Alaska

5 Remedies for Mosquito Bite Relief

July 7, 2018 by Everyday Alaska

Buzzzzzzzz. Buzzzz. Buzzz. Buzzzzzzzz. The dreaded song of the mosquito plays right by your ear and then silence. You look around for the annoying little fella, and there he is on your arm, having himself a blood buffet. If you’re like me, two seconds later your arm is swollen up like ballon, and then the itching begins. Have no fear, though, with the mosquitoes love for me and my hatred for them, I’ve had plenty of mosquito bite experiences and am going to share my remedies for mosquito bite relief with you!

Mosquito bite remedies alaska — The dreaded mosquito looking for a snack.

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1. The Pink Lotion

When the mosquitos attack, reach for the pink lotion, aka calamine lotion. It is basically just a watered down lotion that happens to be pink and is medicated to quickly stop itching. You can get it pretty much anywhere, it’s inexpensive, and works great.

2. Aveeno Lotion

This is more or less the same as option one, just with a brand name if you are more comfortable with that. This lotion can treat a variety of issues from chicken pox rash to poison ivy, along with the insect bite relief.

3. After Bite

After Bite has been the mosquito bite cure of choice since I was a two feet tall. Its convient marker-like shape is great for camping and other travel. It applies quickly, easily, and with only a minor sting which is well worth the instantaneous itch relief.

Bug and mosquito bites on legs mosquito bite relief Alaska — Just a few bug bites…..

4. Ice

If you don’t have any of the above items and are in need of some mosquito bite relief, try icing the bite. There’s a good chance you have some ice in your freezer at home or cooler if your camping, and this will help a great deal. You just wrap it in a cloth and put it on the bite. This will help relieve some of the itching for while. If you happen to have ice packs around, those would work great, too!

5. Avoid the Bites

The best mosquito bite remedy is to avoid the bites altogether. Some things I suggest are Ben’s bug dope, a Thermacell, coils, or if you’re really serious about getting rid of those pests, a propane mosquito vacuum. You can even get a bug zapper and go crazy with that! There are also a few natural mosquito deterrents out there. I have yet to try those, but I’ll keep you posted if I give them a try!

6 Ways to Save Money on Your Alaskan Vacation

June 7, 2018 by Everyday Alaska

Homer Alaska fishing mountains town road trip — A pit stop on the outskirts of Homer, Alaska.

Updated March 6, 2023.

For many people, visiting Alaska is a once in a lifetime experience. It takes time to save up and plan for such a big trip, but there are things can help you save money on your Alaskan adventure. The list below will help you get the most out of your vacation, while helping you stay within your travel budget.

1. Northern Lights Coupon Book

The Northen Lights Coupon Book can save you a ton of food, activities, and lodging. There are hundreds of coupons that you can use in places all over the state, and they are organized so you can find them by place and category. You can find coupons for dining, camper parks, museums and more in this money saving book.

2. Peninsula Coupon Club

If you plan on visiting Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, be sure to download the Peninsula Coupon Club app. It offers discounts at a variety of places, including some of the best places to eat in Soldotna.

3. Discounts

Whether you are booking a fishing trip, tour, or planning to use the train or ferry to see all there is of Alaska, be sure to always ask if there is a military, senior, Good Sam, or AAA discount. Even if you don’t see any discounts advertised, it pays to ask since the majority of places offer one of the above discounts. This can really add up to some substantial savings.

Fishing on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula is one of the many things you may get discounts on.

4. Sharing is Saving

Since everything is bigger in Alaska (we are the largest state after all 🙂 ), you can expect that our meals are large, too. At many restaurants, the portions for entrees are large enough that you can share them between two adults, have an appetizer beforehand, and be full until your next meal. Sharing an entree can really cut down your food budget and leave more money for you to go on a tour, or buy some great souvenirs.

5. The “Off” Season

Summertime in Alaska is busy! The weather is nice, there’s tons to see, and visitors from all over the world flock to our beautiful state. But, have you ever thought about visiting during the “off” season? There’s so much to do in Alaska year round that there really is no “off” season in my opinion, so if you come during fall or winter, you’ll still see many beautiful sights, participate in unique activities (check out my Winter Bucket List here), and maybe even see the Northern Lights! Plus, you’ll be saving money on lodging, flights, and more by traveling during this time.

6. Flights

Using Alaska Airlines miles for your flight to the 49th State is a great way to save money. My husband and I both have the Alaska Airlines credit card, so we received bonus miles for signing up, earn miles for purchases, and each get a discounted companion ticket annually. There is a yearly fee for this card, and you should only use this tip to save money on your Alaskan vacation if you can pay your card off before you get charged interest!

Hopefully these tips help you save money, enjoy your vacation to the fullest, and help you leave some extra cash in your travel budget! Have questions about traveling to Alaska? Leave them in the comments below and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

5 Reasons You Need to Visit Alaska this Summer

May 27, 2018 by Everyday Alaska

Fireweed in Sterling Alaska wildflower Kenai Peninsula — Fireweed blooming in Sterling, Alaska.

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

Now you probably don’t need any more reasons to visit Alaska than you already have, but just incase you need that extra boost to book your tickets and come on up, here are five reasons you should visit Alaska this summer!

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!

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!

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