Alaska tourism focuses on environment

The country’s power brokers can’t get enough of Alaska.

Next to Supreme Court cage matches and finding ever-more hyperbolic language to express their outrage over this and that, it’s just about all they can think of.

Congress recently authorized $223 million for a bridge from Gravina Island, to spare its poor 50 residents the minutes-long ferry ride to Ketchikan.

And they’re pulling out all the stops to evict the caribou – not one of which votes or pays taxes – from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

But Alaska isn’t just for the elite. You can go there, too, and Alaska Wildland Adventures will set you up with salmon fishing, rafting on the Kenai River, sea kayaking, a hike in Denali National Park, or a search for puffins, whales, moose, bears and other critters that don’t participate in our nation’s system of democracy.

Recently named the world’s top ecotourism tour operator by Conde Nast Traveler magazine, Alaska Wildland Adventures donates 10 percent of its pre-tax earnings to environmental and community-based organizations.

And to further prove their progressive bona fides, they have a whole slew of guiding principles on their Web site, including this one: “Consciously make purchases of goods with forethought to pre-cycling as well as re-using and recycling, whenever possible.”

Pre-cycling? Why aren’t the words we already have enough for people?

“Our philosophy is based on ecotourism travel, being able to ensure that 100 years from now these wild places will still be intact and as they are now,” says Heather Dudick, marketing manager for Alaska Wildland Adventures.

You’ll find a complete list of their tours – which run during the May-through-September summer season – at www.alaskawildland.com.

You can also look through their recommendations for winter adventures operated by other outfitters. Those include trips to the Arctic Circle, sled dog tours, a visit to the Iditarod Sled Dog Race Tour, skiing and snowboarding, or a soak at Chena Hot Springs Resort. Call (800) 334-8730 with your questions.

And if you like the idea of ecotourism, the Center for the New American Dream, based in Maryland, has added a whole section devoted to the topic on its Web site, www.newdream.org. Look there for lists of tour operators, vacation planning tips, information about international certifications and more.

Ho-ho choo-choo

Your behavior this past year may not speak for itself. So if you think it might be a good idea to make a personal PowerPoint presentation to Santa Claus, just to cover your bases, the Mount Hood Railroad can help you out.

You have 21 chances between now and Dec. 23 to hop on board the Polar Express in Hood River and head to the North Pole, also known as Odell, Ore.

After about five minutes of Christmas-light viewing, you’ll head on back accompanied by St. Nick himself. The whole trip, which is based on the children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg and the animated movie starring the ubiquitous Tom Hanks, takes about an hour and a half.

All trains depart at 6 p.m., and the fare will set you back $24 for adults and $16 for children 2 to 12.

The railroad also operates Christmas Tree Trains on nine dates in December. Santa’s around for those, too, as are carolers, freshly cut trees and wreaths.

There’s a schedule at www.mthoodrr.com. Or call (800) 872-4661.

Spiritual journey

Koinonia House, a ministry in Post Falls, plans to shake off the post-holiday blues with a couple of road trips. And you’re invited to come along.

“In Search of the Ark of the Covenant” departs from New York and tracks the ark’s route through Ethiopia from Jan. 14 through 24. Koinonia House’s Chuck Missler will lead the trip with Biblical archeological explorer Bob Cornuke of Colorado Springs’ Bible Archeology Search and Exploration Institute.

Cornuke reportedly found the anchors from Paul’s shipwreck off Malta, and he’s been featured on the History Channel, among other places.

“He’s the Indiana Jones of Christianity,” says Rhonda Sand, president of TMI Tours & Cruises.

You can combine your Ethiopian adventure with a turn around Egypt, as well. “The Exodus: Retracing the Footsteps of Moses” runs until Jan. 31.

Should you prefer to meet up with Missler and Cornuke for the second leg only, you’ll fly out of New York on Jan. 21.

Either way, you’ll take in a Nile cruise, the Sinai Peninsula, the Red Sea and an overlook into Saudi Arabia where you can view Jabal al Lawz, the mountain organizers say many consider the actual site of God’s delivery of the Ten Commandments.

The Ethiopia trip costs $4,253 and Egypt costs $3,239. Combine them for $6,413. Those prices include meals, visas, lodging, in-country airfare and other assorted stuff. It doesn’t include the airfare to get yourself there.

For more information, call TMI at (800) 975-7775, ext. 102.

Regional events

•Festival of Trees, Nov. 30-Dec. 4, Helena. Get your fill of trees, wreaths, dolls, dessert, children’s activities, live entertainment and more. (www.visitmt.com/800-200-9112)

•Merrysville for the Holidays, Dec. 3, Marysville, Wash. The electric light parade makes its way through Comeford Park. (www.snohomish.org/360-651-5085)

•Last Chance Holiday Bazaar, Dec. 10-11, Odell, Ore. Finish up your shopping with arts, crafts, clothing, home decorations, gourmet foods, baked goods, local wines and more (www.hoodriverfair.com /541-354-2865)