travelgirl: give a girl an open road...

Chena Hot Springs and Ice Museum

Attended a conference recently at Chena Hot Springs. Amazing ice museum.

Here are some photos.

Scenes from the new Anchorage Target

Image via WikipediaI know you don't realize what a big deal it is to get a Target in Alaska. So bear with me as I memorialize this monumental event: shopping for the first time at the new Target in Anchorage, Alaska.

I'll be moving soon to Tok, Alaska where there is basically...nothing. So I am savoring my chances to shop at Target, even just walk up and down the aisles.

I did spend a lot more on my first visit to Target in Anchorage than I intended. I even told my husband an estimate on what I thought I was going to spend. I was about $100 off. Oops! But baby has some wonderful new outfits, warms ones for our new home in Tok. Hey, you have to be prepared.

A new vegetarian restaurant in Anchorage?!?

I was just reading a blog from a bed and breakfast in Anchorage, Jarvi Homestay, and found out there is a new vegetarian restaurant in town.

Here is what she had to say:

A new place, the Namaste Shangri-La just opened and I tried it last week. Excellent, excellent. The owner, Tsering, intends to put up a website, but for now, there is none. The restaurant is in a small strip center between Ichiban and the UPS store, facing Tudor just east of Lake Otis.

I'm going to have to check this out and FAST

We Got Target! The Adventures of Target in Alaska

Image via WikipediaSupposedly the Target store has opened in Anchorage. This is a big deal. After 3 years in Alaska with only Wal-Mart, Sams Club and Costco as the only options for discount big-box stores, Target has supposed opened up in the last few days or weeks. I'm not really sure because even though I've been waiting for this event with baited breath, I personally have yet to see an ad, news story or mention of this event anywhere.

So after hearing that several people have actually BEEN to the new Target, I decided to bring baby to it for a day of shopping.

But unfortunately, I could not find it. I do remember seeing it off the highway, but could not remember where exactly I saw it and how to get there.

Then while driving around Mountain View and surrounding areas, baby barfed. I know that had nothing at all to do with Target, but it did put a damper on the idea of shopping or at least driving around Anchorage in search of the Target store.

We'll try to get back out to Target in Alaska soon. Updates to follow.

adn.com | Independent traveler

Image via Wikipediaadn.com | Independent traveler.

Just discovered the Independent Traveler blog on the ADN.com site. I'm also an ADN community blogger with my AK Tech Girl blog where I discuss topics around the intersection of life, work and technology.

Here's the blurb from blogger Gloria Maschmeyer's blog:

Love to travel, but hate tours? This blog offers insight on how to go it alone, from safe accommodations to seeing the best, and maybe the worst. After all, independent travel is an adventure. Flexibility and traveling on a budget are critical. No five-stars or all-inclusives. So hop aboard. Learn to enjoy travel at your own pace and price. Meet other adventurers like yourself and mingle with the locals. Remember: You may travel alone, but you wonʼt be lonely.

Visit the blog.