Today, Big Miracle opens in theaters across the country and the timing couldn't be better with Alaska's whale-watching season right around the corner.
The film, starring Drew Barrymore, is based on the real-life rescue of several gray whales near Barrow, Alaska in 1988. Barrymore plays a Greenpeace volunteer who, along with her reporter ex-boyfriend (John Krasinski), convinces rival world superpowers to come together and help save the whales. ]]>
As you know we’re still in the first week of the new year, but there’s already a brand new volcano—complete with ash-cloud potential—getting ready to wreak havoc on air travel. Unlike the volcanoes over in Europe or down in South America, this one’s a little closer to home, and it’s a heck of a lot easier to pronounce.
Mount Cleveland—just rolls off the tongue—is located within the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska, and scientists believe that it’s getting ready to celebrate 2012 by starting to shake, rattle, and roll. Just over a week ago there was a little volcano hiccup that sent a whole bunch of ash and other particulate into the skies, but things quickly dissipated and flights weren’t really affected. The concern still remains, as the tippy top of the volcano is right in the way of one of the main commercial flight paths between North America and Asia. ]]>
Alaska Airlines has been slowly but surely working to get all their airplanes fully equipped with the magic that is in-flight internet access, and right now they’re pretty much all the way there.
They’ve got a couple more planes here and there to finish, but by the end of June they’re thinking that around 92 percent of their planes will be equipped and able to hit up Facebook, Twitter, Gmail and more from around 35,000 feet in the sky thanks to Gogo—and this even includes flights in and around Alaska. ]]>
It’s hard for us to complain about any type of in-flight entertainment, because as long as it’s something a little more involved than the in-flight magazine we’ll try out it. Alaska Airlines isn’t installing seat back televisions or fancy iPad adapters into their planes, but they are upgrading their portable—and unfortunately not complimentary—in-flight entertainment system they call the digEplayer.
The airline has been passing these out on longer flights for quite some time, but it looks like the next generation of the fun has arrived. No need to endlessly mash buttons on this new player, as touch screen controls are just one of the updated features on the lighter weight device. Being away from live sports will now be much more bearable up in the skies thanks to access to NFL Network, and there will also be plenty of Hollywood hits loaded up with a little help from the ReelzChannel. ]]>
If you find yourself up in the air over Alaska anytime soon, you won’t have any problem checking your email or getting a head start on a little online holiday shopping. Alaska Airlines has been hard at work to add WiFi to their fleet, and now they’re proud to announce the ability to connect at 35,000 feet between Anchorage and Fairbanks.
To celebrate their recent accomplishment, the airline is offering complimentary—as in totally free—access to those traveling between the two cities. The service will be free until the rest of their planes within the Alaskan network get the necessary internet goodies installed. ]]>
If you’re looking for the ultimate designated driver, Alaska is where you’ll find one. The Alaska Railroad usually runs trains through the scenic mountains and rivers of Alaska, and this weekend they’ll be doing what they usually do; however, they’re adding a little more fun to their bar car. The Great Alaska Beer Train runs on Saturday, October 2, so you’ve only got a little more than a week to get up north.
Tickets are $159 per person, which is a little pricey, but that does include plenty of adult beverages as well as a pretty scenic ride through the wilderness. Your booze cruise train will depart at 4pm, and then will travel around 80 miles from Anchorage to Portage. You’ll be back around 8:30pm, so be sure to have a taxi waiting to take you back to the hotel. ]]>
The sight of a Bald Eagle always makes us feel a little warm and fuzzy inside. Obviously we love traveling the globe to experience new countries and cultures, but the nifty fifty is where most of us call home. That’s why we were kind of excited—in a nerdy way—to hear about the Alaska Bald Eagle Festival. This isn't some cute little festival either, it's pretty hardcore when it comes to learning about all things eagle.
Things take flight from November 11 through 15 as folks and fowl head to Haines, Alaska to celebrate the festival’s fifteenth anniversary. The highlight of the festival is the Flight For Freedom Eagle Release on Saturday afternoon. Here lucky participants get a chance to release rehabilitated birds back into the wild blue yonder. There’s an auction to get the opportunity to do so, so bring the checkbook—it all goes to charity, so don’t be a cheapskate. For those who prefer a little art with their wildlife, there will be plenty of photographers, artists, and other creative types in attendance to share their secrets and to share their wares. ]]>