Sleepless in Alaska

Traveling to Alaska in summer we were prepared for one thing above all – the daylight. Knowing it does not get dark; however, is not the same as experiencing it. There is something eerie about a twilight sky at 2:30 in the morning. Plus it doesn’t help with jet lag – especially if your body, like mine, runs by the sun.

The sunset at 11:30 - even waking at 3:30 most mornings, it was never fully dark.

But the land of the never ending sun was not the only thing to screw with our sleep. So, here are the top 4 reasons I felt like I was in a country version of My Cousin Vinny.

4) The guy yelling in the RV lot the first night that he couldn’t find his car. Dude – next time don’t drink so much on the plane that you can’t read your own name on the windshield placard. This was night one and seemed to set the pace for an interrupted sleep trip.

3) The sound of trains passing and whistling in Seward in the wee hours of “my mind says get up my body says no damn way.” Having no trains in Sunnyville and being years from living in the city – this acted like an alarm. If you want to avoid this – stay outside of town, but the benefits of walking ½ mile to the main strip make losing a bit of sleep worthwhile.

2) The low battery alarm that beeps every 30 seconds when the RV battery is low… Hard to keep it charged when you’re hiking during generator hours, but this is a must unless you can sleep through the alarm clock insistence of the detector (which the girls could) or fake it until your sister gets up and turns the engine on (which I did 3 times in one night – hey, did I mention it was COLD?).

1) This is the sure to make you jump your butt out of bed and wonder if the sleeping hours of your trip are a funniest video reel – the CO2 alarm which sounds much like the school fire alarm blasting you to your feet at 1:30 am. And jump we did, though we had no idea what to do and fumbled about in the dark until we found the quiet switch and realized we had left the hot water heater on… Oops! Be sure to turn off propane operated appliances before sleeping.

So, sleep has been hard to come by, especially since things like the like the low battery alarm were a repeat activity. Happily we did not come here to sleep, but it would be nice to catch some shut eye… Maybe tonight. 

Sleepless in Alaska

Traveling to Alaska in summer we were prepared for one thing above all – the daylight. Knowing it does not get dark; however, is not the same as experiencing it. There is something eerie about a twilight sky at 2:30 in the morning. Plus it doesn’t help with jet lag – especially if your body, like mine, runs by the sun.

The sunset at 11:30 - even waking at 3:30 most mornings, it was never fully dark.

But the land of the never ending sun was not the only thing to screw with our sleep. So, here are the top 4 reasons I felt like I was in a country version of My Cousin Vinny.

4) The guy yelling in the RV lot the first night that he couldn’t find his car. Dude – next time don’t drink so much on the plane that you can’t read your own name on the windshield placard. This was night one and seemed to set the pace for an interrupted sleep trip.

3) The sound of trains passing and whistling in Seward in the wee hours of “my mind says get up my body says no damn way.” Having no trains in Sunnyville and being years from living in the city – this acted like an alarm. If you want to avoid this – stay outside of town, but the benefits of walking ½ mile to the main strip make losing a bit of sleep worthwhile.

2) The low battery alarm that beeps every 30 seconds when the RV battery is low… Hard to keep it charged when you’re hiking during generator hours, but this is a must unless you can sleep through the alarm clock insistence of the detector (which the girls could) or fake it until your sister gets up and turns the engine on (which I did 3 times in one night – hey, did I mention it was COLD?).

1) This is the sure to make you jump your butt out of bed and wonder if the sleeping hours of your trip are a funniest video reel – the CO2 alarm which sounds much like the school fire alarm blasting you to your feet at 1:30 am. And jump we did, though we had no idea what to do and fumbled about in the dark until we found the quiet switch and realized we had left the hot water heater on… Oops! Be sure to turn off propane operated appliances before sleeping.

So, sleep has been hard to come by, especially since things like the like the low battery alarm were a repeat activity. Happily we did not come here to sleep, but it would be nice to catch some shut eye… Maybe tonight. 

Travel Time - Alaska Departure

We all know that TSA screenings have made running through the airport 15 minutes before your flight depart a distant memory shared nostalgically as we wait in winding snake lines to remove our shoes and have a virtual body scan completed, but arriving three-and-a-half hours early may not be the way to go either. Especially if you know you are in for a 12+ hour day of travel without these minutes.

On the bright side, if you happen to feel a bit panicky with travel to a distant airport and you find yourself as the 2^nd person in line to check-in as the ticket counter opens, you may benefit from a free perk. Free exit row seating or free check-in of your carry-on at the counter to name a few. Yes, I may be bragging a bit here. There are other benefits to foregoing that extra hour of sleep; having the time to actually use the plush seats that are outside of the terminals while people watching is something I never before had time to do, but today this was a great way to kill an hour. 

There is a truly delightful feel to people watching arrivals in the land of the mouse. Families exit planes holding tightly to tots pulling their own travel cases likely filled with coloring books and markers as well as favorite princess dolls or superhero action figures. Their eyes become saucers as they take in the airport stores: Disney, Universal, Sea World, so much to see at once and just the slightest hint of the delights awaiting over the next few days of their vacations. Truly a great way to start any journey.

And this is exactly how we started our adventure this morning. Of course as I look down upon Glacier Bay for my first glimpse of the Northwest, I understand that I likely resemble the children I watched departing from planes at the start of this long day. I run through the trip itinerary mentally and physically – yes it is printed and plotted and I know you are likely laughing, but having a plan is vital to smooth travel when four strong ladies set off on a road trip – quickly glance around the cabin to see Oldest, Sis, and Niece, and take a moment to reflect on just how lucky I am to be having this experience. Ready or not, it’s time to see Alaska.

Camping Adventures: Ginnie Springs Campground

This private campground is the place to go for cave diving, 72 degree crystal clear springs, and river tubing. Boasting six gorgeous springs that feed into the Santa Fe River, whether you are looking for relief from the summer heat and sun or the relatively warm waters in the cool of winter, this location fits the bill.

In the warmth of summer, this is one campground I am willing to forego electricity, since even in the July heat a quick dip in a lighted spring before bed can cool you down enough to find sleep comfortable. Many is the night the teens have abandoned the fire with their snorkel gear for a 30 minute swim before heading to bed.

Swimming in springs surrounded by the lush greenery of trees and brush is a treat for this seashore family any time of day, and we take full advantage of this amenity. There is nothing quite like reaching the water after a short hike up the tubing trail and stepping into the cold water. Once your foot is immersed and your brain registers that you plan to submerge your entire body into this cool water, you will rethink just how hot you are and have an urge to continue enduring the heat. Fight it! Take the plunge, or scoot your fanny onto the tube as quickly as possible. Not being an entirely sadistic family, we opt to place little ones squarely on the lap of a tube rider to start. You can choose to paddle or snorkel the spring or opt to depart as quickly as your hands can paddle into the relatively warmer water of the Santa Fe.

The best part of tubing here is the option of starting and ending at many points in the river. Tube rides can be anywhere from over an hour to a short jump from spring to spring. On a recent trip we entered the river from the boat launch and rode it down to a spring for short jaunts before meals.

The park itself is quite wooded and shaded, though there isn't a lot of ground cover to screen between sites, especially near and on the river. There are sites that offer more privacy further from the river and these have the benefit of being a bit roomier than the typical river site. Fear not, you will not have to choose sight unseen if you are opting for a nonelectric site since there are no reservations taken. You will have the freedom to drive through the park as many times as your family wants until you find the perfect spot. We like to leave teenagers at potential sites as we continue looking to be sure we don't miss something better. What? We all contribute in our way.

Boasting clean and up to date facilities, potable water access throughout the park, free air stations to fill your own tubes and concessions that offer everything from a hot breakfast to paddle board and tube rentals plus a PADI dive center, your needs are covered. There are over 100 electric and water sites for which a reservation is recommended and wilderness sites scattered among 200 acres.

Be warned, though this park claims to be family friendly, they have practices that directly counter this goal. They do not limit the number of campers at a site and do not require site registration, nor do they limit the number of day visitors on any given day. With all of these policies in practice, this park often plays host to an unruly, loud, and overbearing crowd on the weekends. And I do not mean people hooting and hollering at their sites at 10pm. No, I am talking about waking up as a presumably intoxicated fellow makes his way up the road whooping and yelling for everyone to come out and party at 3 in the morning, waking up to the supposedly contraband fireworks at 4am, or a late night visit from a couple of girls who just want to watch the laser pointers your kids are playing with in the smoke - prompting the teens to discuss whether they were drunk, high or both not the behavior a parent really wants to march in front of teens. Of course, while the majority of the visitors do not fit this type, there are enough of this personality present to cause me to swear-off visiting here on a warm weather weekend ever again. This is truly a shame as I love this place, even at the rate of $21/adult (14 and up) per night and a distance of over 3 hours from home. But when your 21 year-old says she won't go with her college friends on the weekends because it's insane ("A sh** show" she called it) - you know there's an issue.

There is a silver lining. As raucous as the weekends can be, by noon on Sunday many of the sites are empty. The weekdays host a much more serene experience. Transformed to weekday camping it becomes the type of place where you really feel the peace and playfulness of the river whether you are watching a river otter play in its flow from your tent or floating downstream yourself.

The Camping Breakdown:
Price:    adults: 21.35 per night       kids (7-14) 6.00 per night      under 7 - free

Amenities:    Sites offer water (may be shared with nearby site) picnic tables, and grills. Updated facilities are scattered throughout park. A deli and store with equipment rental, electric sites, a basic playground, beach volleyball courts, and pavilions are all available.

Campground:   Gorgeous clear-water springs that feed into the Santa Fe River. Well treed with many shaded sites, river site, and more secluded sites available for the choosing upon arrival. Some trails are in the "outback" area that are pleasant to stroll.

Family Rating:  7 out of 10
This is a great park that will keep you and the kids entertained if you love water, but the price for families (especially with teenagers) and the chaos of weekends exposing kids to a frat house environment make it impossible to give it a higher rating.

Further Information:  http://www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com/

note: I received no benefits or money from Ginnie Springs for this evaluation. The ideas expressed here are solely mine based upon my experiences and observations.

Camping Adventures: An Introduction

Living in Sunnyville I have access to hundreds of campgrounds without ever leaving my state. This can be overwhelming when choosing a site for the next adventure. Of course, there is the fall back of returning to the same stomping grounds time and again, and while there is something to be said for returning to a favorite spot, there is much too much to see in this world for me to be satisfied with only one location.

 

So, how do I choose the next adventure? I research... I know it sounds dreadful. But it need not be.

My first choice source is Florida Camping. A long ago gift from my husband, I have poured over its pages, adding notes in the margins of places we stayed and locations we have simply driven through to get a better look. Yes, you can ask at the gate and they will allow you to drive through the grounds at most parks and facilities. This is a great way to get a feel for a location. We have spent the occasional lazy day doing this in an area, noting sites we liked and sites to avoid on possible future trips.

The guides, themselves, have a layout that sort campgrounds by region, give descriptions, and even rate the locations. They are a great source, but are only available used, as I have been unable to find an edition later than 2007.

For those that aren't inclined to research so intensely, I offer this blog and its periodic FL camping posts. My focus will be on what I know best, traveling with family. With children ranging from college to elementary school my attention is typically geared towards keeping this wide range of ages entertained at an affordable rate and with as little parental pain as possible. Posts are likely to include some interesting anecdote or another, as camping is ripe with unexpected incidents, and you can expect some outdoor friendly recipes and tips that are kid & parent friendly.

I love feedback and am open and welcoming of suggestions. Places you may have been, or places you have heard about and think would be worth exploring are just the ideas I would love to hear! Feel free to share!

Why Camp?

Gathering clothes, games, and bath supplies is a hassle - causing many people to procrastinate packing for their journeys. Then, to add tents, sleeping gear, a portable kitchen, and all the food? No wonder people don't want to camp. It's a lot of work.

Why bother when living in Sunnyville offers hotels on beaches, hotels with water parks, hotels everywhere?

There is something special about being away from screens and technology. After the tents are up, air mattresses inflated, and the kids have reorganized the tents more than once there is sweat dripping, but salvation is a few short steps away. Clad in bathing suits and toting inflatables, we answer the call of the spring. As toes first dip into the 72 degree spring, you shiver and spend an agonizing moment wanting the relief, dreading the shock of the water. As a concession, you scoot the tube as close to the steps as possible and strategically lower your fanny - jumping as the water hits your bum. Children are settled and the float begins. Mad paddling from the mouth of the spring ensues, just to reach the river where the water maintains a more bearable temperature. Gazing down into the crystal clear water, the formations of magnificent caverns are seen as well as fish and other wildlife. And here among the whoops and calls of groups floating down the river there is a peaceful steadiness that fills you.

Refreshed from a float downstream, you are ready to tackle the "kitchen" while kids snack at the tables decorated in brightly colored cloths. There is the chore of cooking over the flames, but this seems less like a chore and more an activity as the meals have been planned and the pace is slowed. There is time to sit among the trees watching the shadow patterns created by dappled sunlight decorate the world. Time to really listen to the breeze if your lucky enough to have one blow through the leaves. There is time for conversation around a campfire, time to tell funny stories or just be goofy. Sure it is hot, but there is a 72* cooling station a short walk away.

In this place of card games played at picnic tables and hikes to use the bathroom there is a simplicity that we do not find among our screens or hurried dinner conversations.

The world slows down. And we take the time to appreciate all that really matters.

So Many Travel Guides...

The internet - limitless source of information and black hole of free time. When planning a trip it is tempting to say, "Nah, I don't need to purchase a book - there are plenty of sites to use for information that are free and full of information."

While it is absolutely true that informative sites abound, (think chamber of commerce sites, state park sites, even planning sites for numerous cities & tourist locations) be warned, you will pay with your time. From one you hop to another to another until you feel you have been all over the place and have so many bookmarks you can't find the one you want.

Starting with a great website helps to keep virtual wandering at a minimum. After a few misses, Sis and I stumbled across Alaska.Org. Here we were able to click through various locations, being virtual travelers without a destination this was key to helping us choose locations we would visit based on what we wanted to see. This site contains abundant links and tips, or create your "dream trip" to save in an optional profile. There is information ranging from remote fly-in lodges to RV rentals plus "expert advice" section that gives the traveler even more background.

It was at this juncture that the RV versus hotel issue came to the forefront. Sure, hotels are easier, but what were we really traveling 4800 miles to see? The inside of the Hyatt or the natural environment? Obviously we chose the torturous adventurous route and needed to plan the road trip. This would definitely require more planning.

For travel in Alaska, there is a definitive guide, The Milepost, It was ordered post-haste and has proven to be the backbone of our detailed planning. I have personally never seen a book quite like it. For major routes and areas there are actual milepost updates that include items like, "S106.9/A20.1 Scenic viewpoint to west; popular rock climbing face..." (541). And vital information like, "Do not go out on the mud flats at low tide. The glacial silt and water can create a dangerous quicksand" (541). Seriously - there are 3 warnings of quicksand in 2 pages. Not to mention all the bear warnings... It'll be an interesting trip!

So far this book has saved a ton of money, simply by assuring us that there are bears in many places and to be very bear aware here, there, and there so we do not need to spend hundreds of dollars to fly to them. Yea, us!

I know the real test comes when we arrive and use the guide, but indications are great already. I recently met a woman from Anchorage who was sharing must-see locations, and when I checked my notes the next day, they were included in my optional stops list! So, with 2 weeks until departure I am feeling pretty confident.

If only Denali National Park didn't post an announcement of an aggressive grizzly encounter this week.