Local Events

October Adventures: Exploring Alaska with Your Kids

October in Alaska presents us with breathtaking landscapes that transform into a vibrant tapestry of fall colors. The weather is cooling down, but the opportunities for family fun are endless! Alaska offers an array of exciting activities for kids of all ages. It’s time for us to get out there and explore our backyard. We’ve compiled a few ideas of things you can enjoy this fall. It’s time to bundle up and embark on an unforgettable journey through the Last Frontier with your little ones.

Wildlife Encounters:
October is an excellent time to witness Alaska’s diverse wildlife:

    • Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center near Anchorage – Your children can observe bears, moose, musk oxen, and other native animals up close.
    • Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward – Kids can marvel at sea lions, puffins, and playful otters.
    • Kenai Fjords National Park guided whale-watching tour – For the little adventures take a shot at spotting humpback whales, orca whales, and porpoises on his guided tour.

Fall Foliage Exploration:
Alaska’s vast forests burst into a kaleidoscope of colors during October.

    • Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in Anchorage – Take your kids on a scenic hike where they will be surrounded by vibrant red, orange, and yellow foliage.
    • Denali National Park – Visit this national park for breathtaking fall vistas. You can take a family-friendly hike along the Savage River Loop or enjoy a drive along the Denali Park Road. Have your camera ready and be prepared to capture some beautiful families memories amidst the stunning fall scenery.

Cultural Experiences:
Immerse your children in Alaska’s rich cultural heritage by visiting historical sites and museums.

    • Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage – An interactive experience, offering traditional dance performances, storytelling, and craft demonstrations.
    • The Anchorage Museum – Features exhibits that showcase Alaska’s history, art, and science.
    • Pioneer Park in Fairbanks – Give your kids a taste of Alaska’s Gold Rush era. Your little ones can pan for gold, ride a historic train, and enjoy amusement park rides.

Dog Sledding Adventures:
Alaska is famous for our dog sledding tradition. October marks the start of the mushing season, and several kennels offer family-friendly dog sledding tours. In places like Anchorage and Fairbanks, your children can meet adorable sled dogs, ride on a sled, and learn about the fascinating world of dog mushing!

October is a magical time for families to explore the wonders of our Alaskan backyard. There are amazing adventures waiting for us to enjoy with our kids. So, grab your jackets and embark on an unforgettable journey through this beautiful state with your little ones!

in Local Events

Embracing Fall in Our Alaskan Backyard

Can you believe it? Summer has nearly flown the coop. Goodbye summer and hello fall! Each season in Alaska brings its own unique charm. There is always something that we can do to enjoy our Alaskan backyard no matter what time of year it is.

Fall is especially nice, because there is so much to take advantage of that we are unable to experience in other seasons. The ample opportunities can make it hard to decide what to do! Fall is the best time for wildlife viewing, morning hikes through changing fall foliage, and time for the snowbirds to pack up and head south.

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Secrets to Thriving During An Alaskan Winter | Homes for Sale in Alaska by Brooke

14 Secrets to Thriving during an Alaskan Winter – Part 2

Last month we started a discussion on how to thrive and not just survive an Alaskan winter. Winters in Alaska can be a beautiful experience, but they are also a life-changing one. SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder can be a real problem and we need to fight that battle head on. Here are the final 6 ways to keep the winter blues at bay and keep yourself thriving during an Alaskan winter in the gorgeous Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla and Mat-Su Valley areas.

1. Be ready for spring shock

It’s surprising really, you’ve been waiting all winter for the longer, lighter days and now you’re starting to literally see the light. Why aren’t you happy? The sudden change in lighting can influence the mind. Do not try and face this change alone. Call up your friends that have been hibernating alongside you and enjoy the new light together.

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in Anchorage News / Community News / Local Events
14 Secrets to Thriving During an Alaskan Winter Part I | Alaska Homes for Sale by Brooke

14 Secrets to Thriving during an Alaskan Winter – Part 1

Did you notice we said secrets to thriving and not just surviving? Winters in Alaska are legendary and scare away many tourists and seasonal employees. If you’ve read any book or watched any movie about Alaska, you will note the common theme of the importance of preparation for winter in order to survive. Our beautiful state brings us joy, beautiful scenery and occasionally SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder. Here are a few ways to keep the winter blues at bay and keep yourself warm all winter in the gorgeous Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla and Mat-Su Valley areas.

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in Anchorage News / Community News / Local Events
Attitude of Gratitude | Count your Blessings

A Time of Gratitude – Thankful for our Blessings and Giving Back

As we enter into the holiday season and approach Thanksgiving many of us may think back on this year so far and shake our heads in confusion. 2020 has been full of surprises and unexpected obstacles which have created a new normal for us all. Despite it all we have shown our true resilience and continued desire to be grateful and find the positive blessings that we have received, as well as the increased desire to give back to our community and be there for loved ones.

As you ponder the many positive things this year has brought you, it will help to increase your happiness and ability to stay in the present. Reflecting on things we are grateful for can inspire and motivate us to want to help others and allow them to have the same positive spirit. Here in the Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla and the Mat-Su Valley we are true to our Alaskan roots and desire to care for our neighbors. We’ve compiled a few ways that you can give back this year locally.

  1. Food Donation and Volunteer Work

Many people have been affected this year by loss of income and have had a hard time affording food. There are programs such as Food Bank of Alaska that allow you to donate either your time or your food via their service. Food Bank of Alaska uses its warehouse to send out trucks to grocery stores, wholesalers, producers, farmers, and the fishing business. At these locations they collect extra food that would otherwise be wasted. They also are able to collect from community members, such as you. They donate this food to pantries and meal programs in the Mat -Su and greater Anchorage area to feed children, families, and seniors in their neighborhoods.

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in Anchorage News / Community News / Local Events
Do earthquakes affect real estate in Alaska | Alaska Homes by Brooke give the answer

How Earthquakes Affect Real Estate in Alaska

The aftershocks of last November’s earthquake aren’t the only thing still affecting us here in Alaska. Many people are dealing with not only emotional trauma and PTSD, but also the time-consuming and stressful tasks associated with inspecting and/or repairing homes that were damaged during the quake. As real estate professionals with almost 30 years of experience in the Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla and Mat-su Valley area, we’re often asked how earthquakes affect real estate, so we thought it would be useful to share it on the website here too.

November’s 7.0-magnitude earthquake did not take any lives, thankfully, but it did result in a large amount of structural damage to roads, homes and other buildings throughout the area. State officials estimated 3,000 to 5,000 homes were affected in the immediate area of the Mat-su Valley. Even though this was Alaska’s second-largest quake, the destruction level was actually much less than expected, mainly the result of our region’s preparations and resiliency when it comes to natural disasters.

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in Community News / Local Events / Real Estate Tips

The secret to a happy holiday season

While the holidays should be all about family, friends, faith and fun, sometimes the stresses of the season can bring a person down. It can be tough to get through this time of year, but we’ve got a secret for keeping the holidays truly happy – and it all starts with gratitude. 

Did you know that science has proven that people who practice gratitude daily sleep longer, deeper and better, have lower stress levels, and stronger immune systems? If you’re going to commit to just one new thing this holiday season, practicing gratitude both mindfully and actively during the holidays is the way to go.

We know this can sound a little woo-woo, but really, it’s quite practical. That’s why we’ve rounded up some easy ways to get started:

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in Community News / Local Events

Got Alaska real estate questions? It’s time for coffee with your Realtor

Did you know that February is “meet your Realtor for coffee” month? It’s the perfect time to shrug off the winter blahs, give us a call, and set up a coffee date. If you’re curious about buying or selling a home in Alaska, we’ve got the answers.

There’s a lot of great information we can share about the current state of our real estate market here in the Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer and Wasilla area, as well as advice and tips for buying, selling or investing in real estate, no matter what stage of life you’re at. We’ve got decades of experience that we’re happy to share to help you make the best decisions for you and your future.

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in Community News / Local Events
Veterans Day in Alaska - ways to honor our Vets from Brooke Stiltner, Re/Max Realtor

Veterans Day in Alaska: Let’s Celebrate our Vets!

Veterans Day in Alaska – Honor our Vets

On November 11 people all across our country will celebrate Veterans Day, a holiday honoring all veterans of past wars as well as those currently serving. Here in Alaska, a state with an exceptionally large military population, we love to celebrate our vets all year round. Veterans Day this month, however, gives us extra incentive to honor and show gratitude for the large veteran population we’re lucky to have.

History of Veterans Day

Before Veterans Day there was Armistice Day, commencing the year after WWI ended. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, an armistice, or agreement made in a war to stop fighting for a period of time, was made between the Allied nations and Germany. Armistice Day was made a national holiday the following year, and became a legal holiday in the United States in 1938. After World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, meant to honor American veterans of all wars as well as those currently serving or those who have served in the past. (Click HERE for a detailed history of Veterans Day.)

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in Anchorage News / Community News / Local Events