WE'RE OUTTA HERE. Gone. Up, up and away. The destination seems rather obvious now, as snow piles up and temperatures plummet. We’re joining the scores of winter-weary souls who exchange parkas for flowery shirts and fly six hours west toward tropical bliss. Hawaii. Sun, sand, and a decided lack of anything smacking of snow or ice. 

This is the first time our family has made the break for warmer shores since our move to Alaska seven years ago. Usually, we are exploring our own state during the winter months, not running away from it. But due to a particularly tough 2011 for our family, and an equally tough year, weather-wise, we decided to take the plunge and bug out.

So THAT'S how you dress to fly to Hawaii from Alaska.

It’s been a bit of a struggle to pack, for all the simplicity of traveling to a group of islands where average January temperatures hover near 75F. The confusion arises in the form of my chronic obsession with overpacking - easy to do in Alaska since wintertime travel requires so much stuff. We're used to bringing along boots, pants coats, mittens, hats, more mittens, socks - the list is endless and still I end up using most everything I jam into our giant, green duffel bag. But Hawaii? I don’t even know where the summer clothes are, much less possess the brain power to comprehend that, in 24 hours, I will not be shoveling my driveway wearing three layers of insulation.

Flip-flops for the kid? Okay, found those, but hmmm, they seem to have shrunk since August. Either that or the boy grew two shoe sizes. Better go to the store, and while I’m at it, better stop by the apparel section and buy a few pairs of shorts for him, too, because those shrunk as well. Sunscreen? Nada, and what store in Alaska is actually going to be stocking Hawaiian Tropic SPF 50 in January? This is going to be harder than I thought.

Is this what Hawaiian kids wear, mom?

My husband, self-proclaimed Chairman of this trip (a nice change), hollered down the hall that he made reservations at a luau, so I’d better pack something “Hawaii-nice - maybe a dress?” A dress? I have a Skhoop, will that work? Back to the store to find something that hopefully won’t show too much of my winter-white, obviously non-Hawaiian flesh. Meanwhile, said husband was busily packing every flowered shirt he had ever worn at college parties back in the 1980’s, along with a tired pair of Birkenstock sandals from those same years. Oh dear.

I was about to give up when a friend stopped by, saw my wild eyes, then rolled her own. “All you need is a few pairs of shorts, swim suits, sandals, and stuff like that,” she said patiently. “Nobody cares what you look like, because they’re all too busy doing Hawaii stuff. Plus, if you forget something, just buy it there.” 

What’s that I always preach to my family travel audience? Oh yes, flexibility, going with the flow, taking it easy. Doing rather than worrying (verbs I interchange with regularity). I have a feeling this trip will be valuable in so many ways, starting with that suitcase.

Looks like they made it! Follow more of the Kirkland family’s Hawaiian vacation at AKontheGO.com. 

CABIN FEVER SEASON is upon us!

According to Wikipedia, the noticeable symptoms of cabin fever are: restlessness, irritability, paranoia, irrational frustration with everyday objects, forgetfulness, laughter, excessive sleeping, distrust of anyone they are with, and an urge to go outside even in the rain, snow, dark or hail. Sound familiar?

For our family, January and February seem to be the months when the phenomenon of cabin fever is most likely to occur. Although we prioritize outside time in the rain, sleet, or snow, during this period of the year the shortness of days and the changeable forces of nature can challenge our best intentions!

Despite these best intentions to get outside daily we were challenged with the perfect storm this past week. The storm consisted of very cold temperatures and every member of our family battling the flu. This storm led to some brief moments of cabin fever. Our young sons cannot put the feelings of cabin fever into words but the symptoms were clearly evident in our older son as the week progressed. At moments he acted like a confined animal pacing in his cage, then pulling out all of his toys and distractions.

Get on your gear and go!

Up to this point of the winter I would give our family a B- for our efforts to stave off cabin fever and here's how we attempt to do that:

1. Get outside. When temperatures are in the negative this is easier said than done. It is often during these colder months that just getting dressed to get outside can burn some calories. We notice significant changes in attitudes including our own when we spend even a short amount of time outside. Our mantra: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear!”

2. Do fun stuff outside. Just going outside is not enough of a draw for our son when the wind is howling and the cold temperatures are felt in his breaths. We have exposed him to some outside activities that we enjoy too; sledding and skiing which he enjoys! By doing this we can all get excited about going outside despite the conditions.

Try out a new winter sport.

3. Do fun stuff inside. (Just not in your own house.) Get out of the house by visiting a mall or other indoor space where physical activity is possible. In our community we are fortunate to have indoor swimming pools, open gyms, and a field-house. We get to the pool whenever the schedule allows.

4.  Get social. Accept any invites to other homes for a change of scenery. 

5. Invite in friends. Host a family for dinner or play date.

6. Check local schools' event calendars. Attend a theater, music, or sporting event. Most schools host many of these events frequently during the winter months. 

7. Hit the playground. The darkness can add another dimension to the experience and finding the wind-sheltered areas of the playground can lead to educational conversation about how to deal with the elements of weather.

8. Go on a gallery walk. This is a family friendly event because there is a good balance of outside time and inside time and usually there are sweets along the way. Enjoying and experiencing art is just an added benefit of this experience.

9. Visit your library. It is not the best place for children to get crazy but winter weather is the best time to discover this community resource.

Turn cabin fever into outdoors chillin'. 

The darkness and inclement weather in our state can be very oppressive. Cabin fever happens to most Alaskans at some point during the year. Be prepared for it to affect you and your family and be prepared to do something to make it go away!

Steve SueWing regularly posts at his personal blog AKdad.com. For more ways to prevent cabin fever check out our list of Winter Family Fun Links. 

Content Producers Guild, the independent, non-profit organization that produces Kids These Days!, is currently seeking a temporary, part-time Development Coordinator to join our team! 

This position will work with the producers of Kids These Days! and the board of Content Producers Guild to research, identify and expand funding opportunities to sustain the work of Kids These Days! and other, future educational media projects in the state of Alaska.

This position is 10 hours/week for 5-6 months.

The full job description is here (PDF). Those interested applicants who've reviewed and meet the job requirements should send a cover letter and resume via email to: Sarah Gonzales, Kids These Days! Producer.