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Nancy D. Brown is a lover of all things related to travel. With What A Trip, she has combined her passion for travel with her professional writing career.

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Vacations

Friday
12Mar2010

2010 Iditarod Sled Dog Race, Alaska

DateFriday, March 12, 2010 at 12:00AM

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

2010 Iditarod Sled Dog Race, AlaskaThere's a whole lot of harness-banging going on in Anchorage, Alaska today. I'm at the March 6th ceremonial start of the 2010 Iditarod Sled Dog Race - the Last Great Race - taking place across the Alaskan wilderness.

MUSHERS FROM NEAR AND FAR

Dog mushers come from as near as Willow, Alaska and as far as Aberdeen, Scotland and St. Anne, Jamaica to compete in this 1,049 mile trek to Nome, Alaska. Seventy one mushers will guide their sled dogs as they manuever over Rainy Pass, the highest point on the trail, through bumpy Nikolai, and over frozen tundra, eventually reaching Nome, Alaska.

Quick mushers are rewarded in Cripple, an abandoned mining town and the race's halfway point. The first musher to Cripple is rewarded with a $3,000 check.

 

CHICAGO MUSHER COPES WITH CANCER

Chicago Musher Pat Moon has been dealing with more than logistical problems as he tackles this Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Moon, 33, has been fighting non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a blood malignancy. Iditarod Update: Unfortunately, Moon crashed into a tree on Tuesday while navigating a gorge and had to be dropped from the race.

JAMAICA ROOKIE

Jamaican Iditarod Sled Dog Musher Newton MarshallAnother rookie musher, Newton Marshall of Jamaica, will have to cope with drastic Alaska weather conditions. Unlike his native Jamaica, hurricane-velocity winds and blizzards are common as the trail crosses Norton Sound to Koyuk.

 

WHO WILL WIN 2010 IDITAROD SLED DOG RACE?

Who will be the first to cross the finish line in Nome, Alaska? Will it be Alaska's Jeff King? The 54-year-old King, a four-time champion, hopes to end his Iditarod career with a bang. I certainly remember holding puppies at his Husky Homestead Tour in Denali Park.

What about Lance Mackey of Fairbanks, Alaska? Mackey hopes to win his fourth straight Iditarod race.

Let's not forget about DeeDee Jonrowe, a breast cancer survivor, Jonrowe started the 2003 race just three weeks after finishing chemotherapy.

Young musher Dallas Seavey, 22 of Seward, hopes to follow father Mitch Seavey, the 2004 Iditarod champion, in bringing home the title.

On the other end of the age spectrum, Chuglak's Jim Lanier, at 69 years of age, will be singing to his sled dogs as he races the Iditarod. Lanier, along with his wife and son, serenaded us at the Musher's Banquet with their beautiful voices. Is that what keeps his dog's running?

Finally, four-time champion Martin Buser of Big Lake, Alaska, holds the race record of eight days, 22 hours and 46 minutes.

Who is your favorite to win the 2010 Iditarod Sled Dog Race?

Thank you to the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau and Alaska Travel for allowing me and inside look at the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

Photos and video by Nancy D. Brown

 

 

 

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Friday
05Mar2010

A Horseback Riding Vacation Blog - Writinghorseback.com

DateFriday, March 5, 2010 at 12:00AM

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Enjoy Horseback Riding Vacations - Visit Writinghorseback.com Travel blogs are bubbling up faster than popping corn in a microwave oven. What makes a travel blog unique? Obviously the travel blog has to be well written and have wonderful photos; it also has to have a highly-focused niche that is often searched for on the internet.

My niche - horseback riding vacations. 

Passion for Travel and Horse Lover

At Writinghorseback.com, I've combined my passion for travel with my love of horses. It made sense to launch Writinghorseback.com, as I'm not the only horse-crazy fool who jumps at the chance to go on a horseback riding vacation as often as possible.

Writinghorseback.com will serve as your guide to horseback riding vacations and equestrian travel deals. As I'm already traveling to wonderful locations for my newspaper and magazine articles, I thought it made sense to have a website devoted to the best horseback riding vacations. 

 

An Icelandic Horseback Riding VacationAs the site grows, I plan to offer lodging and equestrian-based horseback riding vacation discounts to subscribers. My first exclusive rate is for a trip to Iceland to ride the Icelandic ponies. I will also be writing horse-related tack and riding apparel reviews.

 

 

 

If you are a fan of social media, please consider becoming a Writing Horseback Facebook Fan. Not only will you find me on Twitter @Nancydbrown, I'm also the equestrian tweeter behind @Ridinghorseback.

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Friday
26Feb2010

How to pack for Alaska winter vacation

DateFriday, February 26, 2010 at 12:01AM

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Iditarod Champion Jeff KingIt's winter and I'm wearing my Muckluks to break them in for my upcoming trip to Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska. Only problem is, I live in Northern California, so my two teenagers are giving me the look.

I've snow-proofed my Arctic Mukluks with water repellent and added the felt inserts to keep my feet toasty warm as I watch the start of the Iditarod Race and while I'm checking out the ice sculptures at the 2010 World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks, Alaska.

My last trip to Anchorage and Fairbanks was August, 2009. A highlight of that trip was holding a sled dog puppy. Termination dust was just starting to blanket the hillsides. A sign that winter was on its way.

Early March I'll be flying Alaska Airlines from SFO to Anchorage to watch the "Last Great Race on Earth" as a guest of Alaska Travel.

For all things Alaska, follow them on Twitter. Of course, I'll be tweeting during my trip, as well. The Fairbanks CVB in on Twitter, too.

"In a winter trip to Alaska, you have to be prepared for a huge temperature range," notes Lyle Croft of Fairbanks-based Apocalypse Design. "It can be 40'F above one day and -40'F the next. You worry about moisture at warmer temperatures as everything around is melting. Colder temperatures you want to stay warm."

When Croft volunteers for the Yukon Quest, a dog-sled race in Fairbanks, he has multiple outfits for different temperatures, including different insulation levels of hats and boots. (Clearly this guy doesn't need to worry about carry-on restrictions.)

 How to pack for an Alaska winter vacation

  • Layering is key.
  • Synthetic is in - cotton is out.
  • Long underwear - Cuddl Duds for me.
  • Fleece Pants - mine are from Apocalypse Design
  • Snow Bib - Apocalypse Design
  • Moisture wicking t-shirts
  • Long-sleeve shirts for layering
  • Alpine Parka - insulation levels vary - Apocalypse Design
  • Arctic Mitts - mine are from Steger Mukluks & Moccasins
  • Smart wool socks - mine are from Icebreaker.com
  • Arctic Mukluks - Steger Mukluks & Moccasins
  • Warm hat
  • Bathing Suit - I'm going to Chena Hotsprings

Patti Steger of Steger Mukluks and Moccasins adds that, "flexibillity, insulation and light weight are the keys to warm feet. If your hand are cold, you understand that with vigorous motion you will generate blood supply to warm them. That same principle applies to your feet. The colder it gets, the more flexible and insulated you must be."

 Have you been to Alaska in the winter? What have I left off my "How to pack for an Alaska winter vacation" list? Please leave a comment with your suggestions.

 

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Friday
19Feb2010

Best Things to See and Do in Wickenburg, Arizona

DateFriday, February 19, 2010 at 12:00AM

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Saguaro Giant CactusWhen I crave good hearty Cowboy cuisine, I turn to Cowboy Cafe.

To escape work I go to The Spa at Los Caballeros.

For complete quiet, I can hide away at the Hassayampa River Preserve.

If you come to Wickenburg, get your picture taken at the Historic Jail Tree.

If you have to order one thing off the menu at Anita's Cocina, get the Carne Asada dinner. 

Wickenburg is my one stop shop for western wear.

When I'm feeling cash-strapped, I go to DJ's Frontier Diner.

For a huge splurge, I go to Rancho de los Caballeros.  

Photo ops in Wickenburg include: Bronze statues in downtown; vulture peak; historic Santa Fe Depot; Box Canyon and Historic Vulture Mine.

The best vantage points are taken by hiking to the top of Vulture Peak.

The most random thing about Wickenburg is that they are known for having top-notch addiction treatment centers. In fact, when I was in Wickenburg reviewing  the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch, the local paper reported that Tiger Woods was rumored to be in town for sexual addiction treatment.

 In Wickenburg, an active day outdoors involves walking or hiking, roping or jeeping.

My favorite walking route is the Westside pedestrian trail next to Highway 60.

Wickenburg's best museum is the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.

To find out what's going on at night or on weekends, read The Wickenburg Sun.

You can tell a lot about Wickenburg from visiting our rural community and watching a special heritage event.

In the spring you should attend Cowgirl Up!

In the summer you should check out Fiesta de Septiembre.

 

In the fall you might want to visit Four Corner States Bluegrass Festival.

The winter is a good time to go to Gold Rush Days and Rodeo.

 A hidden gem in Wickenburg is the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts.

For a great breakfast treat or espresso, go to Nana's Sandwich Saloon.

Just outside of Wickenburg you can visit Congress, Arizona, have lunch at Nichols West.

The best way to see Wickenburg is to take the historical walking tour of downtown.

If you have kids, you won't want to miss Camp Imagination, Wickenburg Fly-In & Car Show, hiking the Hassayampa Preserve and visiting the gem & mineral room at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.

What are your favorite things to see and do in Wickenburg?

Thank you to Julie Brooks of the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce for assistance with this post.

 All photos by Nancy D. Brown

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Saturday
13Feb2010

Yosemite - Ultimate Outdoor Classroom

DateSaturday, February 13, 2010 at 8:22PM

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Yosemite's Half Dome Yosemite is a beautiful place in the winter time. No crowds, fresh snow and glorious days to take in the breath taking sights.

My high school senior recently returned from a five day and night trip to Yosemite. It was sponsored and partially funded by the public high school she attends in Northern California.

Jane Kelson teaches geology at Campolindo High School and spear heads the Yosemite Institute Field Course. In addition to studying geology, biology and ecology, the students do "hands on" projects such as testing the water quality of Yosemite Creek. It's outdoor classroom experiences like this that keep students motivated and opens their eyes to alternative areas of exploration.

Campolindo High Students Experience Yosemite in the Winter

High school senior Andi Kohen said, "the best part of visiting Yosemite was that it was an amazing opportunity to bond with fellow students while participating in a fun learning environment. Visiting Yosemite taught me a lot about how to respect nature, such as trying not to leave one crumb behind in order not to upset the ecosystem. Not only did it teach us to respect nature, it also taught us to respect others, such as our Yosemite Institute instructor when they are trying to teach us something important. It was an amazing experience and I'm so glad I got a chance to experience it."

 

Yosemite FallsThe students slept in the canvas-covered tent cabins at Curry Village for a couple of days and then moved to the eastern part of Yosemite valley. They cross country skied on fresh fallen snow, glided across frozen ice on skates, created a human pyramid in front of a fallen tree trunk in Mariposa Grove and ate lunch at the base of a waterfall. How awesome is that?

As some of you know, California schools are taking a huge economic hit. Our Acalanes School District is experiencing  a $4.8 million district budget shortfall.

Administrators are going through classroom course offerings with a fine tooth comb to see where cuts can be made. Classes such as the Yosemite Institute Field Class may be on the chopping block. For our students, and future high school students who follow in their footsteps, I hope organizations such as the Moraga Education Foundation continue to fund outdoor classes such as this.

The experiences our children have outside the classroom are as powerful and motivating as their studies behind closed walls.

Photos courtesy of Kendall C. Brown

 

 

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