Everybody Loves Whales

June 2, 2013

When visiting Juneau, try to include a visit to see our local celebrities - the humpback whales! I recently toured Alaska Travel Adventures' Whale Watching Adventure and Salmon Bake, and I was blown away with the sights and sounds of our very own backyard. I even went home with a full belly after the trip's all-you-can-eat salmon feast. Yummy!

I've been on many whale watching excursions in Southeast Alaska, but this one was unique. On board, we had folks from the Seattle television show, Evening Magazine. Their crew was here to showcase Juneau, and I even had the delightful opportunity to sit down on camera with Emmy award winner and Evening Magazine host, Meegan Black! Unfortunately, my interview was cut in the editing room, but I still had a blast bragging on camera about Juneau. At the end of this blog, you can see the footage from our trip, which originally aired in Seattle. Watch closely - you just might see a familiar face, too!

There are plenty of sights and sounds on the waters of the Inside Passage. You're bound to see bald eagles, fishermen, lighthouses, and if you're lucky, Dall's porpoises racing small boats.

Sea lions can generally be found taking a snooze on this gigantic red and green buoy near Auke Bay, Alaska.

The cameraman from Seattle's "Evening Magazine" films the occupied buoy.

Did you know whales can be identified by the unique black and white pattern on the underside of their flukes? There's even an online catalog identifying many of the whales that frequent Southeast Alaska. The Fluke ID Catalog contains images of almost 1,900 different humpback whales. Check it out - maybe you'll even find in the catalog one of the whales below!

Our boat passed by a noisy, albeit entertaining, sea lion haul-out.

Auke Bay is the starting and ending point for most whale watching cruises in Juneau. It's also homeport to the United States Coast Guard Cutter Liberty.

United States Coast Guard Cutter LIBERTY

You know it'll be an entertaining trip when the Captain let's you borrow his hat!

I can't imagine a yummier way to end a trip on the water. This all-you-can-eat salmon feast and fixins' definitely hit the spot!

Meegan on camera, highlighting the delicious food at the Gold Creek Salmon Bake.

Roasting marshmellows and bragging about Juneau with Meegan Black.

Check out Evening Magazine's awesome overview of whale watching in Juneau (below, after the ad). I'm so glad they came to town!

Raspberry Wheat, We Missed You

May 31, 2013

In 2012, the entire initial bottling of Alaskan Brewing Company's Raspberry Wheat Ale sold out in less than an hour. I was NOT one of the lucky few to get my hands on one of the prized bottles. I didn't even get a TASTE.

Today, well - today was a different story.

To celebrate the May 31 release, Juneau's own local (and might I add, nationally renowned and award-winning) brewery hosted a pancake feed featuring Raspberry Wheat flapjacks and a special raspberry syrup, served up with a little sass by their Brew Crew. After waiting in line, I finally got my hands on the product!

According to its profile: "This limited edition batch of Alaskan Raspberry Wheat is made from glacier fed water, the finest two-row barley, wheat and specialty malts, premium quality European and Pacific Northwest hop varieties, and more than 3,000 pounds of real raspberries."

Glacier fed H2O and FRUIT? Count me in!

Now my bottles are safe at home, and I've sampled Raspberry Wheat. I can personally vouch - worth the wait!

Brew Crew member dishing up some decadent raspberry syrup and pancakes.

With the infamous Andy Kline and his Griz Coat.

At the Juneau-based brewery with all beer awards in the background.

Limited edition beer, safe and sound in my household.

8th Annual Island Pub Pizza Recipe Contest

May 12, 2013

One of my all-time favorite restaurants in Juneau is The Island Pub, located not far from my home on Douglas Island. Perhaps my heart has a soft spot for this place because it was the first restaurant I dined at after moving to Juneau in February 2009.

If you ever have the pleasure of visiting this hot spot for a meal, you'll notice a few special pizzas on their menu, special because they're past winners of the Island Pub Pizza Contest.

This year marks my third time serving as an official pizza recipe judge. Basically, this involves putting my taste buds to work and scoring 12 different slices of pizza. Yes, I said TWELVE. And yes, I'm still stuffed.

This year's top three pizza recipes were:

#1. South Douglas Fisch Slap (Alfredo sauce, Asiago cheese, red onion, smoked salmon, capers, and spinach)

#2. Fredo-Town (Alfredo sauce, parmesan and mozarella cheese, raw garlic, Italian sausage, bacon, sun dried tomatoes, and spinach)

#3. Mother Lode (Alfredo sauce, house cheese, Asiago cheese, roasted garlic, Italian sausage, artichoke heats, Crimini mushrooms, pine nuts, and Canadian bacon)

If you find yourself visiting Juneau, I highly recommend a stop at The Island Pub. Try their steak sandwich, their Napolitano Alfredo pizza (a 2005 pizza contest winner and menu mainstay) , or any of their other gourmet speciality pizzas. You won't be disappointed!