USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “THE WEST” ALASKA

ALASKA A VACATION OF A LIFETIME

BY CLAY LARROY

If you're looking to get away from it all with a trip away from home, don't forget to travel smart. Regardless of whether you are traveling to a nearby location for the weekend or taking a week-long destination vacation, you are always going to benefit from some tips and ideas on how to make the whole process, more fun and less stressful. Take time each day to alleviate stress while traveling or vacationing and you will thank yourself for it when you get back home. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Alaska Travel Guide

Known, appropriately, as the Last Frontier, Alaska is a land of unfathomable naturally beauty, a state so vast and wild that parts of it remain unmapped today.

Everything about Alaska nudges the extreme end of the scale. The largest state in the USA, it boasts some 3 million lakes, 3,000 rivers, 100,000 glaciers and 17 of America's 20 highest peaks.

These untamed landscapes harbor a diverse range of wildlife, including Kodiak bears, giant moose and the iconic bald eagle, whose shrill call echoes the grandeur of this state.

For adrenaline junkies, Alaska offers a big hit. Mt McKinley, the highest point on the continent, rises 6,194m (20,320ft) in Denali National Park and tempts climbers from around the world to tackle its snowy peak.

Elsewhere, kayakers paddle beneath jumbo glaciers with humpback whales, while skiers and snowboarders whoosh up the Chugach Mountains by helicopter and glide back down on virgin powder.

Sailors favor the legendary Inside Passage, a scenic coastal route that is becoming increasingly popular with cruise passengers, who can moor up at aboriginal villages and dock at the former Russian city, Sitka. Further afield anglers hunker down in rustic fishing lodges, hooking Pacific halibut and king salmon for supper.

Whatever visitors come for, most kick off their trip in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, home to 40% of the state's population. But it's not long before they are lured away from the lights and into the vast wilderness, which brings out the trailblazer in even the most sedentary traveler.

Things to see and do in Alaska

Bear spotting

Visit Kodiak Island (www.kodiakisland.org), home of Alaska's largest fishing fleet. View its Russian legacy at the Baranov Museum (www.baranovmuseum.org), and the island's native people at Alutiiq Museum (www.alutiiqmuseum.org). The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge (http://kodiak.fws.gov) is a protected habitat for Kodiak brown bears.

Columbia Glacier

Experience the most popular excursion, Columbia Glacier, a 6km- (4-mile-) wide piece of ice. This world's fastest-moving glacier can be reached via day cruises, charter boats, flight-seeing tours and the state ferry.

Denali National Park

Explore Denali National Park and Preserve (www.denali.national-park.com), famous for its panoramic views of the Alaska Range and Mount McKinley, highest mountain in North America at 6,194m (20,320ft). You can take a popular day excursion through the wilderness to see caribou, grizzly bears, wolves and moose.

Fishing

Head off by float plane on a hunting or fishing expedition, and stay in a fly-in wilderness lodge.

Gold rush trail

Follow the 1890s gold rush trail from Skagway to Whitehorse (Canada) along the 177km (110 mile) Klondike Highway.

Hiking

Hike in Juneau on one of the many scenic hiking trails. Just a short walk or ride from downtown, enthusiasts can be scaling mountain peaks, rock climbing, walking across glaciers, hunting, biking, fishing or kayaking. There are many opportunities to view whales, bears and eagles.

Hot springs and icy seas

Soak in Chena Hot Springs (www.chenahotsprings.com), 97km (60 miles) east of Fairbanks, and visit their year-round ice museum, or brave the icy waters in the annual June Polar Bear Swim (www.visitnomealaska.com) in Nome, on the Bering Sea.

Husky sledging

Sign on for sled-dog racing. The official sport of Alaska is dog mushing. Visitors can take a team of spirited huskies on a sled-dog tour or watch the experts at work in one of the many annual sled-dog races. Cheer on your favorites during the annual Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race (www.yukonquest.com), held every February. Covering 1,600km (1,000 miles) between Whitehorse, Yukon Territory and Fairbanks during the depths of the Arctic winter, the Yukon Quest is the 'Toughest Sled Dog Race in the World'.

Iditarod Race

Watch March's world-famous Iditarod Race (www.iditarod.com), which traverses 1,851km (1,150 miles) of rugged terrain from Anchorage to Nome, on the Bering Sea. The K-300 (www.k300.org), out of Bethel in the Yukon Delta, puts up the largest purse for a mid-length 300-mile sled dog race every January.

Inside Passage

Cruise the world-famous Inside Passage and visit cliff-hugging coastal towns, see glaciers calving, whales leaping out of icy waters, sea lions and seals basking on ice floes, and spot eagles and enjoy an amazing variety of birdlike.

Museums

Delight in the wealth of local history that can be seen at the Heritage Library and Museum, the Anchorage Museum of History and Art (www.anchoragemuseum.org), the Oscar Anderson House Museum, and the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

Northern Lights

See the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) dancing across the cold winter night skies between December-March.

Pan for gold

Try your luck panning for gold nuggets at Crow Creek Mine (www.akmining.com/mine/crow.htm), an hour's drive south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway.

Totem poles

See the world's largest collection of totem poles at Ketchikan, nestled between oceans and mountains. Infamous Creek Street's bars and bordellos of fishing and silver-mining days are now galleries and restaurants.

Valdez

Choose from the many available outdoor pursuits (such as hiking, rafting and fishing) in Valdez, situated on the edge of the Prince William Sound.

Wildlife

Tour the local wildlife museums including Anchorage's Alaska Zoo (www.alaskazoo.org), the Imaginarium (www.imaginarium.org) and Potter's Marsh, where up to 130 species of waterfowl can be viewed from a boardwalk.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

To the lover of wilderness, Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world.

John Muir
 

Live Life and Travel to create marvelous memories!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “THE WEST” ALASKA

  

ALASKA  A  VACATION OF A LIFETIME

BY CLAY LARROY

After working and studying hard all year long families across the United States will be taking long awaited vacations. Family vacations and travel can be the most rewarding experience. Families that take vacations together build memories that will last a lifetime. Family vacations are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress-free relaxed environment. When you need to plan a trip contact me!

Overview of Alaska

More than twice the size of Texas, Alaska is the largest state in the USA, known as a land of vast natural splendor, abundant wildlife and few people. It offers unique experiences such as walking in unspoiled wilderness, spectacular cruising through the fjords of the Inside Passage, and frontier towns rich in gold rush history. Alaska's

sense of undiscovered wilderness and promise of adventure is as prominent now as it was when it attracted thousands of pioneers in search of gold, fur, fishing, logging and oil. Today, this 'Last Frontier' lures travelers in search of unspoiled beauty and close encounters with nature. In fact, Alaska's three largest cities - Fairbanks, Juneau, and Anchorage - are home to fewer than 370,000 people between them.

The southeast epitomizes classic Alaskan scenery, with its fjords, mountains, forests and glaciers. Alaska is one of the top cruise destinations in the world, and the main drawcard for visitors to this region is the wonderous scenery along the waters of the Inside Passage; a major marine highway ideal for ship travel. The number one attraction in the interior heartland is Denali National Park, an area of untamed magnificence that also encompasses North America's highest mountain, the snow-covered Mount McKinley. Arctic Alaska in the frozen north is less well-travelled, and few venture as far as Barrow and Nome.

Due to its northern location, Alaska is the land of the 'midnight sun', and visitors can experience the odd phenomenon of having over 21 hours of sunlight each day in the summer. Despite a reputation for high prices and inhospitable weather, millions of people have found Alaska to be a unique piece of the US that is worth every dollar.

 

Anchorage

Alaska's largest city is the hub of the state, and its central position, comparatively mild temperatures and outstanding transport system to and from the rest of the country, have made it an important destination for travelers.

Perched on the edge of a vast beautiful wilderness, Anchorage is encompassed in scenic splendor, surrounded by mountains, forest, rivers and tundra; a short drive in any direction offers an abundant variety of wilderness experiences.

The city started out in 1915 as a tented camp for the workers on the Alaska Railroad, and with the later discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay and the construction of the trans-Alaska pipeline, Anchorage's development was fast and furious. Today this sprawling city is full of life, with an array of dining options, a thriving music scene, theatres, and museums.

Its conservative, transient character is due in part to the fact that many of its residents are from other parts of the US, working for a few years and then moving on. The rest of the population is made up of Alaskan indigenous peoples, oil workers, gold seekers, loggers, and fishermen, together with the moose and occasional bear that wander into town. As a cosmopolitan urban area, it has similarities with other small American cities, but still retains a uniquely Alaskan feel.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

 

This was one of the places people told me to go, it was one the

big trips that you should see: Alaska.

Jeff Goldblum

Travel  have fun and create wonderful memories for your family!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “THE WEST” CALIFORNIA

CALIFORNIA, EUREKA... I HAVE FOUND IT!

BY CLAY LARROY

A vacation can soothe the soul and leave you renewed, refreshed, and invigorated. Whether you are just now starting to plan your next vacation, or are merely looking for travel ideas and suggestions, read all the articles about travel. So take away some of the stress of making travel plans, and get started thinking about the fun and relaxing times you will soon be having on your next trip! When you are ready to plan an exciting vacation contact me!

San Francisco, "The City by the Bay"

San Francisco History

Since its early days as a small settlement surrounding a small Spanish fishing village named Yerba Buena (Good Herb), San Francisco has endured numerous ups and downs - all of which have helped shape the modern city. Its origins lie with the Native Americans, who had cultivated the area before being kicked out by the Spanish in 1769.

Mission Dolores and Yerba Buena quickly grew and were joined by military fort, the Presidio of San Francisco. In 1846, California was claimed by the United States and the next year, the city became San Francisco.

The Gold Rush of 1848 inspired a huge amount of migration from the west but also from the east. The mix of ethnicities and the lack of laws made for a chaotic civic atmosphere, with militias and mobs ruling the town. For the next decade, the city's growing immigrant population outstripped infrastructure, and epidemics were commonplace.

By the 1860s, the city had become more civilized. The cable cars arrived, as did the Golden Gate Park, while a bohemian population of writers thrived. Dubbed the ‘Paris of the West', the city flourished until 1900 when an outbreak of plague decimated the population.

More misfortune followed, with a devastating earthquake hitting in 1906, destroying 80% of the city and causing around 3,000 fatalities. A new San Francisco grew from its ashes and in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge was completed.

In the 1950s, the Beat movement built on the city's love of literature and it became a magnet for hippies, young rebels and bohemians. Counter-culture flowered in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood culminating in the famous 1967 Summer of Love. It was here that the gay community fought for and found a home in Castro and Polk Street.

Rapid growth in the 1970s was followed, after a brief pause in the 1980s, by the dotcom boom of the 1990s. When it crashed, the city was left reeling. Today, San Francisco has regained its lost ground and is now the West Coast's financial and technology capital.

Did you know?
- Isadora Duncan, the ‘Mother of Modern Dance,' was born in San Francisco in 1877. 
- The United Nations Charter was drafted in a San Francisco hotel in 1945.
- Joshua Abraham Norton declared himself Emperor of America in the city in September 1859.

Things to do in San Francisco

Activities

Mountain hiking

As with hiking, mountain biking is a perfect pursuit in the Bay Area. You can mountain bike across one of the world's greatest sights if you deign to cross the Golden Gate Bridge, and the well-documented trails between Marin and San Mateo County take in acres and miles of terrain that is a steep and rugged as you want it to be. The trails are usually backed up with facilities at recreational parks.

Scuba diving

If you're hoping to loll around under water nosing up to tropical fish, then think again. The waters here are colder, not that that doesn't mean a rewarding diving experience. You just have to work a little harder for it. Most divers in the know head out to Monterey, where the most established and exciting dive spots are, but you can find tours heading out of the Bay Area. It's probably worth the two hour drive, though. Check out SF Scuba Schools (www.sfscubaschools.com) for more info.

Golfing

Even though the local San Francisco climate doesn't exactly match the Californian ideal, golfing is still a popular pursuit and there are some excellent public courses. The six public courses in the city are owned by the Park and Recreation Department but for the best array, make an early start and head to Monterey. Pebble beach is a particularly affordable option and the Bay Area does have more facilities than Southern California.

Hiking

The city surroundings are the perfect backdrop for trekking, with the temperature that doesn't bake you and a wealth of forests, woodlands and hills. If you like coastal scenery and an easy introduction, try the Batteries to Bluffs trail along the Presidio. For beautiful fauna and astounding Bay Area views as well as the Sierra Nevada, head for Mount Diablo's Grand Loop, and don't be too afraid of the name. Check out Everytrail Trekking (www.everytrail.com/best/hiking-san-francisco-california) for more info.

Spectator sports

As with any American city, loyalties run deep when it comes to the sports teams. There are two NFL teams, the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders. It's the same affair with baseball, with both the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics in the major leagues. For basketball, watch the Golden State Warriors and completing the set, the local hockey team is the San Jose Sharks. Choose wisely and find your home sports bar.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

San Francisco is one of my favorite cities in the world.

 Rosalynn Carter

Live a Better Life Travel Often!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “THE WEST” CALIFORNIA

CALIFORNIA, EUREKA... I HAVE FOUND IT!

BY CLAY LARROY

Across the America many couples are having wonderful wedding after months of planning. The bride and groom will need a honeymoon to rest and recuperate.  Vacations are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress free relaxed environment. Couples that take vacations together build memories that will last a lifetime. Couples vacations and travel can be a most rewarding experience. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

 

San Francisco, "The City by the Bay"

About San Francisco

Gold diggers, boho artists, leftie activists and techie whizz-kids have all left their mark on San Francisco, a seaside metropolis overflowing with boundless innovation in a mind-blowing setting.

The undulating City by the Bay has a prime spot between the Pacific Ocean and Sierra Nevada mountains to the east and west and redwood forests and the California desert to the north and south.

One of the USA's most walkable cities, San Francisco shows off a stellar line-up of iconic sights. Wait for a window in the city's favorite weather (fog, of course) and catch a glimpse of the vermilion towers of the Golden Gate Bridge. Hop on a ferry from Fisherman's Wharf and pay a visit to Al Capone's west-coast pad behind bars, Alcatraz. Embrace your tourist status and throw caution (and potentially a lot more) to the wind trundling over the city's rollercoaster hills on the edge of a cable car.

The city's neighborhoods all tell their own stories, from the hotbed of politics that made Haight-Ashbury what it is, to the bohemia of the Mission and the Tenderloin, to the culinary wonder of Chinatown and the understated affluence of Nob Hill. San Francisco has one of the world's oldest and largest gay neighborhoods in the Castro, a testament to the accepting nature and spirit of civic acceptance that exists here.

The famous, glorious vineyards of the Napa and Sonoma wine regions ensure weekend escapes are part of the San Francisco experience too. If you don't have time to visit them, pull up a stool in one of the city's slick wine tasting rooms and sip a few glasses.

When the fog and cold sets in, it's time to head indoors, to jazz venues, cosy restaurants, old-school saloons and micro-distilleries.

The downside? San Francisco's stratospheric success means the arty types who gave the city its creative vibe can barely afford to live here anymore. So if you're inspired to launch own start-up, bring a wealthy sponsor and a back-up plan.

Tourist Information Centers

San Francisco Visitor Information Centre

Address:

900 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Website:  http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com

Excursions

Sonoma Valley Wine Country

San Francisco is delightfully positioned within less than an hour's drive of northern California's famous wine region. The Sonoma and Napa Valleys are the most travelled by wine lovers, and hold a blend of elegant lodging, superb food, choice wines and dazzling scenery. Less crowded than the Napa Valley, Sonoma has more than 400 wineries to visit in rolling hills and fragrant vineyards that stretch westwards to the Pacific Ocean.

Website:  http://www.sonomavalley.com

Monterey and Carmel

Even if you're not a driver, it's a shame to miss out on the incredible coast road that makes up the Pacific Coast Highway, or Highway 1. A two-hour drive south will bring you to the Monterey Peninsula, home to some spectacular coastline and attractions such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its former mayor (a certain Mr Clint Eastwood), and its historic mission and great downtown shopping.

Website:  http://www.monterey.org

Yosemite National Park

Ready yourself for a full-on day that starts with a 4-5 hour drive, but the early start is worth it once you get to the natural splendor of this incredible National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once there, take a bracing 4-5 hour hike (or hire bikes) waterfalls, woodland and some stunning wildlife, including black bears and Giant Sequoias. Even the drive through the Sierra Nevada range is worth the admission price.

Website:  http://www.nps.gov/yose

Tours

Seaplane tours

San Francisco Seaplane Tours depart daily from Sausalito for flights over the Golden Gate Bridge. A complimentary shuttle service is available from Pier 39. There is also a sunset tour with champagne, which lasts 40 minutes and a charter flight to Lake County, home of Ceago Vinegarden winery on the shores of Clear Lake. The trip includes an educational tour of the winery, private tasting and cheese plate.

Website:  http://www.seaplane.com

Boat tours

A boat tour of the Bay is a must, providing perhaps the best panorama of the city and a unique view of the Golden Gate Bridge. A number of tour operators offer departures from Fisherman's Wharf. Blue and Gold Fleet runs a daily narrated cruise, with regular departures from Pier 39. Tours last around one hour.

Website:  http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com

Culinary tours

Local Tastes of the City Tours savors the best of San Francisco's culinary traditions. Three-hour walking tours experience a behind-the-scenes look at local bakeries, cafes, restaurants, and the places where locals shop. Sample fresh bread, pastries, chocolates, truffles, coffees, dim sum, seafood and olive oils, or watch artisans at work.

Website:  http://www.sffoodtour.com

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

San Francisco is perhaps the most European of all American cities.

 Cecil Beaton
 

Live Life and Travel to create marvelous memories!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “THE WEST” CALIFORNIA

CALIFORNIA, EUREKA... I HAVE FOUND IT!

BY CLAY LARROY

People in general consider traveling as their personal interests.  Traveling can quickly became an interests simply because it is such an enjoyable experience. When you travel around the world and you will see a variety of different cultures and people.   There are two things to remember while traveling. The first thing is to be open-minded about people and their culture. The second thing and the most important, is to respect other cultures no matter how different. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Los Angeles, “City of Angels”

Los Angeles History

LA dates back as early as 8,000 BC when Native Americans hunted along the California coastline. However, modern LA started in 1781 when the Spanish officially founded Los Angeles by building missions and forts across California.

The city became a battleground during the Mexican-American War of 1846, eventually reaching a peaceful conclusion that signed California over to the US.

Over the centuries, LA grew from a Gold Rush community to a major oil producer, fueled by the railroads. LA was redefined in the 1920s, when the fledgling film industry decamped from New York in search of sunshine and Hollywood was born.

In the golden age of studio pictures in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, movie stars set up home in the hills as LA became a true movie town. Today, all the major studios remain, and the city is still the undisputed king of film-making.

The post-WWII era brought some dark times to LA with Communist witch hunts and ethnic unrest fuelled by right wing politics. The latter led to the Watts race riots in the city in 1965.

By the 1960s, the music industry turned its sights west and a number of performers got their starts in clubs along West Hollywood's Sunset Strip, including the Troubadour Club, the Roxy and the Whiskey A-Go-Go. The Doors, Frank Zappa, Led Zeppelin, James Taylor and The Eagles all played shows here.

The hippie counter culture led musicians to make their homes in the leafy LA canyons such as Laurel and Topanga Canyons. Los Feliz, Echo Park and Silver Lake are now the new alt-vibe communities for artists and musicians.

Capitol Records founded its famous round HQ building, designed to look like a stack of records on a turntable, near Hollywood and Vine in the 1950s.

After a rather shabby period in the 1970s and 80s, Hollywood has undergone something of a regeneration, especially with the building of the Kodak Theater complex, current home of the Oscar ceremony, which allows LA to proudly call itself the ‘entertainment capital' of the world again.

Did you know? 
- In 1959, Los Angeles became the home of the first daily monorail in the western hemisphere. It ran as part of Disneyland.
- Director Stanley Kramer was the first person to have his star installed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 28th March 1960.
- In 1904, the sale of alcohol was banned in Hollywood, except for medicinal purposes.

Tours & Excursions

Tourist Information Centers

LA Tourism & Convention Board Visitor Information Center

Website:  http://www.discoverlosangeles.com

Excursions

Santa Barbara

The sophisticated Spanish-influenced town of Santa Barbara is a two-hour drive north of LA. Take time to explore the historic Spanish mission, stroll the smart shopping and dining area, and try some fresh fish from a restaurant on the pier. With superior beaches and stylish surroundings, Santa Barbara proves a popular day trip from LA.

Website:  http://www.santabarbaraca.com

Long Beach

The city of Long Beach is directly south of Downtown LA, an easy drive on the Long Beach freeways (I-710). Must sees include the Queen Mary, a 1934 luxury liner that's now a floating hotel; the Aquarium of the Pacific, which is home to more than 550 species of marine animals in a variety of ocean habitats; and Shoreline Village, a pleasant marina-style complex with shops and restaurants including Parker's Lighthouse.

Website:  http://www.visitlongbeach.com

Tours

Boat tours

With an extensive coastline, visitors to LA can pick from harbour cruises, whale and dolphin watching excursions, kayaking tours along the Venice canals, and Gondola rides in Newport Beach. Cruise Newport Beach's dinner, brunch and sunset cruises along the southern beaches of Newport and Huntington are also popular.

Website: http://www.gondola.com

Walking tours

Los Angeles Conservancy Tours run walking tours of Downtown Los Angeles. Their insightful expeditions cover landmark buildings and historic areas, such as Pershing Square, Broadway theatre district and Little Tokyo. Meanwhile, Red Line Tours takes visitors behind the glitz and glamour of Tinsel Town with a sprinkling of A-lister stardust. Each person is given a headset playing live commentary and tours offer rare access to the interiors of buildings.

Website: http://www.laconservancy.org

 

Things to do in Los Angeles

Activities

Go wine tasting in the O.C

Upmarket Orange County boasts a long history of winemaking, a legacy of the French vintners who decamped here in the 19th century and brought their skills with them. Although the large establishments exist, most vineyards are small and the owners will happily invite you in for a wine-tasting session for a small fee. OC Winery Tours (tel: +1 949 203 3891; www.orangecountywinetours.com) can take thirsty tourists to the county's best.

Learn to surf

Thanks to its lengthy coastline and balmy days, surfing has become staple part of the Los Angeles lifestyle. Venice Beach and Santa Monica both have great surfing beaches, as does Malibu, where Malibu www.malibumakos.com) offer lessons. Surfboard hire and professional tuition is also available.

Hike in Death Valley

The magnificent mesas and arid dunes of Death Valley (www.nps.gov/deva) once provided the backdrop for Western films. Today, it is home to a network of hiking trails, many of which take you close to the park's memorable rocky outcrops. Go early in the summer – it can get unbearably hot later in the day.

Explore the Los Angeles Stairs

LA wasn't always a city of cars and it has a network of hidden staircases that are now largely overlooked, despite their very starry pedigrees. One, in Silver Lake, was made famous by Laurel and Hardy while others once housed thriving street communities. Street Stairs LA (www.secretstairs-la.com) run interesting tours to visit the best of them.

Visit carless Catalina Island

Just 35km (22 miles) across the ocean from Long Beach is Catalina Island (www.catalinachamber.com), a peaceful retreat where cars are banned. Start at Avalon, the island's capital, which boasts the imposing Catalina Casino building, now a museum, before earning a bird's eye view of the island courtesy of a zip line eco tour.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

I love living in Los Angeles.

William Shatner
 

Travel  and create wonderful memories for your family!