Welcome

Alaskans lovingly and proudly refer to their state as the “Last Frontier,” and rightfully so. Encompassing almost 580,000-square miles, Alaska is one-fifth the size of the lower 48 states combined. It consists of 33,900 miles of shoreline, 3,000+ rivers, 3 million lakes, the highest mountain in North America and 100,000 glaciers covering 29,000-square miles, the highest concentration of glaciers in the U.S.

The intent of this blog is to share with you the treasures, travels, tales and tidbits I experience daily as a State of Alaska certified tour guide. I wish  to inspire you to come to Alaska and to return again and again, to bring your children and grandchildren to delight in America’s last great wilderness.

Wild at heart, I am always seeking adventure and in 2013 accepted a position as a naturalist with Gastineau Guiding, Juneau’s premier adventure excursion company. Gastineau Guiding excursions “provide more than scenic landscapes and wildlife  viewing, they give a valuable glimpse into the process of a natural world, one that is still very alive in Southeast Alaska.”

 As a former newspaper reporter, former park aide at California’s Mount San Jacinto State Park and a graduate of the Orange County (California) Park Ranger Academy, accepting an assignment as a naturalist in Juneau was the challenging adventure I was seeking. So I thought.

Just before departing for Alaska, I suffered a case of buyer’s remorse, aka, cold feet. What was a Southern California girl and former corporate executive doing going to Alaska with its wolves, bears, no-see-ums, avalanches, cold, snow and incredibly high cost of food and housing? I knew no one, had not acquired housing and had no idea what to expect.

 Sharing my uncertainty with my husband, John said, “Sweetheart, you have a credit card right? You can come home any time.” With his wisdom as a crutch, I headed to Alaska and have never regretted my decision.

Today, I spend six “summer”  months in Alaska as a guide while also writing for corporate clients. I spend  the other six  in Orange County California where I ply my profession as a corporate communications consultant.

Coming to Alaska has invigorated my zest for writing, to share what makes my heart leap daily. Delve into my blog to learn more about whale tales, mushroom madness and babes of the woods. Subscribe and come back for more posts on what to go, see, do in Alaska; travels, tales and tidbits from the last frontier.

 To truly understand the majesty of Alaska, to understand a very different way of life, I will offer Alaska Headlines of the Week, links to newspaper articles and features and videos generated by Alaska media.

 By all means, share your thoughts on my posts, the content, the writing. If you would like me to investigate and write on something of interest, or want to submit a photo or guest post of your Alaska adventure, contact me at aleta@prwriterpro.com.

 Thank you for allowing me to share with you, why I return to Alaska each year.

 Sincerely,

 Aleta Walther
aleta@prwriterpro.com

Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG)
Certified Alaska Tour Guide (ATG)
Certified Alaska Tour Guide Instructor
Certified Tour Ambassador (CTA)