East Coast, West Coast... and back to our coast

Sunrise in Juneau- November 30, 2012

This morning I woke up at seven in the morning, before my alarm. It’s that mysterious time of year in Alaska where just because it’s dark outside doesn’t mean you can assume it’s still nighttime. After looking at the clock to confirm it was, indeed, almost time to get up for work, I decided to make coffee thirty minutes early (a real feat for this night owl). It’s a lot easier not to hit the snooze button when you only have a two-day workweek. :)

The last two weeks have been an exciting- and challenging- whirlwind of activity. Only in the last few days has it begun to feel like I can relax a bit and get back to business as usual, proof that even the most- and sometimes especially the most- epic of adventures can also be stressful.

After 14 days of not sleeping in one place for more than two nights (except for three nights spent at my dad's house in Minnesota), it feels really good to sleep in our own bed again, to cook at home, and get my clothes out the dresser rather than digging around in a suitcase. Even this gypsy likes to chill out in familiar territory at times.

And now that we’re back from our trip, I can’t wait to share what we’ve been up to!

Waiting for a lift bridge to let a sailboat through in Annapolis, MD

For anyone who is interested in planning a trip to California, the upcoming weeks will be full of details on how we managed to have a fun and affordable time there. The Golden State truly is one of my favorite places in the world and this trip only served to enchant me further. Also, we made short stops in Annapolis, Maryland and Minnesota’s Twin Cities area (more details on why to come soon).

Me waiting at baggage claim, unaware of the "paparazzi"

On the way out to Maryland, our first “stop” of the trip, our red eye flight was delayed for refueling while sitting on the tarmac in Seattle. Basically, this meant we missed our connecting flight in Minneapolis and forced us to try for the next flight out to Baltimore that morning. When we went to the customer service counter to rebook, the agent took a look at our itinerary.

“Okay,” she said mulling over the computer screen. “I see Seattle to Minneapolis, Minneapolis to Baltimore, Baltimore to Minneapolis, and Mineapolis to... San Francisco? Is that right?!”

Even in our sleep deprived stupor we had to chuckle. Yep, we- or to be more accurate- I, had decided to put us through the wringer for the greater good of maximizing vacation days. 

Waiting to take off at MSP

There’s more travel coming up for us in only three short weeks but in the meantime I’ll be posting all about our recent escapades on the road (and in the air).

Buckle up for departure! :)

A Sea Change

Recently, I posted about our upcoming trip to California, but there’s another part to these travels I haven’t mentioned yet: in a few days we’re flying to Annapolis, Maryland to look at a sailboat and get a survey done. If it goes well, she’ll be ours!

The boat is a 44-foot CSY (Caribbean Sailing Yacht). Yeah, we're sort of crazy, in a good way.

Buying a boat is a big step that makes sense for us for a lot of reasons. I’ll be sharing more in the coming weeks and months about our decision, but at this point I just wanted to give you a little peek at her:

Isn’t she pretty? I can’t wait to check her out in person.

Wish us luck!!!

Getting to and from Alaska: A step-by-step guide

As the old saying goes, "It's farther from the Lower 48 to Alaska, than it is from Alaska to the Lower 48." Someone definitely got that right because we're usually the ones visiting rather than the ones being visited (although happily all of our parents have made loyal pilgrimages to see their wayward offspring). But who can blame people with the sticker shock of getting up here?

Flight leaving Anchorage, December 2011

Or maybe it's the weather?

Nice 'but! Er, halibut.

Nah, couldn't be.

Scotty on his way to work

My dad, who spent time in Fairbanks during the '70s oil pipeline construction days, once told me that people in Alaska would refer to traveling anywhere else as going "out", meaning anywhere outside of Alaska. After over six years of living here, I can definitely understand why, and not just because you have to be a little crazy to live up here.

Catching some rays on our boat, the Raa Wee Yin

When Scotty and I travel, we're forced to plan carefully, often combining a "getting-away-from-it-all" type vacation with a visit to see family or friends. The length of these trips usually end up being around 10 days to over two weeks.

Our decision to take longer trips, however, is a deliberate one: living in Southeast Alaska means expensive airfare with only one commercial carrier, Alaska Airlines, offering service. From the most un-mathematically-inclined person in the world, here's a basic economics equation: lack of business competition + a relatively small customer base= high prices. Not great for Juneau-ites. Especially when it looks like this outside:

My walk home from work~ November 14, 2011

So without further ado, here is a guide for the brave folks who aspire to visit your friends in the 49th state before they defect to warmer latitudes:

1. Sign up for Alaska Airlines' frequent flier program by clicking here

2. For extra miles, apply for their credit card here
And some things to keep in mind before you do:

Pros:

- You get one mile for every dollar spent, but some purchases earn more miles (for example, car rentals or hotels booked through their web site).
- You'll receive a companion pass once annually that allows a second person to travel on the same itinerary for only $99. We always save this for the most expensive trip we plan to take and it's like getting half off. Aloha Hawaii! Hola Mexico! The only catch it that the companion fare only works for places that Alaska Airlines flies and doesn't work with partner airlines.

Cons:

- With a higher percentage rate of around 15%, it's important to only charge what you can pay off right away, or before the next billing cycle hits.

- There's a $99 annual fee after the first year (starting the January after you receive the card).

3. Take advantage of specials on the the Alaska Airlines web site
One of these, the annual PFD (Permanent Fund Dividend) sale takes place in late September through the end of October. Another, the 30 percent bonus miles sale on purchased miles began yesterday (click here). To keep abreast of fare sales, make sure you've signed up to receive email notices via your Alaska Airlines frequent flier program.

4. Book at least two weeks before traveling
Those last minutes flights are the ones that will really ding your bank account, especially when there's no other air carrier around for competition. Alaska Airlines seems to maintain this kind of price jump pretty regularly. And of course, popular travel times surrounding holidays are always more expensive.

5. Or, for a change of pace, take the Alaska Marine Highway

I've extolled the joy of taking the Alaska Marine Highway before on our recent trip to Skagway, but taking a ferry from Bellingham is equally, if not more, scenic.

It takes about three days to get to Juneau from Bellingham, so it's not for those on a tight schedule. If you do choose this route, don't expect an activity-packed voyage or fine dining; this is nothing like taking a cruise. It's more a chance to read that book you keep meaning to finish, to spend some quality, distraction-free time with a traveling companion, or to trade stories with other passengers. But for a change of pace, the voyage can be incredibly fun. I took the ferry when I moved here in 2006 and Scotty and I took the ferry down and back when we went on our first road trip together in 2007; it's definitely an at-least-once-in-a-lifetime kind of trip.

As for cost, don't plan on saving any money by taking the ferry. This winter the roundtrip price from Bellingham to Juneau for two people with a car is $1,490 (and the driver rides free from mid-October to mid-April). For a one person, "walk-on" roundtrip ticket, it's $745 (compared to $566 for roundtrip flights from Juneau to Seattle).

6. Think about the time of year and what you really want to do on your Alaska vacation
Summer is a popular time and, therefore, the most expensive in terms of airfare and lodging. But there are humpback whales to watch and plenty of other wildlife. Also, during certain times, salmon are spawning and wildflowers are blooming.

Fireweed blooming in July

My favorite time of year here is actually fall. Each year in September and October we've experienced blue skies, crisp air, and golden fall colors.

September 2012

Winter is also great for skiing and snowshoeing or, if you're lucky, catching some northern lights. However, spring is usually on the rainy, muddy side of things so March and April aren't the best months to visit (in my humble opinion).

A record snow accumulation, March 18, 2007

Click here for our monthly precipitation and prepare to be wowed by our copious amount of rainfall.

But then again, if you're visiting someone in Alaska, maybe you don't care if it's raining or snowing sideways and you don't see the sun the entire time you're here. We Alaskans will just be glad you made the trip!

 Humpback whales and tour boat, June 2012

The California desert escape you (probably) haven't heard of

And as the days in Juneau get increasingly colder and shorter, I especially get to yearning for sunnier horizons. And now, I can finally say we're in the home stretch to being there...

Unlike plenty of other places in the USA, California remains warm and generally pleasant even after fall Daylight Savings Time (and it's neighbor, Arizona, doesn't even participate in turning the clocks back). In fact, the park isn't even open during the summer months due to the extreme heat. Instead, the "off-season" is the perfect time to visit, with clear, mild days and crisp nights perfect for a campfire and snuggling into a sleeping bag.

However, for budget-conscious travelers like us, a trip to California's desert doesn't have to mean dropping big bucks in Palm Springs. Plus, after four days of city sightseeing, we were ready for some wide open horizons and solitude.

Mountains to the west of Anza Borrego

So in late November 2008, we drove two hours east of San Diego to Anza Borrego Desert State Park to stay at Agua Caliente County Park.

The Captain

Previously, we'd visited the more well-known Joshua Tree National Park (a three-hour drive to the north) on The Big Trip, but neither of us had been to Anza Borrego or Agua Caliente before. I'd read about the campground through the San Diego County Parks Web site while looking for camping options near San Diego and was impressed that the park not only had developed hot springs, but would allow us to finally enjoy some really warm weather. San Diego may have a comfortably mild climate, but November is definitely not "lay on the beach in a bikini" weather there (even if you can still wear flip flops).

Click here for a great guide to Agua Caliente with more photos.

Plus, the price to camp is only $24 for a tent site (no power). We were sold!

Check out our awesome campsite (site #128):

Agua Caliente County Park ~ November 2008

Later that evening we took a short drive out of the campground and stopped at the Agua Caliente General Store, a rustic beam and adobe-style building. Click here to see a really cool photo of it.

Pulling up in our rental car, we spotted a shirtless, bandana-wearing man chopping wood around the side of the building. He seemed to be in his late fifties or early sixties, but with the athleticism of someone much younger. He caught sight of us and called that he would be right in, followed by a well-placed swing of his axe and a loud crack.

Everything's a little wild in the desert.

Inside the store, we admired books on the flora and fauna of the local desert and California. We left with a bundle of mesquite wood for cooking that night and a tied bundle of local sage to burn at home (still being saved for the blessing of our future, more permanent home-to-be).

Desert sage

After staying at Agua Caliente for several nights we drove up to into the mountains near Julian to the next campground on our road trip, but met an unexpected rainstorm. With the desert only an hour drive away from where we'd come, we tucked tail and made a beeline for the sun again.

As it turned out, it was a holiday weekend and Agua Caliente had already filled up. So we weighed our options and decided to camp at a pull-off on the road. No one bothered us and we spent a peaceful night there in our tent.

Nights in Anza Borrego look like this:

No need for a rain cover

Tail-end of a technicolor sunset

And the sunrises are equally- if not more- beautiful.

For a couple of night owls, it was more than reason enough to get an early start on the day.

Our roadside "campsite"

Not to mention a veritable sea of stars in the night sky, far away from city lights. Ahh... I can't wait for those.

Anza Borrego in all its magnificence

Check back for more arrivals and departures coming very soon!