Nenana Exposure

50 + miles south of Fairbanks on the George Parks Highway is the town of Nenana, home to the Nenana Ice Classic.

Each year hundreds guess the exact month, day, hour and minute the ice in the Nenana River will break as the Spring thaw or 'Breakup' unfolds.

The payoff getting the moment right is nothing to sneeze at: the prize has continued to grow and the 2011 windfall was spilit between 22 winners - dividing a whopping $338,000 USD. (the ice officially broke on May 4th, at 4.24 PM)

You do have to be physically in Alaska to actually buy a ticket, and if you are between February 1st and April 5th 2012, click to this site to find the nearest location to buy your ticket:

 www.nenanaakiceclassic.com

Here are some photos of the town of Nenana itself:

 

 http://fairbanks-alaska.com/nenana.htm

www.nenana.org

Wingin' It to Anchorage: Alaska 737-900

Alaska Airlines flight 107

Seat 21F

Quirky Alaska Signs

         

 

       

'The Great One' - Visiting Denali National Park

Denali Peak

In the local language of Athabascan, Denali, the name given to North America's highest peak, translates as 'The Great One' or 'The Tall One.' Today the name is synonomous with the success of the US National park system that has ensured vast swathes of the American landscape remain untouched and in their natural state.

Soaring 20,320 feet into the bright blue sky- nearly 17,000 of it visible from the flat plains of the National Park around it that was established in 1917 - the snow-clad mountain is the central attraction at one of the world's most pristine wilderness preserves.

Just 2 hours south of Fairbanks, Denali National Park is high on visitors lists and makes an easy day trip. Park at the entrance for a fee of $10 and visit the expansive visitor centre where displays on wildlife, ecology and conservation can easily eat up an hour or two.

Denali is home to everything you may have seen on a Mutual of Omaha wildlife program and much more: grizzly bears, elk, caribou, lynx, Dall sheep, marmots, golden eagles and a variety of other birds of prey.  

The vistas and scenery of the park's boreal forests and tundra of central Alaska are simply breathtaking, and bring a camera with a long lens plus a pair of binoculars. Not all the wildlife is visible up close. 

With a staggering size of 9,500 square miles every foot of Denali is protected from hunting and mineral exploitation.

Over the years, Denali has been a magnet for nature photographers and researchers eager to capture images and learn more about the relationship between the native animals and the land.

  Though visitors who win the driving lottery can drive 30 miles into the park, with frequent bus service to the park's interior, it is a far more attractive option to hop on one of the dark green vehicles and enjoy the drivers' commentary and photo stops to observe wildlife near the main road.

Even in the middle of summer, it can snow in Denali, so it is essential to come prepared; food is not for sale anywhere in the park and all visitors must pack a lunch and bring all drinking water with them.

For those adventurous types who like to carry their needs with them, longer hikes are possible deep into the park, where encounters with bears and wolves are common.

With scenery reminiscent of Tibet or Patagonia, Denali is a must for any summer visitor to Alaska; while the park is well on the map between May and September, the gates shut for good the rest of the year, allowing Denali to stay as it was meant to be - wild.

To learn more about Denali, and to get details on road openings and more, visit:

www.nps.gov/dena

 

Under the Hood: The FountainHead Antique Auto Museum

Even for non car afficionados, the Fairbanks Antique Auto Museum is a must for anyone traveling to the largest city in central Alaska.

As the most northern car museum in North America, the impressive collection exceeds more than 70 vehicles, and five cars on display are the only surviving model left in the world!

As if that alone wasn't enough reason to visit, each automobile is on display with original vintage clothes from the period in which it was built.

And even more interesting are the black and white photos hanging on the walls behind the cars that were taken of the vehicle in use during its lifetime - combining the experience

And not only are the cars immaculate, nearly all of them run - a firm commitment from a strong volunteer base has ensured that each engine, beveled window pane, and hand crank not only is polished to perfection, but turns over and purs.

Frequent outings with these classic cars cruise the streets of Fairbanks; if you stop at a light on Airport Boulevard next to a bright orange Packard, you are not seeing things!

The FountainHead Auto museum also features a section dedicated to the Alaskan auto industry, which provides a glimpse into the unique challenges of exploring this vast state that required what couldnt be imported to be built on site.

To plan your visit, click to: www.fountainheadmuseum.com

~Photos courtesy of Fountainhead Properties~

FountainHead Hotels: Top Choice in The Last Frontier

Fairbanks based Fountainhead Hotels is a locally owned company with an independant spirit that caters to both business and leisure travelers. 

And no matter what season you visit Fairbanks, there is a Fountainhead hotel property to suit your needs - choose between their diverse array properties, each offering a different style of accommodation and location.

                        

 Sophie Station

As an all suite property, Sophie Station is open year round and feature full kitchens, perfect for families and guests on a longer stay.

All guests have access to complementary wi fi internet access and a free Fairbanks airport shuttle.

Sophie Station's on site dining options include Zach's Restaurant and the Express Room Lounge, and both feature innovative menus with fresh Alaskan produce and ingredients.

Bridgewater Hotel

Centrally located overlooking the Chena River, the Bridgewater Hotel is open all summer long. With views over the city, the the property is managed by the friendly Buzzy Chiu and features 94 rooms and suites.

The Fairbanks business district and top local restaurants are just a short walk away, including the Fairbanks Visitor and Convention Bureau (FCVB) where you can visit and plan the details of your Alaskan adventure.  

Wedgewood Resort

Spread out over 105 acres of boreal forest, the Wedgewood Resort is situated adjacent to Creamer's Field, a migratory waterfowl preserve and a wildlife sanctuary of the same name.

Wedgewood Resort's one and two bedroom suites feature separate dining and sleeping quarters plus full kitchens. Tucked away behind the hotel is Fairbank's most highly rated tourist attractions: the FountainHead Antique Auto Museum.

From all suite accommodations at Sophie Station, to the centrally located Bridgewater Hotel, to the nature preserve adjacent Wedgewood Resort, each Fountainhead hotel has an individual charm that provide the perfect base from which to explore Fairbanks.

To make a booking, visit www.fountainheadhotels.com.

Tupelov Reef: Former Dictators Private Plane Sunk in Bulgaria

Former Bulgarian dictator Todor Zhivkov's private Tupelo aircraft has been sunk to make an artificial reef, the largest intact airplane in the world to date: 

Submerged in Varna, along the country's Black Sea coast, authorities hope the reef will attract divers to the area. 

Here is the aircraft when she was still flying:

Want to make your own artifical reef? Click to: www.artificalreefs.org

Fairbanks: The Golden Heart of Alaska

From the chilly Aleutian Islands to the icy waters of Barrow, from the wildlife of Kodiak Island to the fjords near Juneau, Alaska is as varied as it is huge - cut Alaska in half and it is still larger than Texas - with room to spare!

With 2.6 people per square mile, and in closer proximity to Russia than the lower 48 states of the USA, deciding where to begin your Alaska exploration can be a tough choice. 

Why not the states vast interior? The Golden Heart of Alaska is anchored by the friendly city of Fairbanks - set on the banks of the Chena River. Home to 30,000, the city is quirky, laid back, fun and the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding rivers, lakes and national parks. 

With temperature extremes as wild as they get here on planet Earth, every season in Fairbanks is unique. Winter's cold means clear nights and short days, while summer 'nights' around the solstice are so bright an annual baseball game is played at midnight without lights! spring and summer are also unique, with extremely quick weather changes that turns brown trees green virtually overnight in May, known locally as the 'greenup.' The first cold snap in September turns birch tree leaves a bright yellow.

As the jumping off point to the spectacular Denali National National Park, the Arctic Circle, and home to amongst the world's most brilliant displays of Northern Lights, Fairbanks has hiking, fishing, canoeing and more outdoor activities than you can shake a stick at all within a short drive.

In the word's of a knowledgable local, "Fairbanks is top drawer!"

While in town, vsit the Fairbanks Visitors and Convention Bureau (FCVB) located at 101 Dunkel Street to chat with staff of volunteers who will help plan your stay - brochures, maps and a branch of Alaska Geographic are on site with maps, postcards and books on Alaska.

The ever growing museum is also a must see - with displays on life in the wild, native Alaskan craft exhibits, and videos on the Northern Lights.

To plan your Fairbanks visit in advance, click to:

www.exploreFairbanks.com

Beware the Heated Eyeliner onboard! We are all going to DIE!

In yet another incident of double onboard stupidity, a passenger on a recent flight to Birmingham, Maine lit a match in the restroom to soften her eyeliner pencil to repair smudges created by her inflight nap.

The crew, always on the smellout for suspicious passengers, alerted the flight crew who then notified local authorities - who sent deputies to meet the plane on landing.

When the passengers onboard the 34 seat plane disembarked, the woman was taken for questioning before being released.

In the age of air travel over reaction, where ANYONE can print a fake boarding pass to get through security, how come the TSA wasnt punished for allowing her to bring her bomb making make up kit onboard in the first place?

The Next Deepwater Horizon?

An epic 1944 World War 2 battle between the USA and Japan resulted in more than 50 shipwrecks sinking to the bottom of the South Pacific's vast Truuk Lagoon. As the greatest mass sinking of the war, 200 tons of ships were converted into graveyards in just 2 days. 

A haven for scuba divers eager to explore the soft coral encrusted wrecks, the atoll is now a ticking time bomb as epic as the battle that created it - leaking oil. With more oil underwater than the Exxon Valdez, millions of barrels of oils are expected to someday leak, eclipsing even the recent Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Journeyman.tv's documentary, Black and Blue, covers this story with underwater photography and interviews with locals, whose relaxed island lifestyle could forever be destroyed by the impending leakage. 

Watch the documentary here. 

Bing Bong: Air Travel Minus the Rage

Miniatur Wonderland, based in Hamburg Germany, has opened the world's largest model airport - complete with moving planes, trucks and more.

'Knuffington Airport' as its known, cost 5 million dollars and comes complete with 40 airplanes and 90 moving vehicles.

For those air travelers whose frequent visits to and through airports around the world, the idea of actually paying to visit such a branch of hell (no matter how 'airy' the terminal looks or how 'local' the food is at the food court) will seem absurd.

But for kids, for whom the airport seems to have been built, the fairy tale of a stress-less travel experience free from liquid bans, TSA pat downs, cramped DVT inducing Y class seating not to mention delays, smelly seatmates and an escaped snake or two, may be to Santa Claus-ish for them to believe.

View the action here.

www.miniatur-wunderland.com

Samoa Jumps the International Date Line - Again

At the end of this year in Samoa, a different kind of 'leap' will take place - December 30th will turn into December 31st, pushing the country 1 day ahead. The move is to bring the island nation closer to Australia and New Zealand for trade reasons.

Its not the first time Samoa has flipped date: the country jumped the other direction to be closer to the USA, its largest trading partner at the time. Since then, the flow of commerce has changed 180 degrees, and the country's government has sat up and taken notice.

www.samoa.travel

www.amsamoatourism.com

www.govt.ws

The 3 Virgins: Atlantic, America, and Now Australia

In a move that streamlines his airline branding under one sleek umbrella, Richard Branson's Virgin Blue has become Virgin Australia, becoming the 3rd airline in a loose international alliance that now spans the globe. 

Shedding the blue name and red colorscheme, the Virgin Australia fleet has been repainted in an all white color scheme with the same font as recently rebranded Virgin Atlantic. 

With Australian aviation stalwart Qantas firmly in its sights, Virgin Australia has equipped its planes with business class seats aiming to capture the growing corporate market in a rapidly expanding economy. 27 business class seats will be on the airlines A330's, with  on their 737-700 and 737-800's.

It is rumored Virgin Australia will form an alliance of some sort with Singapore Airlines, who owns a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic. 

www.virginaustralia.com

Three Takes: Golden Gate Bridge

In N Out Supports Child Abuse Prevention Month

No child should ever suffer physical or emotional abuse at the hands of their parents or anyone for that matter - and west coast hamburger chain In N Out has been collecting donations all April long in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month in an effort to preserving and strengthening childrens rights.

The private firm, with outlets all over the western USA is matching funds 3-1. So if you find yourself at an In N Out this month, drop some spare change and bills located at their registers.

Even if you're not, donations can be submitted online, click to www.innout.com

One of In N Outs most famous locations is in Los Angeles, where aviation geeks gather to photograph and gawk at Boeing and Airbus heavies and lightweights landing at California's largest airport.

For some plane spotting from the iconic In N Out at LAX, located on Sepulveda Blvd at the foot of one of its busiest runways, click here.

www.innout.com

www.childwelfare.gov

www.preventchildabuse.org

Air Koryo Adds 2 x Weekly Service to Malaysia

Air Koryo the national airline o f Stalinist North Korea, has recently added twice weekly flights to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

Flying on Monday and Thursdays with a TU-204 Tupelov aircraft, the flights will originate in Pyongyang.

It is the first longhaul flight the airline has added with this new aircraft type that is equipped with 145 seats. 

Air Koryo currently serves Bangkok as well as Moscow, Beijing and Vladivostok. 

Air Koryo online

Airline Seat of the Future Unveiled at Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg

The airline seat of the future was recently unveiled at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany, an annual event where airline executives kick the tires on new cabin fittings and seats.

In what looks like a cross between a 70's living room lampshade and an arcade game, the seat of the future will allow for passengers to connect their own devices to pop up on flat screens arced forward from their seatbacks.

These 'pods' are clearly geared towards the more entertainment minded flyers who would rather zoom through movies games and music than recline and sleep.

 Made from composite kevlar carbon fiber, the lightweight seat will help save fuel.

Designed by Contour Aerospace, the seats are not expected to take up the entire Business Class cabin, instead they will be offered as a choice for premium passengers seeking a more adventurous flight. As yet no airlines have ordered the seat, but it will certainly perk the interest of the premium class travel set.

www.aircraftinteriors.org

World's Tallest Hotel Opens: Ritz Carlton Hong Kong

In the eternal quest to have the biggest, pointiest tower, the world's tallest hotel has just opened in Hong Kong.

Well, not quite: the Ritz Carlton Hong Kong is housed in the ICC (International Commerce Centre) building that is 1,600 feet tall. The hotel is located between floors 102 and 118 in the ICC, and features sweeping views of Victoria Harbor and central Hong Kong from its location in Kowloon.

The Ritz Carlton is home to the usual luxury laundry list one comes to expect from such an urban property: a top notch spa, swanky night spots (the 118th floor Ozone Bar) and internationally renowned restaurants. All coccooned around 312 lucky rooms. The concierge desk is operated by Les Clefs D'Or.

But the Ritz Carlton wont be the tallest for long - even the sales manager for the property is quick to admit that an even taller hotel is being built in China that will soar even higher.

www.ritzcarlton.com

Air France Returns to PNH

On Thursday afternoon, the first Air France (AF) aircraft to land in Cambodia for 37 years touched down at Phnom Penh's capital.

Like its service to Vietnam, Air France was forced to quickly suspend flights to the Southeast Asian country in 1974 as the Khmer Rouge took over. With a booming economy and growing tourism numbers, the thrice weekly service to Cambodia adds another destination in Asia for one of Europe's largest carriers.

Air France operates an Airbus 340-300 on the route, which includes a brief transit stop in Bangkok.

www.airfrance.com

Escaped Bronx Cobra Slithers onto Twitter

After a deadly Egyptian cobra escaped from the Bronz Zoo last week, a cheeky New Yorker has begun tweeting the escapees alleged exploits in the Big Apple.

Among the items on his trip are a stop at a Broadway show, taking in a late night comedy routine and even taking 'care' of potential Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump with a well aimed bite.

One of his tweets: "Gonna listen to some Jazz tonight. You know I love some great flute work. Do they provide it or is it bring your own basket?"

So far there has been only one Hosni Mubarak joke.

Follow his slithery itinerary here: http://twitter.com/#!/BronxZoosCobra