Big Springtime Fare War.
Travel between now and June 12. There is a 14-day advance purchase.
Here are some more Alaska Airlines discounts for travel to/from Fairbanks:
Fairbanks-Los Angeles $623
Fairbanks-Chicago $617
Fairbanks-Seattle $578
Fairbanks-Portland $599
Fairbanks-San Francisco $622
Fairbanks-San Diego $621
Fairbanks-Phoenix $623
Fairbanks-Las Vegas $620
Fairbanks-Denver $621
Remember: all fares around roundtrip and include all those pesky surcharges and taxes. USTravel’s $38 ticketing fee is additional. Call them toll-free: (800) 622-6449. They helped me dig up these fares.
To and from Anchorage, the fares are a little less. Laura and the crew and USTravel’s Anchorage office are working overtime to get the latest info on these Spring specials.
Anchorage-Portland $497
Anchorage-Redmond/Bend 517
Anchorage-Medford 517
…and other cities in Oregon like Eugene, North Bend and Pendleton
Anchorage-Boise 517
Anchorage-Reno 537
Anchorage-Kalispell, MT 537
Anchorage-Great Falls, MT 537
…and other cities in Montana like Butte, Bozeman, Billings and Helena
Anchorage-Phoenix 537
Anchorage-Salt Lake City 508
Anchorage-Denver 508
Again, all fares include taxes, surcharges and government fees. USTravel’s $38 ticketing fee is additional.
Call USTravel in Anchorage (800)544-2217 or (907)561-2434 or Fairbanks (800)622-6449. Stay tuned for more sale rates. Already, we’ve seen the travel dates pushed into mid-June. Watch for more cities.
Adventures in Paradise (aka Kodiak)
I just got off the phone with my friend Marion Owen in Kodiak. She and her husband, Marty, own "Galley Gourmet" dinner cruises in Kodiak.
During the summer, Marty and Marion operate a daily dinner cruise aboard the Sea Breeze, Marty's fancy yacht. I cannot remember whether it's a "Hatteras" yacht or a "Grand Banks" yacht. But it is a nice boat, that's for sure.
There is a maximum of six guests on board. Marion is a "Renaissance Woman" who cooks a lovely gourmet dinner, in addition to being a published photographer, local radio personality and a USCG-certified captain.
On the cruise, Marty will guide you through the harbor, where sea lions pull out to sun themselves on the floats. Have your camera ready. Why do they do that? Two reasons: the first is: they can. The second is like unto it: there are killer whales in the bay. It's not uncommon to see any number of whales on the cruise. In fact, Kodiak is a great place to see whales. And eagles. And puffins. And all variety of sea birds. There are binoculars on board so you can zoom in on the critters--right before dinner!
Marion and I met several years ago. Since then, we've been hiking, hunting, fishing and cruising around the island.
In addition to the gourmet dinner cruises, Marty and Marion recently constructed a beautiful waterfront home, which they've turned into a bed-and-breakfast. When I called her this morning, Marion was working on some sort of decoration--tiles I think. "Come on down to Kodiak," she said. "Bring your paint brush." A-ha! Perhaps they have a piano to move, too!
HA!
Check the b-and-b website and see a layout, as well as the view--plus some of the murals they have in their home.
Fur Rondy in Anchorage is F-U-N-!
Just got back from the Dog Races at Fur Rendezvous. These races are different than the (that starts on Mar 1). These are the sprint races--over three days. That means they're going to run tomorrow as well.
Of course, the races are just one part of Fur Rondy. We saw the parade, the carnival, the Fur Auction--even the Melodrama! The Fireworks are tonight--and the "Running of the Reindeer" starts tomorrow. Get BACK! Those reindeer are BIG!
I rode my bike downtown. Yep--those studded tires come in handy on icy trails! 
Gov. Sarah Palin "Takes a Hike" in Juneau!
Last-minute: Anchorage-Seattle $232rt