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Snorkel in Alaska? It's Not Just for the Caribbean Anymore.

6/29/2015

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Snorkeling in Alaska in the inside passage in Ketchikan
You want me to go out into those chilly Alaskan waters, huh?
By John Roberts 

Did I ever tell you about that day we went snorkeling in Alaska? 

That's what I thought, too, when Mrs. In The Loop suggested we give it a try on our first trip to that wilderness wonderland. 

I expected to see a lot of interesting wildlife in Alaska, but I was thinking more about bears and moose and whales (from the comfort of a boat) and bison, etc. Plus, "Isn't that water going to be a little bit too cold?" I asked the wife. 

Well, we will be wearing a wetsuit, she told me. This was our first cruise to Alaska, and on our first port stop -- in Ketchikan -- we jumped into those chilly waters with a company called Snorkel Alaska for a seemingly wacky adventure.  

Turns out, it was a fantastic time. We saw a range of interesting creatures in the clear and brisk waters of the inside passage of Ketchikan, in an area known as Mountain Point, and we got hot chocolate afterward! 

Our first duty was to suit up in the locker facility and check-in building of Snorkel Alaska. This was quite a scene, with everyone in our group of 12 people squeezing themselves into the wetsuits. There is very little dignity in the process of contorting yourself into your sausage casing in front of a bunch of strangers -- men and women got dressed in separate locker areas, by the way. 

The wetsuits made the 50-degree waters tolerable, as the initial rush of cold water enters the suits but is quickly warmed by your body and provides an insulated environment. We were covered head to toe, with only our faces exposed for breathing. 

It was a different kind of adventure, for sure. It's awesome to tell people about that time you went snorkeling in Alaska and watch them curl up their faces in confused expressions before exclaiming "What?! You can do that?" 

Thanks for reading. 

Travel fit! Travel happy! 

JR

Snorkeling in Alaska in Ketchikan
After suiting up, we made our way down to the edge of the water to take the plunge.
Starfish seen while snorkeling in Alaska in Ketchikan.
Colleen holds a starfish. We saw interesting underwater creatures that boasted vibrant colors and bizarre shapes.
Snorkeling in Alaska in Ketchikan.
We snorkeled in September. The water was cold and filled with mesmerizing ribbon-like vegetation.
Snorkeling in Alaska in Ketchikan
Snorkeling in Alaska in Ketchikan.
Colleen shows off a sea cucumber (left). A bright purple starfish (above).
Snorkeling in Alaska in Ketchikan, we spot two bald eagles, common Alaska animals.
While exploring the waters, I looked up and saw these majestic bald eagles looking at us like we were crazy.


Related stories you might like: 
Heading on a Cruise to Alaska? You'll Need this Packing List.
What My Epic Snorkel Fail Taught Me About Travel
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Gear Review: The Germ-Killing HeadDEFENDER Seat CoverĀ 

6/11/2015

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The HeadDEFENDER zips up in a compact travel size, unfolds for use and slips right over your airplane headrest.
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By John Roberts 

I would say that I am very aware of  the possibility of coming in contact with unwanted germs when I travel. I'm not a germaphobe or overly obsessed with sanitizing every surface I come in contact with (Mrs. In The Loop usually takes care of that for me), but I realize that whenever we mingle with larger crowds, we are at a higher risk of catching something we don't want. 

It's because of these situations that companies devise products aimed at limiting or eliminating germs and bacteria that we might encounter. HeadDEFENDER sent me one of its deluxe extended headrest covers to try out. 

The cover slides over plane, train or a movie theater seats, for example, and claims to kill 99.9 percent of disease-causing microbes. The idea is that the cover keeps bacteria, hair, dander, flakes and any other ickiness that might be left behind on the seats from coming into contact with your head, neck or face.  

Sounds great! So, how does it work?  

The science stuff: A HeadDEFENDER cover has a non-toxic, hypoallegenic, antimicrobial barrier built into the fabric. Microbes, including MRSA and staph, have their thin cell walls punctured and ripped apart by the molecular barrier on the headrest cover. Sounds violent! Those damn disease-causing microbes deserve it. 

I'm no scientist. I'll trust the technology works.  

The practical stuff for a traveler: What I do know is that the headrest cover is light and folds into itself into a neat compact shape that can be zippered shut and easily carried along until you reach your seat. It's also soft, so your head is comfy. It felt fine when I rested my bald head against it.  

I used it on a plane trip. What I decided to do was explain to my fellow passenger seated directly behind me that I was going to put the slipcover on my headrest. The Frontier jet has back-of-seat TV screens that the cover partially obscures (about half the screen, actually) when it is pulled on completely to a snug fit over the headrest. The TV screens were not being used on this particular two-hour flight. (By the way, that's two flights in a row with no in-flight entertainment on my TV screen Frontier. What's up with that?)  

On planes when TV screens are in use, you would have to get permission from the person behind you to use your HeadDEFENDER and possibly tweak how your would place the cover over the seat so as not to block his or her screen. 

In movie theaters, on trains, in barber chairs, etc., the HeadDEFENDER would work with no complications. 

Company CEO Keely Watson says the HeadDEFENDER is long-lasting and is designed to stand up to regular cleaning.   

"The HD can be washed more than 30 times. it's not until after the 30th wash when the integrated antimicrobial solution will begin to fade on the HD," he says. 

I asked him how often it should be washed. "It's up to the user. For the most sanitary conditions, it should be washed after every trip or as often as the traveler needs it washed to feel like they have a sanitary zone of comfort. I've used mine on five trips before throwing it in the wash. For example, people wear jackets a number of times before having them cleaned or washing them, so every consumer is different." 

The bottom line: I like the HeadDEFENDER. Like I said, I'm no germaphobe, but this is easy to use, simply to pack and gives a sense of added comfort and cleanliness. Available at headdefender.com and on Amazon.com, the price is $34.99 for the deluxe version, which might be a bit steep for a few dozen fully effective uses before the microbial barrier breaks down. You'll also likely face occasional scenarios on a plane in which a fellow plane passenger finds that the device is affecting the TV screen on the back of your headrest.  

Thanks for reading,

Travel fit! Travel healthy! 

JR


EDITOR'S NOTE: Several readers expressed interest in this product after seeing my review, so I added a link to Amazon.com below for you to shop for your own. Thanks again for your support. 

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Weekend Getaways: River Tubing at Ginnie Springs, Florida

6/4/2015

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Ain't nothing wrong with a lazy time along the Santa Fe River in Florida. A great way to cool off on a hot sunny day.
By John Roberts

Grab your flotation device and cooler of beers! 

Any inner tube or two-seater raft will do nicely. Busch Light or Miller beers? Sure. 

We're headed to Ginnie Springs Recreation Area for a chill day on the Santa Fe River in northern Florida. 

Ginnie Springs Outdoors is a vast camping ground that features access points to several springs along the river that are prime swimming holes. You can also go snorkeling and diving in the springs, which offer stunningly clear waters. 


On our recent day trip to the grounds, we packed up a picnic lunch and a couple coolers of our favorite liquid refreshments and set out for a couple runs along the Santa Fe River on a sunny day. 

While most of the people were tubing, we also saw jet skis, canoes, kayaks and standup paddleboards on the river.  

Loading our cooler of beers, waters, sodas (and a tasty jar of moonshine) into our raft, we kept it simple and let the slow-flowing river take us along for a ride.  

My brother Bart and his wife, Natalie, live in Orlando and were eager to take us to Ginnie Springs, which is about 2-plus hours away from their home. They had been five years earlier and had a great time; now they had a good reason to return. We're glad they thought of it. What a fun time.  

No doubt people hit up Ginnie Springs ready to party and let their wild sides thrive! Brother Bart fits right in (he's the one who brought along the moonshine).  

Bart shares his Ole Smoky Apple Pie Moonshine.
Bart shares his Ole Smoky Apple Pie Moonshine.

The Skinny

Ginnie Springs Outdoors is located at 5000 NE 60th Avenue in High Springs, Florida 

Admission: $14 per adult 

Certified divers can explore four divable springs. 

Rental gear and food is available on-site.

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