Adventures of the Alaska Bush Safari Co.

sniff*sniff...Is that spring in the air!?? You know what that means!!

2010-12-06T20:37:00.000-08:00

MOTORCYCLES IN ALASKA!!!!!

Yes, you heard me...

This season, Dusty got her license, and she has been tearing up the road!

Dusty's purple and red bike was to be the next work in progress at the hangar, but she decided she needed MORE POWER!

SO....an 1100 is in the works , so she can blaze the way ! I love riding with her, and miss it now that it's December. We are still thinking about shipping them south for the winter, and riding the coast together... I think it will do for us. Keep your fingers crossed that we can!

Iditarod 2010!

2010-12-06T20:14:00.000-08:00

It always starts with the Iditarod... as they say,

"Unless you're the lead dog, the view never changes!" Isn't that the truth?

That's why we change to meet the demands of our customers and guests and the adventurous spirit Alaska gives us all. We workedAlaska Backcountry Access, and with the TAP's program this season to put together a pretty fun trip to offer the military spouses that were visiting.

We had three great guests in the plan

e with us!

Lots of fun..lots of snow...and lots of laughs!

Of course those of you that know us, know that fun is not allowed...(yeah, right)

We had an airplane on skis, and a handful of snowmachines...guests rode the trail chasing the dog teams and also flew over head for a birds eye view from the skiplane!

Spent a lot of the first night out on the trail, sitting around the numerous bonfires watching and waiting the racers enter the checkpoints!

Lots of fun for sure...we are doing it again this year, so if your interested to join us for the 2011 Iditarod Dog Sled Race...give a call! we would happy to have you!!

2010 Coming to an end...some spectacular trips and great folks!

2010-12-06T20:04:00.000-08:00

December finds 2010 coming to an end...sad to see this year go, as there was lots a great times and memories... but glad to as the lows were trying at best sometimes!

We are looking for a great New Year, and a fantastic season! Lots of changes, again...new locations...new trips to offer... new faces... new office..etc..etc..

I will try to post all the changes as they come, I promise I'll try.

First though, let's ;ooh back at the season past.

Something new for you ...

2010-01-14T11:42:00.000-08:00

The first post of the new season, and it's a good one!

Ok everyone....it's official....FOMF.
Ya hear me?? FOMF.
Everyone is always using LOL...or LMAO...or something, and well, they really aren't laughing out loud...or on the floor after their butt fell off....are they?
I think we Alaskans should start using FOMF (fall off moose funny...and please, you should never have to ask if some crazy Alaskan ever really was on a moose, now do you???) when we think something is funny!
We would have our own little piece of ...well something anyway...
And that's right...I DO have too much time on my hands right...and yes, these things have to come from somewhere...and yes...its usually me.
So try it!
Pass it on...I been using it for a few days now...and it's funny!
FOMF, funny!
Having a great day...and light snow here at the office...
Looking forward to hearing from you...pass it along, drop us a line...tell new friends...

Lots more to follow...pictures, videos... deals...updates...all the good stuff!

Also, check and become a fan us ours on Facebook!

Deal for bear viewing trips for '09 season!

2009-04-23T18:30:00.000-07:00

We are not going to raise our bear viewing prices for this season.

There.

I said it.

It's out there now... can't take it back.....

... wouldn't want to!!!

We will keep our Katmai National Park all day bear viewing trip, with lunch and guide, at the same old price of $699.00 per person!

This will get you an all day, lunch included, guided bear viewing trip, up close and personal!

Our trips are exclusive to you only... meaning, you will be the only people on the trip!

The guide and the aircraft are yours! You don't have to stand next to 30 other people while trying to get that once in a lifetime shot... or worry about other people talking about Uncle Ernie's 'medical condition' ... that kept him form the cruise to Alaska this year, because he couldn't sit down for more than 10 minutes at a time, while the sound on your video camera is going.

You know what I'm talking about.

I know you do.

Also, we are going to discount this trip as well.

What I will do is this. If 3 people book a bear viewing trip to Katami, we will discount the 3rd passenger at 50%. If 4 passengers book, we will allow the 4th passenger to go for free!

Making this trip that much more affordable to groups and families.

So book now!

We also have numerous other day trips o add to your Alaskan vaction that are affordable aas well.

Fishing trips from 249 per person....

Glacier hiking trips with a paddle right up to the face of the glacier from 190 per person...

you can't find these anywhere else.

Check us out!!!

Bear viewing, Glaciers...and other Alaska misconceptions!

2009-03-30T19:22:00.000-07:00

I got a phone call today....

and the strange questions that followed!

Seems people have no idea about Alaska, or what it like, what to expect while here, etc....sad, because they don't know what they access to, and what they can take advantage of.

The pure space...the wilderness, the remoteness that makes Alaska whole....and it seems that they want to go someplace, and stand next someone... 300 other someone's!

It seems that the 'cattle car' mentality is getting the best of Alaska!

The cruise ships bring in alot of folks to Alaska... and what do you really see while with them?

4 to 5 thousand other passengers, sometimes up to 6 ships at a time, unload in a town that may only have 4 to 5 thousand residents!

All of the people you meet, and none of them Alaskans, all telling you what you going to do... what your going to see. And then, you don't seem to have the time to do it. It all adds up to a thousand dollars a day, and the few activities that you can do, only last a couple hours... and cost too much (the cruise ship make the vendor pay a fee up to 40 percent commission , and a 20 percent fee to list with them). The cruise industry regulates pretty heavily who they want you to do business with...I guess that makes sense, since they make so much money off of them.

I'm ranting now... I know , sorry. It just doesn't make sense, to come all this way, and only see someone else's version of Alaska...

'canned Alaska' and not see what you came here for in the first place!

Airplanes!!!!!

We3 get you AWAY from the crowd...to the real Alaska. The 'Locals Alaska'.... and yes, you are welcome there! With open arms welcome!

You won't be greeted by 'Becky' from some state other than Alaska, who just got here for her first time away from home... and trying to turn things around since loosing her job at the gas and sip for being rude to late night in-convenience store customers!!! (and how rude does on have to be to get fired from that gig anyway!??)

Frustrating to say the least...how can she answer your questions...other than read the script, right???

So, anywho.... I know, I'm ranting again, well sorry, but sometimes I get up on the box, you know?

We can answer all your question. We can get you away from the crowds. We can get you to real Alaska.... Its not far, you can't see it from the cruise ship, but it's here.

Even a short flight ... less than 30 minutes will get you right in the heart of it!

You come here to feel small....or see a miracle, see something you cant see at home... or something that you may never get to see again.

Share a memory....make a memory, take and impression or leave one,

you are welcome here.

So now let me tell you of all the cool and neat thins hat are coming this summer here at

Alaska Bush Safari Co.!!!

We are proud to offer an awesome give-a-way of a Katmai Bear viewing trip!

(day trip for two, lunch and guide)

It was awesome the last time we gave one away...and I don't expect any less.

Also offering discounts on day trips, from bear viewing to fishing, to glacier hiking!

(more on that in a second)

We have not raised our prices this year, and do not expect to, nor are we planning on having a fuel surcharge... as other have, trying to help make Alaska affordable to everyone!

Glacier hiking! We have all kinds of stuff going on with that! From half hour flights to look one over close... to multi-day trips where you 'become one ' with the glacier! We have 2 new fly, hike and paddle trips that are out of this world! Fly next to and all around the glacier...next we land you at the BASE of the glacier...not up on the snowy top, where you can't tell where you are...but at the base..walk and hike where it lives, breaths..moves. Then, you get to paddle right up to one... see it from a whole other perspective.

These trips are starting at 190. per person.

Bear viewing trips start at 699. per person.

Fishing at 300. per person.

We are Alaska's premiere flight company...

period.

We love to show people Alaska, and it shows.

Ask some of past guests... we happily provide references for you to contact... does anyone else do that?

Now thats confidence!

We have alot in the works for this year... new locations... new trips... new activities ....

Keep checking back...don't forget to sign up for the give-a-way....and give us a call to help plan your trip, and see our prices, Real Alaska isn't as expensive as you think.

Joe

Aloha!

2008-12-13T17:15:00.000-08:00

Aloha, brah!

We went to Hawaii for the Thanksgiving holiday.

One of those things , where, it was cheaper to go than to stay...., well, it could have happened that way!

We stayed on Oahu for a few days, then continued on to Kauai for 7 days I think!

We had a blast....fell more in love!

The pics are out of order a little, but hey...thats the way we roll up in here....

Queens Bath, well it was awesome! Lots os warnings before you hike to it! It is a natural 'pool' made from lava on the rocky coast of Kauai. About 4-10 feet deep, and 30-40 feet wide and about 150 feet long. Crystal clear..full of fish...beautiful...well worth the hike!

An awesome sunset, WAY out the road towards the Na Pali coast..it was our first sunset on Kauai. We took the rental jeep down this REALLY muddy road, got the jeep covered with mud! Dusty loved it! She got to drive it back...even dirtier the second time around.

A pic of another secluded beach we hiked to for the day. Went snorkeling, and it was her first time...she really had the hang of it by the second day...Love her for her sense of adventure! Saw all kinds of fish,....even the endangered Hawaiian Monk seals with young (about 6 wks old) on 'our' beach!

Another pic of Dusty...

worn out and sore from swimming, hiking, sunburn, on our way back to Alaska!

We had Kalua pork for Thanksgiving dinner... it may be a new tradition!!!

I am soooo looking forward to our next trip together.

Nights on the town...

2008-12-13T16:51:00.001-08:00

Well....I love me some live music!

I really do! And believe it or not, we have ALOT of great bands and performers in Alaska!

BUT THIS AIN'T ONE OF THEM!!!!

I think it was just as much fun as going to listen to a great band though.

The singer, he walked around like a bad lounge act... singing to the 'ladies'...thinkin'g he's all that...but even more sad..was that he sang to me.

Even though, I do believe we had a moment...and I'm in love with Dusty...the poor guy thought he had a chance at the title!

Well... the beautiful Dusty wasn't having any of that! She gave him the 'stink eye' and ran him off as she put her arm around my shoulder...saving me from his terrible crooning and attention!

I mean, geez...look a that face!!??! I mean can ya blame him??

Well, my smile is much bigger and brighter with her by my side, than it certainly would have been with the bald, tone deaf, little Anchorage Wayne Newton!!!!

LOL

It was a fun night.

Alot has been going on ...for not being busy!

2008-12-13T16:19:00.000-08:00

Seems thats the way it always is, huh?

We have a few things going on ....We are doing some new marketing...

We are adding some new trips and locations.....

We are re-building an airplane....

We are updating and making changes to our website...

Also, in the works is a move for our business to a new location!

Wow! I guess that is a lot of stuff, for not much going on!

Keep checking back, both here and the website...the changes will be awesome...

come and be a part of it!

New T-Shirts hit the racks!

2008-10-14T18:09:00.000-07:00

We got new T-Shirts printed and are for sale!

There are some really great colors to choose from too.

A green, blue, grey-ish black color, tan.... and of course the orange color in the picture!

We also have 3 colors of hooded sweatshirts too.

We hope to have a new page added to our website soon featuring these for sale as well other items that are coming... such as hats, jackets, even outdoor gear!

Did we mention that we are working with a vintner to produce our own wine?

We will have this along for dinners this up coming season, as well as bottles to be able to enjoy at home!

I know... bad blogger again, ...BUT!...

2008-10-14T16:45:00.000-07:00

We really mean it this time!

It's tough to wear so many hats around here, but things are better and my work load is lighter.

We have been very busy around here this past season.... I am will catch you all up, then carry you all through with the current happenings as well!

We will even have some help at this too....let you see things through many different perspectives around here and what it's like to do what we do, go where we go.

Maybe even a 'guest blogger' too!

Trust me!

Come, on ... give us another chance???

OK! Thanks!

I won't let you down!

Joe (Pilot)

Cartegena, Colombia South America!!!!! Oh Yeah!

2007-12-16T10:31:00.001-08:00

Ahhhhh.....Colombia!
It is truly beautiful here!
I flew to Cartegena to meet an old friend , visit with him and talk about some wonderful up coming business that Alaska Bush Safari Co. has an opportunity to partake in.
He seems excited too....
Both of us will leave tomorrow (Monday), to sail the Carribean stopping along the way in the San Blas of Panama on little remote island beaches to explore and snorkel, ...etc....
The area here is absolutely beautiful....this is just a small sample of what we are seeing, and this being the first for both of us to Cartegena!
The city is the heart of the old 'Spanish Main' with tales of Pirates...plunder...huge sea battles.

The city is surrounded by an old fort with walls completely surrounding the 'Old City'. It was impenetrable...as to why the city is still standing today.

The people are friendly , but English is truly a barrier! I always believe that we are visitors THERE and should take the time to learn as much as we can of the culture, language and customs of the local area.....maybe that is why I get along wherever I go! My Spanish does get better and better everyday! Thank God!

We have had wonderful food...company...and history! We were even' escorted' around by the local Policia! I asked for a architect to make large copies of a nautical chart....we got to talking...and the next thing you know...two of them are walking all over with me showing me the sights and helping me look for an architect! We took advantage to learn from each other differences in out countries, states and the language. Truly something I will never forget!

I will post more the next time I have internet access...most likely Colon Panama. As that will be a stopping point for us to enter the Panama Canal!
Keep checking back as we update our trip!
Joe

NYC! Taking a bite out of the Big Apple!

2007-12-16T10:01:00.000-08:00

Got invited to NYC and ....WOW!
Sme wonderful folks from Northern Lights Post invited me to New York, and really showed me some great East Coast hospitality!
We did one day of filming an interview, and then they showed me around the city..and of course , we couldn't cover even a tiny piece of it!
Went to NBC....and looked out from the famous Rainbow Room there....rode the Subway train....saw the Empire State Building...Times Square .....Broadway....walked across the Brooklyn Bridge....the skaters at Rockefeller Square along with the famous tree......etc..etc...
Not to mention the great people that I met there too! But....I seem to make friends where ever I go! Leaving now for a 'new adventure'....this one will be a good one......

We will let you all know ...as soon as we do....the 'secret' as to the trip to New York...as well as the one I am leaving for right now!

The North trip! 'Professional ' Halibut fisherman!

2007-12-06T15:29:00.000-08:00

We'll start our updates with Dr. James North, and his father who came to us from North Carolina.

Fisherman....YES!
It was a great trip! I truly enjoyed meeting them booth, and had wonderful conversation and company with them .

We spent one day viewing bears on the Alaska peninsula, and as usual, the bears were very cooperative!
We then spent a day Halibut fishing , and as you can see, it was a good day! James is standing next to his 55# halibut!!

We hope to see them again on another trip!
Joe

Bad Bloggers....Bad!

2007-12-06T15:01:00.000-08:00

We have had a lot happen lately, and will catch up on the blogs and the latest news from us.
We have had a lot of good news...and some tragic news.

SO, keep looking in on us as we catch you up on the latest with posts, pics, new adventures we are working on, new trip ideas and even some new videos.

We will update on this years Iditarod Dog Sled Race! The 'Last Great Race' , so look for that as well.
Joe

New Iditarod Trips!

2007-08-02T14:43:00.000-07:00

We've got new Iditarod Trips planned and open for booking! Here is the information for these new trips:

Iditarod Race tours

Our tours of the 'Last Great Race' include a 4 day 3 nights 'starter’s tour'.
-You would be at the ceremonial start in Anchorage, and we encourage our guest to become 'volunteers' and help with the behind the scenes of the race, to truly make this the trip of a lifetime! See the start of the race, ride the trail on a snow machine, fly-out on a ski equipped bush plane to check points to watch the racers, learn about the racers and the dogs, try your hand and mush a real team for yourself! These are just a few of the highlights of the trip. This tour is 4 days and begins and ends in Anchorage. Available the first Saturday of each March at $3,760.00 per person.

The adventure race tour that lasts 10 to 12 days (depending on time it takes to finish).Same as start, but continue on staying at inns and wilderness lodges , the best Alaska has to offer!
Helping out at check points, touring villages, keeping pace with the racers, stopping along the way at the checkpoints. You will see a side of Alaska seldom seen. Tour Mt. McKinley, mush a dog team, drive a snow machine, soak in saunas and hot tubs and enjoy the Northern Lights, learn about the winter subsistence lifestyle of remote Alaskans, watch as the winners cross the finish line in Nome, have fresh ‘off the boat' King Crab, see some of the villages around Nome and talk to the elders and see the crafts and native artwork they are famous for (even purchase some to take home!) and then fly back to Anchorage on Alaska Airlines to finish your trip! Plus many, many more things as well!
This tour is 12 days/12 nights beginning in Anchorage.
Available starting the first Saturday of each March, for the start of the Iditarod race!
$9,350.00 per person.

The winner's circle tour is just that. (space dependent on other tours)
Fly Alaska Airlines to Nome for this 3 day tour and meet us there, for the finish of the race, fly-out to check points to see the progress of the musher’s, fly to surrounding villages and drive a snow machine, mush a team, eat fresh King Crab, etc.
This tour is 3 days/2nights beginning in Anchorage.
Available mid – March, at $3,359.00 per person.

New Videos!

2007-08-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

We've recently added some new videos to the website including these 3, to give people a sense of where we go and the things we see on our adventures. These 3 movies were filmed last fall around the state, including a trip to the western arctic herd of caribou to see their annual migration northwest of Kotzebue towards the Seward Penninsula. There's nothing like the sight of tens of thousands of caribou travelling in one direction for as far as the eye can see, you really have to travel their corridor in an airplane to appreciate the amazing number of animals making the migration.

Moose in the Yard!

2007-08-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

Well, it seems when I get some free time to get a few things done around the house, the animals miss us and then come looking for us!

We just pulled up from an errand, and who's there to greet us? A Mother and her twin babies!

They really do a great job on the hedges, but I wish they would concentrate on the lawn just a little more.......so we don't have to!

The Mom also did a fine job on the hanging basket in the background, too....as well as the trees......and flowers....and....

Maybe this whole Moose as a gardener thing isn't such a great idea after all. Besides, the hanging basket cost almost as much as any real work that they have done!

Kelli sure likes to see them around though.

We are going to go Salmon fishing this afternoon, and Bear viewing for the next few days.

We will post these trips as soon as we can.

Keep watching for all the great stuff coming!

Joe

Happy Birthday Deb!!

2007-07-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

Mike contacted us for a 'surprise' trip for his wife's 29th birthday.......What a great trip it was!

Mike had been to Alaska before, but this was Deb's first trip, and boy did she see Alaska!

We left Lake Hood and flew through the Chugach Range on our way to McCarthy and the famed Kennicott Copper Mine. We landed on a 'road', (I'm sure this still makes Deb laugh!) and talked to some nice folks about their fish wheels and how they work.

After exploring the mine and surrounding area, the next morning we headed for Prince William Sound and our next stop of Seldovia. We were joined for the rest of the trip by the amazing Kelli, and her bag of tricks...er, uh....wine. Seldovia was another hit as we drove ATV's into the mountains. A lot of fun sampling the town's hospitality and all of the sudden a game of Leap Frog breaks out by obviously some of the town's professional leap frog team practicing for some up coming event, I'm sure.

We then flew across Homer and Cook Inlet headed for Katmai National Park, where we flew past Mt. Augustine volcano that was very active last summer. We toured the Valley of 10,000 Smokes, and landed to get a closer view of this devastated terrain, that both Deb and Mike referred to as " Landing on the Moon". We landed at one of our 'secret' area to walk and see the coastal Brown Bears, where we saw lots of bears.....males, females, cubs...lots of bears.

Next we were off to Lake Clark, where we stayed at an exclusive wilderness fishing lodge, 'roughing it', with wake up coffee brought to our rooms, cheese trays waiting for us at the end of the day in our cabins while we get ready for an amazing dinner, of New York steak, or all you can eat King Crab! We flew out for a day of salmon fishing where Kelli and Deb caught fish 'til their arms fell off! Mike, well....let's just say we are lucky there are no salmon in the green house business, as he caught his fair share as well....even lassoing one by the tail! I guess anyone can catch them with a hook....but try it without one! We saw more bears. A mother with her three cubs were trying to catch fish in front of us across the creek and was exciting to watch them.

We ended the trip flying back to Anchorage through Lake Clark Pass, with a few scattered clouds inside the pass and spectacular scenery around every corner!

We look forward to seeing them again. Both are are awesome people!

Happy Birthday , Deb!

Joe

P.S. I will try to post more photos on the next one, and re-post some of this trip as I get them loaded.

New Bear and Fishing Videos!

2007-07-29T13:23:00.000-07:00

Check this out, we just got these new bear and fishing videos and posted them to our video gallery! We've got some other photos and videos we'll be putting up in the next few days so check back soon. We filmed these bears at one of our favorite bear viewing locations, what a beautiful day it was! The little angler you see was catching Kings as big as she was in Seldovia with her specially rigged blue and pink rod.
Click on the images to view the movies.

First Post!

2007-07-23T23:39:00.001-07:00

Hello and welcome to the Alaska Bush Safari Company's blog. We will use this to share our past, current, and future adventures in the Last Frontier. Our first adventure to share is with Austin and his dad Shawn, who flew up from East Lansing, Michigan last week. We started the afternoon off with a sightseeing flight that included over 30 moose, a dozen bears, seals, eagles, and even a few beavers! We then landed at one of our secret fishing holes and caught silvers, pink, rainbow trout, and Austin made the catch of the day after reeling in a monster king salmon! Above is a picture of Austin with his big King and below you'll see the father and son team working the fish hard.

In the future, you can expect photos and stories about the lands we fly through and the people we encounter. Check back soon as we will be constantly updating our site with the latest trips!

-The Alaska Bush Safari Team