RVN - Alaskan Spirit | Issue 2 | Digital Edition

The magazine of Ravn Air Group and Rural Alaska

JULY 2018

Joel Isaak: Celebrating culture in art 6,000 years ďŹ shing the Russian river Best of Homer, Kenai and Seward Beer Revolution: Alaska’s fastest-growing industry

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Welcome Welcome to Alaskan Spirit magazine!

teachers and cooks, hunters and artists.

Whether this is your first trip with us or

This is about our communities, from the tiny to the metropolitan, the North Slope to the Southeast to the Western Arctic.

The places that we love and celebrate and call home.

you are a regular guest on our flights,

we appreciate your business and want to make your time with us enjoyable, comfortable and safe.

This magazine is our way of telling you

more about who we are, where you are headed, how to make the most of your

time with us, and why we are so passion-

This is about the adventures of living in rural Alaska—the beauty and challenge, opportunity and danger, wild places and wild things.

ate about the Alaskan communities we

This is about what we do for fun—fish, hunt, hike, boat, create and build.

This is about our people—those who live,

These are the stories, places and people that make rural Alaska the glorious place that it is.

connect every day.

work, play and celebrate in those unique places. The fishermen and builders,

We see this as a conversation and place for you to share your own stories and experiences with us. Tell us how we are doing and what you’d like to see in your magazine.

Thanks for traveling with us today and every day!

On The Cover: Joel Isaak is creating unique Alaska art true to his Dena’ina heritage and life on the Kenai using natural materials like salmon skins.

His work is creating an international audience and appreciation for his people and heritage. Read his story on page 12.

Cover photo by Judy Patrick Photography

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To be the best Kathy Roser loves Ravn Alaska and her home in Kenai so much that she flies to work every day. She plans, writes and implements the policies that shape everything we do for our passengers and employees. And it’s all about service.

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Art in their skins Joel Isaak is creating a new excitement around art using ancient materials including salmon skins to retell the stories of his Dena’ina ancestors.

Meet this rising star in international art who is never far from the land, people and salmon that have nurtured him.

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Centuries of the Russian The Confluence of the Russian and Kenai Rivers draws more than 25,000 anglers each summer to catch the red salmon that flood back to this iconic spot—which has been drawing Alaska fishermen for at least 6,000 years.

18 Beer boom

Alaska is enjoying an explosion of new locally-owned breweries that create

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the best beer in the world. Here’s a look at the industry statewide, plus an introduction to some beers and brewers you need to seek out on the Peninsula.

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Around the Peninsula The Kenai Peninsula is the summer playground for more Alaskans than any other part of the state. Here’s a look at some of our picks for this Kenai summer.

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Kidding around the Peninsula Travel guru Erin Kirkland joins us this month to help plan out kid-friendly adventures around the Kenai Peninsula.

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Homer adventures Everyone’s favorite little fishing town at the end of the road comes to life each summer. Homer is a bucket-list destination whether you’ve got a day or a lifetime—and here are some suggestions for making the most of your time there.

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Around Ravn country Our look at some of the great things to do and places to be this summer in some of the 118 communities you can fly to with Ravn.

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Alaskan Spirit is published by Fireweed Strategies LLC. Advertising and Editorial: Lee Leschper Fireweed Strategies LLC 4849 Potter Crest Circle Anchorage, AK 99516 Lee.Leschper@FireweedStrategies.com 907-957-6025 Ravn Air Group Corporate Headquarters: Ravn Alaska 4700 Old International Airport Road Anchorage, AK 99502 Phone: 907-248-4422 Fax: 907-266-8391 Statewide Reservations: Hours: Daily 7:00am to 7:00pm Phone: 1-800-866-8394 907-266-8394 (in state) Fax: 907-266-8391 Group Travel Desk Flyravn.com/group-travel Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Phone: 907-266-8470 Fax: 907-245-5745 Email: group.travel@flyravn.com FlyAway Rewards Program Flyravn.com/rewards Phone: 1-800-866-8394 907-266-8394 (in Anchorage) Consumer Affairs: Flyravn.com/askravn Email: consumer@flyravn.com Ravn Alaska Air Cargo 4750 Old International Airport Road Anchorage For more online at FlyRavn.com/cargo Phone: 907-243-2761 (Anchorage Central Office)

Ravn Alaska

Our Ravn vision With a combined history almost as old as our great state, Ravn Air Group is honored to be Alaska’s largest regional airline. Offering 400 daily flights, or 3,000 weekly passenger and charter trips, we proudly serve over 115 cities, villages and communities across the Last Frontier.

With more than 1,000 team members, hailing from each of the communities we serve, Ravn is Alaska’s hometown airline—providing safe, reliable and friendly service from Alaskans throughout Alaska.

Connecting people, cultures, cargo and mail, we strive to bring the very best in essential services and access to and from our state’s major hubs as well as its most wild and remote locations.

Traveling to the farthest corners of our country’s largest state—from Valdez and Kodiak in the south, to Bristol Bay and the Aleutian Islands, to Nome on the Bering

Sea, to Barrow and the North Slope, to Fairbanks and the interior—we’ve got your 49th state destination covered.

Committed to exceptional service, we are equally committed to supporting the communities we serve. As a company, part of our shared focus is to give back through the sponsorship of hundreds of local charities and not-for-profit organizations across our great state that contribute to the betterment of our Alaskan people and families.

Whether we’re transporting a team of athletes to their home field, a doctor to a hospital, a group of adventurers to Denali, or a family back to their village, as your fellow Alaskans and neighbors, you can count on us for exceptional, sincere service. Our pledge is to deliver the same warmth and comfort in the air as you’ll find from local Alaskans anywhere you land.

Corporate Sales Phone: 907-865-8599 Fax: 907-266-8391 Email: corporate.sales@flyravn.com

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From the CEO

Flying to a higher standard

Our commitment to safety means going beyond what’s required of us Here at Ravn, we

believe in flying to a

higher standard. As Alaska’s hometown airline, we fly in

some of the most David Pflieger

challenging weather and terrain in the

world, across a land size that exceeds

the combined area of Texas, California and Montana. Whether navigating the Talkeetna mountain range, landing on

Shaktoolik’s gravel airstrip guided only by a wind sock, or facing mercurial microcli-

mates flying into Valdez, we know you rely on us to get you safely to your destination 365 days out of the year.

Travel by airplane is the lifeblood connecting our state’s people and communities,

and safe, reliable service is essential. As

an airline doing business in this beautiful, wild and rugged place we call home, to provide you the best service requires

us to raise the bar on safety excellence.

As Alaska’s largest regional airline, we believe it’s our responsibility to be the safety leader in Alaska aviation.

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That is why over the past year Ravn has embarked on several major and unprecedented safety certifications, both for our airline and for any Alaskan regional carrier.

Recently, Ravn Alaska received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval of its Safety Management System (SMS). SMS is the formal, organization-wide approach to managing safety risk and assuring the effectiveness of safety risk controls. It ensures that safety is given the same level of priority that other core business processes are managed and includes systematic procedures, practices, and policies for the management of safety risk.

In May, Ravn Alaska also underwent its first-ever International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), the global standard for airline safety management. IATA’s IOSA program is an internationally recognized and accepted evaluation system designed to assess an air carrier’s management systems, processes, and controls against approximately 900 standards and recommended practices across eight separate organizational disciplines. This is the same standard that major carriers

like Alaska Airlines, American Airlines or Emirates Airline hold themselves to.

With the completion of the IOSA certification process, Ravn Alaska becomes the first regional airline in the state of Alaska to be an IOSA-registered operator and only the 34th airline in the U.S. to achieve this standard. Only 34% of all U.S. 121 carriers have IOSA certification.

Likewise, Ravn Connect is undergoing the same process, preparing for the IATA Operational Safety Audit (ISSA). This would see Ravn Connect be one of the first few operators in the world registered under the new IATA safety program for single engine aircraft operations.

The safety of our passengers and team members will always be our highest priority. Completing these safety initiatives is not a requirement in the aviation industry, and our dedication to achieving these elite certifications is our commitment to you and to a strong future connecting Alaskans.

David Pflieger is CEO of Ravn.

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Kathy Roser

To be the best in Alaska “We are taking ourselves to a whole new level.”

Every organization as complex as an airline with hundreds of flights a day must have a massive book of policies and procedures.

Kathy Roser doesn’t just live by that book—she helped write it.

And loves helping translate complex procedures into a better flight for Ravn passengers.

the airline on the same standards with much larger airlines.

“It’s a lot of work getting ready for the audit. And everyone had to get all employees to have buy in. At first change is a little bit intimidating. And then when you explain why, that we do not want to be just a standard airline, but always go above and beyond, they get it,” Kathy said.

“I started in Kenai as station manager, then moved to director of customer service.”

“We want to be better, the best in Alaska.

Now everyone loves the flow and system and way we are going. It is worth it.

Now director of airport policies and procedures for Ravn, Kathy works in Anchorage but still lives in Kenai. So, her daily commute via Ravn flights makes her one of the airline’s most frequent fliers.

“Our employees are feeling really good about what they are doing, because they have been a part of putting it together.

They are the experts. So when we wrote our manuals last time, they were very involved in writing our policies and developing procedures.

“Now I just catch the first morning flight,” she said, laughing. “It’s an interesting commute.

“It’s exciting when I always sit in the same seat and get to see how I get to see a new the policies we write procedure we affect passengers and crew. wrote make the

“That’s why this is so exciting. We are taking ourselves to a whole new level.”

Because so much of what an airline does is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and TSA, much of Kathy’s work is adapting those requirements to what works for Ravn and its passengers.

“Now I have a vested experience better interest, both as a for our passengers.” customer on the plane and to watch everything.

It’s exciting when I get to see a new procedure we wrote make the “It’s always changing. Which is true with experience better for our passengers.” any business. But it’s exciting being Kathy is playing a key role in the compain aviation. It gets into your blood, like fishing and you just can’t get it out!” ny-wide audit Ravn is conducting to put

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Kathy Roser, Ravn director of airport policies and procedures, with one of the many manuals that every Ravn employee and passenger counts on.

During her many years living in Kenai, Kathy has taken an active role in that community.

Before joining Ravn a dozen years ago, she was manager for the Arctic Winter Games when it was last hosted in Kenai.

That was a massive undertaking involving hundreds of volunteers and thousands of competitors and visitors to the Peninsula.

When it ended, she was ready for a new challenge.

Her vision of community services matches nicely with Ravn’s dedication to supporting hundreds of charities and non-profit organizations throughout Alaska.

“We need to give back to our communities. It’s super important to stay involved—we need each other. We like being involved in every way we can. The more things we can do in our communities, the

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more successful they are, and we are as a company and an airline.”

You can tell her genuine passion for the work and her coworkers walking through the terminal and on the flight line. She has a kind word and a big smile for everyone she meets and an immediate word or thought for whatever they’re doing.

“I’m really grateful that someone comes up and buys a ticket from us. It’s important that they see we are involved in showing that in everything we do.”

It’s also a great way to know what passengers would like to see from their airline, she says.

“We need to know the pulse of these communities. So we can have our airlines meet

those needs. That’s super important.”

It’s a process that never ends, she adds.

Because her first jobs at Ravn were in customer service, before moving up in management, Kathy is also passionate about providing great customer service.

“We are a much safer company and our level of service is way above and beyond what’s required.

“The customer experience is a huge thing for me. Their experience is going to be good if we are doing our job well. If we have to change procedures to provide a great experience for the customers, we do it.”

“I love it! The great ways we are going to improve our company and seeing our employees buy into it and then see it at work. It’s a passion of mine…seeing the results of these changes. Seeing both how good we are and how much better we are going to be.”

“My job is to figure out how we are operating, at our safest and beyond. Not just to meet the standards but to always be going above and beyond.

“It works!”

Kathy talks with a Ravn front line customer service representative at the Ted Stevens Airport in Anchorage. Ravn employees at every level have input on the rules that guide airline operations.

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Joel Isaak, Alaskan artist

Sharing love of salmon in art of their skins

By Shehla Anjum

All photos courtesy CIRI

Dena’ina artist Joel Isaak, of Soldotna and Kenai, is fast gaining recognition as one of Alaska’s most innovative young artists. Joel’s work blends traditional materials with modern forms to create haunting images.

At age 8 Joel Isaak watched a television program about Picasso’s painting Guernica. The film juxtaposed images of the artwork with those of the bombed city. Picasso’s rage at the violence of war left a mark.

Joel was young, but he understood the message the painting sent.

“The story and the images associated with the painting evoked strong emotions in me. I could relate to the idea of people being displaced by force, being judged by how they looked. As a person with Native heritage I understood that pain.”

Joel is now an artist himself. His works incorporate elements of both his Native and his European heritage. His love for working with live materials, such as roots, bark and skins came from a desire to pursue the historical materials and processes used by his Athabascan ancestors. But Isaak credits the European part of his heritage for his realization about art’s power to express emotion and to communicate.

Joel graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2012 and received his Master of Fine Arts in 2015 from Alfred University in New York, a renowned art school.

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Dena’ina artist Joel Isaak is known for creations using natural and traditional materials, including this halibut skin jacket.

held a solo exhibition of his work in

February 2013. The Anchorage Museum asked him to make fish skin objects for

its Dena’inaq’ Huch’ulyeshi exhibit in 2014 and he has helped teach classes on fish skin work at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage.

He won the 2013 Alaska Native Heritage Month committee’s Alaska Native

Visionary Award, which recognizes

Alaska Natives who work to preserve

culture through various forms of artistic expression.

Joel was born and raised in Soldotna and is a member of the Kenaitze Tribe of the

Dena’ina Athabascan through his mother.

At 29, he stands apart from other Alaskan artists because of his signature work with fish skin. Fish skins were traditionally

used to make utilitarian objects such as clothing and containers. But as times

changed few people were left who made those things. The skill nearly died.

In recent years, several Native artists, Joel among them, have started working with natural materials, including fish skins, to create items such as vases and baskets. Isaak uses fish skin to create masks and baskets and also wearable art—boots, jackets and dresses.

His use of the translucent fish skin to depict a human face is a metaphoric use of that material, emphasizing the artist’s heritage and the connections between fish and people in Native culture. Isaak’s creations are mostly monochromatic, but contain subtle variations in shade and color. Joel’s work also includes paint, glass, wood, metal, bronze, plastic, clay, bark and animal skins.

Life in Soldotna revolved around fishing in the summer and processing large game in the fall, activities that became an important part of his artistic process.

Life in “a multicultural Native Alaskan and Northern European home (his father’s German heritage) inspires my current work’s exploration and reflection on these two culture’s interactions and histories,” Joel said.

He began art classes in high school and an interest in pottery stemmed from the Isaak family’s partly rural way of life. Joel remembers his first encounter with clay at age 4.

“I was completely enthralled with the clay.

I molded it into pie shapes, made little nests to put rocks in, and tried to roll coils out of it. I loved it.”

In his senior year of high school Joel went to Europe with his father. An ancient bronze Greek statue at the Vatican

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Isaak puts finishing touches in his Soldotna studio on a sculpture in bronze of a young Dena’ina woman, part of a three-figure family and fish camp setting at the Dena’ina Health Clinic in Kenai.

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The bronze surface of a fish camp family sculpture is retextured to resemble caribou skin, used in traditional Dena’ina garments. Isaak used the lost-wax method of bronze casting, a method where molten metal is poured into a mold created with a wax model.

became a touchstone for a work he later created in Alaska.

materials—clays, skins, hides—and how he can manipulate them.

me,” thanks to Alaska’s prolific salmon

“The luster and the strength of that statue fascinated me. It was very realistic and it signified the iconic perfection of Western art. It made me want to learn the lost wax casting technique that created that powerful statue.”

“Science and art have always been parallel or interconnected for me. I approach art through a scientific method, I have an analytical mind and I am always searching for a moment of discovery in my art.”

Joel spent a year researching the art

At UAF, Joel initially majored in chemistry but switched majors in 2011, ending up with a Bachelors in Fine Arts in sculpture.

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One such moment came with fish skins. He knew about fish skins being used to make traditional objects.

“I was drawn to it because it was a live material. It has luminescence; its thinness makes it look fragile but is very strong. It was the closest thing to human skin that I could work with. Its contradictions intrigued me.

And best of all, fish skin was all around

runs.

and craft of fish skins. He studied

other objects made from fish skin and he experimented. All on his own. Isaak also sought knowledge from Helen Dick, an

Athabascan elder and culture bearer from Lime Village.

Using ancient materials in new ways is

what makes Isaak’s work different from

others who work in fish skin. In his hands, fish skins are not turned into bowls, wallets or bags, but into art.

His foray into fish skin clothing is part of

that experimentation. It shows how Joel’s art occupies a space of its own, refusing

to be categorized as Native or non-Native art.

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“Anyone can appreciate highly designed materials and design.”

display his fish skin masks, vases, drums and a moose hide silhouette.

Joel’s use of fish skin transcends the Native community and speaks to broader Alaska community where all share a love of fish.

Restoration dwelt on the idea of an individual’s relationship within a large group such as a tribe or even a mass of migrating fish.

The Native side of Isaak’s heritage is most evident in his salmon skin masks.

“I hung small salmon skin baskets and masks with human faces from the ceilings,” Joel said. The small baskets represented the ordinary or the entity as a whole, the masks the individual. When people walked by the installation it moved and turned ever so slightly, like a run of salmon going up the Kenai River.

“He used something that is utilitarian and put a human element into it,” said Wendy Croskrey, an associate professor in UAF’s art department. “It’s both interesting and haunting. Seeing the facial images in the fish makes you think about the interaction between the two.”

Art goes beyond simple representation; it also includes ways of displaying objects so that a viewer feels satisfied or moved.

Installations of artwork can be tricky for even the most experienced artists.

But Joel mastered it. His solo show Restoration at the Alaska Native Arts Foundation in Anchorage was held in a tight space, but Isaak used it creatively to

In 2014, the Anchorage Museum invited Joel to create several items for its major exhibit on the Dena’ina, the first significant recognition of these first Alaskans. Joel made the fish and the faces and hands of mannequins in the diorama of a fish camp depicted at the entrance of the exhibit in 2014. A part of that exhibit is now on permanent display at the main South Terminal of Anchorage’s Ted Stevens International Airport.

A series of sculptures that have brought Joel a great deal of recognition is his family fish camp grouping in bronze permanently installed at the Kenaitze tribal building in Kenai.

Recently, Joel was asked to develop a likeness, in bronze, of Grandma Olga, a beloved Dena’ina elder, now passed away. The sculpture, now in progress, will be installed in a small park along with metal sculptures of a fish drying rack and fish trap, also done by Joel.

The setting, near the mouth of Ship Creek in downtown Anchorage, is important to the Dena’ina. Ship Creek is the northernmost of the five major creeks flowing through the Anchorage bowl, and there is a rich history of use of the creek by the first Alaskans in the region, the Dena’ina.

The likeness of Grandma Olga will look out over Cook Inlet, a view she would have enjoyed.

Shehla Anjum is an Anchorage writer.

Portions of this article appeared earlier in First Alaskans Magazine.

Dried salmon skin sculpture with facial features, an Isaak hallmark. Isaak is wearing a salmon skin vest he created.

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Alaska history

6,000 years fishing the Russian

By Lee Leschper

The fishermen walk eagerly to the river’s edge, anticipating the bounty of salmon awaiting them.

They quickly fall to the task of catching bright blue-backed sockeyes from the schools of fish finning in the clear water after an 80-mile epic swim upstream from the Cook Inlet. And in moments bright fish are flopping on the bank in every direction.

That scene is replayed thousands of times each summer as eager fishermen flock to the confluence of the Russian and Kenai Rivers, to intercept the vast schools of sockeye salmon that return there to spawn.

It’s one of the most-fished spots in Alaska, drawing more than 25,000 fishermen each June-August to a mile of rich glacial green water.

But few of today’s anglers realize that they are following and fishing in the footsteps of other Alaska fishermen who have been coming to this same spot, to do the same thing, for at least 6,000 years.

Aaron Leggett is curator of Alaska History and Culture. He is also a Dena’ina whose family traces its history back at least 1,500 years on the Kenai.

“Yes, the history (of fishermen at the Russian) goes back thousands of years,” Leggett said.

“Those thousands of people fishing there today are doing what they did thousands of years ago, because of the massive run of sockeye salmon.”

“But it’s part of a larger archeological district whose official name is Sqilantnu, which means The River in Dena’ina. Kenai lake was originally called Sqilantnu, which was shortened to Skilak. But when they named Skilak Lake they were applying the name to the wrong lake.”

Kenai Lake is at the headwaters of the Kenai River, while Skilak is downstream, dividing the upper and middle sections of the river.

The Kenai Dena’ina were at home on the northern Kenai Peninsula and in the Kenai Mountains. They had village sites through out that area. But by the early 1920, their numbers had dwindled down for a variety of reasons including disease and the last of the Kenai Mountain Dena’ina migrated down to the Kenai itself.

“When fishermen showed up in the ’40s, they didn’t see any human habitation and thought it was unspoiled landscape. But really it only recently had been heavily used.”

Fortunately, a lot of work has been done

by U.S. Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Forest Service to do archeological digs in the area, to document the early history, he said.

“The Kenaitze tribe has been very involved and have a summer interpretative site down there.”

The center is at mile 52.6 of the Sterling Highway. It is possible to walk the boardwalk at the site and see depressions in the soil where Dena’ina houses and fish cache pits once existed.

“They would dig into the permafrost, line it with birch bark and store salmon there for the winter, like a freezer,” he said.

The Dena’ina moved from the Russian for much the same reason people still relocate—for more opportunity and jobs in the salmon canneries and other businesses in Kenai.

“And there were other places they could get fish,” Leggett laughed. “In the 1920s and up until the mid-1970s, the Kenai was pretty productive. There were a lot of fish (everywhere). My grandad used to fish there when they got five kings a day and none would be under 50 pounds.”

But archelogy indicates that other fishermen were at the Russian Confluence even before the Dena’ina, Leggett said.

“It’s hard to assign (who they were), but probably ancestors of what today we know as Alutiiq most likely used the area, there’s speculation that some of them tie back to ancestors of today’s Yupik people of Bristol Bay.

Tens of thousands of sockeye salmon, and thousands of fishermen, gather at “The Sanctuary” at the confluence of the Russian and Kenai Rivers each summer, in a fishing tradition that’s been going on for thousands of years.

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“But we know that there were a pre-Athabascan people there going back 6,000 years. The point being that going back thousands of years, they used the Russian River just like today’s fishermen.”

Cooper Landing bypass approved Federal highway authorities

But it was not just fishing that brought and held them here, he added. This was a virtual hunting and fishing paradise for these earlier Alaskans.

and Alaska’s Department of Transportation have finalized an agreement for a highway bypassing Cooper Landing and

“That area at one time was pretty productive sheep hunting grounds in the mountains. And lots of bears and trapping. That area also became very famous for spectacular moose hunting including some of largest ever taken.

“Dena’ina tend to be most heavily concentrated around coast or with access to the coast, and this area is not as close to the coast as they prefer. They were primarily a salmon fishing, hunting, trapping culture. And what that area did was create opportunity to put up a surplus of food.

“We think there was a year-around settlement but not a large contingent of residents. It would not have been a large a village. More people tended to go there seasonally.”

Again, just like today’s Cooper Landing, with a small group of year-around residents and a huge influx of visiting anglers that arrive with the salmon.

critical habitat along a stretch of the Upper Kenai River.

Federal Highways signed the record of decision (ROD) on the Sterling Highway 45-60 reroute selecting Juneau Creek as the preferred alternative, ending the longest-running Environmental This pair of happy anglers displays the prize that keeps anglers coming back— bright and tasty sockeye salmon.

“It’s interesting. In a lot of ways it does still parallel the settlement pattern we see today.”

So when you visit the Confluence, whether to fill the freezer with fish or just marvel at the spectacle of thousands of fish and fishermen in one spot, take a moment to reflect on those earlier Alaskans, who did exactly the same thing!

Impact Statement in the country.

Next are negotiations on a land exchange between Cook Inlet Regional Corporation (CIRI) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to complete the bypass, a several mile highway looping away from and above Cooper Landing and the Kenai.

The narrow winding road through Cook Inlet has been the scene of many serious auto collisions over the several

If you go: The interpretive center is at Milepost 52.6 on the Sterling Highway. It is open 10-4 Thursday-Sunday through the summer.

Get more information at 907-335-3290.

The Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s Dena’ina ancestors, recognizing the abundance of the place called Yaghanen, “the good land,” settled along the banks of its rivers and Tikahtnu (Cook Inlet).

Kenaitze Indian Tribe partners with the Chugach National Forest preserve, protect and provide interpretation for

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this location at the K’Beq’ “footprints” interpretive site.

At K’Beq’, Tribal members share traditions and culture with visitors through interpretive walks.

More online: The Anchorage Museum five years ago had a major international exhibition on the Dena’ina and published a book, Dena’ina’ Huch’ulyeshi—The Dena’ina Way of Living, including much of that history and more than 600 images. Much of it is online at denaina.anchoragemuseum.org

decades the project has been under discussion. The bypass will remove traffic congestion from Cooper Landing businesses, speed travel for travelers headed south on the Peninsula and reduce the risk of a catastrophic ecological disaster if a traffic accident resulted in a fuel or hazardous waste spill directly into the Upper Kenai River.

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Alaska breweries

It’s about more than great beer Alaska beer is good. And good for the economy.

while employing more than 2,200 people producing almost 4 million gallons of beer.

It has been one of the fastest-growing agricultural sectors in the state for the past decade. And there’s a lot to love about Alaskan beer. It’s fun, it’s tasty and it’s local.

David McCarthy and Jason Motyka are co-owners of 49th State Brewing Co. which includes brew pubs in Denali and Anchorage.

“Every one of the 33 Alaska breweries is locally owned,” said Ryan Makinster, executive director of the Alaska Brewer’s Guild.

“There are also four breweries-in-planning that we know of, but I expect there are more.”

They range from regional heavyweight Alaskan Brewing, which now sells in much of the Lower 48, to several that sell only onsite at their brewery. Regardless of size, they share a vision that begins with a real love of beer and creating unique brews, and extends to being active, ethical corporate citizens of the communities where they make beer.

In 2015, the last year data on brewing was available, a smaller number of Alaska brewers than today generated more than $169 million in economic impact for Alaska

They also operate Denali Park Salmon Bake, Prospector’s Historic Pizzeria & Alehouse, Denali Crow’s Nest Cabins and The Overlook at the Crow’s Nest in Denali.

“One thing about craft beer for us,” McCarthy said, “is we are in the hospitality business and one of the ways we share our hospitality is through the beer we make. We are a beer-centric company. We have our beer on tap in our hotel and our restaurants.”

They agree on the challenges of brewing in Alaska.

“90 percent of what we use has to be shipped in. That costs in time, man hours, shipping, and adds significant cost to the beer brewed here, 30-40 percent more.

And for us, we then ship it to Denali.

“But the cost of water is low at Denali, because we drilled our own wells.”

49th State’s main brewery might be the most remote in the country, just outside Denali National Park.

“You have to be pretty adventurous,” David laughed. “It was pretty hard in 2009 to explain to a banker that someday winter tourism around Denali would boom.”

The first brewery in Denali was a test, to see if it was even possible to brew beer in as cold a climate as interior Alaska, Jason said.

“That’s why created our hibernation beer series—heavy beers that age well through winter. So, we’re serving this high

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gravity beers, which take months to cellar (through the winter) and sell during the summer.

“Once we realized the demand, we got into the gas station business, to get into the beer business. The station has a building with a thick concrete floor that will support a brewery. I went back to school to get a brewing degree. It’s been challenging—the building for example was not made for winter.”

The partners then expanded by purchasing the former Snow Goose in downtown Anchorage and have converted the former Elks Lodge building into brewery, restaurant and now popular meeting place. Now they’re also adding a production brewery in Anchorage.

“We want to help make our markets a desirable destination. The great cities of the world offer great food and beverages and great hospitality.

“We are in the business of people. It’s people first and then the beer. Our growth is based on people who see the vision first and want to join the team.”

McCarthy and Motyka were part of the recent trade delegation that traveled from Alaska to China.

“Our focus on that Chinese trip was not really to go there and strike a deal to send our Alaska beverages overseas. We also wanted to make sure we presented what the Alaska spirit and hospitality is,” Jason said.

“And to create interest for people to come back to see us here. It works both ways. We want to export but also want to educate them on Alaska products. There’s so much opportunity and remember Alaska is the closest U.S. destination from most Chinese cities.

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KENAI PENINSULA BREWERS Bear Creek Winery 60203 Bear Creek Drive Homer, AK 99603 907-235-8484 www.bearcreekwinery.com 49th State co-owners Jason Motyka (left) and David McCarthy at the 49th State - Denali in front of the old brew tanks.

“From the beginning, the Chinese market is looking for a sense of authenticity, and the authenticity of what we do is what drives that demand.”

“Alaska in general is becoming known as a beer state,” Motyka said. “People are coming here to try them all. Alaska has a unique experience to offer, the travel aspect.”

Beer is a very collaborative business in Alaska, said Doug Hogue, owner of Kenai River Brewing Company.

“We talk with each other. I think it evolved from the people in the business. And as a craft brewer, our competition has never been other craft brewers. We compete with Miller, Coors, Bud with their money and big marketing budgets.”

That even extends to brew staff.

When Alaska’s newest brewer, Matanuska Brewing, opened this spring in Palmer in the old Matanuska Maid Dairy building, head brewer Kevin Burton came with 20 years of experience form Anchorage’s Glacier Brewhouse. And the new brewery is canning both its own beers and Glacier’s.

The consensus among Alaska brewers is that drawing more consumers to micro brews creates a larger market for everybody.

“We think a rising tide raises all ships,” McCarthy said. “Not all brewers work together, some have their own opinions, but 90 percent of us have the common

Photo by Silas Fallstich

goal to increase the quality of craft beer in Alaska and support our passion.”

As an example, 49th State serves many other Alaskan beers in their restaurants.

“We want more people to try more Alaskan beer,” McCarthy said.

“As we change people’s tastes, that works for everybody,” Hogue agreed.

While there’s a long culture of home brewing in Alaska, choosing to ramp up and go into the business means facing the unique problems Alaska brewers face, Hogue said.

Grace Ridge Brewing Company 3388 B Street Homer, AK 99603 907-435-0601 www.graceridgebrewing.com Homer Brewing Company 1411 Lake Shore Drive Homer, AK 99603 907-235-3626 www.homerbrew.com Kassik’s Brewery 47160 Spruce Haven Street Kenai, AK 99611 907-776-4055 www.kassiksbrew.com Kenai River Brewing Company 308 Homestead Lane Soldotna, AK 99669 907-262-2337 www.kenairiverbrewing.com

First, it’s overcoming so many hurdles, like just the logistics of shipping raw materials.

“I tell my friend brewers in the Lower 48 that they have it made. They don’t have to worry about this stuff, like getting a call that your malt is going to be delayed on a barge a few more days because of storms. That’s the most difficult thing, and the costs of everything, because of shipping,” Hogue said

Seward Brewing Company 139 4th Avenue Seward, AK 99664 907-422-0337 www.sewardbrewery.com

And the best thing?

“It’s the water! We have great water, which is a big part of beer. Great water makes great beer,” Hogue said.

Kenai River Brewing has been in business 12 years and fits the model of many successful Alaska breweries. It’s one of several great brewers on the Kenai Peninsula.

“My wife likes to say it was a hobby gone wild!

We brewed beer at home for many years, then when we moved to the Peninsula we were both

St. Elias Brewing Company 434 Sharkathmi Avenue Soldotna, AK 99669 907-260-7837 www.steliasbrewingco.com Cooper Landing Brewing Company 34898 Caribou Heights Circle Cooper Landing, AK 99572 907-223-6101 www.cooperlandingbrewing.com Note: Brewery is not open to public but provides brews to local businesses

Alaska Breweries continued on page 47

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ALASKAN SPIRIT

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Salmon centric

Salmon in pieces Words, photography & styling

by Susie Jenkins-Brito, author of Set the Net, a blog about food and life in Bristol Bay, Alaska Living in rural Alaska gives one a sense of preservation; a desire to utilize what is on hand to get the most out of our bounty.

Throughout Alaska we are stewards of our waterways and their inhabitants.

When we harvest foods it is our duty to use as much of each offering as we can.

It is inspiring to eat a meal seated at a truly subsistence harvest filled table, each ingredient gathered appreciated for its origin. A traditional Yup’ik meal may include a whole boiled trout or pike from the lake, with people fighting over the esophagus, considered a delicacy to many, and perhaps a few small hands grappling for the eyeballs. Consuming or using each individual part of what is taken is a way of expressing respect, reducing waste, and being closer to our food. Now, if you’re not quite ready to embrace the concept of eating every part of a fish down to its guts, then perhaps you can be persuaded to try some under-utilized pieces of Alaska’s most notable catch— salmon—as a gateway.

Heads When the Nushagak kings hit the beaches on the Westside of Bristol Bay, the whole region seems to buzz in excitement.

People with subsistence nets in the water celebrate their first fish by lighting smokehouses and throwing BBQs. A culture of sharing is ever apparent, and social media explodes with photos of the massive silver fish. In so many kitchens, king heads are baked with drops of rich fat sizzling from the collars, cheeks plucked out from under the face plates and savored for

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their moist flesh. If you miss out on the king salmon, whose heads can be nearly enough to feed three people, coho heads also offer an abundance of meat.

To bake salmon heads, preheat your oven to 375º F. Sever the head from the backbone and rinse in cool water, paying special attention to cleaning the gill plate.

Once cleaned, you can split the head in half in two ways. One is by placing the cut side onto a cutting board and cleaving straight through the nose, entirely separating both sides of the face so you have two pieces. The second way is by placing it onto a cutting board jaw down and cutting through from the top of the head until just the inside of collar is exposed, leaving the pieces connected by the throat’s flesh.

Place your split heads cut side down onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Season the skin and collar meat as desired, then bake for 15-30 minutes, depending on head size. You will know they are finished by the delicious scent filling your kitchen and by checking the collar meat to see if it has gained a pale pink appearance.

A steaming bowl of rice ladled over with yellow vegetable curry, a half of a salmon head on top seasoned generously with sprinkles of curry powder, salt, paprika, turmeric, and white pepper, and finished off with a scoop of plain yogurt and raw cabbage slivers makes for a jaw dropping dish on a blustery Alaska summer day.

Bones, fins, & guts Often a day’s catch is more than one wants to fillet without a break. Gutting and cleaning the bloodline from a salmon allows for a bit of flexibility, as long as the fish has been correctly bled and kept iced or properly refrigerated.

Guts make fantastic additions to compost piles, providing rich nutrients for microbial growth. They generate almost no lure for animals if turned properly, although that is a story for another day.

Blood water hosed from cleaning tables can be poured directly into gardens for an excellent fertilizing hydration solution.

If gutted prior to filleting, only the head, backbone, and tail will remain after the side meat has been sliced away. Often discarded, these pieces can also be composted, although they are better utilized by making a fumet or dashi, otherwise known as fish stock.

To make salmon stock, fill a heavy bottomed pot (with a tight-fitting lid) with enough water to cover the fish parts to be boiled. Heads, backbones, tails, and skins can all be tossed into the pot. Gill plates should be cut from salmon heads to prevent any off flavors from occurring.

Bring water to a rolling boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and allow to cook until all the bones appear to have been cleaned.

This may take an hour or up to several, depending on batch size. Strain and fill sterile jars or freezer bags for storage.

Fish stock can be pressure canned using the same methods one would use for pressure canning salmon meat or it can be frozen for up to 6 months.

Stock can be seasoned during its simmer with kelp or nori to create a Japanese dashi, or with herbs and vegetable scraps to create a French fumet. Salmon stock makes an excellent base for seafood chowders, bisques, or miso soup.

Roe While gutting or filleting your salmon, it is easy to spot a female filled with eggs originally bound for the spawning grounds.

These eggs are bursting with flavor and are often enjoyed boiled with rice or kelp in traditional meals, but shine most when brined into ikura.

Making ikura, or cured salmon roe, while a somewhat lengthy process, is worth every glorious bead of glistening sunshine it produces. Like so many things that are unassumingly extravagant, ikura preparation seems daunting, but really is quite

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uncomplicated. Skeins can be frozen whole to be prepared later or ikura can be made fresh, the same day as the catch.

To make ikura, the roe must first be separated from the skein’s membrane and rinsed. The easiest way to do this without damaging the fragile roe is to place one skein at a time into a bowl of the hottest water you can stand to have your hands immersed in. This will slightly toughen the roe’s shell. Then, still in the water, carefully tease and roll the roe off the skein. During this process the roe will turn milky in color; this is normal and will reverse during the brine.

Once all the membrane is removed, rinse roe gently in cold water, put in a thin mesh strainer and drain. Place in a clean bowl, add a scant teaspoon of sea salt per skein and stir carefully. The eggs will begin to revert to their original bright clear orange almost immediately. A tablespoon or two of sake per skein and a few teaspoons of soy sauce add additional layers of flavor. Let brine for 30 minutes in the refrigerator, stir again and taste. If too salty, a quick rinse in cold water is permissible or additions of soy sauce or salt can be made, if needed. Return roe to chill for an additional 30 minutes.

To fry salmon skin, remove the skin from a raw fillet in one piece, if able. (If you need a bit of instruction in this technique, hop online for an abundance of resources). You can descale the skin, if desired, by running the dull edge of a knife’s blade against the grain. However, if you leave them, the scales will crisp up along with the skin when fried, becoming nearly unnoticeable.

In a heavy bottomed ceramic, well-seasoned cast iron, or nonstick skillet, heat a light layer of sesame oil over medium high heat until hot, but not smoking. Lay the salmon skin scale side down on a clean surface, rub a bit of wasabi paste on the internal side, then lay a sheet of nori on top. Trim the skin to fit the nori and put the now joined skin/nori combo into the

hot oil, scales down. Be careful: the fat

will pop while frying and the skin cooks incredibly quickly.

When the skin puffs slightly and browns,

flip it using tongs and allow the nori to fry

for 10-15 seconds, then remove from pan onto a paper towel. Allow to cool until no longer too hot to touch, layer sushi rice

over the nori side, fill roll with sliced salmon, cucumber, wasabi paste, or whatever else suits your fancy. Roll into a sushi

roll and cut into bite-sized pieces. Serve immediately with soy sauce for dipping.

Crispy skin strips can also be enjoyed hot from the pan on their own, dipped in soy

sauce, or perhaps as garnish on a bowl of salmon belly ramen.

If desired, season ikura with some very finely minced garlic, chopped green onions, furikake or wasabi paste—all to taste. Serve on top of rice crackers with soft cheese or gracing rice bowls. It is also a delectable topping for sushi rolls of wrapped rice. Ikura is best stored cold, in airtight containers and eaten as fresh as possible.

Skin The first thing an angler or fisherman notices when hauling in a salmon is its silver gleam, skin and scales flashing in the sun. Alaskan artisans make salmon skin leather, baskets, and jewelry, but the adventurous sushi lover can create a roll of this skin, crisply fried, that is a work of art in itself.

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ALASKAN SPIRIT

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Alaska’s playground

Lots to love on the Kenai Peninsula So many choices, so much fun, so little time!

Where do Alaskans choose to play every summer? Most choose the Kenai Peninsula—Alaska’s most popular summer playground.

Why the Kenai?

First because there’s so much to do—and we’ll give you lots of suggestions right here.

Second because it’s so accessible by car, RV and Ravn Alaska flights.

And third (or maybe first) because the fishing is fabulous!

From the giant halibut of Kachemak and Resurrection Bays, to the legendary king salmon of the Kenai River, to the millions of sockeye and silver salmon that flood through the Cook Inlet to countless rivers and streams, this is a fishermen’s paradise.

For many of us, it’s also where we fill the freezer for the winter, by rod-

Wildlife and Glacier Cruise You can’t travel Alaska and miss the chance to see orcas, humpbacks, sea lions and sea otters in their natural element, amid breathtaking scenery.

Several tour companies provide day trips from Seward and Whittier above big comfortable catamarans, lunch included!

Dogsledding Experience firsthand the rush of being pulled on a dogsled. Or if you’re adventurous do a helo-dog sled trip and dog sled on a glacier! It’s offseason training for the dogs too, so everybody wins.

River Rafting Enough looking at the water…get out there! You can choose anything from a calm float down the stunning Upper Kenai to a heart-pumping Class 5 white water adventure down 6 Mile Creek!

Flightseeing Alaska and airplanes are inseparable, and to really see Alaska, you need to do so by air. Our great flightseeing companies will give you a bird’s eye view of volcanoes

and ice fields of Lake Clark Pass. It’s a

flight you never forget! By plane is also the way to reach remote bear-viewing

locations where the huge bruins gather to

feed on rich salmon. Wild Alaska up close and personal!

Alaska Sealife Center On Resurrection Bay in Seward, this is one of the great research and public

sea centers in America, and this year

they’re celebrating their 20th Anniversary.

Prepare to fall in love with otters when you visit.

Hiking You could spend a lifetime hiking the

Peninsula and never see the same trail twice. There are more than 400 miles

of improved trails with something for all

skill levels. Take an hour or several days.

Prepare for the weather, take a friend and take the bear spray!

Great Seafood Just as Alaska is the most diverse state in the Union, our food covers every ethnicity and every palate. But we’re all about

and-reel or dipnet. But fishing is just the start of the adventures here.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough covers 25,600 square miles, more land than some states. Its communities from Seward to Kenai and Soldotna to Homer are as diverse, scenic and historic as anyplace in Alaska. While you probably won’t see it all, here are some suggestions on adventures to make the most of your time on the Peninsula, when you’re not fishing!

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Passport to adventure KPTMC provides a special free “passport” to 2018 summer visitors.

The free “Passport To Adventure On The Kenai” is filled with more than 40 special offers for dining, lodging, shopping, fishing and other activities across the Kenai Peninsula.

Visitors who collect a stamp from our fresh wild Alaska seafood and from Seward to Seldovia you won’t find it any fresher than on the Kenai Peninsula.

Brew Tour The Kenai is becoming a Mecca for craft brews and wines, and the authentic Alaskans who are making not just great beer but a difference in their communities. See the full list of Kenai Peninsula breweries and wineries on page 19.

Horseback Riding As you travel the Peninsula, you’ll notice we also love our horses. And what a way to experience the wonders of the Kenai Peninsula, on a guided horseback tour.

tions of bird life on earth. From majestic bald eagles to delicate shorebirds to the omnipresent gulls and ravens, you can spend a lifetime admiring our feathered

Listen to the Music

The Passport is available at any

We celebrate the musicality of our

chamber of commerce office on

Peninsula with both live music venues

the Peninsula, at participating

and festivals throughout the summer.

merchants or online at kenaipen-

Be sure to check out chamber music in the Soldotna park every Wednesday don’t have to listen on an empty stomach!). And plan for our own music festival of the Peninsula, Salmonfest, in August.

What can we say…it’s the best on earth!

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insula.org/get-your-passport.

(accompanied by food trucks, so you

The hottest water new sport on the Peninsula is paddle boarding. In the land that invented kayaks, Alaskans and visitors are now finding that paddleboards provide the up-close experience of kayaking, with even more comfort for beginners. Board tours and rentals are available in all our ocean communities, as well as Cooper Landing.

Prize Kenai Peninsula Vacation Package for next year!

As to the Fishing...

Thanks to our rich sea life, we also have one of the largest most diverse popula-

nities can enter to win a Grand

friends. Many of us do!

Paddle Boarding

Birding

10 of the 13 destination commu-

All five species of pacific salmon, halibut, lingcod, rockfish, and in our rivers giant rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. Also chances to win big with your big catch, with the Halibut Jackpot Derby in Homer, Seward Halibut Derby and Silver Salmon Derby, and now the Kenai River Silver Salmon Derby. Fish on!

Learn more about options all over the Kenai Peninsula at kenaipeninsula.org or call 907-262-5229.

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Kenai Peninsula wildlife viewing

Where to see wildlife this summer We are in prime time for Alaska wildlife viewing, and there is no better place to see the sights than on the Kenai Peninsula.

The Peninsula – roughly 100 miles wide and 200 miles long—boasts every wildlife habitat in the Last Frontier except Arctic tundra. That collection of ecosystems provides an excellent opportunity to see creatures of all shapes and sizes.

There also is an extensive network of roadways, hiking trails and waterways that help get you closer to nature and everything it has to offer.

Here are the editor’s picks of the best spots for the best photo shots from the Peninsula. Don’t forget your camera!

Portage Glacier Valley What to See: Moose, bears, salmon, songbirds It’s not unusual to see sow black bears and cubs eating greens in the valley’s meadows during the summer, while birds of all varieties can be seen throughout the area. The Begich-Boggs Visitor Center—open through Labor Day—is a great first stop for wildlife viewing advice, naturalist guided walks and current alerts. The Forest Service maintains a number of trails and the Williwaw Fish Viewing Platform is among the best for salmon-viewing in the state.

Getting There: Seward Highway milepost 78.9. The Whittier-Portage Glacier Access Road runs southeast about 5 miles toward the shore of Portage Lake and the highway tunnel to Whittier in Prince William Sound.

Cooper Landing Viewing Area What to See: Dall sheep, mountain goats, waterfowl The Cooper Landing Viewing Site provides a place to see a diverse amount of wildlife, including sheep and goats that can be found along nearby steep slopes.

With its proximity to the river, there is no shortage of shorebirds and ducks that frequent the area. A boardwalk offers connections from the parking area to restrooms and the viewing site.

Getting There: Sterling Highway milepost 48, turn north into the Cooper Landing State Recreation Site Boat Launch.

Russian River Falls What to See: Salmon, bears, songbirds The Russian provides an excellent sockeye salmon sport fishery, which is why the bears like it, too. It’s not uncommon during the height of the runs to see both brown bears and black bears in the area. There is a 2-mile, wheelchair-accessible trail to the falls and viewing decks.

Wildlife biologists urge using the trails only during daylight and practicing being “bear aware” while in the area.

Getting There: The Russian Lakes Trail begins off the access road to the Russian River Campground, at milepost 52 of the Sterling Highway.

Photo: Jennifer Rogers

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Kenai National Wildlife Refuge What to See: Bald eagles, moose, bears, salmon, lynx, birds of all varieties The Refuge contains an immense amount of wildlife and is kid-friendly. The Environmental Education Center located in a log cabin at the start of the Keen Eye Trail includes activities for kids and details about what animals have been active recently. The Refuge has roughly 3 miles of maintained trails and boardwalks traverse both woods and wetlands teeming with critters.

beach offers a unique glimpse of the intertidal world, while the estuary and marsh extend a half-mile inland, where the creek bottom transitions to a freshwater riparian zone. The area also is one of the most popular sites for launches into the Inlet by anglers in pursuit of halibut and salmon.

The tides in the area are extreme and caution is advised anywhere along the water’s edge.

Getting There: Sterling Highway milepost 137.4; turn at the Deep Creek State Recreation Area sign.

Getting There: At Sterling Highway milepost 96.1 (just south of the Kenai River Bridge), turn east on Funny River Road then immediately turn right on Ski Hill Road. The headquarters is less than a mile ahead, on the left.

Tustumena Lake Road What to See: Moose, bears, waterfowl, salmon, songbirds Tustumena Lake – the largest freshwater body on the Kenai Peninsula—stretches more than 20 miles toward the mountains and is about 60,000 acres. Tustumena Lake Road winds more than 6 miles through lowland forest to a boat launch on the Kasilof River. Larger animals such as moose and bears typically are observed early and late in the day, while returning sockeyes return to the area by the millions.

Getting There: Sterling Highway milepost 110.1. Turn left (east) on Johnson Lake Loop Road. After almost one half mile, turn right on Tustumena Lake Avenue. Follow the road until it ends at the boat launch.

Deep Creek State Recreation Area What to See: Shorebirds, waterfowl, bald eagles Deep Creek, just south of Ninilchik, looks out over the Cook Inlet and includes an amazing array of marine life. The rocky

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Resurrection Bay What to See: Sea otters, bald eagles, seals, whales, killer whales, salmon, shorebirds This region contains deep fjords, shallow coves, estuaries and beaches. The relatively protected waters and shoreside state parklands attract an array of marine wildlife. It’s not uncommon to find more than a dozen species of birds on a single beach area at a time, while eagles frequent the towering Sitka spruces of this coastal temperate rainforest climate. The bay is a favorite of sea kayakers.

belly-up eating mussels and clams, while harbor seals haul out on icebergs off Aialik and Northwestern glaciers. Humpback and killer whales spend the summer fattening up on herring and salmon.

Getting There: Several companies offer half-day and full-day excursions to the Chiswell Islands and Kenai Fjords National Park. Charter boats, water taxis and sea kayak tours offer options to spend more time in remote areas.

Homer Spit What to See: Bald eagles, seals, marine life, shorebirds The Spit extends almost 5 miles into the marine haven of Kachemak Bay, offering viewing of seabirds, mammals and other offshore animals. Gulls and shorebirds flock to the area en masse, while otters and sea lions can be found floating just off the Spit. Marine life including sea stars and various other small crustaceans ocan be seen along the rocky beach. Bald eagles flock to the area and enjoy feasting on any fish carcasses that can be found.

Getting There: Take the Sterling Highway through Homer and follow the signs; the highway ends on the Spit.

Kachemak Bay State Park What to See: Sea otters, bald eagles, whales, moose, bears, shorebirds

What to See: Sea otters, whales, marine life, shorebirds

Alaska’s first state park contains roughly 400,000 acres of mountains, glaciers, forests and ocean. The park’s outstanding scenery is a backdrop for high-quality recreation. Kachemak Bay is a critical habitat area, supporting many species of life, from ocean animals to mountain dwellers. The many species of birds that inhabit the bay, including eagles, gyrfalcons and puffins.

The fjords and islands of Kenai Fjords National Park and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge showcase the best of the state’s marine world. Puffins and other seabirds perch and nest along cliff faces just above the swells. Otters float

Getting There: Commercial water taxis and tours operate daily from the Homer Small Boat Harbor to the State Park’s Halibut Cove Lagoon public dock. Boats also can be chartered to one of the many Park trails or cabins.

Getting There: Seward and nearby Resurrection Bay are located at the southern end of the Seward Highway.

Kenai Fjords

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Done Fishing?

Go kidding around on the Kenai Peninsula

By Erin Kirkland

As most parents know, fishing with kids only sometimes involves catching, so savvy moms and dads keep a collection of activities in their back pocket.

The good news is that Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula is flush with outdoor-themed fun to appease even the most wiggly (or fish-weary) youngster.

From playgrounds to kid-friendly educational programs, try these options after a summer day chasing slippery salmon, and check out the Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council for even more family fun. www.kenaipeninsula.org At the junction of the Sterling Highway and Kenai Spur Road sits the headquarters of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Part educational facility and part information center, the refuge headquarters hosts special events, day camps, and programs for kids and adults all year long as part of a National Fish and Wildlife Service commitment to public lands access for all. Don’t miss a stroll along the refuge interpretive trails outside, or the excellent exhibits indoors. www.fws.gov/refuge/kenai/

A 30-minute drive past the community of Kenai brings visitors to Captain Cook State Recreation Area and opportunities for camping, hiking, and beach access overlooking Cook Inlet’s scenic landscape. Stop by one of the boat-and swim-friendly lakes along the way, or pitch a tent at Captain Cook campground for a truly relaxing getaway.

Nikiski Community Pool boasts one of the best waterslides in Alaska to appease the big kids, with plenty of smaller spaces for tiny tots too. Pick up a multi-use pass or pay by the trip; either way, children will enjoy the pool’s warm water and friendly atmosphere. Tip: It’s also a great way to score a warm shower while camping. www.kpb.us/nprsa/pool/about

Farther south along the Sterling Highway, Ninilchik is hosting two popular events this summer; Salmonfest music festival August 3-4 and the Kenai Peninsula Fair August 17-19.

Both showcase Alaska talent, albeit in different formats, and the entire family can get their musical or foodie groove on within this tiny town that thrives on a fishing-centric lifestyle. www.ninilchikchamberofcommerce.com/ latest-news/salmonfest-2017/ www.ninilchikchamberofcommerce.com/latest-news/ kenai-peninsula-fair-august-18-20-2017/

At the self-proclaimed “End of the Road,” Homer charms families with its attention to children. If your kids haven’t had enough of ocean-themed activity, try a Creatures of the Dock Tour hosted by the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, where mysterious sea creatures thrive. www.homeralaska.org www.akcoastalstudies.org

If youngsters really need to run, head uphill toward Karen Hornaday Park and the community playground built from ideas generated by Homer school children.

Kids can climb a giant web, make their own music, or explore a wooden castle while parents and caregivers relish the view of Kachemak Bay and Homer Spit.

Families can even set up for the night at Karen Hornaday City Campground just beyond the playground, a win-win for the whole family. www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/recreation/karen-hornaday-park-playground-ball-fields

Guide Brian Kaferstein of Keen Eye Anglers helps Ian Schaper, 7, hold his first salmon, caught on the upper Kenai River.

dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/captcook.htm

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Author Erin Kirkland with her husband James and son Owen enjoying a summer day on the Homer Spit. Kirkland publishes AkOnTheGo.com

Great Alaska Reads

Lily’s Mountain, by Hannah Moderow (age 11 and up) A Page Turner about Finding Life in the Mountains I couldn’t put this book down. In one weekend I immersed myself in the adventure of Lily and her sister Sophie. Really well written to the point where I felt cold when they felt cold and heartbreak when they felt heartbreak. It’s clear the author knows her audience and how to expose characters strengths and weaknesses in a fast moving tale. A great read for all ages.

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Community spotlight

MiMi Paris

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Foodie Destination

Homer is known throughout Alaska as a haven for artists of all kinds. We believe that includes our chefs! The dining options at almost every restaurant in this fishing village include a wide range of seafood. Choices include freshly caught halibut, salmon, rockfish, lingcod, scallops, and oysters all harvested in Kachemak Bay. The menus also include a full range of entrees from filet mignon to burgers. On the Homer Spit alone, you will find over 15 choices of restaurants, from elegant gourmet dining to ceviche tacos from local food trucks.

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Explore Kachemak Bay

Homer is blessed with Kachemak Bay and the Kachemak Bay State Park, the gem of the state park system.

This is Alaska’s first state park and one of the biggest.

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Hiking

There are many kayaking adventures to be had departing from Homer, but our most prestigious is the Kachemak Bay Water Trail.

The Water Trail is a 125-mile route that extends from the Homer Spit, east along Kachemak Bay to the head of the bay, and further along the southern side of the bay to the City of Seldovia. The water route passes by public and private land, diverse habitat from intertidal areas to alpine trails, and spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities. You can also take a water taxi to secluded paddling areas in one of the many coves and bays located across the bay or take guided trips from one of several outfitters.

Bear Viewing

Homer is the gateway to the best bear viewing in the State of Alaska because the location is closest to Katmai National Park and Lake Clark National Preserve and our bear viewing operators are ready to take you to see the bears in their natural habitat. From June through late September, brown bears congregate on coastal sedge flats and streams in the vast wilderness of the parks. There are many

Kayaking

Christina Whiting

The prevalent theory for the Spit’s origin is that it is the remains of an ancient glacial moraine, constantly re-shaped by ocean currents.

Two archaeological finds, one near the base and one about three-fourths of the way out, reveal that the Spit was used by humans long before written history. Fire-cracked rocks and shells indicate that people gathered clams and mussels here, cooking them over open fires. Pacific Eskimo are known to have lived on these shores thousands of years ago. Dena’ina Athabascan Indians moved into Cook Inlet about 1,000 years ago.

Russian explorers, trappers and traders came in the late 1700s, adding their culture and naming some of the geographic features. In the late 1800s, coal was mined here and became the early economic base, transported by railroad from Bidarka Creek to ships at the end of the Homer Spit.

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With over 80 miles of trails in Kachemak Bay State Park, there is something for

Danielle Watson

The Homer Spit

Justin Lovejoy

10 excellent experiences in Homer 1

ways to experience these wildlife adventures including by helicopter, float plane or boat.

Kachemak Bay State Park covers over 400,000 acres and has more than 80 miles of trails. There’s something for everyone. Hiking, camping, kayaking, wildlife viewing all let your inner adventurer or photographer run wild. There are many ways to experience Kachemak Bay. Water taxi transportation is available from the Homer Spit to destinations across the Bay including Seldovia, Halibut Cove and Kachemak Bay State Park.

Enjoy a fully narrated Bay tour with stops at Gull Island Seabird Rookery and Eldred Passage. Spot wildlife such as whales, bald eagles, sea otters, and ducks. Enjoy spectacular views of Grewingk Glacier, and if lucky, see the ice calving off the glacier.

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Andrew Keenan

Wildlife, Tide Pooling, Beachcombing

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The Art Scene

Homer is renowned as a cultural center. Theater, film, painting,

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Homer Jackpot Halibut Derby

Through September 15

Shopping

You can’t miss the Homer Farmers’ Market, open every Wednesday and Saturday throughout the summer featuring local crafts, local produce and food vendors. Stroll along Pioneer Avenue offering a plethora of art galleries, souvenir shops, retail establishments along with places to wine and dine. Check out the Peonies Robbi Mixon

Enjoy naturalist-led guided walks at the Carl Wynn Nature Center, dock tours with an up-close look at marine creatures, and day trips across the bay to Peterson Bay Field Station.

With the extreme tides at this latitude, every 12 hours brings a fresh supply of sea creatures—hermit crab, sea cucumbers, starfish, octopus, sea anemone, and all manner of flotsam—into the tide pools and beaches that fringe the Bay and Spit. The best time to tidepool is on a minus tide, but a low tide can be rewarding too. Eagles can be viewed all around town, but are regularly seen on the Spit, especially at the fish filet stations.

Gardens along the way.

Historic Old Town includes great dining, shopping, Bunnell Art gallery, a day spa, and is a gateway to Bishop’s Beach. Everyone knows about the shopping along the Homer Spit featuring unique gifts, places to eat, souvenir shops and everyone’s favorite, the Salty Dawg.

services you need to make the perfect wedding from photographers, videographers, caterers, florists, event rentals, transportation and more! The venues are endless. Choose from a 17,000-square-foot home situated on 3.5 acres of oceanfront property, wilderness retreats, lodging with spectacular decks and lawns, Bed & Breakfasts, lodging and event venue on the Homer Spit, and high-end exclusive lodges across the bay.

Britni Siekaniec

sculpting, music, performance and writing are all part of the local arts community.

In addition to galleries and performances, there are classes and workshops that range from theater and dance to writing and visual arts.

Plenty of local art fills galleries from Pioneer Avenue to the end of the Spit. First Friday’s monthly features local artists showcasing their talents throughout town. There are also theater performances at Pier One Theater on the Homer Spit.

Melanie DuFour

everyone. A 4.5 miles path stretches from the beginning of the Homer Spit and ends at the tip. There are dozens of groomed and marked trails throughout the Homer area.

Trails range from an easy 3-mile day hike through a boreal forest from Glacier Spit to the Grewingk Glacier Lake, to a more athletic hike along Grace Ridge with sweeping views of Kachemak Bay and across lower Cook Inlet.

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Destination Weddings

Looking for your ideal wedding destination? Homer is one of the most awe-inspiring locations on earth. Imagine taking your vows on top of a glacier, sailing on a catamaran, or on the beach with majestic mountains, the Bay and volcanoes as your backdrop.

Homer businesses offer the

Homer is proud of its standing as the Halibut Capital of the World. This is the longest running halibut derby in the state of Alaska, with more than $90,000 in cash prizes.

Prizes for largest fish plus tagged fish throughout Kachemak Bay. But you can’t win without a Derby ticket.

For more information and current leaders: www.homeralaska.org/ jackpot-halibut-derby

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Seward

Alaska’s favorite town on the bay Situated at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula, Seward is one of Alaska’s oldest and most scenic communities.

While the population swells due to the busy tourist season, it retains a charm that’s unlike other destinations in the Last Frontier.

No matter what outdoor activity you prefer—whether by land, sea or air—there’s something for everyone in and around Seward.

The sport fishing opportunities for salmon, halibut and rockfish in the area are second to none, while other water-related excursions include glacier and wildlife cruises, sailing and sea kayaking.

If you prefer to stay ashore, the area features spectacular hiking as well as miles of bike trails, and if you’re a little more adventurous, there are even flight seeing tours and dog sled rides.

There are multiple ways to get to Seward, which differs from some other notable Alaska destinations, and many seasonal visitors arrive via cruise ship.

If you’re looking for one of the most scenic drives in the world, the 125-mile route from Anchorage along the Seward Highway is simply breathtaking.

Information: www.seward.com

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Alaska SeaLife Center celebrates 20 years The Alaska SeaLife Center is a unique place, one that’s worth a stop if you’re in Seward.

The SeaLife Center—the only facility in Alaska that combines a public aquarium with marine research, education and wildlife response—is on the shores of Resurrection Bay. The SeaLife Center is the only

Seward Mount Marathon July 2018

permanent marine mammal

Running roughly 3.5 miles while gaining more than 3,000 feet in elevation isn’t for the faint of heart. However, that’s par for the course when it comes to Seward’s Mount Marathon, “believed to be the oldest mountain race” in the United States.

in the state and features a host of

The 91st edition will take place as the other races always have—on the Fourth of July—and will feature categories for juniors, women and men.

Here are tips from organizers: All first-time racers must complete the entire race course prior to race day and attend the safety meeting July 3.

Racers must have previous mountain running experience; the course includes areas of extreme difficulty, with steep inclines and slippery loose rock and shale.

Racers must be prepared to get themselves down the mountain, even if injured; assistance is not guaranteed once leaving the start.

rescue and rehabilitation facility exhibits and learning opportunities for children and adults alike.

Tours offered by the SeaLife Center are conducted by its interpretive and animal care staff to pass on knowledge and understanding of Alaska’s marine ecosystems while providing unforgettable opportunities for animal interaction and observance. Visitors have the opportunity to encounter a variety of creatures, including otters, seals, as well as a number of other marine species.

Information: www.alaskasealife.org

Wearing protective gear such as helmets, gloves, goggles, knee and elbow pads is recommended.

Carry your own water if you will need it during the race.

For more information, visit: mmr.seward.com

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July-September

What’s Happening in Ravn Country Bear Paw Festival

July 11-15, Eagle River The annual festival provides no shortage of food, vendors and fun events including a Teddy Bear Picnic, the carnival and Bear Paw Grand Parade. The Slippery Salmon Olympics, in which teams of two swerve around orange traffic cones hauling a whole salmon and other objects, is among the sights to see that you might never see anywhere else!

bearpawfestival.org

Fairbanks Summer Art Festival July 15-29, Fairbanks Nearly 10,000 people come together at the festival every July to study, perform and engage their spirit in an empowering way. Offering 200 workshops and over 100 events every season, our multidisciplinary, study-performance Festival offers opportunities for both personal growth and arts appreciation in a variety of genres including music, dance, visual arts, healing arts, culinary arts, creative writing and theatre.

World Eskimo-Indian Olympic Games July 18-21, Fairbanks

The annual World Eskimo-Indian Olympic Games (WEIO) give indigenous men and women the chance to test their strength, agility and endurance—all qualities that are needed to survive in the circumpolar north.

Competitive games include high-kick, knuckle hop, ear pull, two-foot high-kick and Eskimo stick pull. The WEIO will take place at the Carlson Center. A four-day series of traditional Alaska Native athletic competitions, the event draws Native athletes and dancers from Alaska, the U.S., Canada and Greenland.

Southeast Alaska State Fair July 26-29, Haines

Four fun-filled days of activities and events for the whole family. Includes a parade, exhibits, logging show, live music, horseshoe tournament, fun run, kids’ stage, amusement rides, Alaska vendors, food and entertainment, live animals, puppet shows, and more!

www.seakfair.org

www.explorefairbanks.com/events

fsaf.org

Copper River Salmon Jam

July 13-14, Cordova Twp days of fun for everyone celebrating Copper River Salmon and the ecosystem that sustains it. The festival features live music, a beer tent, free kids activities, artisan craft fair, Alaska Salmon Runs running events, Taste of Cordova wild food cook-off and more! Ticket sales benefit the Cordova Arts Council and support year-round cultural activities in Cordova.

www.copperriverwild.org

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Looking at travel to Cordova for Salmon Jam? There is more than one way to get here on a budget!

Ravn Alaska is offering a 10% discount for airfare to Salmon Jam! F O R D E TA I L S V I S I T

salmonjam.org/ getting-here

Gold Rush Days Golden Days

July 21, Fairbanks Since 1952 Fairbanks has celebrated its founding with a series of activities in July known as Golden Days. Golden Days boasts exciting events for all ages, including the biggest parade in Alaska, a street fair, and a rubber duckie race along the Chena river among many other fun activities.

www.fairbankschamber.org/ golden-days

August 1-5, Valdez

Founded in 1962, the annual festival celebrates the community’s gold rush history and heritage with a variety of events. The festivities include an open-air market, live music, a triathlon, parade and community barbecue. Proceeds are donated to a variety of local charities and organizations, especially to those focused on children and the future of Valdez.

www.valdezgoldrushdays.org

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Salmonfest

August 3-5, Ninilchik Every year over 8,000 people turn the Kenai Peninsula village of Ninilchik into a city as families and friends fill the region with encampments full of music, food, fish and love. Over the three-day weekend, many of Alaska’s top food, crafts, art and brews are available throughout the grounds and a family friendly atmosphere, including a daily children’s program is part of the four stage extravaganza that includes over 50 acts. Salmonfest is supported by and benefits The Kachemak Bay Conservation Society, a Homer-based nonprofit that seeks to educate the public, and protect and promote Alaska’s fish-filled waters.

Kenai Peninsula Fair

August 17-19, Ninilchik For over 65 years, Ninilchik has played host to the annual Fair. Thousands of attendees come from all over Alaska for a chance to reunite with family and friends, to showcase their accomplishments from the past year, and to take part in some down-home fun. Some of the events they come to participate in or to watch include: live music, pig races, western-style rodeo with bull riding, the Backwoods Girl competition, and the annual parade.

Alaska State Fair

August 23-September 3, Palmer For over 75 years, the Alaska State Fair has been a gathering place for all Alaskans, and a “last hurrah” before summer gives way to the long Alaska winter. What started as a

celebration for the Mat-Su colonists in 1936 has grown into the state’s largest annual event. Each year, hundreds of thousands of fairgoers enjoyed nightly concerts featuring headline entertainers in the AT&T Concert Series, carnival rides and games, hundreds of food and vendor booths featuring uniquely Alaskan items, tens of thousands of exhibits in categories ranging from quilts and goats, world-famous giant vegetables like 2009’s world record-breaking 127-pound cabbage, and lots of activities and entertainment free with Fair admission.

www.alaskastatefair.org

Where do you read Alaskan Spirit magazine?

www.kenaipeninsulafair.com

salmonfestalaska.org

Tanana Valley State Fair

August 3-11, Fairbanks The Fair showcases the Interior’s best, from the educational, agricultural, culinary, and arts and crafts industries. The multi-day event includes more than 250 vendors, with products from around the globe, rides, music, and entertainment for the entire family. Daily themes include Mining Day, Family Day, Alaska Heritage Day, Military Appreciation Day and more.

www.tananavalleyfair.org

Alyeska Resort Blueberry Festival

August 18-19, Girdwood This family oriented outdoors event features free live music, berry picking, local arts and crafts booths, tasty blueberry treats, beer and wine garden, hiking and biking, pie eating contest and blueberry creations contest. Enjoy free chair lift rides up the hill to find the best berry stashes. If you’re in the mood for a run after eating all those tasty goodies, there is a 1K and 5K race.

www.alyeskaresort.com/calendarevents/blueberry-festival

Show us where you get your Alaskan Spirit and have a chance to win two tickets anywhere Ravn Alaska flies!

It’s simple—just email us a photo of yourself with a copy of Alaskan Spirit magazine. Include the names of everyone in the photo, where you are and anything you like about Alaskan Spirit.

And be creative—we love to see our magazine out and about in Alaska with the great people who fly with us every day! The winning entry will be published in our September issue and other entries may be published on our website and on social media.

Email entries to AlaskanSpiritMagazine@gmail.com Submission deadline: July 31, 2018

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Conservation profile

Protecting the Kenai Legendary, easily accessible, irreplaceable—the Kenai River is renown as an angler’s paradise of record kings, jaw-dropping rainbow trout, acrobatic silvers and a bounty of reds. The 82-mile stretch of blue-green, ice-cold, glacial run-off draws more visitors for fishing than any other part of the state. Home to Alaska’s largest sport and personal use fisheries, the Kenai River is recognized by many as one of the world’s top sportfishing destinations.

Photo courtesy KRSA

The Kenai River is the most popular fishery in Alaska for both sport fishermen and personal use dipnetters like these, awaiting the millions of sockeye salmon that return to the river each July.

REMOTE HIGH SPEED INTERNET For almost a decade we’ve been connecting Alaskans in remote locations.

Whether you’re camped on the remote banks of the Kuskokwim, or shivering on the North Slope, we’ve got options for you. Our HX product offers up to 5 mbps download speeds with truly unlimited data plans - no FAPs, overage charges, or forced plan upgrades.

Month-to-month plans are available for short term or seasonal operations!

Sportfishing is an economic powerhouse for the entire region—80 percent of the region’s billion-dollar fishing industry comes from anglers on the Kenai and Cook Inlet.

The Kenai is also home to one of the world’s great conservation success stories, and is recognized as crown jewel for sustainable fisheries and recreational management.

Since 1984, the nonprofit Kenai River Sportfishing Association (KRSA) has been a leader in the effort to protect and sustain this world class resource. RAVN has been proud to support KRSA for many years at their annual summer fishing event, the Kenai River Classic. KRSA advocates for sustainable and equitable fisheries on the Kenai, Cook Inlet and across Alaska. Funds from the event supports KRSA’s promotion of science-based fisheries management, research to keep fisheries and habitat healthy, and engage the next generation in stewardship.

“2018 is an exciting year for us,” says KRSA Executive Director Ricky Gease. “We moved into our new office location in Soldotna and we have a new website to showcase our efforts as Alaska’s voice for sportfishing and conservation.” The site will feature “Fish Central” to house all the latest fishing news, as well as a new app for Fish Alerts such as emergency orders from Fish and Game, fishing reports, tides, weather and traffic conditions. For membership information, fish alerts and how you can make a difference in KRSA’s statewide advocacy efforts for anglers, check them out at www.krsa.com.

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Our KA band Enterprise Gen5 service is now available in limited areas. 25 mbps download and 3 mbps upload for all plans! Data packages up to 550GB/ month at great pricing. Call for details.

High Speed Satellite Internet Quality VoiP phone service Globalstar Mobile Satellite Phones Garmin inReach Explorer+ Tracking and Messaging  Bandwidth management technology  Authorized Viasat dealer    

CALL TOLL FREE: 888-396-5623 satinfo@hughes.net www.alaskasatelliteinternet.com

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Flying with Ravn

Passenger Guide 36 Travel in Rural Alaska 37 Ravn Rush / Group Travel 38 FlyAway Rewards 39 Customer Service 40 Our Fleet

www.FlyRavn.com

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Ravn Alaska Tips

Travel in Rural Alaska Ravn is proud to serve more than 115 communities statewide. Our mainline service gets you to and from our 14 hub cities including Alaska’s most popular destinations: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kodiak, Bethel, and many more.

From those hub terminals, we provide passenger services through Ravn Connect to rural Alaska communities. Ravn is your connection to rural Alaska.

Village travel protocol differs from our mainline service. Flying to and from villages is centralized out of regional hubs. Our regional hubs house the aircraft used to service each region and are responsible for the day-to-day flying schedules. For current information on travel from these communities to our rural communities, call Reservations. See our routes on page 41 for more details.

Central Reservations, Statewide Toll-Free 1-800-866-8394

Below you’ll find some useful travel tips we hope will ensure a smooth trip in rural Alaska.

When departing from a regional hub Check-in one hour prior to scheduled departure. Once you are checked-in, stay in the terminal and listen to all announcements as flights may leave early.

Be sure to dress appropriately for weather conditions as village destinations do not have facilities to shelter passengers or their belongings.

Many villages do not permit alcohol. Please call ahead to the regional hub to inquire about local rules and restrictions regarding alcohol transport and consumption.

In most cases, carry-on baggage is not allowed. Be prepared to consolidate your belongings if necessary.

Upon arrival be sure to identify the village agent. Simply ask your pilot or a local resident, “Who is the village agent for Ravn Connect and how do I reach them?” This is very important as the village agent will be checking you in and providing updates on the status of your return flight.

All baggage is subject to load restrictions. Baggage that cannot be accommodated on your flight will be transported on the next available flight.

Cellular phone service is VERY limited in rural areas.

Agents in the villages are not responsible for providing transportation to and from the airport. Passengers must make their own prior arrangements.

When departing from a village Check-in with the village agent at least two hours prior to your scheduled flight time. Although we strive to maintain operations as they are scheduled, many factors can affect actual flight times. Be sure to stay in touch with the village agent for the most up-to-date information. You may also check flight status by calling your local hub station.

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Cargo

Ravn Rush

Ravn Alaska

Group Travel

With next available flight shipments of up to 100 lbs.

Ravn RUSH offers a fast and convenient way to ship time sensitive packages to any of our mainline locations including: Anchorage, Bethel, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Kenai, Kodiak, and many more.

Ravn RUSH Pricing: Up to 2 lbs. – $20.00* 3 to 15 lbs. – $41.00*

16 to 50 lbs. – $58.00* 51 – 70 lbs. – $87.00*

71 – 100 lbs. – $115.00*

Visit flyravn.com/cargo to learn more. *Terms and Conditions: Rates shown are subject to change and a Federal Excise Tax (FET) in effect at the time of shipping. Currently the FET is 6.25% and is included in the above Ravn RUSH pricing options. Ravn RUSH shipments must be tendered one hour before a scheduled flight and can be picked up one hour after the scheduled flight has landed. No Cargo Aircraft Only Hazardous Materials accepted. No single dimension may exceed 70 inches. The outside length, width and height may not exceed 90 inches. Other restrictions may apply.

Group fares and allotments are available for ten (10) or more passengers on select flights throughout Alaska on aircraft such as our Dash-8 or Beechcraft 1900.

Benefits of securing a group reservation: Peace of mind that your seats are reserved.

Price guarantee for each passenger for your budget planning purposes.

FlyAway Rewards Points are available per passenger.

Requirements for a group: Ten (10) or more passengers traveling on a specific flight and departure date.

90- & 30-day group review with a Ravn group specialist.

Final names and full payment are required 14-days prior to flight departure.

Only one (1) form of payment will be accepted for the group reservations.

Visit flyravn.com/group-travel to learn more.

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Earn free travel faster

FlyAway Rewards It’s easy. You’ll earn 10 FlyAway Rewards points for every Ravn flight segment flown. You can earn a free one-way trip for as few as 50 points!

Plus, earn an additional 2-point bonus per segment on top of your 10 when you book your reservations online at www.flyravn.com! Fly more than 30 segments a year? More perks are available! Please note, your FlyAway Rewards or Alaska Airlines mileage number must be presented each time you fly for your account to be credited the appropriate points or mileage.

(FlyAway Rewards tickets incur a fuel surcharge plus segment fees per segment OR is free when booked online at flyravn.com via your profile.)

Award levels: travel round-trip or one-way Basic Round-Trip Travel = 100 points.

These limited seats are available on many flights in all of the markets we serve and is based on availability and space is limited.

Basic One-Way Travel = 50 points. These limited seats are available on many flights in all of the markets we serve and is based on availability and space is limited.

Anytime Round-Trip Travel = 200 points.

Any seat, any flight, any time as long as a seat is available! No availability restrictions.

Anytime One-Way Travel = 100 points. Any seat, any flight, any time as long as a seat is available! No availability restrictions.

Elite status qualification and perks Do you fly more than 30 segments with Ravn in a calendar year? If so, we have great news! With FlyAway Silver or FlyAway Gold Membership, you will receive even more points per segment flown as well as other great benefits! Learn more at FlyRavn.com.

Changes, Refunds, and Point Transfers If you find that you are unable to take your trip ad cancel your flight more than 3 hours before your departure, we are happy to refund completely unused (deducted) points and put them back into your account for you. Does a family member or friend need some extra points? No problem! We can also transfer any value of points between member accounts for you. All reservation changes, point refunds, or point transfers incur a $75.00 service fee per transaction type through our Reservations office (fees are waived for Gold member accounts). Please note that partially used award tickets are not refundable and cannot be reissued into another award type (Basic to Anytime or Anytime to Basic).

It’s your choice: Ravn Flyaway Rewards or Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Miles Earn Ravn FlyAway Rewards points on ALL Ravn flights statewide or choose Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Miles on the following routes: Aniak to Anchorage or Anchorage to Aniak

Bethel to Anchorage or Anchorage to Bethel

Cordova to Anchorage or Anchorage to Cordova

Dillingham to Anchorage or Anchorage to Dillingham Fairbanks to Anchorage or Anchorage to Fairbanks Homer to Anchorage or Anchorage to Homer Kenai to Anchorage or Anchorage to Kenai

King Salmon to Anchorage or Anchorage to King Salmon Kodiak to Anchorage or Anchorage to Kodiak

St. Marys to Anchorage or Anchorage to St. Marys

Unalakleet to Anchorage or Anchorage to Unalakleet Valdez to Anchorage or Anchorage to Valdez

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We’re here to help

Customer Service Fares guaranteed for 24 hours

Ravn requires that all reservations be purchased at time of booking. If within 24 hours of purchase you decide that you will no longer need your ticket, we offer full refunds for any ticket purchased directly through Ravn within 24 hours of purchase without any penalties, provided that the reservation is made one week or more prior to the scheduled flight departure. If you need to make changes to your ticket, as long as the new itinerary meets advance purchase requirements and the class of service purchased is available, we will change your ticket at no cost to you.

The change must be requested within 24 hours of purchase and one week or more prior to the scheduled flight departure.

Ticket refunds and receipts

Ravn sells refundable and non-refundable tickets.

Where ticket refunds are due under Ravn’s conditions of carriage, Ravn will provide prompt refunds. Ticket refund applications are available at all Ravn ticket offices or send all booking details of the ticket to refunds@flyravn.com.

Ravn Refund Department 4700 Old International Airport Road Anchorage, Alaska 99502 Phone: 907-266-8394 or 1-800-866-8394 Email: refunds@flyravn.com for our online form

Special needs passengers

Ravn wants your trip to be enjoyable. We are committed to accommodating passengers with disabilities in accordance with 14 C.F.R. part 382. We will also accommodate other special needs passengers as set forth in our policies and procedures, including during lengthy tarmac delays. If you have any special requirements, let us know by calling 1-800-866-8394 or 907-266-8394.

Flight delays and cancellations

We will notify our passengers of known delays, cancellations, and diversions as well as changes in their travel itineraries in a timely matter. To learn of services to mitigate passenger inconvenience resulting

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from flight delays and cancellations, call and speak with a member of Ravn’s reservations staff at 1-800866-8394 or 907-266-8394.

Weather delay policy

When your flight delay or cancellation involves weather, we will do all possible to reroute you. If a flight cancellation means you have to overnight in one of the communities we serve, we will assist you to the extent possible. Ravn is not liable for expenses incurred such as meals, hotels and local transportation.

If your ticket is non-refundable, we are happy to offer a full refund without penalties if we are not able to get you to your final destination.

Tell us how we’re doing

On every flight and at our ticket counters, customer comment cards are available to communicate your complaints or compliments. We are committed to providing timely responses to customer written complaints. Contact us at: Ravn Air Group Attn: Customer Service 4700 Old International Airport Road Anchorage, AK 99502 Or email Consumer Affairs at consumer@flyravn.com July / August 2018

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The number of passengers may vary based on length of flight, amount of luggage, and flight operations.

Ravn Alaska

Our Fleet

Aircraft specifications listed are actual. Maximum payloads and size of shipment may be reduced due to weather, distance, size, and weight of the shipment.

DeHavilland DHC-8-100 Max passengers: 29 - 37 Max payload: 8,100 pounds Max cargo length: 11 feet Max cargo width: 80 inches Max cargo height: 76 inches

Beechcraft B1900C

Max passengers: 19 Max payload: 5,500 pounds Max cargo length: 14 feet Max cargo width: 54 inches Max cargo height: 57 inches

B1900 Cargo

Max passengers: N/A Max payload: 5,500 pounds Max cargo length: 25 feet Max cargo width: 54 inches Max cargo height: 57 inches

Piper PA31 Chieftain

Max passengers: 9 Max payload: 1,800 pounds Max cargo length: 8.5 feet Max cargo width: 40.5 inches Max cargo height: 41.5 inches

Cessna C207 Skywagon Max passengers: 7 Max payload: 1,200 pounds Max cargo length: 8 feet Max cargo width: 39 inches Max cargo height: 39 inches

Cessna C208 Caravan Max passengers: 9 Max payload: 3,200 pounds Max cargo length: 14 feet Max cargo width: 60 inches Max cargo height: 54 inches 40

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Ravn Alaska

Route Map

Alaska is a big place. Ravn Alaska serves more than 115 communities statewide. We operate direct flights between Anchorage and cities like Fairbanks, Homer and Bethel, but most of our destinations are smaller villages that rely on Ravn for essential deliveries and medical services, as well as routine travel and commuting.

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Red Cross and Ravn

Sounding the alarm to save lives The Red Cross of Alaska is proud to partner with Ravn Alaska to make our Home Fire Campaign Possible.

The Home Fire Campaign is our ongoing effort to provide and install smoke alarms to Alaskans in need at no cost.

Last year alone we installed a total of 2,311 smoke alarms across Alaska.

The American Red Cross launched the Home Fire Campaign in 2014 with a goal of reducing the number of home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent. The nationwide campaign is now credited with saving at least 431 lives.

The Home Fire Campaign would not be possible in Alaska without our partnership with Ravn.

As our transportation partner, Ravn has taken us to more than seven villages last year, including Marshall, Tununak, Nunapitchuk, Alakanuk, Tuluksak, Chevak and Bethel.

In addition to providing the transportation necessary to ensure all Alaskans have working smoke alarms, Ravn employees are vital to the Red Cross volunteer workforce.

In January, Ravn staff rolled up their sleeves to help the Red Cross install 100 smoke alarms in Anchorage homes for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Ravn staff also assisted in the Sound the Alarm smoke alarm install event in Anchorage in April, where they contributed to over 75 smoke alarms installed in one afternoon.

We are so grateful for the generosity of Ravn Alaska to foster safer communities and give comfort to our neighbors in need.

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Ravn Alaska

Puzzle page

Puzzle answers on page 46

Across

1 Arabian ruler

5 Following 10 Some providers of wood for furniture 14 Prepare 15 Larry --- in “The Iceman Cometh” 16 Largest island in the Marianas 17 Stage accessory 18 Fire prodder 19 A single time 20 Abandon 22 Overhaul 24 Aeronautics group.

25 --- Lama 27 Round Table leader 29 Baseball official

© 2016 Crosswordsite.com Ltd.

32 Lowest of the low 34 Eye defects

Down

36 Notes 40 Heel 41 Sheltered spots 43 Short written reminder 44 Ethiopian capital --- Ababa 46 “The --- Dancers” (Jean Thesman) 48 About the eye 50 Did, once 51 “--- and her Sisters” (Woody Allen movie) 54 Intriguing group 56 --- Annie (“Oklahoma!”)

57 Battalion XO, often 59 Moves cautiously forward 63 Names

1 Smartphone programs

33 Inquires

2 Brandy made from pressed fruit

3 Matinee idol --- Novello (d. 1951)

35 Escherichia ---, potentially dangerous bacterium

4 Disavowal

5 Egyptian cobra

6 Roman flower goddess

7 Consider

8 Garden west of Nod

9 Go over again

10 Self-esteem 11 Middle meal 12 Former Portuguese territory in China 13 Slander

65 Author Evelyn -- 67 It replaced the French franc 68 Noted scat singer --- Fitzgerald

21 Comedian Roseanne -- 23 Warrant 26 Bony

37 Dweeb 38 Give off 39 Alone 42 Counterfoil 45 Irritating email 47 Straight --- arrow 49 Melted 51 Underworld 52 No longer a minor 53 Type of metal or gas 55 Debate 58 Country singer and actress --- Kramer 60 Japanese heavyweight contest

28 Deceptive decorative paintwork

61 Subdivisions of eons 62 Male heirs

71 Move

29 Where the Wizard of Westwood coached

64 Plant juice

72 Palm tree fruit

30 One of three in “The Mikado”

66 Not hers

73 Sports defeat

31 Formerly known as shell-shock

69 Boredom 70 Former Mrs David Bowie

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Alaskan Spirit Magazine Telling the stories of rural Alaska and the communities we serve.

The magazine

of Ravn Air Group

and Rural Alaska

MAY 2018

Salmon Summe Bristol Bay Prepare r: s for Another Year of Plenty Dillingham and King Salmon: Celebrating Rural Alaska

SEPTEMBER’S ISSUE

Kings of The Nushag ak BBNC’s Investm ent In Bristol Bay Lodges Wonder of Floating Wood-Tikchik

www.FlyRavn.c

Alaska Federation of Natives 2018 The annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention each October is one of the largest gatherings of Native people in America. It’s celebration, education and reunion—and we’ll give you a preview of the whole week of activities.

Anchorage: Alaska’s Meeting, Eating, Playing Place Fall is convention season in Alaska, especially in Anchorage, bringing thousands of visitors to meet here. We look at the complete calendar of the big events you know about, and some that you’ve probably never heard of.

om

BETTER CONNECTIONS FOR ALASKANS! Satellite communication that works everywhere.

“We work where you work.”

It’s not just our slogan—it’s our business.

You can depend on STS. We provide cost effective, satellite-based voice communication and data transfer for the fishing and marine, mining and energy industries.

Best of Anchorage A review and celebration of the best spots in Anchorage to eat, drink and play. With tips on planning your own trip here.

Just for the Kids Travel writer Erin Kirkland continues her series of great things to do outdoors (and indoors) with the kids in Alaska this fall.

Why We Hunt An essay into the complex and integral relationship that Alaskans have with the game animals that we pursue and rely on for sustenance of our bodies and our souls.

Spruce Grouse and Stout Our chef and food writer Susie Brito takes a break from fishing Bristol Bay to share favorite recipes for Alaska’s favorite game bird, the spruce grouse—just the thing for the first cool fall days and hunting season.

And watch for these future issues on your favorite destinations: November-December: Fairbanks / Celebrations under the Lights

Look for our magazine on your next Ravn Alaska flight, in our hub airports and in Ted Stevens International Airport. And online at FlyRavn.com.

Got a story idea?

Email to admin@FireweedStrategies.com

Enhanced Iridium Enhanced MSAT • InmarSat Dealers statewide—call us for the one nearest you.

SatelliteAlaska.com

907-441-6384 July / August 2018

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Technology

GCI upgrades expand Kenai Peninsula wireless service KENAI – Kenai Peninsula residents and visitors will see improved service this summer, as GCI upgrades dozens of wireless sites in the region. The improvements are the culmination of a two-year, $6.3 million GCI project to boost service in Cooper Landing, Moose Pass, Seward, Homer and other communities.

Puzzle Page Solution (to puzzle on page 44)

Upgrades to 39 wireless towers will expand GCI’s voice coverage footprint on the Peninsula, improve cell phone reception inside buildings, and provide a higher level of safety in the state’s most-popular recreation area, according to the company.

“Whether you’re fishing on the Russian River, dip netting in the Kenai or heading out on a glacier cruise from Seward, GCI’s network improvements on the Peninsula will be noticeable,” said Mary Hart, vice president, GCI Regional Operations. “This project will create a larger coverage area and greatly improved voice and data service for area businesses, residents and the huge influx of visitors we see on the Kenai Peninsula during the summer months.”

These upgrades mark the latest milestones in GCI’s commitment to increase its wireless footprint across Alaska and provide improved service for customers statewide. Since 2014, GCI has invested more than $180 million in its wireless network, which serves more than 240 communities. GCI’s wireless network is the largest in Alaska, with more than 97 percent of Alaskans living within GCI’s wireless footprint, according to the company.

Get the latest Ravn Deals!

Sign up forthe latest Ravn deals at flyravn.com/ravndeals

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Alaska Breweries continued from page 19 teachers. And started talking about why we don’t start a brewery.”

The rest is history. Hogue’s wife still teaches, while he focuses full time on the business. “l don’t get to brew quite as much these days. Most of my time is on operations and paperwork now.”

After starting in a small cinder block building, they moved two years ago into a much larger facility near the Kenai River, with more room for production and a full-service restaurant.

“We’re primarily a production facility now,” Hogue said. “We’re expanding our canning and distribution quite a bit.”

Like most Alaska brewers, they produce a range of beers, but the four they can get most of the attention, including the Peninsula Brewers Reserve, a blonde ale, and the Honeymoon Hef, an American wheat beer.

Community service is another recurring theme with Alaskan brewers.

“We for example have special needs kids who (work in the restaurant) and roll the silverware,” McCarthy said. “They become part of the family. Giving back to people is the key, and what you give comes back 10-fold.”

“It’s about more than just selling beer,” Hogue said. “It’s about becoming part of the community and that is what our brewery has developed into. Most of the year if you come to the brewery, it’s like the social hangout. You grab a beer, a bite to eat and find a comfortable place to have a conversation.”

“From the beginning, we looked at the global picture of what a pub is,” McCarthy said. “It’s a meeting place, a community. This building (the 49th State location in Anchorage) has a history of its own going back to 1917. That building was Anchorage’s original community center. And now we’re able to bring that back.”

“And because community is so important, our primary focus is giving back,” Hogue said.

“We try to donate to almost every function in town and work with four to five non-profits to do events and help with donations.”

Hogue also echoes another common brewery sentiment, of quality over quantity.

“We’re about as big as we want to be. We always want to worry about quality and keeping stuff top notch.”

Wherever you are traveling this summer in Alaska, take time to meet and sample the local craft brews—you’ll find new friends and one more thing to love about Alaska.

The interior of the 49th State - Denali.

The Denali brewpub, like much of the interior, is full of furniture and decor made of repurposed materials. The fire pit is made of an old cement mixer.

The legs of the community table are made of boulders from the yard that needed to be cleared.

Cheers to two brewers Two Alaska brewers won big on the international stage this spring.

The 49th State Brewing Co.’s Smoked Marzen won Gold in the smoked beers category of the World Beer Cup. The Smoked Marzen, from their brewpub in the heart of Denali, is brewed as an homage to the classic Rauchbiers of Bamberg, Germany. This lager has an assertive, distinct aroma of campfire and hickory, with billowing flavors of sweet, smoky goodness.

The recipe originated from David McCarthy, owner/brewer at the 49th State. The Smoked Marzen takes this historic style and pushes it to the edge by marrying old world style and subtlety with new world cherry wood malt.

The beer has now won a gold in 2015 at the Great American Beer Festival and now a gold in the World Beer Cup. Juneau’s Alaskan Brewing won a gold medal for it’s seasonally-brewed Spruce IPA. “We’ve believed in this beer since we began developing it a couple years ago, and we knew we were onto something special with the response we got from fans since its seasonal release this year,” said Curtis Holmes, Alaskan Brewing Plant Manager.

“People are always surprised by how citrusy and berry-like our Sitka spruce tips taste, and we played that quality up by using Citra, Chinook and Denali hops in this beer,” Holmes said. Alaskan has been brewing with spruce tips in a variety of beers since the early 90s.

Photo by Shane Nelson

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Peggy Swisher

I love my people (and my job) Peggy Swisher will tell you the only thing she loves more than her job for Ravn Alaska is the people it lets her meet every day.

If they are going further, and later have flights delayed or something bad happened, I hope that they remember that in Homer it was the best part of their trip.”

And the next best thing? The chance to look outside at Homer, arguably one of the prettiest places in Alaska.

Peggy sums up her philosophy very simply:

“We have one of the best office views in the company. You can’t beat our view!”

Peggy is station supervisor of Ravn’s busy Homer terminal.

“I wear a lot of different hats. I’m the supervisor, but I am also trainer for the ticket counter, analyst for our reporting system, and I travel to do training in other stations.”

For a smaller community, Homer is a busy airport in summer, with up to seven Ravn flights per day.

“I really enjoy my job. I tell my coworkers all the time—I’m not here just for the paycheck. This is what I want to do, this is my career.

“I love meeting all the different variety of passengers. We have the daily commuters—our commuters to see a doctor—the summer time residents, the snow birds.

And they come a long way to be here.”

Ravn provides a vital link to people commuting for important services.

“We get a lot of those daily. People that go for a doctor’s appointment or to the dentist, people with cancer going for treatment. And sometimes they’ve had a family member medevacked out, so they fly with us.

“I just love being there to help them. If I can, I make the experience as pleasant as possible for passengers checking in.

I want them to have a good experience.

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“I take this to heart, because I lost my own Dad ten years ago.”

The family later told Swisher thank you, for how much they appreciated that help at a difficult time.

Peggy’s own family

“Treat passengers with respect and get to know them. You can learn a lot about them from those few minutes at check in.

That rubs off on her fellow Ravn employees.

“My coworkers are comfortable coming to me for help and someone they can ask advice from.”

loves travel and camping close to water, but not on the water.

And with her two grandsons as much as possible.

“Water and I just don’t mix very well!” she laughed.

Her favorite destination outside Alaska might be Costa Rica, where they’ve spent lots of time.

“I like to take takes pictures of a variety of things. Ravn has used some of my

“They are like family to me. I’ve gotten to know people from all over the world. Like one group from California that comes every year. And they call every year to make sure I’m still here. They’ll stop in, say hi, bring me fresh veggies from their organic garden, just call and check in on me.”

photos. My husband and I will be married

And sometimes that means sharing life’s toughest moments.

“I like to be out on the Spit, on the beach,

“Just this past winter two of our local residents were in Hawaii. The husband died suddenly. I knew them from the airport because they travel quite a bit, know their children and grandchildren. When one of the daughters was leaving, she was crying, telling me ‘Dad always brought me to the airport…’ I just tried to comfort her, with her three little kids, walked her to the plane, gave her a big hug.

do. The arts and galleries, the Salty Dog,

30 years in December. We love to travel, spend time with the grandboys, camping, ride out in the woods with the side by side, your typical Alaska stuff.”

Peggy is also an outspoken emissary for her hometown. tide pooling, hiking places. There’s lots to glacier tours, bear viewing, great restaurants, renting a bicycle. I also recommend passengers go over to Seldovia or anywhere across the bay.”

“I originally had planning on trying to retire, but if I wasn’t working here, I’d be working someplace else, so why quit doing what I love?”

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