KTDontheGO

IN MY MOTHER'S kitchen, a small, framed poster still hangs on the wall with the following phrase carefully scripted in old-style calligraphy:

“There are two lasting gifts we leave our children: one is roots, the other, wings.” 

How did mom know I’d grow up with a desire to wander the earth, then return to sink my feet deep into the soil of home? I don’t think she did, but both she and my father lived by this proverb, and today, I do, too, although perhaps with a more unorthodox translation of “roots and wings.” 

I believe travel is a taproot toward global understanding, with a singular sprout from one child’s essence maturing into a beautiful tree of shade and nourishment to others. Personal family values provide the anchor, but seeds from our experiences float into careless (or not so careless) breezes and offer flight for further explorations, later on. Wings. 

Let me clear about one thing; our family travels without an intentional agenda to change the world. Like most moms and dads, my husband and I simply feel the need to walk away from our daily lives once in a while (okay, probably more than that) and visit someplace unique to our cozy, secure little world in Anchorage, Alaska. The world-changing part? That’s a bonus.

We do, however, travel with a desire to strengthen our son’s personal “root system” with us, his family. Our growing offspring sees his mother and father at their very best (or sometimes their very worst), and watches carefully, if unknowingly, to see how we handle complex scenarios. Planting roots takes many hours of intimate attention, you know, and it can be dirty work. 

Travel also affords us time to rediscover each other as citizens of our community and world. What is important to each of us may not be perceived the same collectively, so making the effort to know our son as an individual now, before he grows up in the blink of an eye, leaves home, and wanders the earth on his own without returning, is time well spent. It’s easy to forget in the midst of carpools and homework and bedtime battling. 

Know your roots, I say, but spread your wings. That’s love. Happy Valentine’s week.

 Follow the Kirkland family’s adventures at AKontheGO.com.

IF I HAD a nickel for every time my son forgot to say “thank you,” I’d be one rich woman. I prompt, I remind, I even bribe (when necessary), especially on vacation. We are the guests, after all, and whether we’re across the country or at a campground across town, manners play an important role in travel stewardship. 

It’s easy to let the most basic practices slide while vacationing. Moms and dads want relaxation and a time-out from the daily grind, and sometimes manners become the helpless victim. I’m as guilty as the next for occasional lapses in the “Please and Thank You” department, but after a few ugly incidents from our son on a recent trip to Hawaii, we had to engage in a family meeting to re-establish the sense of respect for both our location and the myriad cultures intertwined in tropical paradise, not to mention toward We the Parents.

Talking to kids away from others
reduces the embarrassment factor 

Below are a few of our discussion points, and some tips to prevent (hopefully) your own “manner-meltdowns": 

1. Set expectations early. Going out to eat? Discuss appropriate behavior and role-play potential scenarios at your own dinner table. Flying across the country? Talk about airplane manners of keeping feet and hands quiet, and how to talk with seatmates. Headed to stay in someone’s home? Refresh manners of picking up after oneself and conversing with hosts. Do have a “last minute” chat just before arrival. Will they shake hands, or say “Nice to meet you”? Be clear and consistent. 

2. Take time to learn about your destination. Especially important when traveling overseas, knowing a bit about culture and mannerisms can be valuable, and interesting, to kids. Hand gestures, eye contact, and other traditions are important, and show your commitment to visiting that particular country or community. Also remind kids that a smile goes a long, long way almost anywhere. 

3. Eat out with confidence. Well, maybe not confidence, but at least with the appearance of such. Play “restaurant” at home, and teach kids to order their own menu items (with your approval, of course), how to ask for salt and pepper, and what do to with that “square of cloth on the table.” Be sure children know what items are forbidden, and which are special treats after they finish a meal. Remind of the “please” and “thank you” rule, of course. If visiting a different country, have kids practice ordering in the native language, most wait staff love it!

Ordering their own drinks is one way kids can learn to exert their independence when eating out

4. Correct quietly, yet quickly. Kids will be kids, and sometimes they just can’t remember all the rules. Take your little offender aside and remind about the rule, and lay out expectations for behavior one more time, preventing embarrassment. If an all-out tantrum ensues, remove the child completely from the situation. Avoid making empty threats of “I’ll take you out of here if you.....” Kids are not dumb; they’ll figure out you don’t mean it and keep right on a’ misbehavin’. Who’s relaxing then? That’s right, nobody in the place, especially you.

5. Appreciate the effort. Smile, they’ll get it, eventually. Show good manners yourself and they’ll follow along. 

Follow the Kirkland family’s adventures at AKontheGO.com.

FOR MOST AMERICANS of a younger generation, the rousing cry of “Remember Pearl Harbor!” does not stir the soul much. December 7, 1941 is still a date to be recognized and memorialized, but now, in the wake of our own generation’s tragedy, and through the passings of Pearl Harbor survivors, events surrounding WWII are slowly fading into mere words upon a textbook’s page. I worry about that. So this week, our family visited Pearl Harbor and the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument so that our son could experience, firsthand, that day, at that place, so far from Alaska. 

Still one of the most-visited sites in all Hawai’i, the collection of Pearl Harbor historical sites requires a full day to truly understand circumstances leading up to the destruction of the harbor, airfields, and surrounding residential neighborhoods of Pearl City and Honolulu. It’s an immersion into the emotional peaks and valleys for Americans, as well; confused and frightened by events that took place far from the shores of the mainland. Americans were called to duty both at home and abroad - to “Fight the Good Fight” and do whatever it took to support the United States military in the name of Pearl Harbor.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, during his famous fireside chat of December 9, 1941, said “We are now in this war. We are all in it - every single man, woman, and child is a partner in the most tremendous undertaking of our American history.” We found that quote, my son and I, while wandering the new visitor center and grounds of the National Monument.

Waiting for our launch to the USS Arizona Memorial on Ford Island, the grounds’ many interpretive signs and structures provide ample opportunity for reflection, even with smaller children. The most striking moment came in the “Contemplative Circle” just west of the theatre, in full view of the Arizona Memorial and USS Missouri. Talking is discouraged as visitors read quotes from sailors, civilians, and American leaders whose lives would never be the same after December 7. Some guests were relatives of survivors who had recently passed away, some were survivors themselves, taking their turn volunteering at the site, answering questions but mostly shaking hands with grateful visitors.

Now that our son can read, exploring historical sites in general holds more value. On his own, he read, one by one, inscriptions upon the gray, concrete walls of the Contemplative Circle, then walked to the center and stopped. Any doubt that a seven year-old could understand the magnitude of Pearl Harbor melted as I watched him look across the water toward the USS Arizona, hands clasped behind his back. 

Children need to see places like Pearl Harbor; they will “get it” if you allow them time to get it. Sometimes, it’s merely the atmosphere. Sometimes, it’s the people. Pearl Harbor offers both. 

If you go: 

What: The World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument is the main portal for experiencing the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Oklahoma Memorial, USS Bowfin submarine, USS Missouri, and Pacific Air Museum. All are appropriate for children 5 and up, but there are height restrictions for the submarine. Buy a pass and save significantly. Since the Oklahoma, Missouri, and Air Museum are on an active Naval base, a shuttle bus will transport you. 

Where: The site is located in Pearl City, about a 20 minute drive from downtown Honolulu. 

When: The site is open from 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; all tours of the USS Arizona are timed and visitors must possess a ticket from National Park Service staff (FREE). Arrive as early as possible; the environment is clearly less crowded, and the views utterly spectacular. Plan to spend at least two hours at each site. Bring a picnic lunch, snacks, water - and take your time. 

You can follow the Kirkland family’s Hawaiian and Alaska adventures at AKontheGO.com.

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. 

AS THE WORLD continues to watch a terrible scenario unfold with the grounding of the Costa Concordia in Italy, attention is now focused upon the safety of such luxury cruises. The industry must be clenching its teeth for potential panic, either real or perceived, among both the media and would-be passengers who have witnessed the scenes on television and through viral video footage. I'm no expert in the cruising world, not like some of my travel cohorts who spend their lives sailing the seven seas. But what I might lack in nautical miles, I make up for in an overarching theme of uber-preparedness.

Hi, I'll be your cruiseship, let's get to know one another!

I’m an Alaskan, so almost every adventure our family endeavors to undertake requires careful planning, preparation, and attention, even when aboard a "floating hotel." Our last Alaska cruise was via Holland America, a classic vessel that held around 2,000 passengers and several hundred crew. We felt safe. We felt secure. We also felt empowered, because we were told to make it so. During a lifeboat drill (held within hours of our embarkation, by the way), the captain made it crystal clear that we, as passengers, held a certain amount of responsibility for our safety. Hmm, power to the people? I liked it. So, we did it.

All kids on deck! Learning the ship's areas can be a fun and safe activity for families to do together.

Here's how:

1. We knew our ship. As newbie cruisers, and parents, exploration of our sailing home-for-a-week was activity numero uno. Besides locating the kids' Club HAL, Lido Deck restaurant, and hot tub, we made sure everyone in the family knew where they were in relation to the lifeboat station we were assigned upon our embarkation, even the 4 year-old. We turned it into a game, actually. "Hey, see if you can be the leader and get us to Deck Five from the restaurant, okay?"  Over, and over, and over. After a day or so, our youngest was so impressed by this new activity, he taught it to all his cohorts in Club HAL. We also carried maps of the ship's layout (mostly because I kept forgetting where everything was), and made sure our lifeboat station was clearly highlighted.

2. We knew our crew. Charming to speak with, anyway, we quickly realized the crew could be our lifeline in an emergency. During that lifeboat drill, we make sure kids knew who would be at their station, and also made sure there were no language barriers (as has been an issue this week with the Costa Concordia's crew). Could our kids understand and follow their directions? If not, who should they find?

3. We listened during the drill. Within minutes of the scheduled event, it became clear how easily chaos could reign. Some passengers didn't show up, some had mobility issues, and still others were hopelessly unable to follow even the simplest directions to "Put on the life vest." I cannot imagine trying to navigate a circus of that nature in an actual emergency. But our crew kept at it, repeated themselves endlessly, and over all, the captain's voice boomed on a loudspeaker to shush us into paying attention. And now we know why. We could help ourselves, at least to some extent.

AK Dad is ready to float!

4. We were ready. Before we went to bed each night, I laid out sturdy shoes, placed mittens and hats in coat pockets, and had it all right by the door (easy in our smallish cabin). Everyone also had his or her own headlamp (we like them for reading at night), just in case the power went out when we had to evacuate. 

5. We made sure rules were followed. The basics, at least; no climbing on railings, no running on deck, make sure you wear non-slip shoes, and other kid-themed mantras. We clearly stated them, and absolutely enforced them.

No, I don't think the Costa Concordia tragedy should deter anyone from cruising, especially first-timers. Respect the ship, respect the crew, and take responsibility, certainly, but don't allow one horrible, tragic event to define the way you and your family travel. Life is too short for that.

Find more travel tips for your next family vacation at AKontheGO.com. 

Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don’t
Because, sometimes, you won’t. 
-Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

TRAVEL IS FULL of failures. Big ones, little ones, and all the missteps in between. Be it simple as a rainy campout, or complex as a forgotten passport, the very nature of venturing even a few miles from home means we place our families in prime position for slip-ups.  

As a somewhat over-organized traveler, it pains me greatly when adventure-flops are caused by people I know and love. Frankly, if it were up to me, I’d pack everyone’s bags and have them in the car way before my son has even begun to drag himself to the bedroom and the methodical process of sorting and stacking toys (not clothes) in a too-small suitcase. If it were up to me, everyone would have day clothes, evening clothes, swim clothes, and rain clothes; not to mention extra clothes when the aforementioned previously-packed-by-me clothes become wet, muddy, or otherwise unwearable. And I haven’t even begun with the footwear, yet.  

But what will that accomplish? Might save my sanity, for sure, but if travel as a concept is truly about learning, growing, and experiencing new things, doing everything for my son might not end up doing anything in the long run. I want to raise an independent kid who will hopefully become an independent young man, one that embraces the idea that travel screw-ups do happen, but knows the skills to problem-solve and communicate toward an eventual solution.

Here’s how:  

Pack it. Construct a destination-appropriate list with kids, and enlist their input about clothing and gear. Post in a conspicuous place, and let them go to it. This works best if you try it first on shorter journeys, and not before a six-week trip to Europe or a wedding in Hawaii. If kids have specific outfits to wear, or gear they must bring; fine, but let them make some decisions, too. Make sure children have a bag they can call their own, as well, since ownership goes a long way toward pride in one’s ability to pack.  

Let them try. Setting up the tent, changing a bicycle tire, ordering dinner in a restaurant, speaking another language. Over, and over, and over. Who cares if they order french fries for everyone or put the tent’s rain fly on backwards? Bet they’ll learn something, and so will you. Allow kids the freedom to choose new activities, too. Ziplining not your thing? It might be your teen’s most memorable few hours of vacation, if given the chance. Do your homework together, and apply the “try everything once” guideline. You might be surprised at the level of interest. 

Let natural consequences rule. My son went through a phase where everything was my fault. Sorry buster. Remember that list? After a trip to the beach with no boots, make sure they are added to the packing list once you return home. If it’s health and/or safety, of course, step in; otherwise, let their feet get wet. 

It’s a new year - let’s allow kids the freedom to try new things and learn new skills. It may not be pretty at first, but in the long run, “Oh, the places they’ll go!”

MY FATHER TAUGHT me to ski when I was seven. Using a pair of old, aluminum skis I shared with my brother and sister, I stumbled and slipped and cried my way down (and up) a gentle slope at Snoqualmie Pass near Seattle. I understand why Dad thought he could teach us, he was a former alpine racer and ski jumper, and presented as pretty a picture of downhill finesse as anyone would want in those days. He was also (in his mind) decidedly cheaper than the local ski schools who wanted money for something he felt he could do better. 

A problem presented itself in the form of whining, complaining and crying - something I would have never dreamed of doing in front of a cute ski instructor but had no qualms about with my father (it drove him nuts). As a consequence there was more shouting than teaching, more snuffling than schussing. Until I reached high school and the community ski bus where I learned, sans weeping, how to do a wedge or a christy, and could parallel my way down all but the blackest of black diamond runs. Eventually, I even became an instructor myself and saw, firsthand, legions of other parents trying to teach their offspring in a manner similar to my own father’s. 

Help is here, moms and dads. January has been designated as Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month. In 2007 a bunch of ski industry moguls (get it?) and professional instructors got together to provide beginning skiers and riders an opportunity to learn outside the boundary of parental assistance; LSSM now crowds slopes in 32 states and 300 resorts including Alaska.

Two areas are offering deep discounts on lesson packages for beginners. Alyeska Resort near Anchorage is offering a $99/per person special, with three lessons, a lower-mountain ticket and equipment rental. Kids who wish to learn to ski must be at least five; youth who want to give snowboarding a try must be at least eight so they can take full advantage of the resort’s “magic carpets,” Bear Cub quad and Lift 7. Alyeska Resort’s Mountain Learning Center instructors are excellent, but even better, they are enthusiastic ambassadors for the sport of alpine skiing. They also know kids and understand things like bathroom breaks, lost mittens, and occasional tears. 

In southeast Alaska, Eaglecrest Ski Area has also jumped on the alpine bandwagon with a variety of ski or ride packages that begin at just $54 for two hours of skiing, equipment rental, and lift tickets. They even have a “Bring a Friend” program, since we all know learning a new skill can be more fun with a buddy. Eaglecrest is a smaller mountain, perfect for families looking for a more intimate skiing experience. Located across the Gastineau Channel in Douglas, Eaglecrest also offers nice views from it’s forested brow. 

Adults are included in this deal, too. Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month is targeting adults who for years may have thought they were “too old” to learn a new skill like skiing. With the right instructor to boost confidence, skiing is a sport to be enjoyed by every age and every stage. 

Don’t forget, when skiing in Alaska (particularly at Alyeska), one must dress warmer than the average Lower 48 resort. Standing in a lift line or sitting on a metal chairlift gets chilly, indeed. Pack handwarmers, wear a neck gaiter, and consider goggles for a full-face warm up. Children and adults should wear helmets, too - check with the rental shop for a loaner. Also, bring kids inside periodically to check on their fingers and toes and know when to stop for the day; most skiing injuries occur on the proverbial “last run.” 

Erin Kirkland blogs about skiing and other Alaskan family activities at AKontheGO.com.

PERHAPS IT SHOULD be easy in Alaska. Surrounded by a natural world that is truly larger-than-life, and immersed in an atmosphere of incredible diversity, Alaska’s children live in an environmental melting pot. From exposure to Native traditions to careful respect of wildlife, the concept of stewardship should be a natural consequence of living in the 49th state.

Merriam Webster defines stewardship as “Careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.” A big responsibility. The land, the water, the air; society is constantly searching for new ways to protect what has been left to us, especially here in Alaska, the largest state, and the one with the highest raw “star power” compared to anything Outside. We can join societies, coalitions, user groups, and clubs. We can also involve our children.

Stewardship of our kids is crucial to stewardship of our planet and its inhabitants. Kids are smart; just ask one what he or she thinks about the state of things in this universe and you might be surprised at the response. They want to help, they should help, and with the right resources, they can help. Stewardship, or “giving back,” doesn’t have to necessarily be framed as such for kids to be active participants in the state of their state (or world, for that matter), it simply needs three ingredients: relevant content, enthusiastic adults, and time.

Our son, seven, has been attending the Alaska Center For the Environment Trailside Discovery Camp this week. He's learned all sorts of interesting things about the world not two miles from his home. Snowflakes come in different sizes and shapes, you know, and bears do not necessarily have to hibernate. Listening to the sounds of a forest on a snowy day is not as quiet as one might imagine. Wait, this is not stewardship, you say. But it is. Creating children who are comfortable in the natural world as they are in their own living rooms will cultivate the concept of stewardship. Yes, it will. Find a place in your own community for natural world experiences. The Sitka Sound Science Center is a beautiful example of hands-on fun combined with research. Kids will relish the opportunities there with grownups who care about what they think. A cadre of kids were there last summer when I visited, and proudly showed me around the touch tanks, whale skeletons, and drawings of marine mammals.

Exploring at the Sitka Sound Science Center

Down in Ketchikan, Allen Marine recently developed a tour called “Wilderness Survival,” traveling through the Tongass Narrows to a remote, old-growth forest for an afternoon of plant identification, outdoor survival, and important research about the invasive Green Crab (kids get to pull crab pots and provide data to be used in real-life studies). It might rain, it might be muddy, but the entire family gets to dig and record and learn about life in southeast Alaska, unfettered and unplanned. And sometimes messy.

A visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage means a cultural lesson for any age. Whether visiting during the normal operating season of May through September, or attending a special event the rest of the year, the whole family will enjoy learning about the incredible diversity of Alaska’s First People. Did you know a dance can tell a story better than any textbook, or that children truly do learn by watching elders and trying out new skills, and failing, before mastering the task? There’s a lesson in every exhibit at ANHC, and the real value of a visit is not in the bricks and mortar displays, but lies within the scores of individuals who sit in the shadows of the room, waiting to tell kids why, and how, and where.

A dwelling at the Alaska Native Heritage Center

The Murie Science and Learning Center, located at the entrance to Denali National Park, provides visiting families day trips, field seminars, and opportunities for endless discovery in one of the wildest places accessible to humankind. Named for the Murie family, who were tireless advocates of both Alaska and Denali National Park, the Science and Learning Center is a testament to the value of education combined with recreation. Not a typical visitor center, this is where learning and cultural curiosity are nurtured.

“We have inherited the past. We can create the future.” Help your kids learn the value of caring for their present. That’s giving in its finest form.

I LOVE TRAVEL-THEMED presents. Opening a package containing the latest gadget, book, or gift certificate is always appreciated. As a wandering mama, receiving such a gift also makes me jump up and check the calendar to see when I might next be able to venture out into our big, wild world. It’s all about the journey. For kids, too.

My son, now seven and the perfect age to begin more adventurous wanderings with me, is also the perfect age to appreciate some of the goodies that send his mom into wowsville. Be they experiences or things, adding travel to a holiday gift-giving list is a winner, every time. Here are our top five recommendations for kid-themed travel superstars this year:

1. Alaska experiences: Lived in the state all your life but still haven’t gone dog mushing or flightseeing? If you’re willing to shell out $500 for a gaming system and all the accoutrements, then perhaps you could consider an experience the whole family will remember, forever. Try Salmon Berry Tours in Anchorage (they go to Fairbanks, too), or Temsco Helicopters in Juneau for family-friendly dog sledding tours. Temsco also does flightseeing throughout southeast Alaska. K2 Aviation out of Talkeetna does a spectacular job of nudging guests right up to Mt. McKinley’s flanks for an icy howdy-do.

2. Great gear: This year was momentous in a number of ways, but mostly our cheers came from the fact our son could now carry his own stuff on trips. For light hiking and carry-on purposes, we purchased an Osprey “Jet” pack that contours his slim frame, yet still has plenty of room for games, a stuffed animal, and a hat or two.

3. Reading roundups: Oh, do we ever love books around here! Now that our kiddo has reached first grade and has an appetite for reading everything from roadsigns to guidebooks, every trip must include at least one chapter book and one activity book. “The Everything Kids Travel Activity Book” by Erik and Jeanne Hansen is fun, self-contained, and full of reading, writing, and simple doodle space. We found it on Amazon.com for around $9.

4. Choose an adventure: I believe in affording kids their own opportunities to stretch comfort zones as they grow, and for us, this translates into some pretty exciting experiences without adults hovering all around. Ski lessons at Eaglecrest in Juneau, or Hilltop and Alyeska Resort, in Anchorage and Girdwood, respectively, offer a ton of options for youngsters of all abilities. Psst, parents, you too!

5. Lifelong learning: Remember summer camp, where kids immersed themselves in such things as crafts, hikes, and lots of hands-on outdoor experiences? Good news, kids can still do all that, and more, with programs like Alaska Geographic’s Family Field Seminars. Exploring the tundra, looking for animals, staying in tent cabins; ahh, yes, summer camp for the whole family in Denali National Park. An extremely popular way to explore the park, Family Field Seminars fill up fast, so early registration is a must. Childhood is short; get out and travel. Happy holidays.

For more tips and tricks to family-friendly travel in Alaska, visit AKontheGO.com.

I SOLO-PARENTED a son for nearly ten years and experienced every crisis or triumph related to kid-dom all by myself. From figuring out how to potty train a boy to learning the finer points of Pokemon cards, it was all me, all the time. In spite of days when I would lament to the family dog my woes, there remained certain advantages to our “dynamic duo” status, - like travel.

No rules existed at the time for single parents and travel; no Twitter feeds, websites, or Facebook pages to guide us along our definitely epic treks toward travel bliss (or, sometimes, not so much). We made things up as we went, packing my Subaru Forester and the Rocket Box on top with skis, hiking boots, food, games and my old REI tent, bound for someplace that was definitely not home. Along the way, we discovered a few things that worked, and a whole lot of things that didn’t, but we kept going, anyway. Travel, you see, was one way my rapidly-growing son and I could connect. Deep discussions sitting side-by-side in the car, hikes to beaches along trails seldom traveled by human feet, room service while watching the latest episode of “Sponge Bob Squarepants.” That was real time I can’t ever get back.

Hit the slopes... with little ones in tow

It can be tough for a parent (single or not) to decide to strike out on their own with the kids, but, like anything related to being a mom or dad, the rewards ultimately win out over the complexity. We originally posted about single parent travel in April, 2010 (KTDontheGO: Burden or Beautiful? Solo Travel With Kids), but here are even more tips to boost your confidence (and perhaps your dollar):

1. Involve the kids. For children of single-parent homes, especially those who have witnessed divorce, control is important and something as simple as asking input to a vacation destination can be huge. Pull out the maps, find brochures or websites, and spend a few evenings around a bowl of popcorn to decide. Multiple kids? All agree upon the destination and each chooses an activity.

2. Know your room rates. Pay attention to hotel/resort room rates and fees. Ask about “per room” charges rather than “per person” rates. Especially for one parent/one child, this can mean the difference between staying at a nice hotel or the motel across town. Disney Parks, in particular, does a great job of explaining their all-inclusive packages and fees.

Dig up some fun, just you and the kiddos

3. Don’t be afraid to stretch your boundaries. Particularly with older kids, a vacation that involves ziplining through a forest canopy or four-wheeling along a beach might be just the ticket. It is okay to be nervous about an activity or experience and, sometimes, kids need to see us sweat a little bit, too. At the very least it gives them an opportunity to laugh as you relive the experience later.

4. Remember, you are NOT an outcast. No, no, and no again. Who cares if everybody else at the resort is there with their traditional, two-parent family? You don’t know them, you’ll likely never see them again and, besides, you have places to go and things to do. Celebrate the blessing of your child’s company as you wander the world together. If it really bugs you, ask another mom or dad to grab their kid(s) and join the party; that can be a blast for everybody.

5. Carry your papers. Documents are a fact of life for solo parents, but far more so during travel. In Alaska, for instance, one must cross through Canada on a road trip, thus requiring not just a passport, but a signed, notarized letter from the other parent (where applicable) saying permission is granted for out of U.S. travel. Also important to carry are copies of any custody agreements, parenting plans, and whatever else you think a customs agent may request. The U.S. Department of State has the 411 on single parent travel right here.