Hello everybody – Here’s a guest post from Erin from AKontheGO.com, who offers a unique view from a family who lives in Alaska. Enjoy!
This list originally kept up residence in the glove box of my car. Hauled out upon epiphany during our family’s treks within Alaska, the hastily scribbled roster of important items became known as our own version of the “Ten Essentials”, and has proven its worth over and over. May my screw ups not be yours, fellow travelers.
1. Pack appropriately. Bring those clothing items that can be layered and/or coordinated with others. Fleece and Smartwool are my two favorites. Cotton is a bummer.
2. Bring a journal or diary for every child over the age of two, preferably a spiral notebook with inset pocket folders. Collect leaves, draw pictures, find interesting stamps. Don’t forget the pencil and/or crayons.
3. Give the kids their own camera. Motivation is much higher to reach a rocky summit when they can record their own personal journey.
4. Bring your own familiar food and water, everyday and everywhere. My youngest is uber-picky so we always bring emergency peanut butter. Moreover, services are few and far between on many Alaskan roads; we travel with a small cooler of food and water.
5. Do your homework. Gather consensus from family members for activities, and do not be afraid to divide and conquer. Ask, ask, ask questions of a business to ensure their comfort level with children. Remind guides of kids’ ages and abilities, and don’t be afraid to ask for a refund should the trip not meet your expectations.
6. Listen to the locals. Want to know the best hangouts for kids? Ask the lady in front of you at the grocery store. Wish to remain bug-bite-free? Pay attention when the local yokel says to take the bug spray on a fishing trip. This is their turf 24/7, managed nicely because they know the rules.
7. Take a “down day”. Find a local park or library, take a walk, sit in the sun, and ditch the agenda.
8. Become familiar with road conditions and directions. In Alaska, we have two seasons; Winter and Construction. Winter is dangerous due to temperatures, all other seasons can be dangerous because detours send drivers through very remote sections of the state where services are non-existent and so are road signs. Check the local DOT web site for updates.
9. Dig around a city’s visitor center for lodging information. We like to rent small cabins with kitchenettes, often cheaper and more “Alaskan” than the big hotels. In some areas, it’s the only option. We travel with a sleeping bag for those one-bed motels. Be flexible.
10. Wildlife? Respect animals’ behavior, mannerisms, and space. Your kids are watching to see how you respond to that moose grazing near the highway.
Erin Kirkland is the publisher of AKontheGO.com, a family travel web site dedicated to promoting and encouraging kid-friendly travel within Alaska. She lives in Anchorage.