Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Last Frontier Podcast
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working For The National Park | 19 Jan 2025 | 00:53:21 | |
There are all sorts of fun jobs one can do working for the National Park System. Today, we are excited to bring back Andrew's wife Cara on the program to talk through her first summer working for Kenai Fjords National Park. As the logistical coordinator for several research trips into the park, join us today as Cara teaches us the ins and outs of working in some of the most remote places Alaska has to offer. What do researchers call bald eagles? What are CMTs? And why was Cara looking for poop?! It's the episode Cara finally listened to! | |||
| Wildlife Spotlight: The Walrus | 05 Jan 2025 | 00:55:34 | |
The walrus came up in a recent episode of our podcast and we felt it was time to give these incredible creatures their due with their very own wildlife spotlight. Join us on today's episode as we learn all about the largest member of the seal family. How long has the walrus been on the planet? What's the status of the Alaska Sea Life Center's latest walrus rescue? And what the heck is an oosik?! It's the episode you'll need a dictionary for! | |||
| Winter Solstice | 22 Dec 2024 | 00:53:49 | |
The winter solstice seems to have more meaning the higher in latitude you travel on the globe. With this episode dropping the weekend of winter solstice, we explore the significance of the winter solstice in the Last Frontier. Join us as we discuss how the solstice has been celebrated historically by Alaska Natives to ways you can enjoy the winter solstice today. How much sunlight do various parts of Alaska receive on the winter solstice? What symbolism does the winter solstice take on in the Last Frontier? And how is Andrew's spiritual transformation affected by his Dungeons & Dragons character?! It's the episode you'll listen to in your sweat pants! | |||
| Alaska Railroad | 08 Dec 2024 | 01:04:19 | |
We recently found a beer named for the Alaska Railroad to review on the podcast and thought, that would be a good topic to discuss. Join us as we navigate the history of the Alaska Railroad Corporation leading up to the trips they offer passengers today as a unique way to travel in the Last Frontier. Why is the Alaska Railroad considered the backbone of the Last Frontier? Which president drove in the final golden spike? And how can passengers utilize the train today?! It's the episode you'll whistle for! | |||
| Alaska Migrations | 24 Nov 2024 | 01:06:09 | |
With the days around Thanksgiving boasting the three most traveled days of the year in the United States, Andrew and Danny thought a great Thanksgiving tie in episode would be to learn about the great Alaska migrations. Alaska is home to the largest migrations in the world by land, air, and sea! Join us as we delve into what animals make such incredible journeys that would make your Thanksgiving travel plans look like a cake walk. What animal boasts the longest migration in the world? How far will caribou walk in their life time? And what animal doesn't need GPS to find their way home?! It's the episode you'll listen to on your Thanksgiving road trip! | |||
| Andrew's Alaskan Adventure | 10 Nov 2024 | 00:57:33 | |
Andrew's maritime career took a wild turn recently as an international expedition cruise ship company short on Alaskan seamen called up Andrew from the bullpen. In a few short days, Andrew flew down to Seattle, back to Anchorage and then out to Nome, Alaska to embark on an Alaskan adventure that would take him a dozen places over in the Last Frontier he hadn't laid eyes on before. Listen in as we put Andrew on the hot seat to share his experience sailing the seas of Alaska. | |||
| Life Cycle of a Salmon - Part Two: Return of the Poop Cloud | 27 Oct 2024 | 01:02:41 | |
Our schools of red and silver salmon fared quite well in Part One of our two part mini D&D series chronicling the life cycle of a salmon. But that's all about to change. The most treacherous part of our journey, the swim upstream, is not for the faint of heart. Join us as we brave the return waters of our natal stream. How many salmon can a brown bear eat? What percentage of salmon make it back home to spawn? And how does the poop cloud fare against an ancient white dragon?! It's the episode that's been universally heralded as a critical hit! | |||
| The D&D Style Life Cycle of a Salmon - Part One | 13 Oct 2024 | 01:05:47 | |
Last Halloween, we introduced another nerd component from our lives to this podcast with our first annual Halloween themed Dungeons & Dragons episode. And while last year was fun in discussing the intersects between Alaska and the fantasmic realms, on today's episode we get out our dice set and play. Join us on this two-part adventure where we play out the life cycle of a school of salmon to see how many, if any, of our redd will survive long enough to spawn. Can fantasy salmon talk? Is it okay for red and silver salmon to mingle? And how effective is a poop cloud as a defense strategy against a harbor seal?! It's the episode you'll listen to in a bourbon barrel! | |||
| Opposite Perspective | 29 Sep 2024 | 00:58:58 | |
Coming to Alaska for the first time can be a jaw dropping experience. Huge snow capped mountains that shoot straight into the ocean, giant brown bears in front of a waterfall snatching up salmon as they travel upstream, or a dozen humpback whales surfacing at the same time feeding on a school of herring. It's always fun to witness that experience for a traveler, but what about the opposite perspective? On today's episode, friend of the pod Jared joins the program to discuss his experiences growing up in the state of Alaska and the stand out moments of his life when he traveled outside the state. What wildlife outside of Alaska really stood out? What city makes one realize Anchorage wasn't the "big city"? And what part of the country makes an Alaska feel like they are in a whole new world?! It's the episode that'll make you appreciate where you come from! | |||
| NOLS Alaska | 15 Sep 2024 | 00:55:15 | |
Back in 2012, one of your podcast hosts journeyed to Alaska for the first time to take part in an Outdoor Educator course put on by the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). He moved to Alaska the following summer. NOLS is an organization that teaches courses all around the world and they have a base located right here in the Last Frontier. On today's episode, we invite NOLS instructor Liz Rasmussen on the program to discuss her experience working for NOLS. What types of skills does one learn on a NOLS course? Who can sign up to take a course? And what type of French cuisine is made in the backcountry?! It's the episode perfect for listening to while enjoying a lazy river! | |||
| Alaska Boundary Dispute | 01 Sep 2024 | 00:50:16 | |
As remote as it is, the panhandle of Alaska has an interesting history of border disputes. The most recent iteration of this conflict involved the United States and Canada and on today's episode, we go through the history that settled the land border dispute between these two nations and discuss why the maritime border dispute still exists today. How do you define the western boundary of southeast Alaska? Why did a bunch of Canadian fishing boats blockade an Alaskan state ferry? And what's the next greatest reality TV show idea to involve Alaska?! It's the episode that'll have you enlisting for the next great Salmon Wars! | |||
| Alaska Mascots Part 3: The WNBA | 18 Aug 2024 | 01:12:10 | |
Changing sports team mascots is a favorite annual past time of ours on the Last Frontier Podcast and this year we are delving into the WNBA. Rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have put the WNBA in a new spotlight and we want to add our little northern light to the league. Join us and friend of the pod Jared as we modify the mascots of the 12 WNBA teams to make them Alaskan themed and learn the stories behind the meanings of our choices. What is the tallest building in Alaska? Would you take a shot of whiskey with a human toe in it? And why would someone throw an octopus at a hockey game?! It's the episode you'll vote MVP (Most Valuable Pod)! | |||
| Summer Olympic Medalists | 04 Aug 2024 | 00:48:08 | |
This episode drops in the midst of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France which got us thinking, how many Olympic medal winners called Alaska home at some point in their lives? We've done the research and use our time this episode to go through all the Olympic medalists from the Last Frontier. We recorded this episode before the Olympics began, and so we want to give a special shoutout here to Alev Kelter who won the bronze medal as part of the women's Rugby Sevens Team and Kristen Faulkner who took home the gold medal in the Cycling Road Race! What sport represents a large percentage of these medals? Which athlete was almost derailed by screwdriver sabotage? And why was winning a bronze medal a huge disappointment?! It's the episode we recorded in our Speedos! | |||
| Wildlife Spotlight: The Brown Bear | 21 Jul 2024 | 00:52:27 | |
There are three bear species that reside in North America and Alaska is home to all three of them. The polar bear and black bear are incredible sights to see, but on today's wildlife spotlight episode, we tackle the brown bear! Join us as we delve into what makes the brown bear such a special part of the Last Frontier. What are the three subspecies of the brown bear? How many reside in Alaska? And what type of brown bear gets the most hangry?! It's the episode you'll want to catch a fish after! | |||
| The Odd and Weird Laws of Alaska | 07 Jul 2024 | 00:51:39 | |
Every state in the union has some head scratching legislation and Alaska is no different. On today's episode, we delve into all the weird laws that are on the books in the Last Frontier. Could your child get thrown in jail for building a snowman? Does Juneau have a healthy kangaroo population? And how the heck do you stop moose sex in Fairbanks?! It's the episode you don't want to blast too loud in Fairbanks! | |||
| Antarctica: Alaska's Alaska | 23 Jun 2024 | 01:09:12 | |
Antarctica has several nicknames including the research continent, the ice and even Alaska's Alaska. On today's episode, we delve into another part of the globe that is home to the midnight sun. Friend of the pod Zeke Churchill is back on the program to share his experience of spending the austral summer working in Antartica and how it compares and contrasts to the Last Frontier. What does the name Antarctica mean? Why has beer never been brewed on the continent? And why did Zeke wear a suit for his job?! It's the episode that has way too many references to exotic dancers! | |||
| Alaskan Brewery Spotlight: Stoney Creek Brewhouse | 09 Jun 2024 | 01:12:53 | |
With the first half of every episode dedicated to reviewing an Alaskan craft beer as a way to support our local Alaskan breweries, it's about time we invited a brew master on the podcast. On today's episode, we chat with Greg Haas who is the owner of Stoney Creek Brewhouse in Seward, Alaska to get his insights on what it means to brew beer in the Last Frontier. What is the craft beer scene like in Alaska? How does community play a role in making a good beer. And does Greg prefer to go by Brew Fella, Brew Master or Brew God?! It's the episode we got free beer for! | |||
| Fire on the Frontier | 26 May 2024 | 01:06:07 | |
In 2019, we had to cut our summer season short due to the forest fires that wreaked havoc on the Kenai Peninsula. Living in a temperate rainforest climate, it's easy to forget that Alaska is prime real estate for forest fires to burn hundreds of thousands to millions of acres each summer. On today's episode, we invite Lily Coyle, a public information officer with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Fire Protection, on the podcast to discuss fighting forest fires in the state of Alaska. How are fires in Alaska started? What steps can you take to prevent human caused fires? And will a root beer step up to the plate and score as high as a beer?! It's the episode that's a smokin' good time! | |||
| Alaska Travel 301: Month By Month Travel Guide | 12 May 2024 | 01:11:06 | |
Which month is the best month of the year to visit Alaska? The answer depends on what you want to see and do and while Alaska is known for its summer tourism season, the fall, winter and springs months all have plenty to offer anyone willing to visit the Last Frontier. On today's episode, we go through the calendar month by month to share some of the bigger events happening in Alaska as well as our own personal anecdotes to what we like and don't like about that specific time of year. When do Alaskans chuck vehicles off a cliff? What the heck is an outhouse race? And what month is the best month to visit the Nordic Spa?! It's the episode that will give you that spoiler...its every month! | |||
| 100th Episode! American Bald Eagle Wildlife Spotlight | 28 Apr 2024 | 00:46:05 | |
We've hit triple digits ladies and gentlemen! 100 episodes made and for this special occasion, we make sure to let the whole world know that bald is beautiful. On today's wildlife spotlight episode, we highlight the American Bald Eagle in all its glory and tell you all the incredible things that make this bird the best in the business. What nickname will our fans now go by? How can a brewery impress us before we even pop open the can? And what is an acceptable word to say when you first spot a bald eagle? It's the episode that'll have you shouting FREEDOM! | |||
| Raising Eaglets in the Last Frontier | 14 Apr 2024 | 01:19:28 | |
There is a new eaglet in the Last Frontier Podcast family. With this being the first episode recorded since Baby Taco joined the nest, what better topic could there be than raising kids in Alaska. Friend of the pod Jared was raised in Alaska and has a 12 year old daughter himself so he joins the program to share his insights on what makes Alaska such a unique place to raise a family. How early can you get those kiddos on an adventure? What unique lessons does the Alaska setting help teach your kids? And how did Baby Taco get her name?! It's the episode you might hear some crying in the background! | |||
| The Cold War | 31 Mar 2024 | 00:57:05 | |
We recently did a four part mini-series on the Russian impact on the Last Frontier and this episode kinda serves as your post credits scene to that movie. A century after Russia sold Alaska to the United States, this land would serve as a buffer and play an integral role in the period of time known as the Cold War. On today's episode, we throw in an epilogue to our Russian mini-series and go through everything that happened in Alaska during the Cold War. Why was the North Pole strategic during the Cold War? How did the Cold War strategies evolve in Alaska over the decades? And which podcast host would you rather have save your life?! It's the episode we hope won't go obsolete! | |||
| Alaska March Madness | 17 Mar 2024 | 01:16:43 | |
It's been a full two years since we did a Hawaiian mini-series and went through a March Madness style bracket to determine our favorite Hawaiian adventures. And for fans of the pod who have been begging that we do a similar episode for Alaska, you are in luck as this is that episode! Friend of the pod Zeke returns to assist us in determining what Alaskan adventure will make it through a Last Frontier style themed bracket to be crowned our favorite Alaskan experience as we celebrate the kickoff to March Madness. How long would it take to paddle around a cruise ship? Will Andrew choose bears over his wife? And where can you definitely NOT see an orca from?! It's the episode that will bust your bracket! | |||
| Current Russian Influences in The Last Frontier | 03 Mar 2024 | 00:47:18 | |
From church to beer, the Russian legacy in Alaska has had a lasting impact on the Last Frontier. On the final episode of our Russian mini-series, we explore the many different ways the Russian settlement of Alaska can still be felt today. What state holidays do Alaskans celebrate as a result of the Alaska purchase? How did the Russian orthodox church spread to Alaska? And what exactly is a Russian Imperial Stout?! It's the episode you'll eat with a delicious piroshki! | |||
| Russian Fur Trade | 18 Feb 2024 | 00:55:15 | |
The first major economic industry in Alaska was the Russian Fur Trade. On the third episode of our Russian mini-series, we delve into the entire history of the Russian Fur Trade beginning with the first several years after the Vitus Bering expedition all the way until Russia decided to sell Alaska to the United States. Who were the major players in the Russian Fur Trade? How much money could be made or lost? And how the heck was Hawai'i involved with the Russians?! It's the episode that will keep you warm and looking stylish! | |||
| Steller Wildlife Spotlight | 04 Feb 2024 | 01:00:40 | |
Georg Steller was the first naturalist to document the plant and animal life in Alaska while on the 1741 Vitus Bering expedition. His work was so detailed and impressive that as a result, there are six creatures which bear the name Steller today. On today's episode, we discuss those six animals which include one extinct species and one creature that falls under the cryptozoology mythology. What was the first marine mammal in history to become extinct as a direct result of human interaction? What creature puts the California sea lion to shame? And say it ain't so...is there truly an eagle out there that is larger than the American Bald Eagle?! It's the episode you'll truly think is stellar! | |||
| The Vitus Bering Expedition of 1741 | 21 Jan 2024 | 00:54:47 | |
As things slow down in Alaska during the winter months, that gives us more time to delve into topics that require a little bit more research and so we have decided to use this time to do a Russian mini-series on the podcast. The next four episodes will revolve around the various impacts Russian exploration had on the history of Alaska. Today's episode will focus the first well documented expedition to the Alaskan shores...the Vitus Bering Expedition of 1741. Join us as we embark on an epic story containing exploration, discovery, death, survival and yes, even a ship wreck. How did they know they landed on the American continent? How do you get an island named after you? And what's the most pirate word out there?! It's the episode that'll have you eating your Vitamin C! | |||
| Professional Sea Kayak Guide Spotlight: Gabby Brown | 07 Jan 2024 | 00:42:39 | |
In the early COVID bubble days of The Last Frontier Podcast we interviewed several fellow sea kayak guides to put a spotlight on the professional outdoor world of Alaska. Our podcast as evolved over the years, but we wanted to get back to our roots for this episode. It's rare for an Alaskan summer seasonal guide to stick around for the winter, but another member of the Sunny Cove Kayaking crew decided to give it a go and so we have brought Gabby Brown on the program to highlight her story of working in the Last Frontier. What new beer terms did we learn this episode? What makes someone want to brave an Alaskan winter? And what shocking footwear does Gabby like to guide in?! It's the episode that will get your feet numb! | |||
| Choose Your Alaskan Adventure Christmas Gift | 24 Dec 2023 | 00:56:44 | |
This episode drops Christmas Eve and we at the Last Frontier Podcast are in the gifting spirit. Up in Alaska, we often prefer our gifts to be of the experiential kind and so friend of the pod Russ stops by to guest co-host with Danny and we've each developed a 4 day adventure that we are potentially gifting to the other. We outline the parameters and explain the trip in detail and your job as the listener is to vote on one of our social medias which trip you prefer. Which adventure should we embark on? Should we take the cross state adventure with several tourist fan favorite spots? Or should we settle in one place for a more intimate back country experience? It's the choose your own adventure episode where you the listener does the choosing! | |||
| Last Frontier Myth Busters | 10 Dec 2023 | 00:47:06 | |
There are quite a few misconceptions out there about what Alaska is all about. And because there are also a lot of misconceptions out there about being bald, your beautiful bald eagle hosts are just the experts to tackle any and all fake news about the Last Frontier. So buckle up as we put on our myth busting hats and share with you the real and true insights about the great state of Alaska. | |||
| Thanksgiving Dishes From The Last Frontier | 27 Nov 2023 | 00:40:29 | |
Happy Thanksgiving from the Last Frontier! Everybody has their own spin on how they prepare their Thanksgiving feast and Alaska is no different. On today's episode, we travel throughout the many different geographical parts of the state to see what unique Thanksgiving dishes each area of Alaska comes up with. What types of birds replace the traditional turkey? Would you rather eat polar bear or walrus stew? And what type of dessert is made using reindeer fat?! It's the episode you'll fall asleep to after your Thanksgiving meal food coma sets in. | |||
| Alaska Mascots Part 2: The NBA | 12 Nov 2023 | 01:11:25 | |
Last year to help celebrate Thanksgiving football, friend of the pod Jared Fink joined the program and we changed all the NFL mascots to make them Alaskan themed. Well, the people have spoken. After receiving millions upon millions of letters in the mail begging for us to do another mascot episode, the bald eagles have listened. NBA season recently kicked off and Jared is back as we delve into all the NBA mascots and transform them into their Last Frontier counterparts. What type of net is shaped like a basket? What Alaskan pant made the list? And who is going to name Danny's baby?! It's the episode that'll have you chanting, "Let's go folk!" | |||
| Dungeons & Dragons in the Last Frontier | 29 Oct 2023 | 01:42:05 | |
We've teased it long enough! The Last Frontier Podcast is on full nerd alert as the Dungeon Master himself Jared Fink rejoins the program as we finally do a deep dive into the world of Dungeons & Dragons. On today's episode, we put an Alaskan spin on the D&D realm by identifying 12 iconic groups of Alaska people and we discuss where they would fit if they were part of the D&D universe. Ales were drunk, dice were rolled and rabbit holes were followed as we proudly or embarrassingly release our longest episode on record. Who are the wizards of Alaska? Which Alaskan industry would you find a bunch of necromancers? And how in the world are we both married?! It's the episode you'll want to dress up for as we wish you a Happy Halloween! | |||
| Valdez End of Season Shenanigans | 15 Oct 2023 | 01:00:21 | |
On today's episode, we are wrapping up another successful summer tourism season in Alaska. At the end of each season, many companies in Alaska reward their hard working guides with a festive end of season trip and Sunny Cove Kayaking is no different. The crew this year celebrated the end of the 2023 season with a trip out to Valdez, Alaska and friends of the pod Russ and Zeke join the podcast to help fill in our listeners to all the shenanigans that went down. Which town in Alaska truly is the northern most ice free port? Do professional sea kayak guides go kayaking for fun? And did Russ regret his roommate choice for this trip?! It's the episode that'll have you chanting our names! | |||
| The Voyage of Understanding | 01 Oct 2023 | 00:50:04 | |
This year marks the 100th year anniversary of the first presidential visit to Alaska. In 1923, President Warren G. Harding headed out west and embarked on what was dubbed the Voyage of Understanding in an effort to reset his presidency before pursuing a 2nd term in office. Follow along with us as we outline the scandals, conspiracies and dramatic conclusion to this voyage that unfolded during his time in the Last Frontier. Why was President Harding so unpopular? Did the first lady have a motive for murder? And what the heck does the G. stand for?! It's the episode that'll have you think twice about getting too close to a Naval ship! | |||
| Parks and Rec | 17 Sep 2023 | 00:42:40 | |
We have a first of its kind of episode today! Normally, we pick a topic and if it works out to find a beer to review that fits the theme of the episode, great! But today, we picked the beer first and ran with it. Our beer of choice...Parks and Rec! We invite friend of the pod Russ White back to the program to discuss his role as the Program Coordinator of the Seward, Alaska Parks and Recreation Department as we strive to learn what the non-fictional Parks and Rec department is all about. Did the beer live up to being center stage? What Parks and Rec competitions are your bald eagle hosts currently dominating? And what role would Russ have on the Parks and Rec television show?! It's the episode you'll bike some miles for! | |||
| Johnson Pass | 03 Sep 2023 | 00:50:22 | |
Kayak guides still need to keep their legs in shape and Alaska has plenty of hiking trails to occupy us in our off time. On today's episode, we highlight the Johnson Pass trail by discussing its origin story as part of the first road to Seward and its current iteration as a trail used for recreational purposes. How many days were men required to help build the Alaska road system? What is the best way to hitchhike a through hike with one car? And how does Andrew judge his ambers?! It's the episode you'll want to listen to the very end for! | |||
| Alaska Hiking Tips | 20 Aug 2023 | 01:03:27 | |
Alaska is big country and hiking it can provide memories that will last a life time. On today's episode, your professional sea kayak guiding podcast hosts trade in their paddles for some trekking poles and dish out their top tips for hiking in the Last Frontier. Learn about Leave No Trace (LNT) principles along the way and get a few recommendations of our favorite hikes. What is the origin of the word vista? How is bear spray different from bug spray? And why would you keep your poop in a bag?! It's the episode freedom rings for! | |||
| Famous Dogs of Alaska | 06 Aug 2023 | 00:54:56 | |
This is a tribute episode to an incredible dog that recently passed away. Danny said goodbye to his 14 year old Siberian Husky several months ago and so your favorite Alaskan Bald Eagles decided to dedicated a podcast episode on the famous dogs of Alaska to Zoe in her memory. We discuss some of the dog breeds that Alaska is known for and highlight a couple of iconic individual dogs who have been immortalized for their heroic actions. What's the difference between a Siberian and Alaskan Husky? How did an Alaskan dog breed help win both World Wars? And do Alaskan dogs make good baby sitters?! It's the episode we might have cried a bit through while recording. We miss you Zoe! | |||
| Shark Month! Salmon Shark Edition | 23 Jul 2023 | 00:39:02 | |
Shark month continues here at The Last Frontier Podcast as we finish up our two part shark month mini-series with a deeper dive into the salmon shark. Expert sharkologist Emma Campbell rejoins the podcast to share her insights into yet another shark species that likes to call Alaska home. How are these sharks similar to mammals? How do these animals regulate their body temperature? And do salmon sharks actually eat salmon?! It's the episode you'll want to take a bite out of! | |||
| Shark Month! Sleeper Shark Edition | 09 Jul 2023 | 00:39:17 | |
While the rest of the world may be celebrating shark week later this month, we do things bigger and better in Alaska and so today kicks off our July two episode Shark Month mini-series! Yes, we do have sharks up here in the Last Frontier and we invite our favorite sharkologist Emma Campbell on the program today to discuss one of the more mysterious species we have swimming in our waters...the sleeper shark. What ridiculous age can sleeper sharks live up to? What range of animals have sleeper sharks been found to have predated upon? And why can you probably see better than a sleeper shark?! It's the episode that will have you wanting to get a bigger boat! | |||
| The Untraditional Side of Cruising | 25 Jun 2023 | 01:09:28 | |
Today's episode continues our look into the cruise ship industry by focusing on the expedition style of cruising one can embark on in Alaskan waters. Friend of the pod Jared Fink joins us today as he works as part of the expedition crew for one of the companies that runs expedition style cruises in Alaska. He shares his insights on the more untraditional side of the cruise ship scene up here in the Last Frontier. Why are expedition cruises more common in colder climates? Is it really possible to live on board a cruise ship? And do people from the Pixar WALL-E universe already exist?! It's the episode you might turn posh after! | |||
| Cruising Through the Gulf | 11 Jun 2023 | 01:07:19 | |
Over half of tourists that visit Alaska do so via the cruise ship industry. There are many types of ships that cruise the Alaskan waters including your traditional large style cruise ships and your untraditional smaller expedition style cruise ships. With today's episode, we embark on a two episode mini-series highlighting both styles of Alaskan cruises starting today by interviewing Kat Sorensen, executive director of the Seward, Alaska Chamber of Commerce, about her experience sailing through the inside passage from Seward to Vancouver on the Norwegian Jewel. What makes the Alaska cruise scene so unique? How do you win best couple on a cruise? And how close was Kat to being the first person to poop in Danny's new nest?! It's the episode you'll double down on at your cruise ship's blackjack table! | |||
| ALCAN Anecdotes | 28 May 2023 | 00:57:00 | |
The road less traveled up to Alaska is umm well, the road. Most visitors to the Last Frontier State come by cruise ship or plane, but few make the journey through Canada via the ALCAN...or the Alaska Canada Highway. What started as an idea to discuss top travel on a budget tips to Alaska via the road systems essentially turned into an anecdotal story time of the road trips we've ventured on using this incredibly beautiful way to see some of the most remote parts of Alaska and Canada. Friend of the pod Jared is fresh off his return trip on the ALCAN to add his insights as well to maybe, just maybe entice you to road trip up the next time you visit. How many miles is the ALCAN? Can a Buick make the trek? And how might poutine add some time to your travels? It's the episode you'll blast on your next road trip! | |||
| Professional Beer Reviewers Turned Expert Somalians | 14 May 2023 | 01:03:19 | |
Ladies and gentlemen...the moment you all have been waiting for! We traditionally kick off each episode with an Alaskan beer review, but we have often joked about reviewing an authentic Alaskan wine and well, today is that day! We have a jam packed program to celebrate recording our 75th podcast episode. We kick off the pod with a winter recap, jump into a beer review gifted to us by our friends of the michiana Beer Reviewers and then say hello to Stephanie Millane who joins us for our first ever Alaskan wine review before she shares her annual update of the ongoings of our main sponsor of this podcast, Sunny Cove Kayaking. What licenses did your podcast hosts receive this winter? What's new in the world of Sunny Cove Kayaking? And does wine come in more than just a box?! It's the episode you'll cork a bottle of wine for! | |||
| Alaska Wordology: Part 2 | 30 Apr 2023 | 00:53:55 | |
We bit off more than we could chew last episode which is great news for you the listener as you get a Part 2 of our Alaska terminology episode! Continue on with us as we further our deep dive into terms unique to the Last Frontier state of Alaska. What is the correct pronunciation of snow mobile? What is the best stuff to wipe with in the Alaskan wilderness? And how do you win an award named after the bone of a walrus penis?! It's the episode you should listen to while snacking on some Muktuk! | |||
| Alaska Wordology: Part 1 | 16 Apr 2023 | 00:53:16 | |
Language evolves over time which is why you have different accents, dialects and definitions of the same words within the same body of language. With Alaska's remote location, the Last Frontier has developed its own unique terminologies over time and so Alaskan lingo is the them of today's episode. Your podcast hosts have compiled a list of terms and phrases used in Alaska that you might want to be familiar with should you ever visit the state and want to look more like a sourdough as opposed to a cheechako. The list kept growing during the research for this episode so what was supposed to be a self contained episode has blossomed into a two parter. Enjoy learning Part 1 of Alaskan wordology! What is a water highway? Why do Alaskan roads look like they have waves? And why the heck would you drill screws into your shoes?! It's the episode that's no fluke! | |||
| Top Peaks | 02 Apr 2023 | 00:48:20 | |
Colorado is informally known as the 14ers state which refers to the 14,000 foot elevation of many of its mountain tops. By Alaska standards, that's cute. In fact, the tallest peak in Colorado wouldn't crack the top 10 in the Last Frontier. Join us on today's episode as we outline the top 10 tallest peaks in Alaska including their elevation and the interesting history behind the names of some of the world's largest mountains. What famous explorers named some of our tallest peaks? How did Denali revert back to its maiden name? And why should Ohio mind its own business?! It's the episode you'll look up to! | |||
| Trans-Alaska Pipeline | 19 Mar 2023 | 00:45:15 | |
Life instantly changed in Alaska when oil was discovered on the north slope in 1968. Dollars were to be made if a plan could be developed to transport and distribute that oil from one of the most remote places on the planet. Join us on today's episode as we navigate through the political convergences that occurred which led to the building of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. Why was oil in great demand at this point in history? What got the pipeline company and Alaska Native groups working together? And how big of a pipe can caribou jump over?! It's the episode flowing with information! | |||
| The Serum Run of 1925 | 05 Mar 2023 | 00:45:18 | |
One hundred years before Covid-19 wreaked havoc on the world, the United States dealt with a different epidemic...diphtheria. And a small town in remote northwest Alaska was in its wake. On today's episode, we focus on the Iditarod in all its iterations including the historic trail that was used by heroic dog mushers in the winter of 1925 to save the town of Nome. Where is Mile 0 of the historic Iditarod trail? What conditions did the mushers have to battle along the route? And why are your hosts on team Togo versus team Balto?! It's the episode you won't ever complain about the cold again after listening to! | |||