Alaska

Our Day on an Alaska Glacier and Wildlife Cruise

May 14, 2018 by Everyday Alaska

One of the beautiful glaciers you’ll see on your cruise.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from.

Have you ever wanted to see orcas, calving glaciers, sea lions, and other wildlife? Did you ever think you could do it it just one amazing and awe inspiring trip? Well you can! Last year we finally made time to go on a wildlife and glacier cruise with Major Marine Tours, and I’m here to give you all the insider info and tips you need to know about this awesome adventure!

8 Great Gift Ideas for the Outdoorswoman in your Life

May 3, 2018 by Everyday Alaska

Girl walking across log bridge — Just taking a stroll across the log bridge.

With Mother’s Day fast approaching I thought it only seemed appropriate to make a list of unique and useful gifts for the outdoorswoman in your life. It can sometimes be difficult to find a gift for such a special person in your life, but checking out the list below will help you pick something she will surely enjoy.

This gift list is not exclusive to Mother’s Day, or even ladies for that matter, though. Any guy or gal who enjoys the great outdoors would benefit from any (or all if they really hit the jackpot!) of these items for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and more!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions from these qualifying purchases help support Everyday Alaska at no extra cost to you. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

1. If you’re looking for a great gift for an outdoorsy gal under $25, check out this post here. With ideas ranging from LifeStraws to first aid kits, and the perfect camping pillow to dry bags, you’re sure to find a fantastic gift.

2. If she’s outdoorsey she might like cooking outdoors as well. What better thing to do some outdoor cooking in than some American made Lodge Cast Iron! You can get them in a variety of sizes and shapes, and they’re very affordable. Plus, many of them have neat patterns on the bottom. You can check out Everyday Alaska’s list of reasons to start using cast iron here!

3. If your outdoorsy momma enjoys hunting, she’ll need some good optics. For a gift she’ll have for a lifetime (literally, check out their warranty!), shop Vortex Optics. Everything they make is top notch and will make a huge difference in the field.

Using Vortex binoculars — Using my Vortex binoculars and HotHands while looking for sheep.

4. Anyone who loves the outdoors needs a good knife to bring along on their adventures. The knives from Outdoor Edge are awesome. They are incredibly durable, sharp, and have easily replaceable blades to help save you time and money.

5. Jetboil. If they don’t have one, they need one. This is great for hunting, camping, fishing, hiking, or any activity where you may want to stop and have some coffee or make a delicious Peak Refuel meal.

Eating Peak Refuel at the cabin. — Refueling with Peak at the cabin.

6. Need a great snack for hiking? Dehydrated fruit is great to take along while exploring, and it’s also fun to make! I got a dehydrator as a gift and have had a blast using it and eating some delicious dehydrated apples, berries, and even jerky as a result.

Moose jerky on the dehydrator in Soldotna, Alaska. — Moose jerky on the dehydrator.

7. Along with snacks, having a water bottle along on any outdoor excursion is a must. Check out Liberty Bottleworks to see their awesome collection of American-made water bottles. They have every design imaginable and you can even have them customize one! Talk about a unique gift!

8. Don’t judge me too harshly, but I believe Crocs are a must have. They are comfortable, lightweight, and a nice break for your feet after camping, hiking, or hunting. They make a great gift that will be used over and over again.

Bonus idea! If she’s not using them already, grab your gal some HotHands! They are an outdoor game changer since they keep your hands, feet, and body toasty warm!

Any of these gifts are sure to be a winner for any outdoor lover in your life. Whether it’s for Mother’s Day or just a gift to show your appreciation for someone, this list will help you pick a gift that will surely bring a smile to their face and be useful for any of their outdoor adventures.

Looking for gifts for the guys, too? Be sure to check out this post!

What to Wear on an Alaskan Cruise

March 22, 2018 by Everyday Alaska

It’s your first Alaskan cruise! You’re excited, anxious, and have your clothes picked out weeks before you go. But what should you really be packing? Is it a snowsuit, rain gear, shorts, or all of the above? Well don’t worry, I’ve been there, done that, and can help you figure it out!

Alaska’s weather can be pretty unpredictable, so it’s best to be prepared for a little bit of everything, which means dressing in layers. We’ll start from the top and work our way down through all the layers you’ll need to have a comfortable and fun adventure!

Alaska glacier cruise — Glaciers like this are just one of the incredible sights you’ll view on your cruise.

Hats

This Carhartt beanie is great for a variety of Alaskan outings. They come in a variety of colors, are inexpensive, keep your noggin nice and warm, and won’t fly off your head when you’re out on the water.

Gloves

When standing outside to view orcas, puffins, and other amazing wildlife, your hands may get chilled, but the issue is you’re probably wanting to photograph all these critters as well. Don’t fret, you can stay warm and still get those great shots with The North Face Etip gloves.

Alaska glacier wildlife cruise — Cruise passengers viewing wildlife.

Base Layers

Unless you tend to run very cold, or are not used to colder weather, I don’t believe you need to be wearing any baselayers for this excursion. But if you do think you’ll get cold, I suggest something along the lines of this top and even matching pants to keep the chill out.

Mid Layers

Since any shirt you’re comfortable in is good for a base layer, we can skip that and go onto the mid layer. The North Face Denali jacket is a great mid layer for men and women to wear on a cruise. It’s warm, you can wear it with anything, and looks great as well. I also like Mountain Hardware’s half zip, too.

A brisk and beautiful day on a cruise out of Seward. All layered up!

Outer Layers

It gets pretty windy standing outside to watch the animals, so it’s best to have a windbreaker for your outer layer. The North Face makes great ones, and that’s what I brought with on our trip. Nomar is another great option. They make their gear right here in Alaska, so you know it’s made for our wild weather! I have their pullover and it’s incredibly windproof and warm.

Pants

Just wearing regular old jeans, or whatever pants you would normally wear, will work fine for this trip unless you think you may get chilled. In that case I’d suggest looking into light baselayers, as mentioned above, to stay warm.

Humpback whales Alaska glacier and wildlife cruise — Whales showing off right next to the boat.

Socks

To keep your tootsies toasty I’d suggest Fox River socks like these ones, which will be a little heavier and warmer than your everyday socks. Darn Tough is another fantastic brand of socks that will keep you warm and comfortable on the chillier days of your vacation.

Shoes

As for shoes, I wore my everyday sneakers, just make sure whatever you wear won’t be to slick if the deck gets wet while you’re outside viewing wildlife.

Once you have all that, all you have to do is grab your camera (I got a Canon Rebel shortly after our trip, and its amazing), and you can be on your way to more glacier and wildlife viewing you can imagine!

If you have questions about traveling to Alaska feel free to leave a comment below, or sign up for the Everyday Alaska newsletter, and send me an email. You can also join the Everyday Alaska Travel Tips, Information, and Advice group, and/or our New to Alaska Tips, Information, and Advice group to ask any questions you may have. I’m happy to help you get the most out of your time in our beautiful Last Frontier!

Want to read all about our cruise experience? Click here!

To check out a video of our incredible cruise click here!

How to Outfit Your Side by Side for Any Outdoor Adventure

August 27, 2017 by Everyday Alaska

2016 Polaris Ranger 6x6 — The Polaris Ranger 800 6×6 out for a cruise.

With all of the accessories out there for side by sides its hard to decide what you need and what you can live without. Below, I’ll explain some of the must have items items and some helpful accessories that will help you enjoy your toys even more.

Before we start I should probably mention that the products below are geared to Polaris, but the idea behind the pros and cons of the accessories and gear are the same for any side by side, so if you have another brand of side by side stick around because this information might help you too.

The best way to explain how to outfit your Polaris Ranger or any side by side is probably to start from the bottom up. We’ll start with tires and tracks first, work our way up, and then move onto some smaller accessories.

Tires

Our Ranger came with some great stock tires, but for going anywhere other then on solid trails you’ll need some better ones. We went with ITP Blackwaters and have been very impressed with them so far. The ITPs seem to get through everything and have done great during anything from hunting to trail riding.

Tracks

We got some used Polaris Big Boss tracks and decided to see if they’d fit on the Ranger 6×6. With a little bit of work and frustration they were on and ready to use. We tried them in the snow. They plowed right through. We tried them in the dirt. They did just fine. Buuuttttt then they broke….. There were some minor week spots and cracks in the tracks, and being that they were on a machine that they were not meant for must have put them over the edge, so one of the tracks ended up breaking. Then, after they had broken, someone stoled them so we didn’t get much of a chance to use them, unfortunately.

While they worked great for bit, I would not suggest putting them on a Ranger. It’s best to stick with the ITPs so you don’t have to worry about having any problems with your rig while your out.

There are tracks that are meant for the Ranger 900, but none specifically for the 6×6. These are the Prospector tracks that are made by Polaris. These can be modified for the 6×6, but we do not have these on that Ranger so I can’t vouch for how well they work.

Doors

What kind of doors you get mostly depends on what you’ll be doing with your rig. We have ProArmour half doors. The reason we went with these is because we usually end up in deeper swamps or areas with deep mud. If we have half doors, we can still get out even if the mud is too high to be able to open the doors. The negative with this, though, is that when its cold out the doors do not help much to keep you warm, except for keeping wind off of the bottom of your legs, so if your looking at getting doors for the warmth factor you may want to get full doors.

Having full doors is great because you stay warm, keep yourself from getting smacked in the face with brush, and can still have windows in it to keep you cool. But, just opposite from the half doors, if you get buried a little too deep you may not be able to get your doors open easily. There is an alternate way to get out by getting a different windshield, which I’ll tell you about in the next section. Also, it can get pretty hot having full doors if you have an enclosed cab, even with the windows open, unless you’re going fairly fast. Ideally, it would be best to have half doors for the summer and full doors for the winter, but that’s a little pricy.

Polaris Ranger 900 XP fully enclosed cab. — Fully enclosed Polaris Ranger 900 XP.

Windshields

There are quite a few options for windshields. One option is the poly half windshield. This is good to keep the cab a little warmer, but also keep some air circulating around so it does’t get too hot. Plus, if you did get this windshield and full doors, you would still have a way to get out of the cab if the the doors were buried too high.

Another option is the full windshield. We have the poly version of this and it works great. It’s a must to stay warm, but there is a downfall with the poly version of the windshields. You are not able to scrape off frost or use a brush for snow because it will scratch, and you have to take special care of it when wiping mud or water off by using a squeegee. After having the poly full windshield, I would have saved up some more money to buy the glass version and not worry so much about getting scratches in it.

Polaris Ranger 6x6 after moose hunting on a snowy highway in Alaska. — It took awhile for the windshield to thaw!

If you really want to get fancy, there is the flip down windshield. This is great because you get all the benefits of the full and half windshield all in one. Plus, if you’re using your rig for hunting, you can just flip part of it down and have an open view of the area.

You can get a tip out windshield as well. This windshield does just what its called and the whole window tips out. This is also great for hunting since you can glass out of the front with an unobstructed view, and it can help you get out if your doors get stuck as well. This is what I would consider the ultimate windshield for the Ranger since it comes in a glass version and is versatile.

Wipers

While we’re on the subject of windshields, you can also get wipers for them. We don’t have them on ours, but Dad has them on the 900 (he’s got the fancy stuff on his!), and they work great. They’re awesome for when your cruising around and doing work in the rain. They even do pretty well in the snow and ice.

Koplin gun boots on a Polaris Ranger side by side fall hunting in Alaska. — Sinc we don’t have wipers a squeegee comes in handy in the pouring rain.

Rear Window

Having a rear window is a must. We received our rear window before the front one, and just having the rear one cut out a ton of the wind. Without it, the cab would still be cold, and the front windshield would only cut out a fraction of the wind.

Roof

The roof we chose for our Ranger is a poly roof. It is awesome and makes a huge difference when you’re in the rain, snow, or even for keeping the sun off your head. The one downside is that you can’t stand on it. You may be wondering why you’d want to do that in the first place, but if you’re scouting trails or looking for moose, you can get a much better vantage point from the roof, which is why I would suggest upgrading and going with a steel roof. Obviously any roof is better than none, but the steel roof really can change your trip and give you a great advantage compared to the poly version.

Racks

There are many racks to choose from for the bed of your Ranger depending on what you’ll be using it for. We have a handmade one on our Ranger that works fairly well, but doesn’t fit as good as one specifically made for it would. They’re great for packing more gear and getting everything organized for your adventures.

Polaris Ranger 800 6x6 side by side with rack. — Custom rack on the Polaris Ranger 800 6×6.

Update: My husband has since made a new custom aluminum rack for our Ranger, and it works great. It’s perfect for glassing from when hunting, can hold gear and our guns, and is a great cover for the bed.

Polaris Ranger 6x6 side by side custom rack — Our new custom rack gives a great vantage point for glassing for moose when hunting.

D-Rings/Tie Downs

Aside from mounting a rack in the bed, you can also use many different accessories in the mounting holes located on the bed rail. There are different d-rings, tie downs and other attachement systems that can be mounted so you can use ratchet straps and nets to keep your cargo from falling out or moving around.

Gas Can

One handy thing to store on your Ranger rack is the flat gas can. They are convenient, easy to store, and can get you out of a bind if you run low on fuel.

Gun Boots/Racks

There are a variety of gun boots and racks you can attach to your side by side. Which one (or ones!) you pick will all depend on where you want your guns, how many you’re brining, and what kind. We have Koplin ones that we store on the back rack.

Fall moose hunting in Alaska with the Polaris Ranger side by side. — Our gun boots have held up great for many, many hunts.

Fishing Rod Holder

We often take our Ranger out when ice fishing and needed a place to store some short poles. There didn’t seem to be any specific Ranger fishing rod holder, so we took a regular Berkley rod holder and mounted it to the roof on the inside of the cab. This setup seems to work pretty well so far, and keeps the rods from getting tangeled up or broken. If you plan on bringing larger poles I’m sure you could mount a boat or truck rod holder in the back and it would do the job, but I haven’t tried that yet.

Plow

If you’re going to have a Ranger you can put it to work as well as use it for fun. One way to do this is with a plow. We have on of these on the 900 and it works great for the average snowfall. Plus, if you have an enclosed cab, along with the one of the next items on the list, you can do your winter chores and stay warm while doing it.

Winches

Two of the most important things to get you out of a tough spot are going to be your front and back winches. We have two 4,000 pound Warn winches that have been lifesavers. They can get you out of swamps, snow, and even help you gut and hang up your moose!

Warn winch on the Polaris Ranger side by side. — Warn winch on the back of the Ranger.

Heater

If you are older, tend to be cold, or like being toasty warm, a heater is a must. We don’t have one in our because we usually to wear warmer gear and stay warm with the heat of the motor most of the time, but Dad has one and loves it. It gets him out and about on days when he may otherwise have stayed in due to the cold.

Radio

Its always nice to have some tunes when you’re cruising around in your truck, and the same goes for your side by side when going on trail rides or just muddling around. We had a portable outdoor radio that we used for a few rides. It was secured in with heavy duty glue and Dual Lock, or so we thought, but after a few bumpy rides and few falls onto the floor, our portable radio was no more. Because there is really no good way to fully secure a generic portable radio in the Ranger, I would suggest getting a dash mounted one if you’re going to be using it frequently. This will ensure that you’re not spending $50 a month on ones that will just end up ruined on the first ride out.

Two Polaris Rangers at a cabin in Alaska. — A comparison of side by sides, or a side by side comparison?

Lights

One thing to consider buying for safety, and so you can get the most use out of your side by side any time of the day or year, is lights. We have RaceSport Gen 3 LED headlights, a 40″ Rigid SR2 Combo on the front, and a green 20″ Rigid Radiance bar on the back. By adding more and better lights people can see you, you can see people (and unexpected moose in the road!), and you can safely stay out long after it’s dark out.

Cover

If you don’t have a full cab, or even if you do, a cover is a great thing to get to protect your side by side and keep it in great condition. The other plus to covers is they come in camo which can keep your toys well hidden if you’re on a hunt or just checking things out off the trail.

If you plan on ordering any of these awesome items to help you enjoy your Ranger even more, check into getting an Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. This will save you tons in shipping and is really handy to have.

Hopefully this information will help you get more out of your side by side and enjoy the great outdoors. The accessories linked are not necessarily the ones that will fit your exact year, make, and model. It is harder to find accessories for the 6×6 than other side by sides, but they are definitely out there as you can see in all of our pictures. Happy riding!

Polaris Ranger side by side Alaska — Happy riding!

Valdez, Alaska: A Local’s Guide to the Sights and Wildlife

May 4, 2017 by Everyday Alaska

Fireweed in Old Town Valdez, Alaska. — Fireweed in Valdez, Alaska in all its glory.

Updated January 15, 2024.

Hi everyone, and welcome to my first blog post. I thought it might be good to tell you all a little bit about myself, and what better way to do that than to share my hometown of Valdez, Alaska with you.

I grew up in beautiful Valdez, a small town located in Southcentral Alaska, neighboring Prince William Sound. Its countless activities, including fishing, kayaking, skiing, and snowmachining, draw people from around the world, but what brings many people to Valdez is the wildlife and amazing scenery.

I’m hoping you’re reading this post because you plan on visiting Valdez (or hopefully you will be after you read this!), to take in some of those activities and snap some shots of the wildlife. If you are, you’re in luck! Below I’ve compiled a list of the best places and ways to see all Valdez has to offer, by land, air, and water.

Land

Driving

If you plan on driving to Valdez, the first major landmarks you’ll see as you get closer to town are Worthington Glacier and Thompson Pass. If you turn off to head up to the glacier, you’ll end up in a large parking area. Once in the parking lot you’ll be met with restrooms (whew, you made it to one!) and paths that meander around by the glacier where you can get amazing pictures and even dip your feet in the chilly glacier runoff. This is a great chance to get out, stretch your legs, and take in the majestic views of Worthington.

Worthington Glacier near Valdez, Alaska. — Worthington Glacier.

Chances are if you ski, snowboard, or snowmachine you’ve heard of Thompson Pass before, but if not, you should definitely check it out. There are places for you to turn off and take pictures, and you will get an amazing view of the surrounding mountains on clear days. There’s even a campground by a lake in the pass if you want to stay awhile and enjoy the view, which I recommend so you can see the beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

A sunset in Thompson pass. — Sunset in Thompson Pass on the way to Valdez, Alaska.

As you get further on, you’ll come to Keystone Canyon. You’ll have some great photo opportunities here as well. Waterfalls line both sides of the road, and there are turnouts here too, which are large enough to fit any vehicle or rv, so be sure to stop and enjoy the view.

Making a stop with our Fuzion 416 in Keystone Canyon near Valdez, Alaska. — Make time to stop in Keystone Canyon.

The next spot to check out is down Dayville Road. If anyone recommends that you go “across the bay” to see sea life, bears, or go fishing, this is what they’re talking about. This road is to your left as you are coming into Valdez, right after the weigh station. It will take you to the Alyeska Pipeline Terminal if you go all the way down the road, but you’ll want to stop before that. There is a large parking lot along the way where you can stop and check out the sea life or go fishing, and there are also spots to camp further down the road. You will often times see seals and sea lions out there feeding and can get some great pictures of them enjoying their catch. With so many fish, though, there are usually bears near by, so please be cautious.

A brown bear in Valdez, Alaska near the hatchery. — A bear hanging out after dinner across the bay.

Once you leave your new seal friends, you’ll probably be heading into town. When you get very close you’ll end up on the “duck flats”. You’ll know you’re there when you can see town, and there’s mountain on one side and water on the other. You can sometimes see bears at the base of the mountain when you’re cruising by.

Last, but not least, I suggest heading to the Valdez Small Boat Harbor. As you pull into Valdez, signs will guide you to it, and once you’re close you can’t miss it. It’s a beautiful spot to take some photos of the boats and sea otters, and just relax after your journey to Valdez.

The Valdez Harbor. — Peaceful day at the Valdez Harbor.

Air

Plane

If you end up flying into Valdez you can get some great pictures as well. During the short 45-minute flight from Anchorage to Valdez, you’ll fly over some impressive scenery and even get a glimpse at the whole town as you prepare to land.

Helicopter

Another amazing viewing opportunity is by helicopter. With Vertical Solutions Helicopters you can get aerial views of waterfalls, glaciers, sea life and more. You can even land on a glacier, get some glacier water to drink, and walk around a bit. If you’re looking for a once in a lifetime photo opportunity, this would be it!

Water

Kayak

Another way to experience the beauty of Valdez is by water. One way to do this is by kayak. If you’re feeling a little stiff after sitting awhile on your way to town, this is a good way to work your muscles and shake off the jet lag (or driving lag). Even if you have no experience kayaking this is a perfect opportunity to learn and enjoy some of the sights at the same time.

Cruise

If you’re looking for a bit more of a leisurely tour of Prince William Sound, a glacier and wildlife cruise might be right up your alley. You’ll have the opportunity to see whales, glaciers, otters, and more.

Ferry

One more way to get around the Sound is with the Alaska Marine Highway System, aka the ferry. If you plan on driving to Valdez and want to take a different way back to Anchorage, or visa versa, this is the perfect way to do it and see something a little different on the way there. You can just load up your vehicle on the ferry and be on your way to or from Whitter. From there, it’s a fairly short drive into Anchorage.

On the way to or from Valdez on the ferry, you can often see many otters, seals, and other wildlife. This is a good way to continue your trip and still get to see Prince William Sound if you’re short on time. You can even take the short jaunts over to Tatitlek or Cordova from Valdez if you want to explore some more. Another bonus of the Marine Highway System’s fleet is that they’re all fairly large and have bathrooms on board, so if you have children or just need to walk around to stretch your legs, this might be a perfect option for you.

This is just a short list of spots to check out, but there are so many more. You’ll never stop somewhere without having a beautiful view, so have your camera ready at all times. Feel free to comment or email me with any questions, or let me know about your Valdez experience. You can also join the Everyday Alaska Travel Tip, Information, and Advice group, and/or our New to Alaska Tips, Information, and Advice group to ask any questions you may have.

P.S. Just a heads up, be sure to bring extra SD cards, and have your battery charged because you’ll be snapping shots like paparazzi!

Please note that many of these places, businesses, activities, and views may vary greatly with the seasons. For any activities that require booking, I would highly recommend doing it ASAP since they tend to fill up quickly. Also, as with anything in Alaska, or any state, please be cautious of the wildlife and be sure to obey all Alaska Department of Fish and Game rules and regulations if you plan on hunting or fishing during your visit.

Fireweed blooming at Allison Point in Valdez, Alaska. — A beautiful day across the bay.

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