Alaska TravelGram

I was visiting earlier today with one of my wine gurus, Mike McVittie over at Brown Jug. Mike is always experimenting with new wines–and I’ve turned him on to some new wines after returning from trips! 

Our neighbor to the south, Washington State, is putting out some great wines. In fact, Mike and his crew at the Wine Club are hosting a Washington State wine tasting next Saturday at the Hotel Captain Cook. 

I looked over the wine list for the tasting–he’s got some great pours set aside.

Set aside this Sat., Mar. 1. The tasting is at 7pm at the Endeavor Room at the Hotel Captain Cook. Wine club members pay $35. Nonmembers: $40.  The tastings are grouped into four flights:

Flight 1:

2005 Barnard Griffin Fume Blanc

2006 De Lille Chaleur Blanc

Flight 2:

2003 Ethos Merlot

2003 Whitman Merlot

2005 Doyenne Syrah (OMG–This is GREAT wine!)

Flight 3:

2003 Kiona Lemberger

2006 Hedges CMS Red

2005 Murray Cuvee

Flight 4:

2005 Soos Creek Artis Series

2004 Woodward Canyon Art Series

2005 Andrew Will Champoux

Over the last year, I’ve spend quite a bit of time traveling in Washington–and a little bit of that time tasting the fine wines they produce there. Don’t miss out on this tasting! Call (907)563-3286 to reserve your place!

 Scott Slone of Alaska Podshow enjoys a glorious seafood medley at Winterlake Lodge: Alaska King Crab, silver salmon and some other goodies from the sea. Our wine? A beautiful Pinot Noir from Estancia. We grabbed a big box of wine from Brown Jug for our trip out to Winterlake. As soon as Carl saw it, he remarked “Ah, I see you’ve brought coals to Newcastle!” There’s no shortage of good wine at Winterlake Lodge, especially during one of Kirsten’s Culinary Weekends! 

Hot deals in mid-May!

One thing I’ve learned with air fare wars: grab ‘em when you see ‘em.

This is a great little skirmish that lasts for all of 11 days. You can thank Frontier Airlines, which is resuming service to Anchorage on May 9. The Denver-based airline launched a nationwide fare sale for travel through May 20. Trouble is they don’t start flying until May 9. So–take advantage of the great air fares between May 9 and May 20 only.

NOTE: best fares are on Tue., Wed. Sat. Plan accordingly. Following are “all-in” prices, including taxes and fees. You can fly on other days–for a few more bucks.

Have Jamie, Laura or one of the fine professionals at USTravel get seats for you. They’ll charge you an extra $38–but it’s worth it! Call (907)561-2434 or (800)544-2217. These fares are valid in either direction.

REMEMBER: these prices are “all-in” including all taxes and fees. USTravel’s $38 ticketing charge is additional.

Between Anchorage and:

Albuquerque  $452rt (Valid Tue/Wed/Sat May 10-20 only)

Atlanta $454rt

Billings $412rt

Chicago $454rt

Denver $313rt WHOA!!

Dallas $434rt

Detroit $443rt

El Paso $432rt

Houston $442rt

Indianapolis $442rt

Kansas City $392rt

Las Vegas $433rt

L.A. $393rt WHOA! 

Milwaukee, WI $442rt

Minneapolis $433rt

New York $433rt

Oklahoma City $433rt

Omaha $433rt

Phalidelphia $453rt

Phoenix $413rt

Sacramento, CA $433rt

St. Louis $453rt

Salt Lake City $352 rt WHOA!

San Antonio $453 rt

San Diego $411rt

San Francisco $411rt

San Jose, CA $411rt

Washington, DC $493rt

REMEMBER: These rates are valid Tue/Wed/Sat between May 9 and May 20. Travel on other days is available–for a few more bucks. I know–it’s a narrow window. FEAR NOT. There will be more sales–but take advantage of this one while it lasts.

WATCH FOR: Anchorage-Seattle web specials on Continental; Anchorage-Frankfurt specials on Condor, Anchorage-Fairbanks specials on Era Aviation!

WHICH AIRLINE? Almost all the airlines are playing on this sale. The trick is getting the seat. Let Jamie, Laura or one of the other agents at USTravel get the perfect reservations for you. They’ll charge you an extra $38–but you’ll save a bundle!

Speaking of airlines, did I mention that United is on my “s” list? So is USAir. Why? Because these two airlines will charge you $25 for your second checked bag. My, it’s dark down there at the bottom of the barrel, eh? 

Call USTravel at (907)561-2434 or (800)541-2434. 

Tell ‘em Scott sent you.

This just in:

US Airways today announced it will charge $25 for a second checked bag. 

USAir is following the lead of its code-share partner, United Airlines. Plus, they’re stepping it up a notch by including all their international flights as well.

USAir  has flights from Anchorage to Phoenix and Anchorage to Las Vegas.

I’ve flown them a couple of times. I didn’t like it then. Plus, they have a lousy airport club in Boston that you get access to if you have Alaska Airlines’ Board Room membership. Unlike the Board Room, however, there is lousy coffee. They charge for internet access. The staff is nice but–well, it’s a lousy club.

Of course, it’s a lousy airline. I kinda miss America West. They ran a better show, I think. Perhaps this latest STUPID move is being inflicted on the traveling public because the company still cannot get their pilots to agree to a single contract.

Yep. That’s it. USAir’s strategy is to make everyone equally miserable. To make their flying experience equally bad. To settle in at the bottom of the heap. My, it’s dark there at the bottom of the barrel. Keep it up. Jerks.

There’s a thrill a minute at Anchorage’s mid-winter festival. Fur Rondy (short for “Fur Rendezvous”) is going on between now and Mar. 2, when the Tour of Anchorage takes place! 

Today, we saw the second heat of the World Sled Dog Championships. Whoo-boy. Fourth Avenue was packed with race enthusiasts checking out the action, which started at Noon. The Rondy Parade took place at 10:30 a.m. on Fifth Avenue–great fun.

Later tonight, the FIREWORKS are set to blow–right around 6:45p.m. 

Over at Town Square (near the Performing Arts Center at 6th and F St.), they’ve flooded the area so it’s perfect for ice skating. Just for fun, I rode my bike around a little on the icy streets. It was a great way to get around downtown with all the streets blocked off for the events!

Ice carvers Steve and Heather Brice are building an Ice Castle as part of the “WILDfest” preview–another part of the Big Wild Life here in Anchorage!

Tomorrow there are more dog races, as well as the inaugural Running of the Reindeer (you can’t make this stuff up!). 

Check the website: www.furrondy.net . On the site are some great podcasts from Alaska Podshow. Today, you can see the updates from yesterday’s dog races. Cool!

Tune in tomorrow at 10am Alaska time for the LIVE BROADCAST online! 

We had a wonderful time with Kristen M. who flew in from Fairbanks for a full day of Rondy-ing. She showed me her schedule, which included breakfast at Snow City Cafe, the Fur Auction, the sled dog races, coffee at Kaladi Brothers (note cup-in-hand), some old time fiddling at the Moose Lodge and–of course–the Fireworks. We both got “collared” by the Rondy Keystone Cops for not having our booster buttons on. Well, Dave was happy to sell us a couple and send us on our merry way. Of course, we promised to be good in the future!

Come on downtown! The weather’s great. It’s gonna be another great Rondy Day tomorrow!

“Uncorked”! It’s the monthly food-and-wine event Fri., Mar. 7 at Land’s End Resort in Homer, Alaska.

“New Orleans” is the theme.

Created by Chef JJ Decker.
First course: Andouille Smoked Sausage and Chicken GumboAndouille sausage and chicken simmered in an authentic cajun roux with garlic, onions, celery, peppers and rice.

 WINE: Morgadio Albarino ‘06

Second course: Muffuletta Salad: Salami, ham, provolone & smoked guouda cheeses and olives tossed with a herbed olive oil dressing. Served on a bed of seasonal greens.

WINE: Torres De Casta Dry Rose ‘06

Third course: Wild Mushroom & Creole Beef PateWild mushrooms, pork and beef blended with sage, thyme and garlic into a delicious pate wrapped in  prosciutto and laced with a creole mustard sauce.

WINE: Condado De Haza Ribero Del Duero ‘04

Fourth course: Crab Stuffed ShrimpTender shrimp stuffed with a delicate mixture of crab, Parmesan cheese, cajun seasonings, garlic, onions and peppers.  Served with tomato butter, white bean relish and baked cheese grits.

WINE: Rioja Vega Crianza ‘03
Dessert: Sweet Potato Pecan PieMmmmm….Plus homemade vanilla ice cream!

WINE: Ramos Pinto Tawny Superior

$70 per person - includes tax and gratuityTickets available at: Chart Room Restaurant (235-0406)

Online: Endofthespit.com  

We always have lots of fun in Homer! You will, too!