travel

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!”

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.

GO WITH ME, for a moment, to a perfect day of air travel: Tickets secured, bags checked, and TSA navigated with nary a hitch. Your family is ready and waiting at the assigned airport gate with backpacks of snacks and amusements guaranteed to get you from one airport to another with the aura of seasoned travelers. Bam! You so got this.

That is, until your youngest screams he has to go potty two seconds before boarding, so your spouse sends you flying to the bathroom (because you forgot you could use the bathrooms on board the aircraft) only to discover that it is too late and now the clothes are wet, you are wet, (and you have no dry clothes, because you forgot those, too) and gate agents are calling your name in a sickening-sweet tone of voice. To make matters worse, you rush on board to find out the airline double-dipped your seat with a business traveler who looks at your disheveled family and pushes that Wall Street Journal even closer to his/her face when you show up right about the time flight attendants come on the intercom system to say there movie service is unavailable because of a malfunctioning wiring, but, don’t worry, everyone gets extra snack mix as a consolation prize. And you haven’t even left the tarmac.

While most air travel with kids is disaster-free (notice I didn’t say stress-free) and not really like the scenario I described above, it does seem that our nation is obsessed with the “not-so-friendly-skies,” especially after a recent incident aboard an east coast airplane where flight attendants refused to give a child milk because said beverage needed to be used for other passengers’ coffee.

Here in Alaska, we don’t really have the option to choose our airlines if somebody does us wrong. We have one major carrier upon which to depend for most of the year, Alaska Airlines, and fortunately, they pride themselves on taking care of families who fly Last Frontier skies. Here’s why: Alaska’s philosophy stems from an 80-year relationship with rural communities, ferrying business travelers, school children, kids with medical needs, and basketball teams to and from larger centers. Kids are often unaccompanied, excited, or frightened, so customer service means more than offering bottomless cups of soda or plastic wings. Alaska employees really, really care, and for a family, that can make the coming home part way more exciting than the leaving part (seriously).

Right out of the gate, a super cool computer program prevents the undesirable scattering of families throughout the airplane? We flew from Anchorage to Portland not long ago, and two of the three of us were seated in a separate section, so ticketing agents reseated us all together. Provided you follow the AKontheGO Golden Rule of Airport Etiquette and arrive 2 hours early, ticketing can usually be shuffled around to accommodate families who were not originally seated together.

Alaska’s Unaccompanied Minor program, too, gives parents a measure of comfort when sending their children off on an adventure all their own. Free media players, snacks, drinks, and a little extra love and attention from flight attendants goes a long way. Alaska will also be rolling out a snack pack this week for children like mine who turn up their noses at fancy fruit and cheese plates.

I’ve asked Alaska flight attendants for everything from plastic bags for wet clothes to extra ice for a sore throat. In turn, they’ve listened to my kid scream and push all the buttons on the overhead display and crumble up the snack pack crackers on the floor. Yet they’ve never complained (out loud). It’s tough enough traveling with kids inside a flying cigar; it means the world to have other adults on board who understand, or, at least, fake it enough to let me disembark with at least a semblance of peaceful expression upon my face.

MY CHILDHOOD VACATIONS were usually spent in a bright orange Volkswagen Bus, motoring to and fro across the greater Pacific Northwest. Before the age of seatbelt laws, childhood obesity, and attachment parenting, my siblings and I were bundled in the rear quarters of The Bus, lounging on an old sleeping bag, swilling Tiki Punch soda and trading punches for comic books. Our choice of seating arrangement was critical in avoiding the long parental arm and the inevitable “Do you want me to pull this car over!?” speech. It was great. Really.

Firm believers in exposing their children to the natural world, my father, a forester, and my mother, a farm girl-turned-stewardess-turned-housewife (I can say that with confidence in the terminology of the era) drove my brother and sister and I across, over, and through every inch of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and probably Canada, although none of us kids were ever really sure of our exact location due to the fact that whomever sat in the front seat had to be Navigator, and nobody wanted that job because it meant a quiz on the Latin names of trees or the current market price of export logs to Japan. Five hours of that and anybody would be willing to sit in the back bench seat next to a whimpering little sister.

My mother was the glue who held her brood securely together on family camping trips and sojourns to her parents’ ranch outside of Missoula, Montana. Mom was the second oldest of six kids and knew a thing or two about road tripping with siblings, even if there were only three of us. I’m convinced it was she who persuaded my father to purchase said Volkswagen bus; it provided single seating and an engine so loud the driver and front seat passenger couldn’t hear a thing over the roar of that four speed, air-cooled German engineering. Smart lady. She also knew how to negotiate with her children and husband when it came to “side trips” taken on a moment’s whim by Dad The Designated Driver. Ignoring the howls of protest behind her, Mom put on boots, wiped noses, packed snacks, and somehow got us trudging along a remote logging road, er, trail, in a protruding-lipped game of Follow the Leader.

Knowing exactly the right moment to declare cease and desist, she’d wait until the most frequent complainer began a chorus about tired legs, a thirsty throat, and questions of sanity to calmly tell Dad “We’ve gone far enough, Jim.” If that didn’t work, she’d resort to the Urgent Whisper as whining reached an arching crescendo. “JIIIMMMM, this is Far.Enough.” Worked every time.  So did the whining, come to think of it.

On the road, Mom would simply ignore our smack talk, the never-ending Poker game, and my brother’s Judas Priest tape, focusing instead on sights out the window, thankful, I’m sure, for her colorful and well-traveled childhood and young adult years. We’d hear romantic yarns about the Orient, Montana ranch parties, and crazy escapades of her younger brothers that lasted at least until we reached the nearest Denny‘s. 

I try to copy her aura of calm when road tripping across Alaska with my own sons, but somehow it isn’t the same with the advent of portable DVD players and I-Pod Shuffles - everyone individually connected to his or her mode of amusement. Poker doesn’t seem quite right these days, either, and I’m not quite as good at ignoring the protests, advocating instead the “Be quiet because I said so” law.

But road trips with kids are opportunities for our own journeys down memory lane, aren’t they?

Follow Erin Kirkland’s family travel adventures through her website, AKontheGO.com.

Teenagers want independence. They want to explore their world from every angle in every opportunity, and they want to do it without us. It can be difficult for parents to know how much freedom one up-and-coming young adult should be permitted, and with whom, especially when it comes to venturing away from home.

Fortunately, outdoor recreation is cool in Alaska, so from snowmachines to skiing, backpacking to disc golf, teens in the 49th state have a ton of options for healthy ways to enjoy each others' company outside the boundaries of mom and dad’s house. As my father always said, “Busy kids are happy kids, and happy kids are kids less likely to get into trouble,” so here are a few suggestions to encourage healthy peer relationships among both guys and gals (hopefully they don’t sound too geeky, coming from a mom).

Encourage group activities. Disc golf is hot, so send the kids to one of the many courses cropping up all around the state, like the new course at Alyeska Resort, or up in Fairbanks on the UAF campus. Snowshoeing can mean a fun afternoon of plowing around the snowy drifts of Alaska’s many trail systems. Send kids down to an Alaska Public Lands Information Center to search out a trail well-suited for their abilities, and let them do the legwork for a daylong wilderness trek, including food, first aid, and way-finding. Try the Eagle River Nature Center area, or Palmer Hay Flats for a great day trip not too far from civilization or cell phone range.

Plan a longer trip together. Sure, teenager hormones rage wilder than a stormy night on the ocean, but sometimes, including a group of teens on a family trip can be just the ticket to actively demonstrate your family’s values and make some valuable connections. Make clear the rules, establish boundaries, and enjoy getting to know the important people in your teen’s life. Hint: include other parents in family meetings about destinations, activities, and expenses, and make sure everything is crystal clear regarding hotel, airfare, or transportation costs. Some brave parents I know took both daughters and their boyfriends to a family reunion at a remote fishing ranch in Colorado, and all reports indicate everybody had a wonderful time. In Alaska, options range from a weekend trip to Alyeska Resort where Family Specials provide two connecting rooms, movies, pizza, and a chance to chill after a day of skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking. Take advantage of the annual PFD sales and Constituent Fares of Alaska Airlines and fly the gang down to Juneau and explore our state capital (Bonus! They might even learn something).

Talk, talk, talk. Use trips or outings to simply hang out with kids and get to know them as people while you still have the chance. It is during these times, with no homework, soccer practice, or work meetings, that communication between teens and adults can flourish. Take a time-out with your teen and his or her pals. Eat a meal together, play a round of Monopoly (you’d be surprised at how much teens still enjoy this game), and stay up late shooting the breeze. You’ll learn a lot, and the kids will, too:.Parents are important people in a teen’s life. They need us, and we need them. Sometimes it just takes a little getaway to clear that up.

It is easy when traveling to place art in a series of “boxes.” The art gallery box, the theater box, the music box; all absolutely worthy to explore and appreciate, for sure, but sometimes difficult to attempt with kids. While I am ever-impressed by the continuing efforts of museums, galleries, and the like to draw children in and engage their busy, hands-on natures, I also think there is always more to the concept of art, especially in Alaska. In a state where the very texture is crafted by the people who live here, I can think of few other places where a family can actively participate in the richness of culture while at the same time be delightfully entertained. Here are a few of our favorite activities across the state that truly exemplify art at its most beautiful, kid-friendly best:

Fairbanks: The Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum, located on the property of Fountainhead Hotels off College Road is an incredible walk back in time for all visitors, no matter their age. More than 70 sparkling-clean cars and vintage fashions await you, along with interesting stories of Alaska’s love affair with the automobile. Kids will have fun pushing toy cars around on the floor rug and trying on vintage dusters and hats while sitting in the “photo-op” car. Open all year.

Anchorage: The Alaska Museum of Natural History is known as the “Little Museum That Could.” Located in the Mountainview neighborhood northeast of downtown, this museum fills your brain with everything related to our state’s wondrous geography, biology, and geology. Dinosaurs? They got ‘em. Ice Age? Yep, they know all about it. Dig in their pits or participate in one of their special, self-guided tours.

The Anchorage Museum at Rasmussen Center boasts the Imaginarium Discovery Center, a place where kids of all ages (really) can find something fun to poke, prod, pull, or push. Little ones will have fun at the water table or tree house; bigger kids will simulate an earthquake or check out their own body heat. A real moon rock and planetarium complete the picture, and most kids will have to be dragged out at the end of the visit. Maybe their parents, too.

Juneau: We discovered the Juneau-Douglas City Museum last summer, and had a fabulous time walking our son through the Activity Book for Kids. We checked out a real miner hat, found a fish trap, and answered questions about the Tlingit tribes nearby. Small but crammed full of interesting things just right for kids, this museum is a must-see. Oh, and check out the awesome exhibit of chainsaws. Trust me on this.

Sitka: I was somewhat reticent to take our wiggly six year-old to see the New Archangel Dancers , an all-women troupe who provide 1/2 hour shows to hordes of visitors. Worried, I had a chat with our little man about manners and proper theater behavior, but I shouldn’t have fretted. He loved it. Every minute, and there were only 30 (a big plus, I think). These ladies perform the traditional, vibrant dances of Russian culture that have existed for hundreds of years, and it shows. Authentic music, hand-made costumes, and most important, true dedication to the art; it all makes for a super kid-friendly opportunity, and I would definitely make time to see them. Hint: Seat kids as close to the stage as possible for maximum enjoyment, and be sure to clap and stomp your feet as directed.