The Last Frontier Podcast

While you can do a lot of things in Alaska you can find elsewhere, one fairly unique aspect of Alaska travel is the opportunity to get up close and personal with glacial ice. There is no other place in the country like it and very few places in the world have the breathtaking scenery that comes with adventuring around glaciers. On today's episode, we discuss six different ways to experience the ice when exploring the Last Fron...

Alaska is a great state to visit no matter your age or ability level. There are plenty of options for all including families that visit with young ones. It's not always a cheap flight to Alaska so it's not a bad idea to take advantage of the free lap infant flight for babies under the age of two, but what can you do with them once you are here? Fear not, your trusty bald eagles, one of whom has a one year old daughter him...

How do you write an introduction on one of the most iconic creatures on the planet? The killer whale, also known as the orca, is always a top the wishlist of animals Alaskan visitors hope to see. Join us on today's episode as we just scratch the surface on what makes these animals so special. How many names do they go by? What are the three ecotypes we see in Alaska? And is it terrifying when a marine mammal killer swims under...

Disclaimer: Some content in this episode may not be suitable for the younger listeners.

We finally did it! After five years, we got to check that Explicit Content box. It felt good. On today's program, we were thrilled to have three stand up comedians take a break from their Kenai Peninsula comedy tour and join us to chat about the comedy scene in the Last Frontier. They provide their insights into the comedy culture of Alaska,...

The summer season is finally upon us! How can you tell? Well, the sun is shining longer, animals are making their return, and tourists are entering the landscape. These are all telltale signs that summer is approaching. Join us on today's episode as we delve into some of the major harbingers of the Alaska summer season. Which birds have a claim to the longest migration on the planet? Why do humpback whales leave their warm Haw...

This episode drops when many seasonal employees are beginning their Alaskan summer experience. We had a request from someone coming up for the summer to record an episode providing top tips and advice for people embarking to the Last Frontier for summer employment. Join us as we discuss the ins and outs of the seasonal lifestyle and share how our own experiences shaped us into the beautiful bald eagles we are today. Do you need muc...

Farmers in Midwestern America were hit hard by the Great Depression. Alaska had land to tame. Both sides swiped right and a match was made. On today's episode, we delve into the history of the Matanuska Valley Colony which was an agricultural relocation settlement part of President FDR's New Deal to combat the economic hardships brought on by the Great Depression. Join us as we discuss the ups and downs of that project an...

The summer visitor season is upon us and so we delve into another educational travel episode. On today's program, we discuss 20 travel trends that are taking place in the Last Frontier. We nerd out on numbers for a bit and then share some of the types of travel trends unique to Alaska that keep bringing visitors up in increasing volume. Our main sponsor of the podcast, Sunny Cove Kayaking owner and newest president of the Sewa...

Seward, Alaska was established on an alluvial fan in the Kenai Fjords where mountains shoot straight into the ocean. Surrounded by features that make it hard to develop and built on a land feature known for flooding, Seward has had its challenges over the years as it attempts to grow. As Seward prepares for its future growth, the town has embarked on the process to update its Comprehensive Plan and so for today's episode, we i...

Alaska has a vibrant live music scene especially in the summer months. On today's episode, we explore some of our favorite bands and spots to get away and enjoy some great music in the Last Frontier. What type of dancing does Andrew need to learn? Where does Danny rank the song, A Whole New World? And how did Jared burst his appendix while listening to live music?! It's the episode you'll jam out to!

Alaskan Beer of t...

We have a listener who will be traveling to Seward this summer and was interested in hearing about local camping recommendations in the area. Since we love getting episode requests, join us today as we discuss our favorite spots to set up camp in and around the place we call home in Seward, Alaska. Why does Seward have so much waterfront camping? How important is it to reserve a spot ahead of time? And what's our personal favo...

This episode drops the day before President's Day which got us asking the question, how many presidents have visited the Last Frontier State of Alaska? While there have been numerous presidential stopovers in Alaska to refuel Air Force One, join us as we explore the stories behind all the presidential visits of Presidents who visited Alaska while in office and got out and about to spend some time in this place we call home. Wh...

Kayakers Cove is a great off the road system hostel you can access by water taxi from Seward, Alaska. It is a fan favorite of those who know it well. And breaking news, it's under new ownership by none other that our podcast's most frequent guest and sometimes co-host Jared Fink. Jared joins us on the program today to discuss this new life endeavor and talk about what makes Kayakers Cove and places like it such a magical ...

There are all sorts of fun jobs one can do working for the National Park System. Today, we are excited to bring back Andrew's wife Cara on the program to talk through her first summer working for Kenai Fjords National Park. As the logistical coordinator for several research trips into the park, join us today as Cara teaches us the ins and outs of working in some of the most remote places Alaska has to offer. What do researcher...

The walrus came up in a recent episode of our podcast and we felt it was time to give these incredible creatures their due with their very own wildlife spotlight. Join us on today's episode as we learn all about the largest member of the seal family. How long has the walrus been on the planet? What's the status of the Alaska Sea Life Center's latest walrus rescue? And what the heck is an oosik?! It's the episode...

The winter solstice seems to have more meaning the higher in latitude you travel on the globe. With this episode dropping the weekend of winter solstice, we explore the significance of the winter solstice in the Last Frontier. Join us as we discuss how the solstice has been celebrated historically by Alaska Natives to ways you can enjoy the winter solstice today. How much sunlight do various parts of Alaska receive on the winter so...

We recently found a beer named for the Alaska Railroad to review on the podcast and thought, that would be a good topic to discuss. Join us as we navigate the history of the Alaska Railroad Corporation leading up to the trips they offer passengers today as a unique way to travel in the Last Frontier. Why is the Alaska Railroad considered the backbone of the Last Frontier? Which president drove in the final golden spike? And how can...

With the days around Thanksgiving boasting the three most traveled days of the year in the United States, Andrew and Danny thought a great Thanksgiving tie in episode would be to learn about the great Alaska migrations. Alaska is home to the largest migrations in the world by land, air, and sea! Join us as we delve into what animals make such incredible journeys that would make your Thanksgiving travel plans look like a cake walk. ...

Andrew's maritime career took a wild turn recently as an international expedition cruise ship company short on Alaskan seamen called up Andrew from the bullpen. In a few short days, Andrew flew down to Seattle, back to Anchorage and then out to Nome, Alaska to embark on an Alaskan adventure that would take him a dozen places over in the Last Frontier he hadn't laid eyes on before. Listen in as we put Andrew on the hot sea...