek.

The area had been fished and hunted by the Dena’ina Athabascans for centuries.  Permanent settlers did not show up until after the Alaska Road Commission cut the Iditarod Trail here in 1908 on the way to Nome from Seward.  

Roadhouses were later constructed along the trail, including the Old Skwentna Roadhouse to service the prospectors, trappers and Native Alaskans who used sled dogs to transport goods over the trail.

The area drained by the Skwentna and Yentna rivers has many lakes and small streams that support all five species of salmon in Alaska. Taking advantage of the fine fishing are a number of fly-in fishing lodges with most located on the Talachulitna River, Lake Creek and Fish Creek. Guests target king salmon from June to mid-July and then concentrate on pink and sockeye salmon July and early August and silver salmon August to early September. Rainbow trout, grayling, Dolly Varden and northern pike are also plentiful and frequently caught.

A visit to the Skwentna Roadhouse will surly have you wishing your life could always be this peaceful.  Nestled within the confines of the Alaska splendor is what the owners refer to “as a little piece of heaven where time just seems to have no meaning.”  The Skwentna Roadhouse was built in 1982 by John and Joyce Logan to provide housing for the school children in the area.  Several years ago the school was closed so the Logan’s turned their home into a comfortable hot spot for the Alaskan adventurer.  In 1984 it became the 1st checkpoint for the Iron Dog Classic.  In 1985 the race was changed to Iron Dog Gold Rush Classic which was later renames Tesoro Iron Dog and now we know it as the “Alaska National guard Irondog Race.”  Wonder when it will be changed again??

Along the line they became the layover checkpoint for the Knik 200. This started many years of supporting Alaskan outdoor sports. Somewhere along the way ~ they started entertaining the summertime enthusiast by providing rooms and fine dining for fisherman and local travelers.

The new Roadhouse is located about 8 miles downstream from the original historic Skwentna Roadhouse  ~ The Roadhouse is at the junction of the Yentna and Skwentna rivers.  Skwentna, Alaska, is on the Historic Iditarod trail and is located at 61degrees 52’46”N 151degrees15’59”W   It is 450 square miles in size of which 6.9 square miles is water.  It is approximately 50 Nautical air miles from Wasilla, Alaska, 65 Nautical air miles form Anchorage, Alaska and about 70 river miles from the Deshka Landing in Willow, Alaska. The Skwentna Roadhouse is fortunate to have a State owned and operated Airport provided for by the United States during World War II’s Lend lease program with Russia.

This location would be a great place to spend some time learning about the area, whether you are there for one of the races or there during the summer when the beauty of the area will truly capture your heart.

Activities in Skwentna – Skwentna, Alaska is a post from: Alaska Tourism

The Museum was created to give a home to the transporation and industrial remnants that tell the stories of the people and the machines that opened Alaska to the exploration and growth.  It tells the story of the booms and busts that have accompanied the expansion of this great state.

Alaska history has often followed the path dictated by two opposing fores, the desire to exploit the natural resources and the need for technology and transportation to reach, process, and remove the products.  When the products, whether it was gold or other resources dried up much fo the technology of the day was left behing on the tundra and in the forest to rust and rot because it was too expensive and to impracticle to remove.

Because of all this techology being used and abandoned the Museum of Alaska was formed to establish a home of the remnants to tell the storeis of the people and machines that opened Alaska to exploration and growth.

Email: members2005@museumofalaska.org  In the subject line please put Inquiry so they know you have a question.

Or you can call them at 907-376-1211

Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry – Wasilla, Alaksa is a post from: Alaska Tourism

Everyone enjoys a State Fair and those in Alaska are no different.  The Fair is eleven days long ending on Labor Day.

Each state fair has a history of how it started and Alaska is no different.  The area that is home to the fair, the heart of the Matanuska Valley, had the Dena’ina as it’s first occupants.  Then US Government made an attempt to settle the area by giving families that were on relief a new start in 1935.  203 families from Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin and Oklahoma were selected to move to the area.  After 4 years there were still 40 percent of the original colonists still living there.

In 1936, after a year of clearing land and building homes, they wanted a celebration.  The Matanuska Valley Fair Association was formed and along with that a 4 day Fair was held.  They covered the cost of the Fair by selling stock and charging $1 for adults and $2 for a season pass.  Children under 8 were admitted for free.

Since the Fair was held at the same time the Knik River Bridge was opened those from Anchorage and the Valley could all get there.  They had events that are still held at a number of Fairs today.  There was the crowning of the Fair queen, a baby show, boxing matches, horse races, dances, a rodeo and baseball games along with hundreds of agricultural entries for everyone to see and enjoy.

in 1938 the acquired a more permanent site.  This is where the Palmer Pioneer home is now located.  By 1939 there were a record 1,600 visitors attending the Fair.

The Fair went on hiatus form 1942 to 1946 due to the war but was back in full swing in 1947.  As the Fair grew it needed more space and is now located on 300 acres with the total attendance continuing to grow. 

When visiting the Fair you will be enchanted with the wide array of flowers growing on the grounds. 

Getting to the Fair

The fairgrounds are located just an hour’s drive north of Anchorage at Mile 40 on the Glenn Highway. Once at the Fair, there are four entrance gates. Three gates, the Purple, Red and Yellow have parking areas.

Green Gate Information
The fourth, the Green Gate serves as a drop-off and pick-up zone, and as the depot for the Fair Train. No parking fee is required to access the entrance area to the Green Gate. Access is from the Inner Springer Road at the north end of the fairgrounds.

You can also ride the Fair Train from Anchorage.  You can buy not only your train ride but also the tickets to the fair at one time.  Booking Your Ticket: Call 265-2494 or 1-800-554-0552. All tickets are sold at the round trip rate and include Fair admission.

RV Parking

You will be directed to the Inner Springer South. From there, you will turn on Rebarchek Road and follow signage.  Prices are $15  per vehicle. An additional fee of $10 will be charged for fifth wheels and any vehicle with a tow-behind.

You will receive parking coupons for the day(s) you will be staying. You will also receive a window hanger with the dates punched that you will be staying.

The lots will be checked daily to see if your pass is current. If not visible or current, your vehicle will be towed. Your daily payment allows you to stay until 9:00 am the following morning.
RV Lot General Regulations:

• Outdoor cooking and campfires are not allowed. Any patron burning a fire will be asked to leave the property and no refund will be given.
• Please pick up your trash and place in the provided trash containers. Trash left behind hinders others enjoyment of the area.
• A 16 foot wide bay space is allowed. Allow 4 feet between you and your neighbor. Only extend awnings 4 feet.
• The parking lot and RV lot are dangerous places for kids to play. Please restrict children’s activities in the lot. 
• Pets are not permitted inside the Fairgrounds. Do not tether your pet(s) outside your vehicle. All pets must be on a leash. Unattended pets found tied outside will be removed by the proper authorities. All animal waste must be picked up immediately.
• Absolutely no RV parking is allowed in the Purple, Yellow or Red General Parking Lots.

There will be 24 hour security on site so please follow all regulations.

Parking at the Fair

Handicap accessible parking is available at the Red, Yellow and Purple Lots, which offer the closest entrance to the fairgrounds.

Tow-away zones. For pedestrian safety, parking on
the Glenn Highway or right-of-way by the fairgrounds is not allowed. These areas will be closed off and clearly marked “no parking.” Any vehicles parked there will be towed.

Regardless of how you come to the Fair, you will enjoy the experience and meet great people.

Alaska State Fair – Palmer, Alaska is a post from: Alaska Tourism

Now the event has grown and earned national and international notoriety with visitors from all over the world coming to enjoy the event.

The World Championship Sled Dog Race began in 1946 and today is the cornerstone event of the festival with teams of sled dogs and mushers coming from all over Alaska and the rest of the world to compete. Another event that is highly anticipated by dog owners is the World Championship Dog Weight Pull which began in 1967. There is also the Rondy Carnival, the Grand Parade, the uniquely Alaskan Original Men’s Snowshoe Softball and the grand Prix Auto Race (which is one of the oldest street races in North America.)

The events will keep you entertained and show you the joy of being in Alaska. Make your plans now to attend.

Anchorage Fur Rendezvous
400 D Street, Ste 200
Anchorage, Alaska 99501

General Information: 907-274-1177
Email: info@furondy.net

The Fur Rondy Festival – Anchorage, Alaska is a post from: Alaska Tourism

Have you ever given thought to what it must be like to be a State Trooper in a region as vast and rugged as Alaska? The Museum will take you back to the time when the Alaska Highway Patrol was formed in 1941. It went through a series of name changes from the Alaska Territorial Police in 1953, to the Alaska State Police in 1959 (following statehood) and finally the Alaska State Troopers in 1967.

The Alaska State Troopers are responsible for both criminal and traffic law enforcement in Alaska. This is because of the remoteness of so many areas of the state and lack of local government.

The Museum tells the story of the Troopers in this unusual, rugged and far-flung jurisdiction of Alaska.

Some of the exhibits you will find at the museum include information on the first serial killer in Alaska. The guys name was Ed Krause who preyed on unattached men in southeast Alaska. He was an army deserter who left his regiment in China and came to Alaska. He even ran for the Territorial Legislature in 1912 as a prominent socialist. He was convicted of murder in 1917. He was also suspected of murdering at least 8 other men between 1912 and 1915. He was sentenced to death by hanging but broke out of jail two days before the scheduled execution. He was killed by a homesteader on Admiralty Island several days after his escape when he arrived there in a stolen skiff.

You will see some of the uniforms that were worn by the police early in their time. You can also see the 1951 Hudson Hornet which has been restored. The Hudson was a fabulous handling car, easy ride, lots of power and perfect for those days when you were sitting in a car for a long time while working. Then of course you can see the patches and insignias from law enforcement agencies from every state. They are arranged so you can find your state’s patches easily.

Think about the technology of today and then compare it to what was used years ago. The antique radios, communications devices, handcuffs and leg irons are on display for you to see.

The Museum is FREE to visit.

Open: 10 – 4 M-F and 12 noon to 4 on Saturdays. Closed the usual holidays and state designated holidays.

Location: 245 West 5th Ave, Anchorage, A
K 99501

Phone: 907-279-5050 or 800-770-5050

Email: contactus@alaskatroopermuseum.com

Alaska Trooper Museum – Anchorage, Alaska is a post from: Alaska Tourism

While planning a trip to Alaska one of the things that you will want to make sure you schedule is time to go watch the whales along the coastline of Alaska. There are different times to see the various whales from when they begin their migration from the warm waters of Mexico in February and arriving in Alaska waters in April. There are also various species of whales that can be seen throughout Alaska during the months of May – September. The best way to see them is to take a tour that is specifically structured to show you these magnificent mammals.

If you are interested in seeing the Gray whales you will probably want to be in Ketchikan, Kitka, Kodiak or Seward during the months of April and May. During this time they are moving to the far north Alaska water of the Bering Sea and are usually there by late April. The name for the gray whales comes from its mottled gray body color. They fiercely defended their calves and themselves against whalers, thus earning the nickname “devilfish”. This whale is now known for its curiosity. The gray whale is a baleen whale. The average length for the male gray whale is 39 feet with female being slightly larger. They live for over 40 years.

These entertaining whales can be seen standing on their head in shallow water. They occasionally will raise their heads above the water and check out what is around them. They usually travel alone or in small groups except furing feeding and mating time when they form together in larger groups. These are the whales that breach creating a loud noise and big splash. Certainly something to see. Now, whether they do this to communicate or to free themselves of the of some of the sea lice or barnacles from their skin isn’t truly known.

The Gray Whale is the only baleen whale to be bottom feeders. They eat tub worms, plankton, mollusks and small crustaceans found in the sediment on the bottom of the ocean.

The Beluga whales can be seen along Cook Inlet going south from Anchorage along what is known as Turnagain Arm in the spring through fall months. These whales are able to be viewed year round in the southern Alaska waters of Shelikof Strait between Katmai National park and the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Island.

The Beluga whale is still on the Endangered Species List where it was entered in 2008. At the latest count there are only 321 Beluga whales left in the cook inlet, down from 1,300 in 1979.

The famous Humpback Whales can be seen during the summer months in the Barren Islands between Homer and Kodial. June and July are the best months for seeing these enormous whales. Over 500 of them make Southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage their home during the months of summer. So, when you want to see them you will want to plan on lining up a tour during the spring, summer and fall when they are in the cooler waters around Alaska.　

Humpback’s are usually found in groups of four to five but generally travel and feed individually. Humpback whales breech, throwing themselves completely out of the water. You may also see them swimming on their back with both flippers in the air. They are known for tail lobbing, raising its huge fluke out of the water and slapping it on the water surface. Researchers believe this is a form of communication as the slaps can be heard for long distances underwater.

If you are going to be in Alaska’s northern and eastern areas of the Gulf of Alaska in July and August you may be able to see the Blue whales. You will need to take a tour to see them since they are more often seen in open water and rarely near the shoreline.

The Blue whale is the largest of all whales and most notably it is the largest animal on earth today. It can grow to be 110 feet long and weigh in excess of 200 tons. The baby blue whale drinks approximately 100 gallons of its mother’s fat rich milt every day for the first seven months of its life.

They are dark blue in color. They migrate away from Alaska in the winter months to warmer waters off Baja California where they mate and give birth to their young. They are known to live up to 90 years but have an average lifespan expectancy of 35 to 40 years. They are loners and travel most often alone of in small pods of two or three. They are known to often have Fin whales with them. The Fin is the second largest whale species.

You may be able to see the blue whales in the Bering Sea with larger concentrations around the Aleutian Islands. These whales were near extinction but are now making a come back.

Have you heard of the Killer whales? These are the Orca whale and are in the area between early May to early June with some being spotted during the months of June through September. They are usually seen near Seward in the waters of Resurrection Bay.

These are actually a member of the dolphin family. They are the largest, fastest and most powerful members of the dolphin family. They are called killer whales because they are great hunters. These are social animals and live in family-related pods which may have as many as 40 members.

They eat sea lions, fish, squid, seals, penguins, dolphins, porpoises and large whales like the blue whale. Resident pods that live in primarily in one area seem to prefer fish whereas pods that are more transient prefer a variety of marine animals. They are successful hunters because the whole pod participates and works together while hunting.

During the summer months, from June to September, the northern resident whales can generally be seen from northern Vancouver Island to Alaska. They prefer to live in coastal waters in cooler regions.

The orca or killer whale is readily identified. With it’s pointed dorsal fin of up to 6 feet tall and shiny black and white bodies typically sporting a white patch behind the eyes.

There are many Whale watching tours available in Alaska. Depending on where you are going and which ones you are most interested in you will be able to find the right tour operator for your needs.

Whale Watching – Coastline, Alaska is a post from: Alaska Tourism

Taking care of the injured and orphaned wildlife of Alaska is a huge challenge but here, at the Big Game Alaska Wildlife Center, the animals get the care and protection they need.  The Center is situated on 140 acres of Alaska wilderness and was opened to the public in 1993. 

Although it began as a place for the owner to raise buffalo and elk as a hobby in 1984 it grew to be the place that wildlife officials began bringing the orphaned moose for him to care for.  That led to the Wildlife Center that is open today.  ca

You will be able to see the log lodge that was hand built using trees killed by spruce bark beetles.  Nothing goes to waste when it can be used in the Center.  The attention to detail that built the lodge is the type of attention to detail that the Center implements in all of the dealings with people and with animals.

Injured or orphaned animals are regularly brought here for care.  There is a Bald Eagle that suffered a gunshot wound.  He ended up at the Center and gained the name Adonis.  There are Great Horned owls, who suffered the same fate but they are safe at the Center.  There is a black bear that ended up at the Center when his mother was destroyed in Girdwood.  There are moose, deer, black and grizzly bears, bison, musk ox and a variety of game birds all requiring care at the Center.

Did you know that bison are gregarious and live in herds and have poor eyesight and depend on their sense of hearing and smell to survive?  Then there are the moose that have been commercials including the Pep-Boys brake commercial.  The Sitka black0tailed deer are often residents at the Center because they come from the area where logging is active and so the risk of getting run over is huge.  They are smaller than the southern cousins and have antlers similar to the mule deer, forking rather than all points coming from a single main beam.

You can see Elk from the Yukon territory that were sent to the Center for care.  The female elk will abandon her calf if it is born late in the season because it would not survive the cold northern winter.

There are Caribou at the Center too but not because they were orphaned.  If a parent dies the other members of the herd usually take in the calves.  These Caribou were moved to the Center when the islands they lived on became over populated and the threat of starvation required some of the animals to be relocated, some ended up here. The nomads of the north these animals are constantly on the move.  At least 13 different herds have been identified in Alaska.

Musk Oxen are members of the goat family with a thick coat consisting of long (up to 36 inches) guard hairs covering a dense winter coat of harvestable warm fur called Qiviut.  This is considered to be one of the warmest materials in the world. the under wool is combed out in May and used for products sold in the gift shop at the Center.

Location: Portage Glacier, Alaska

Phone: 907-783-2025
 

Big Game Alaska Wildlife Center – Portage Glacier, Alaska is a post from: Alaska Tourism

Just outside of Anchorage is the Alaska Museum of Natural History, which has recently begun an extensive expansion project that will eventually see its more than ten thousand artifacts housed in a new twelve thousand square foot facility.

Currently the museum is undergoing rapid expansion, but still maintains its many displays and exhibits dedicated to educating visitors and residents about the unique and historic environments that make up the state of Alaska. They have four permanent diorama displays about the many types of wildlife that inhabit the current environment, as well as space dedicated to the ancient creatures that are no longer in existence.

One of the museums most popular and successful dioramas is the “Broken Mammoth” site display. Constructed with several actual artifacts, as well as those modeled after items from the site, the diorama depicts a bluff which overlooked the Tanana River over eleven thousand years earlier. Early man had been living off the rich animal and plant resources of the region, and while many settled in the valley below, where any remnants or records of their time were quickly erased by the River, the group that camped on the bluff, left behind a remarkable history.

The diorama uses their actual fireplace rocks and hearth stones, and depicts them living a single moment of their day. There are mammoth ivory spear points, and spear throws, remains of the many creatures they used for survival including elk and snowshoe hares, and representative figures of Alaska’s earliest settlers.

In addition to its dioramas and current exhibits, the museum also has several large collections which were donated by patrons and include several rock, mineral and native artifacts collections, animal skeletons and skulls, economic minerals relevant to the Alaskan region and several other unique collections. There are also plans for further development of the humanities collection all ready  in the museum, which currently offers sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, maps and textual selections on display.

 The museum’s founders hope to continually expand the offerings, and to develop even more educational programming which will further benefit the curricula of the schools and universities throughout Alaska.

The museum sees over four thousand visitors each year, and travelers to the region are encouraged to make a visit in order to deepen their understanding and respect for the amazing diversity of the entire state.

201 North Bragaw
Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 274-2400

Alaska Museum of Natural History – Anchorage, Alaska is a post from: Alaska Tourism

The Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum in Anchorage, Alaska is dedicated to educating the public about the state’s unique connection to aviation through displays and preservation of historic aircraft and memorabilia from aviation history. Additionally, the Museum has a secondary focus on educating the residents of the region about the importance of the industry, and works to foster interest in aviation careers. This is done through cooperation and interaction with educational institutions throughout the entire state.

In the year 2000 the museum also began inducting Alaskan aviation heroes and notables into its “Hall of Fame”, and to date it has honored many legendary figures in aviation, including Russ Merrill – the first flyer to travel into many of the state’s cities and who the Anchorage airport takes its name, Carl Ben Eielson – the first aviator to fly air mail into Alaska, and to cross the Arctic Ocean in a plane, and Noel Wien – the founder of Alaska’s first airline and the pilot who set many “firsts” records in the state’s aviation history.

In addition to educating visitors about the unique place that aviators and aviation has in the state’s history, the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum also has an extensive collection of historic aircraft and artifacts, as well as memorabilia all related to the region’s bush pilots and aviation history. Currently there are more than twenty complete aircraft on display ranging from model years in the 1920s all the way through the 1980s, including a 1928 Stearman C2B flown by Harold Gillam in the historic search for Carl Ben Eielson and a 1981 Boeing 737 donated by Alaska Airlines.

Visitors to Anchorage are encouraged to spend some time in the museum, not only to enjoy the remarkable aircraft and information on display or undergoing restoration, but to find a better understanding of the many brave pilots and residents who worked to establish the Alaskan frontier. Without their hard work, sacrifices and contributions the many wonders and beauty of Alaska may have remained unknown.

Anchorage offers numerous accommodation options. HotelsCombined.com provides the best rates for area hotels.

4721 Aircraft Dr.
Anchorage, AK 99502.
(907) 248-5325
 

Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum – Anchorage, Alaska is a post from: Alaska Tourism

Fjords are natural wonders in their own right, formed by glacial action in mountainous areas near coastlines. Most people think they will have to travel to Norway to see them up close, but at Kenai Fjords National Park visitors can take boat rides, drive or hike along the edge of active glaciers and view many fjords and inlets.

The beauty of the area was created, and is still being formed, by raw natural forces. These include the sea, glaciers, earthquakes and the changing landscape. Visitors can witness for themselves the effects of an ice age upon an environment and the plants and animals that inhabit it.

The park is one of only three Alaskan national parks that can be reached by a road, and visitors are able to drive almost to the foot a glacier that is part of the famous Harding Ice Field. Receiving over four hundred inches of snow each year the ice field produces several glaciers and one of the most popular spots to visit at Kenai Fjords National Park is the “Exit Glacier” produced by the activity of the ice field.

Exit Glacier is called a “drive up” glacier because of its easy accessibility to visitors and hikers, and for this reason it receives the most visits from the park’s annual quarter of a million guests, but it is not the largest glacier born from the Harding Ice Field.

The nearby town of Seward, Alaska is another place where guests can begin an exploration of the Kenai Fjords National Park. Here they can choose among several boat tours that will allow them to view the fjords, wildlife such as whales and seals, and ice caps and glaciers along Resurrection Bay. There are also many chartered flight opportunities for taking in the Kenai Fjords National Park from the air. In this way some of the inland views that are unreachable by land transportation can be enjoyed.

There are many creatures that call the park their home including the Hoary Marmot (the largest of the ground squirrel species), three kinds of Orca whales, and dozens of varieties of birds (including some that are flightless), sea lions, otters and bears. Many of these majestic animals can be seen by sharp-eyed visitors without the aid of special equipment or binoculars.

A trip to Kenai Fjords National Park is like a trip back in time, where the land is still being transformed by the most powerful and uncontrollable forces of nature.
 

Kenai Fjords National Park – Seward, Alaska is a post from: Alaska Tourism