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The Ultimate List of Dog Toys and Treats

November 14, 2018 by Everyday Alaska

Chocolate Labrador Alaska puppy dog gifts — Our sweet baby enjoying the yard.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise noted. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items.

Please read all warnings, directions, and ingredients on the following products, and be sure to choose the correct size of item or treat for the size of dog you have.

If you own a dog or know someone who does, you know how much us dog parents love to spoil our pups. Toys and treats and more toys and treats until we don’t know where to put them and our dogs don’t know what to do with all of them. But what are the best toys and treats to get our dogs? Check out the list below to find out!

The Necessities

Dog Bowls

This adjustable height feeder is awesome, especially if you have a growing puppy. You don’t need to go through a variety of bowls to adjust to their height, the bowls come out so they are easy to clean, and its lightweight and collapsible so you can easily take it with you.

Leash

We got this this leash for our pup and I really like it. It’s sturdy, the right length, and a nice color.

Collar

Weather you want a studded leather collar, hot pink collar, or a camo collar, the important thing is to make sure your dog has a Collar and tags, not only so you can go for walks and adventures, but so if your furry friend goes to explore without you he or she will be able to be identified and get home safely. We got a collar that matches the Carhartt leash he has, and it works very well.

Harness

This harness is amazing. It’s so easy to put on our pup, and he really seems to be comfortable in it. It comes in a variety of colors, and fits securely so I’m always confident that our dog will not slip out of it, and it will keep him safe.

Bag Holder and Bags

Being a good dog owner means being a good neighbor, too. That includes getting a bag holder and some doggy doo bags to clean up after your furry family. This bag holder is very convenient since its large enough for the bags and Trapper’s medicine incase he gets a bug bite, and some bandages incase he gets any cuts on his feet. It’s always good to be prepared! You can fill it with some of these poop bags that make clean up super easy and are entertaining to boot!

Bed

If you’re a dog lover, you probably agree that you dog’s bed should be as comfy, if not more, than your own. Well this Furhaven bed is. We’ve had Trapper’s bed over two years now and it has held up so well. It’s easy to wash, looks great, and is very comfortable. (I believe the link to the bed is the exact one our pup has, but if not it is very similar to it!)

Toys

Puppy Binkie

This KONG binkie is adorable and keeps your pup occupied and away from chewing on your shoes, clothes, or anything else. Fill it with this yummy treat, and your dog will be thrilled! Just make sure you get the right size of toy to match the size of your furry friend.

Balls

Our little (now big!) guy LOVES playing fetch, and any ball with little nubs on it seemed to be his favorite when he was a baby puppy, but now he’s all about the tennis ball. My husband had the great idea of buying them in bulk, so there’s never a place we go where we don’t have a ball already there, and if he loses a couple it’s not an “emergency”! We got a large box of them at Walmart, I believe, but you can also buy them in bulk on Amazon.

For outdoor play, this ball is so fun as well. It’s easy to throw and easy for your dog to pick up. Plus, they come in a variety of sizes and colors, which makes it even more fun.

Dog in snow playing fetch with a tennis ball. — Waiting patiently for his favorite game to continue!

Chew Toys

If you have an aggressive chewer like we do, I’m sure you’ve tried many toys to find one they can’t tear apart. Here are some we’ve had good luck with, and some for less aggressive chewers as well. Just watch your feet, as some of these get pointy edges as they get used more and hurt more than Legos to step on!

Trapper has really enjoyed his Benebone, and we have had zero problems with him chewing any pieces off of it. Plus, its easy for him to hold.

This Everlasting Treat Ball is amazing! It will keep your dog happy and busy for hours, and it has a refillable treat area so you only need to buy one and just refill it. Before you purchase, just make sure you’re getting the right size treat to match the ball you chose.

This Nylabone is wonderful if you have a furry family member that is not so intense with his or her chewing. And if your pup is teething, just stick it in the freezer and its even more wonderful!

West Paw Toys

Trapper’s grandma and grandpa got him hooked on West Paw toys. They are sturdy, Made in America, and he LOVES them. We have the Hurley bone, a frisbee, and stuffed toys (like the bison below!) from them that he has really been enjoying.

Treats

We feed our pup Wet Noses crunchy treats, Greenies, Kong filled treats, and whatever we see at PetCo that we think he’d like!

The Extras

Dog Tent

We bring this with camping and then he has somewhere comfortable and shaded to lay on. Plus, it looks too cute when he’s sleeping in his little tent!

Dog Pool

We get our pup a kiddie pool to splash around in the summer. He loves it, and it helps him chill out in the summer. Check out this post to see what we use to keep our dog cool in the summer!

Chocolate lab playing in a pool — Trapper enjoying his favorite summer activity!

Hopefully this list has give you some great ideas to help you spoil your furry friend. From bones to binkies and much more, these items will be sure to get tail wags out of any pup.

25 Under $25: Items Made in the USA for the Outdoor Enthusiast

July 15, 2018 by Everyday Alaska

It seems like it can be pretty hard these days to find anything made in America, but if you really check around and research a bit you can find some great deals on American made items. To make it a little easier and cut out the work of researching, I’ve compiled a list for you of outdoor use items that are made in the USA and under $25! These all make great gifts for yourself or others, and you’ll be supporting American made products as well!

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.

Valdez Alaska Ferry American Flag — Leaving Valdez, Alaska on the ferry.

1. Tervis Tumbler: Have no fear when your Tervis is near! It’ll keep your drinks nice and warm on those cool days outdoors.

2. Liberty Bottleworks Water Bottle: Looking for a sturdy water bottle to keep you water cool while hiking? Look no further than Liberty Bottleworks! Their great designs add to their already awesome product.

3. Nalgene Water Bottle: Go for a classic with this American made Nalgene bottle. It’ll hold a ton and last a lifetime!

4. Lodge Cookware: Love cooking at home or around the campfire? Start your collection of Lodge cast iron cookware, and enjoy it for years to come!

5. Ball Mason Jars: Plan on making some delicious jam with the berries you picked, or canning some of the harvest from your garden? Buy some Ball Mason Jars and enjoy your harvest year-round.

6. Rite in the Rain Notebook: Whether you’re playing tic-tac-toe while camping, or keeping a journal of your adventures, a Rite in the Rain waterproof notebook can come in handy when the weather is a little soppy.

7. Thermarest Travel Pillow: Lightweight, compact, and comfortable. Three great qualities for camping and hunting gear to have, especially when it comes to your pillow. And its made in the USA!

8. Marshmallow Roasting Sticks: No trip in the great outdoors in complete without s’mores! Make sure you have all you need for them, including the sticks, for your next camping trip.

9. Heather’s Choice Packaroons: Looking for a packable snack to enjoy on your next hike? Give Packaroons a try! What are Packaroons? Click here to find out!

10. Pelican Waterproof Case: Don’t let a waterlogged phone ruin your next outing! Grab a Pelican case and protect your phone, wallet, and other valuables from the elements while you’re out and about.

11. Loksak Waterproof Bags: Another way to keep your valuables dry is an American made Loksak.

12. Alaska Game Bags: These game bags will help keep your harvest clean and safe while bringing the meat in from your hunting site.

13. Shoot-N-C Targets: Great for getting in some target practice and making sure you’re all sighted in. You can get a lot of use out of one target by using the adhesive dots that come with the targets, and its great to get feedback on exactly where you’re hitting.

14. LimbSaver Rifle Sling: You always need a good, comfortable sling, why not buy one that’s made in the USA!?

15. Plano Tackle Box: Organize all of your fishing gear in American made Plano tackle boxes. With a variety of sizes and storage options, Plano has a tackle box for every fishing adventure.

16. Flambeau Tackle Box: Another option for tackle boxes made in the USA is Flambeau.

17. Neck Gaiter: Keep the suns rays off your face and neck, and stay away from a harmful sunburn with a neck gaiter. You can get a variety of colors and patterns, and it’ll help you stay comfortable while fishing or boating.

18. Hot Hands: Hot Hands warmers are great for venturing out when the weather gets a little nippy. They’ll keep you toasty warm and comfortable so you can enjoy being outside longer.

My go-to item for staying warm in the outdoors.

19. Paracord: Paracord is a great thing to have in any outdoor kit. You can use it as a makeshift shoelace, a sling, to build a shelter, and more!

20. Buck Knives: You’ll need something to cut that paracord with, so make sure you’ve to a good knife with you.

21. Gerber Knives: Another great option for a knife made in the USA is Gerber. You can never have too many knives!

22. DMT Knife Sharpener: A dull knife doesn’t do anyone any good. Keep your knife nice and sharp with a DMT sharpener.

23. Smartwool Socks: You need socks for basically every outdoor activity, so you might as well have cute, comfortable, American made socks! Probably over half of my socks are Smartwool, and I love them.

24. Darn Tough Socks: Another great sock option is Darn Tough. They have a variety of styles and patterns to choose from to fit every activity.

25. Carhartt Hats: There are many American made Carhartt items, and one of my favorites is their hats. I wear their beanie all winter long. It’s comfortable, warm, and has multiple colors to choose from. I highly recommend checking out Carhartt!

Hopefully you’ve found this list useful and discovered some new American made products you didn’t know about before for yourself or for gifts. Thank you for reading and for buying American made! 🙂

Check out this link for Rakuten to get money back on your purchases and earn a bonus for joining. Also, don’t forget to sign up for the Amazon Prime free trial offer for 30 days of FREE Prime!

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.

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!

Alaska’s Best Bites: Firehouse BBQ

June 21, 2018 by Everyday Alaska

Firehouse BBQ soldotna Alaska kenai peninsula food — My favorite menu item at Firehouse BBQ, the Big T.

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

Unfortunately Firehouse BBQ has closed, but Blackjaxx barbecue in Soldotna is open in the summers, serving up some delicious bites! They can be reached at (907) 262-2255. I highly recommend the one meat sandwich plate with brisket, coleslaw, and potato salad. My husband always gets the ribs and barbecue beans. Anything you get there is sure to be tasty. Pro tip: call in your order before to be sure you get what you want before it’s sold out!

I. Love. BBQ. Everywhere I go I seem to gravitate towards any place with pulled pork, brisket, delicious bbq sauce, and scrumptious sides. One of those places is Firehouse BBQ in Soldotna, Alaska. They are definitely in the top three BBQ spots I’ve ever been to, and by far the best on the Kenai Peninsula. Wondering why it’s so good and what you should have at this awesome establishment? Keep on reading to find out!

10 Great Children’s Books with Alaskan Authors or Illustrators

June 16, 2018 by Everyday Alaska

Please note that this post contains affiliate links which I may earn commission from. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please follow the instructions on all of the recommended items. All of the information provided is my personal opinion, unless otherwise cited or noted.

Being surrounded by beautiful landscapes, majestic wildlife, and great people has inspired many Alaskan authors and illustrators to mesh their talents and surroundings together to make some incredible children’s books. From toddler board books, to educational Alaskan books, and everything in between, there is a little something for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re five, or a little over eighty-five, you’re never too old to read a good kid’s book, and I’m sure this list has something you’ll enjoy!

1. Mama, Do You Love Me?

This is probably one of my favorite kid’s books of all time. It’s simple, sweet, and the Alaska themed illustrations are incredible. This is a must have for the start of your kiddo’s book collection.

2. Quilt of Dreams

This heartwarming about a girl, her mom, and her grandma’s legacy is a great read for younger girls to enjoy.

3. Alaska ABC Book

This is a great book to have around to help little guys learn their ABCs and also point out pictures of many different Alaskan animals.

4. The Eyes of Gray Wolf

While reading this book, kids will get to see what life is like for a wolf in the wild and see some amazing illustrations. This one is more for the elementary school aged child.

5. The Alaska Mother Goose

This book of Alaska themed nursery rhymes is sure to entertain any toddler with its whitty poems and cheery pictures.

6. Alaska’s Dog Heroes

If you have any dog lovers in your house, this book is for them! These true stories about incredible Alaskan pups will captivate the interest of any kiddo with a love for dogs, Alaska, and adventure.

7. Alaska’s Little Chief

I only recently discovered this book, and I have to say it’s now up there on my favorites list. This story tells about real life struggles and traditions of Alaskan, David Solmon, and includes a letter from him at the end of the story.

8. Danger the Dog Yard Cat

One for dog and cat lovers alike, this tail (pun intended!) by Iditarod winner Libby Riddles will surely put a smile on your kiddos face.

9. Blueberry Shoe

Who would have every thought a book about a shoe could be so charming and fun!? Check out this read about the adventures of a shoe in the Alaskan wilderness.

10. I Would Tuck You In

Toddlers will love this story of the love between mommas and babies, as illustrated by adorable Alaskan animals.

I truly hope you and your family enjoy these timeless Alaskan tales. Happy reading!

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!

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