Alaska TravelGram

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and her husband Todd welcomed the arrival of their fifth child this morning. The Palins were thankful that the Governor’s labor began yesterday while she was in Texas at the Governor’s Energy Conference where she gave the keynote luncheon address, but let up enough for her to travel on Alaska Airlines back to Alaska in time to deliver her second son.

Trig Paxson Van Palin was born at 6:30 a.m. and weighs six pounds, two ounces.  The Governor and Trig are both doing well and resting comfortably.

The family released the following statement:

 ”Trig is beautiful and already adored by us. We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed.”

 The Palins have four other children including Track, 18, Bristol, 17, Willow, 13 and Piper, 7.

May and June are great months to travel by rail with Princess to the Mt. McKinley Princess, near Talkeetna and the Denali Princess, near the entrance to Denali National Park.

The McKinley Princess is the closest lodge to Mt. McKinley.  In fact, the mountain fills up the entire northwestern horizon! Your package includes roundtrip rail aboard the exclusive “Midnight Sun Express” ultradome rail care between Anchorage and Talkeetna. From there, take the Princess coach to the McKinley Princess. Choose from a one- or two-night package, for as little as $119 per person. Wow! The real value, IMHO, is the 3-day/2-night package for $179 per person. Yes, that includes the rail, 2 nights’ accommodations and your transfer from Talkeetna to the lodge! 

Plus, Princess offers free transportation between the lodge and Talkeetna for lots of activities, including flightseeing of McKinley and jetboat tours on the local rivers! Or, stroll around Talkeetna: Snacks, shops and the Ranger Station where the mountain climbers check in! 

The Denali Princess, near the entrance to Denali Park, also offers great 2-for-1 deals in May and June. You’re well-positioned to take advantage of tours deep into the park, including the Tundra Wilderness Tour. Also, take advantage of flightseeing, tours of Jeff King’s Iditarod Dog Kennels, rafting on the Nenana River and more! 

Choose one night in each lodge! Choose Tour “B1B”, departing on May 30. The cost is just $239 per person. That includes rail and coach transportation between Anchorage, Talkeetna and Denali, transfers and accommodations at the lodges. It’s a great deal!

Princess also offers great deals at all five Alaska lodges in May: just $99 per night in May and half-off your second night in June and July! At the Fairbanks Princess, located right on the Chena River, take 50 percent off your second night on Fri., Sat. and Sun. all summer long! (through Sept. 19, 2008). 

Learn more online.

If you have not yet been to Homer to wine-n-dine at Land’s End Resort, the “Uncorked” dinner is a great place to do it.

You know Land’s End, right? Out at the end of the Homer Spit, the resort boasts a spa, some great beachfront rooms–even a beachfront hot tub!

Here’s another tip: take advantage of Era Aviation’s web specials to fly down from Anchorage for dinner. Here’s the menu from Chef Maggie for the May 2 dinner (the last “Uncorked” dinner until October):

“Spring Finale”, created by Executive Chef Maggie Burns

Soup - Cream of Asparagus: A rich and creamy soup prepared with blended asparagus tips, leeks and shallots, then finished with cream and served with parmesan custards. 

Wine: Hidalgo La Gitana

Salad - Asian Pear: Butter lettuce with Asian pears, roasted red peppers, toasted almonds, Feta cheese and a warm lemon honey vinaigrette.

Wine: J. Lohr Estates White Riesling “Baymist”

Appetizer - Scallop Stuffed Mushroom Florentine: Fresh mushroom caps stuffed with Alaskan scallops and topped with a spinach, garlic, onion and Pernod mixture. Baked golden and draped with hollandaise.

Wine: Penfolds Hyland Chardonnay ‘06

Dinner - Walnut Encrusted Chicken Breast with Brie Cheese Filling:

Brie cheese stuffed chicken breast with walnut crust is pan seared and served with a wild rice pilaf and a creamy peach salsa.

Wine: Angeline Pinot Noir Russ River ‘06

Dessert - Designer Shortcake: Handmade shortcake with strawberries and blackberries, topped with marscapone cream.

Wine: Quady Elysium ‘06

Cost is $70 per person - includes tax and gratuity. Call the Chart Room Restaurant (907)235-0406. Plan on spending the night.  More information available online. 

If you’re traveling around the state this summer, stop what you’re doing and go get yourself a copy of the Great Alaskan TourSaver online here.  

Everything in the book is 2-for-1.

When you have the TourSaver in hand, you pay the regular rate and your companion goes free. Here are some of the favorite coupons:

a. Renown Tours cruise of Kenai Fjords National Park: $139

b. Talkeetna Air Taxi flightseeing with Glacier Landing at Denali

c. Dimond Center Hotel in Anchorage: $249

d. Glacier Bay National Park, lodging/transfer/cruise package: $350

e. Mt. McKinley Princess Lodge: $189

f. Alaska Rail Tours on the Alaska Railroad between Anchorage and Denali: $340

g. Kennicott Glacier Lodge in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: $165

h. Kodiak ATV Adventures: sightseeing and fishing: $225

i. Island Fever adventures in Sitka, including SCUBA diving! $200

j. Weeklong lodge adventure in Nikolski featuring fishing, adventure, hiking wildlife viewing and much more (includes accommodations and meals): $2,900

k. Flyout to Bettles Lodge near the Arctic Circle, including accommodations: $1,080

There are many coupons that are more valuable than the cost of the book ($99.95). So you make your money back with just one use! Remember: the bok is valid all summer long!

There are more than 140 offers in this year’s edition, equalling more than $22,000 in travel values! Order yours today! Find out why smart travelers have been getting the TourSaver for 10 years! Take a cruise on the m/v Ptarmigan on Portage Lake right up to Portage Glacier! There’s a 2-for-1 coupon in the Great Alaskan TourSaver!  

Love my coffee break. It’s a little chilly outside (+24F), so I trudged through the new snow for an Americano at my new club: The Whale’s Tail in the Hotel Captain Cook.

One of the cool things they do is display local artists. Right now there are a half-dozen large-format works by Ashleigh Popplewell. Check ‘em out. I snapped this shot of one of my favorites. But check ‘em all out over a coffee, a pastry, or both. And yes, the Hotel’s general manager, Wally Hickel, Jr., was on hand to greet me! HA!