Archive for March, 2008

UPDATE Mar. 13, 9:26pm: Southwest has inspected most of its planes. Few delays have been reported.  Thanks to Joe Brancatelli for this breaking news:       Southwest has voluntarily grounded at least 41 planes. That’s about 8 percent of its fleet of 520 Boeing 737s.     A grounding of these many planes, however briefly, will have a ripple effect on Southwest’s schedule. There have already been cancellations and there are likely to be scores of cancellations tomorrow and in the immediate days ahead.     Check the status of any upcoming Southwest flights carefully . Consider booking away from Southwest  until the airline reveals how the groundings will affect the airline’s  schedule.      Its fleet is entirely composed of Boeing 737s, which gives the carrier flexibility to move planes around quickly.    

Thanks to Jason G. who spotted this deal to Portland from Anchorage on Alaska Airlines‘ nonstop: “Alaska Airlines has a pretty good deal through May 10, 2008 for Anchorage-Portland,” he writes.

“It’s $492 all-in (inclusive of taxes and fees) on the nonstop flights. I fly to Portland almost monthly, and it’s usually close to $700 or $800…expensive enough that it’s usually cheaper to fly Continental to Seattle and rent a car!”

Thanks, Jason. Actually, I’m just south of Portland right now–after flying to Seattle and renting a car. So happy to know there is more than one cheapskate in the crowd.

Oh, I flew Alaska Airlines and they did a good job.On time. Absolutely packed flight. But the flight attendants were nice. I bought one of those little picnic packs for $5. Son Drew opted for the burger. I washed it back with a double-Club-Soda. It’s my favorite cocktail in coach. HA.

I cannot overstate how much I like the Sandpiper Cafe. It’s attached to my favorite hotel, the Driftwood Lodge. Um, ok. Maybe it’s really a “Motel”. It’s not as nice as the Goldbelt or the Baranof. But I like it. The staff is friendly and the rates are cheap. If you head down to Juneau during the Legislative session, you can get the “constituent rate” of $39. That leaves you plenty of money left over to have a nice scramble for breakfast at the Sandpiper next door. And both the Driftwood and the Sandpiper have free internet. That’s more than I can say about the Baranof. Of course, the Baranof caters to the Capital Crew–those that are peddling their influence with legislators. NOTE: The Baranof does have Suite 604–where Bill Allen held court bribing legislators. Whoo-boy. More importantly, they’ve got free wireless internet in the lobby. But in the rooms, they charge $10.50 per D-A-Y for the modem. How shall I say this: it’s s-o-o-o 20th century.

Back to the Sandpiper. We ate lunch there, too. A delicious BBQ Pork Sandwich. Nice presentation. Don’t miss it when you’re in Juneau. 

And if you do make it up to the Capitol Building, stop in to congratulate our Governor, Sarah Palin. She and her husband, Todd (aka: Alaska’s “First Dude”), are expecting their fifth child in May.

Photo: BBQ Sandwich at the Sandpiper Cafe

Era Aviation always has great weekend web fares for travel between Anchorage and several communities!
Kenai to/from: Anchorage $  99 rt
Homer to/from:Anchorage  $149 rt
Fairbanks to/from: Anchorage $169 rt
Bethel to/from: Anchorage $199 rt
Cordova to/from: Anchorage $159 rt
Kodiak to/from: Anchorage $169 rt
Valdez to/from: Anchorage $149 rt
Check Era’s website for fly/stay and fly/drive packages.

We love exploring around Juneau: the glaciers, the skiing, the politics. HA! Remember, tho’: everybody’s gotta eat. Same is true in Juneau and we came up with a couple of great spots. One, called Pie in the Sky, is a new find. It’s located on the water near the Hangar Restaurant. Proprietress Andrea Mogil makes a variety of delicious pies. I sampled the Key Lime Pie. Other favorites included a triple-berrie and a pear-something. “I don’t eat any of the pies myself,” she said, cradling a double-hot chocolate. “But I love these pies like my children.” You will, too.