More Alaska Media

Here's another reading list, this one created by the NY Times after consulting several authors on good books they had read lately.

By request, a few Alaska-themed movies:

Mystery, Alaska - Small town hockey and Russell Crowe.
Never Cry Wolf - Based on the Mowat book.
The Edge - Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin in what I can only assume is a duel of overacting.
Eskimo - Oscar-winning 1932 picture.
White Fang - A Disney movie based on a Jack London story.
Northern Exposure - Not a movie, but as fulfilling as a movie.

Alaska Weather

Here's a bit more specific information re: the weather outlook where and when we're headed:

Anchorage
Average high: 63 degrees
Average low: 48 degrees
Solstice sunlight: 19.5 hours
Rain likely

Denali Area
Average high: 64 degrees
Average low: 40 degeres
It could be hot; it could be snowing; it probably will be raining at least some of the time.

Alaska Reading List

Here are a few Alaska-themed books to help you get into the traveling spirit.

Nonfiction:
Rowing to Latitude: Journeys Along the Arctic's Edge by Jill A. Fredston
Tundra Teacher: A Memoir by John Foley
The Thousand-Mile War: World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians by Brian Garfield
Into the Wild by John Krakauer
Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat (also a film)

Fiction:
Lost Angel by Mike Doogan
Highliners: The Classic Novel about the Commercial Fishermen of Alaska by William McCloskey
Alaska by James Michener

These authors were recommended for Alaska-mystery-beach reads:
Sue Henry
Kathryn Harrison
Dana Stabenow

Anyone have other recommendations?

Here's one source on good summer reading: NPR/Talk of the Nation's Summer Reading List.

Also, I found something fun: Literature Map. Warning: it's addictive.

What to Pack

Here are a few Alaska-specific things that you might wish to procure and pack:

• Rain gear: both jacket and pants. They should be made of coated nylon, with factory-sealed seams. Heavy rubberized rain gear is too heavy to be comfortable; plastic/vinyl rain suits & ponchos are not recommended as they tear easily.
• Hiking boots or shoes: comfortable, lightweight, and water repellent. Make sure they are well broken in before we depart.
• Day pack: large enough to hold rain gear, extra sweater, water bottle, lunch, binoculars, and anything else you would take on a day hike.
• Sunglasses: In Denali, the sun will rise around 3:30 a.m. and not set until after midnight, so we'll get some sun!
  
• Wool or synthetic fleece hat: or both, if you're lucky enough to get a Rybicki-issued lined cap.
• Warm jacket/sweater/vest: synthetic fleece or wool are recommended.
• Light gloves: wool or fleece work well.
  
• Brimmed hat: for sun and rain protection.
• Socks: wool or synthetic socks for hiking (cotton is not recommended).
• Pants & long sleeve shirts: again, having a few non-cotton items is helpful as they are quick-drying. If you bring long underwear, choose synthetic fabrics such as polypropylene, capilene or thermax.
• Swimsuit
• Sports sandals

The common themes seem to be (1) layering & being ready for lots of different weather conditions, and (2) synthetic, quick-drying fabrics. For online shopping, you might try REI, LL Bean, or Patagonia. Weather in Alaska in June averages 40s for the low and 60s for the high.

Day One (Thursday June 21)

5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Fly from Cedar Rapids to Anchorage on summer solstice--that means 19.5 hours of sunlight in Anchorage! Hotel: Aspen Suites or similar (Aspen Suites is comparable to an Embassy Suites)

Day Two (Friday June 22)

From 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. we'll ride the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Whittier. From 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. we'll be cruising on the 26 Glaciers Tour on Prince William Sound where we'll see the glaciers close up in a fancy catamaran. From 6:45 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. we will travel back to Anchorage by rail. Hotel: Aspen Suites or similar in Anchorage

Day Three (Saturday June 23)

From 8:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. we'll ride the rails from Anchorage to Denali National Park in a classic domed rail car. Late afternoon and evening will be at Denali. Hotel: McKinley Chalet Resort

Day Four (Sunday June 24)

Morning in Denali National Park, where they have their very own sled dogs as well as other animals. Possible activities include a visit to the sled dog kennel or white water rafting.








1:15 – 6:00 p.m. Motorcoach to Kantishna in the heart of Denali National Park

Hotel: Denali Backcountry Lodge, which features cedar cabins with private baths. Hot breakfast, soup/sandwich lunch, and family-style dinners are in the lodge, where they also serve up pipin' hot natural history presentations.

Day Five (Monday June 25)

Free day in Kantishna area for supreme naturey activities. Activities in and around the lodge include naturalist-led programs, guided hikes, gold panning, mountain biking and flightseeing. Hotel: Denali Backcountry Lodge

Day Six (Tuesday June 26)

From 7:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. we'll travel by motorcoach from Kantishna to entrance of Denali Park.
12:15 p.m. – 4:40 p.m. Rail to Talkeetna, a village at the base of Mount McKinley, North America's largest peak. Hotel: Talkeetna Lodge

Day Seven (Wednesday June 27)

We'll spend the day in Talkeetna. In the morning, we'll take a Jet Boat Safari of the three rivers that converge near the village. Possible activities for the afternoon include flightseeing to Mt. McKinley, fishing, hiking, boating, or simply laying about. Hotel: Talkeetna Lodge

Day Eight (Thursday June 28)

We'll have a free morning in Talkeetna for a last soak in the Northern-Exposure-style nature and culture of the area. At 4:30, we'll board the train for a four-hour trip back to Anchorage. Hotel: Aspen Suites or similar.

Day Nine (Friday June 29)

7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. We'll fly from Anchorage to Cedar Rapids, upload our pictures to our preferred digital processing website, and go buy Alaskan-themed scrap booking supplies.