Alaska

Growing up in the adventure travel business has its perks. My father, Dan Austin, director of Austin-Lehman Adventures bought into Backcountry Bicycle Tours after taking a biking adventure in the Tetons himself, when I was six years old. From there, I led a life in Montana that was a bit different from that of my peers, although the realization of that fact didn’t hit me until I grew older. At seven, I tagged along on our company’s Yellowstone Family Tours, meeting other children and families lucky enough to immerse themselves in the world of luxury travel, learning of lives and cultures much different than my own in my beautiful backyard. By ten, I tagged along with my dad and brother southwards to the friendly lands of Costa Rica, a Mecca for families with its smiling Ticos and its “wow-inducing” wildlife. From there, I traveled along openly and willing with my dad, my partner in travel, my adventure planner, to destinations far and wide: Peru, Alaska, Germany, Ecuador, Holland, Galapagos Islands, and all over the western United States. We traveled for business, we traveled to see what lie beyond the mountains of Montana, we traveled to learn about cultures different than our own, but most of all, we traveled for the love of adventure.

All these trips share at least one thing in common, and that is my dad’s willingness to plan these adventures and his excitement in sharing the world with my brother and me. What better way to learn about people, places, relationships, connections, and cultures! This just isn’t something that can be experienced in a classroom (and this is coming from someone with a degree in Education!) As it gets easier in our schools to bring the globe to a classroom with modern technology, you just can’t replace an authentic, hands-on cultural experience somewhere outside your comfort zone. My brother and I are some of the few Montanans I’ve found who have had the fortune of learning on the road…and we’re lucky enough to keep up with this lifestyle today.

After graduating from the University of Montana in 2011, I immediately accepted an offer to work full time for the family business, despite obtaining a degree that didn’t exactly fit into the world of tourism (a backup plan is always a good thing right?) In my position in Operations I not only have the pleasure of working one on one with ALA’s top notch guide team, but I also work closely with our partners across the globe, creating and maintaining contracts and serving as the “point person” for inquiries, problems, help, and advice when it comes to creating the perfect adventure for our guests. Throughout my few years of working for ALA, I’ve still had the fortune of continuing my travels, more so now than ever – scouting new destinations, attending conferences, leading guide trainings outside of the United States, and even leading a trip or two overseas, sometimes with, sometimes without my dad.

Recently we received a visit to our Montana office from a representative of Tourism Tasmania, Karen Stotz. (If you’re not sure of where Tasmania is (like I didn’t when I first met Karen) take a peek at a map of Australia, and then look south…) While sharing with us a presentation of the beautiful state of Tasmania, Karen mentioned a conference that takes place in Australia annually, the Australian Tourism Exchange, and informed us that a familiarization trip of the area could take place before or after the conference. Before I could get two words in edge wise, my dad shot in, claiming that we would be there and all correspondence for details of the trip would come through me, the trip planner. Me? Me?! The daughter who follows her dad on his travels worldwide, letting him do all of the planning?! Alright, this could be interesting. Challenge accepted!

Stay tuned for my next post to find out about planning and executing our Australia trip!

Kasey

After talking with hundreds of people about adventure vacations, I believe there are basically two types of travelers: those who prepare weeks or even months in advance and those who throw a few things into a suitcase the day before a trip. Personality probably has a lot to do with which type of traveler you are, but everyone can benefit from a little thoughtful preparation before travel. Not only will you enjoy your adventure vacation more, but you will gain more from the entire experience if you spend a little time getting ready to go. Here are a few suggestions...

Prepare Your Body:

Getting physically prepared doesn't mean you have to run a marathon before you're ready to hike and bike on your Austin Lehman adventure. If you sit at a desk most of the day and you don't work out often, you will want to take it up a notch. Go for a walk four or five days a week, or hop on a bike (regular or stationary) every few days. I spoke with a woman last week who walks every day during her lunch break. She's headed to the Canadian Rockies this summer and I'm confident she will be adequately prepared for hiking those awe inspiring mountains.

Prepare Your Mind:

Make it a point to read about the area you will be visiting. The first time I went to Costa Rica I was not prepared for the differences in culture and environment. I hadn't read much and I was overwhelmed with all of the new sights and sounds. Austin Lehman provides a reading list for each of our adventures. If you are traveling with children, show them pictures of the area you'll be visiting. Photos help them to build a mental picture and it allows them to join in your excitement about the adventure. Looking at a map of the area will help you to orient yourself with your surroundings once you’re on your journey.

Immunizations (if traveling outside the US):

It's very important to check with your physician and the Center for Disease Control website before you travel outside of the U.S.  Some areas of the world have immunizations that are required, and some immunizations are only necessary in certain seasons. You will want to be aware of which immunizations are recommended and make informed decisions about which ones you want to take and which ones are not necessary. This is a decision that your doctor (or the doctor at your local travel clinic) should be able to help you make.

What to Pack:

Whenever someone asks me what type of clothes they should pack, I always say, "layers". It doesn't matter if you are traveling to Alaska or Nicaragua... layers are important. All of those layers should be breathable, non-cotton materials. Equally important would be a good pair of light-weight hiking shoes. I almost ruined my last backpacking trip with my son because I was trying to eke out a few more miles in my old hiking boots before forking up the dough for new ones. If you purchase new shoes before you travel, make sure to give your feet ample time to break them in. If your feet hurt, your whole body hurts. (Keep an eye out for next week’s blog from EMS’s Jim Darroch on how to choose the right footwear.)

A good rain jacket can be your best friend on any vacation. Unfortunately, Austin-Lehman can't control the weather, so it’s important to be prepared for an occasional wet day. Many outdoor clothing companies make a light-weight, packable rain coat that can also step in as a wind breaker, if needed.

Another important item to bring is a camera. No matter what camera you own, make sure you have the protective gear you need to keep it dry and dirt free. There's nothing more disappointing than missing that perfect shot because your camera lens has taken in moisture.  A good case can usually solve this, but even a zip lock bag makes a big difference.  Make sure to be smart about when you take out your camera too; don’t use your brand-new $2000 camera in a rain storm if you don’t have the accessories to keep it water free.

If you're traveling to a third-world country, you might want to consider bringing a few items to give away. Many of the people in other countries do not enjoy the standard of living we experience at home. Your travel experience can be greatly enhanced by bringing little gifts to give to children such as pencils, crayons, or small notepads. Pack for a Purpose is a great non-profit organization which can provide items needed in specific locations around the world, and can help you gain an idea of what to bring to other places.

Obviously, this list is not exhaustive. The more I travel, the more I learn about getting prepared - it can be part of the fun of travel. In case you were wondering, I am the type of traveler who likes to throw things in a suitcase at the last minute. I have to admit, it's not always the best choice but it does add to the adventure.

As I step out of the San Jose airport into the warm, humid air a feeling of peace and relaxation washes over me, much as it does every time I arrive in this tiny country in Central America, except this visit will be different than all of the others. This adventure will take me to the Osa Peninsula, one of the least visited areas in all of Costa Rica. Suddenly I see Carlos through the crowd of Ticos waiting for friends and family. Carlos knows his country well and I'm so grateful he is willing to spend the next few days showing me a part of Costa Rica I haven't had the chance to explore before.

We leave the airport and head south and west into the Talamanca Mountain range toward Cerro de la Muerte, the highest point of the Pan American highway in Central America. We stop briefly at a small typical Costa Rican restaurant to get lunch; beans and rice, homemade tortillas, and fresh fruit before heading up higher into an ecosystem called paramo about 3,300m above sea level (around 10,000 ft), which is only found in Costa Rica and a few areas of Panama. Many endemic species live in this unique habitat. As we get out of our vehicle and start to walk a short distance into the vegetation I'm struck by how much the dwarf shrubs and trees resemble the alpine ecosystems I've studied back home in the Rockies, the Cascades and the Olympics; small, waxy leaves with tiny, white bell shaped flowers. We spend the night in a quaint lodge nestled in a valley near Costa Rica's most recently established National Park, Quetzal National Park.

Savegre Hotel Nature Reserve and Spa

I rise early to try and catch a glimpse of the beautiful Resplendid Quetzal only to be informed by one of the garden keepers that the Queztal has already visited his favorite avocado tree near the small trout pond earlier that morning and moved on to other feeding areas. I hoped this was not a foreshadowing of my luck at spotting wildlife as we headed even further south toward Sierpe on the outskirts of Central America's largest mangrove forest.

In the small town of Sierpe we board a boat and begin our voyage through the mangroves toward the Pacific Ocean and Osa Peninsula’s, Drake Bay. The number of bird and other wildlife sightings increase as we travel down river toward the ocean; frigate birds, raccoons, macaws, and caimans. Soon we can see the open ocean and the waves lapping at the mouth of the Rio Sierpe. Our captain maneuvers easily through the surf and continues on toward the northernmost tip of the Osa Peninsula. As we draw closer to shore I realize there isn't a dock...we're going to get as close to shore as possible and wade the rest of the way. Porters come to carry our luggage ashore while the passengers focus on the beauty surrounding us. I feel like I've just stepped into a scene from Swiss Family Robinson.

Approaching the Osa Peninsula after leaving the mouth of the Sierpe River

Early the next morning Carlos and I start down a small footpath into the jungle. He begins to share with me his knowledge about the plants, birds and animals we see as we walk. We stop to look at some edible fruits that have dropped from the thick rainforest canopy when Carlos notices a small band of howler monkeys watching us from the branches above. A young monkey clings to its mother, and eyes us curiously. We walk a little further and pause to look at a large tree frog clinging to the trunk of a tree when I notice that the ground seems to be moving beneath my feet. I look down and discover the reason for the strange sensation; small crabs almost completely cover the ground where I'm standing. When I move, each crab quickly scuttles away.

Gladiator tree frog (Hypsiboas rosenbergi), trying to blend in to his surroundings

I grew up on the side of a mountain in Eagle River, Alaska, and even though I now live in Montana, one of the least populated states in the contagious U.S., I'm amazed at how wild and secluded the Osa Peninsula feels. It gives me the same sensation I get when hiking and camping in remote locations in Alaska - the environment is still pristine, untouched, untamed. As I look around me, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude that there are still places like the Osa Peninsula on this planet I call home.

A remote beach on the Osa Peninsula at high tide

Austin Lehman Adventures will be offering a trip to Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula this year. We'd love to have you join us on this life-changing adventure! Come experience some of the most beautiful and remote areas in Central America.

The summer season is upon us, and what better way to pass the time then to embark on a trek though the wonderland provided by beautiful Mother Nature. While you could venture out to hike Patagonia in Chile, or retrace the ancient path of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you don’t even have to venture out of the United States to experience breathtaking beauty. The United States is a hiker’s playground from the sheer massive beauty of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, to the ancient forests of Sequoias at Yosemite National Park in California, or even travel back in time to the great Wild West to the Black Hills of South Dakota. For your summer travels why not take an adventure vacation in your own back yard and experience the awe inspiring sights that United States has to offer. 

Journey to the Rocky Mountain Range in Montana

To explore the world of hiking, one must venture out to the Rocky Mountains of Montana. The beautiful state of Montana is a perfect representation of untamed, natural beauty, and is simply stunning in its vast mountain ranges. Experience wildlife from grizzlies and wolves to bison and bears. Explore nature from their point of view and experience the geological wonders that bring amazing life and color to its National Parks. Experience unique adventures from roping and saddling a horse, to watching good Old Faithful erupt on cue. Hike with the family, roast s’mores, and retell old campfire stories that you grew up on. Explore Yellowstone’s countless geothermal features including Fountain Paint Pots and the Morning Glory Pool, and take a dip in the Boling River.

Visit Zion National Park in Utah

If the Wild West is not quite your style, maybe you would like to explore Zion National Park in Utah. Ranked one of America’s best adventures by National Geographic, these views will take your breath away as you hike past waterfalls, natural springs and hanging gardens. Zion has one of the most diverse groupings of plants in Utah, with over 900 species for you to experience. You can soak up the colorful hues of red, orange and amber during the daylight hours, and at night be surprised by the amazing clarity in the night sky. Kick back and relax as you enjoy the bright star formations in the skies, as you have probably never observed them before.

Visiting The Grand Canyon in Arizona

Looking for a hiking location with a little piece of paradise awaiting you at the finish line? Havasupai is a hidden gem amongst the vast ranges of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Accessible only by foot this is a beautiful place to explore and bask in the natural rich pools at the base of a thundering 100-ft falls. After a fairly difficult hike to the falls you will feel like you are imagining this oasis as its beauty in the arid space of Arizona doesn’t seem fit for such crystal clear waters. This Grand Canyon Vacation is also equipped with a visit to an old galena mine, hunt for fossils, a visit to a natural mineral rich whirl pool, and a stunning trek en route to Beaver falls.

  
Trekking Wyoming’s Yellowstone and Teton National Parks

You cannot possibly discuss the amazing hiking in the United States without mentioning Yellowstone and Teton National Parks. Yellowstone was declared the world’s first national park in 1872, proving that even then, people realized this beautiful gem needed to be preserved.  Take in the neon blue, 300-foot wide Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest of hot springs in the entire U.S. and the third largest in the world.  You can also experience an adventure packed whitewater-rafting excursion down the scenic Snake Water Canyon.  From hiking, to biking, to kayaking, rafting, and rodeos, Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park Vacation and Teton National Park are fantastic locations to explore some of nature’s finest views of the great outdoors.  

5 Great Items to Pack

There is no better time than now to explore the wonders of the world located in our own National Parks. Take your family to see how beautiful and diverse this country is, and how many different adventures are just waiting to be experienced. The possibilities are endless from the Rocky Mountains of Montana and Wyoming to the red rocks of Utah, New Mexico and Arizona in the Southwest to the Coastal breezes of Alaska, California and Washington. Contact Austin Lehman Adventures as your trusted Adventure Travel Company to book a hiking tour for your next vacation.

Check out some other great photos of Domestic hiking adventures on our Pinterest

Your Friendly Travel Experts,

Austin-Lehman Adventures

One of the key skills to guiding in the outdoors is flexibility… but who would have thought that Pam and I would need to use this skill so much simply by driving to our destination? Yes, 2,700 miles does present a lot of opportunity for things to come up when driving from Montana to Alaska, but in our case, “things” being the road, went away. Flooding added to the heavy water from the spring thaw, washed away part of the Alaskan highway. What an adventure! Fortunately, we caught this at the tail of repairs – which I would like to add, were done with impressive speed and only left the roads closed for a couple of days. We were only held up for a few hours and started our bumpy, curvy, and beautiful drive through British Columbia, the Yukon, and into Alaska.

At one point, we drove over a brand new bridge. The river had completely washed out what ever structure was there before and now there were piles of boulders pushed into the river with loads of gravel layered on top. Over we went, not blind to the leftovers of the road to our left. Less than a foot to the side of the center line was now a 4ft. cliff where the water had stolen the rest of the road.

It was pretty exciting to see both the power of nature and the quickness of people to respond. Even more exciting, was doubling my lifetime bear sightings in a single day! Pam and I saw 15 bears along the drive through north British Columbia and into Yukon. 12 black bears – including one cub – and a mom grizzly with her 2 cubs! It was a beautiful day for munching the grasses along the side of the road and I assume the stop of traffic for the last few days had called them to enjoy it. These bears, along with moose, elk, bison, fox, coyote, eagles, bighorn sheep, marmot, and mule deer sightings have only left us void of caribou. We will keep our eyes peeled to check off caribou from the land list and then will move onto water! Whales, sea lions, otters, and more are all waiting for us on our Alaska adventure vacations to appreciate them for simply being there… and this is our job. Pretty spectacular way to spend the summer if you ask me.

Your friendly Alaska guide,

Aubree

We are all drawn outside...  One of the many beauties of nature is the diversity the outdoors can portray and the spectrum of interests it can entertain.  Whether looking at the historical and geological influences that made our environment what it is today or simply taking in the breeze and appreciating without question, the outdoors can fill many needs.  You can do this in your backyard or you can take it to the next level through an Austin-Lehman adventure to Alaska.

This summer I have the unique opportunity to experience Alaska’s abundance of land and sea, mountains and towns, by guiding Austin-Lehman’s Alaska adventure vacations. As one of the most seismically active places on earth, Alaska is continually changing. The pacific plate is continually making is way under the continent folding magnificent mountains. Glaciers have carved through the land giving us places like Resurrection bay. At nearly 1,000ft, Resurrection Bay does not freeze. It was the accessibility of the bay that allowed Seward to establish as a town, but it is the beauty of the water and the history of the town that excite those of us lucky enough to visit Seward.

With Austin-Lehman, we not only get to explore Seward and see Resurrection Bay, but we also stay on a stunningly beautiful island within the bay, see the mountains from the tranquility of a kayak, and whiteness some of the animals that call Alaska home…. all on the first day. This will be an amazing adventure for me that I can’t wait to share with our guests.

Your friendly adventure guide,

Aubree

Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska’s inside passage is not only one of our most beautiful national parks, but also spans 3.3 million of the 25 million acre World Heritage Site found in Alaska!  One of the most amazing aspects of the bay is that it did not exist back in 1794 when Capt. George Vancouver sailed the Alaskan Coast line.  Since then, the glacier has receded approximately 65 miles to reveal the earth that now sustains bears, moose, wolves, a multitude of birds, and several other species of land based animals and plants.

Here you will find not only towering glaciers, snow-capped mountains, forests, fjords, watery wilderness, and wildlife, but a serene peace found in only the remotest of destinations.  I have not yet traversed Glacier Bay National Park, but will in just a few short weeks when I set out on a small cruise ship sailing from Juneau to Sitka. 

My life’s dream has been to see whales in the wild (sorry SeaWorld, Shamu doesn’t quite count), and mid-July seems to be the perfect time to see both Humpback and Orca whales!  I have attempted to go whale watching before but it has never quite work out; The weather turned bad, the Seattle trip fell through… any number of reasons, but this year is MY year!  If we keep our collective fingers crossed I am sure that the whales are going to materialize!

If you are at all interested in calving glaciers, subtropical rainforests, or majestic animals in their natural habitat, than consider Glacier Bay National Park for your next adventure.  Whether you are looking for a solo trip,  adventure vacations for couples, or family adventure vacations, Glacier Bay has the variety to satiate even the most adventurous demeanors.  

Your Friendly Travel Expert,

Mindy Vanderhoof

Kasey's Kids Webinar

Kasey Austin is leading a group of young adventurers into an interactive webinar about what kids really want from their family adventure vacation. We first said we would give the first 25 kids a "certified cool" kids pack and an ALA gift. But since the boss is out of town till after the webinar, Kasey and I have agreed to give every kid that attends a "certified cool" kids pack and an ALA gift!!!! Is that cool or what?

Who is Kasey Austin? Kasey Austin is one of our top veteran guides and has been guiding family  adventure vacations since she was 6 years old. Kasey's passion for the outdoors is contagious and she is always a hit with the kids. The few trips I've been on with Kasey there is always 1 or 2 kids that say "I want to be a guide like Kasey when I grow up."

Last summer Kasey guided our Yellowstone tours, Alaska adventure vacations and cycling tours in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

This summer she will be guiding and working in the office, sharing her knowledge and passion for the outdoors to help us create even better trips. That is the focus of Kasey's Kids Webinar, to find out what kids really want from an adventure vacation. Then we can take knowledge we get from this webinar and apply it in the field to make our family adventure vacations the best they could be!

For more information on Kasey's webinar check out www.austinlehman.com/kids

Or to sign up for this webinar, please visit: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/571338808

This Webinar is Sunday, April 14 @ 4pm EST.

Thanks and hope to see you there!

ALA Adventurer,

Jonathan

You know you are in for a wonderful vacation when adventure trips turn into unforgettable and blissful getaways.  The Kenai Peninsula offers a plethora of adventure activities like hiking, biking and kayaking through the wilderness of the Kenai Fjords National Park. You can kayak your way through pristine sceneries that encapsulates this part of the world.  How about experiencing a glacier and wildlife cruise while discovering the enigmatic beauty of Fox Island?  This charming retreat can easily turn your adrenaline pumping Alaskan vacation into a cozy, charming and relaxing refuge. Alaska is one of the few places in the world where you can witness glaciers. Be one with nature as you soak up the magnificent landscape with active volcanoes in the background.

Adventure vacations are both magical and enchanting in Kenai Peninsula.  The Kenai Fjords is home to an array of wildlife creatures. The Maritime National Wildlife Refuge is the sanctuary for sea otters, sea lions, whales and many more.  Here you will learn about climate change and how it has a huge impact on nature.  Hike the trail to Exit Glaciers and discover how this body of ice changes a landscape.

This vacation opens your eyes to the beauty of nature. You will understand why many people find their bliss in Alaska and now call it home.  We offers adventure vacation packages to Alaska and many more exciting vacation destinations. Give us a call to learn more.
 

Engaged couples often find that one of the most exciting parts of planning a wedding is deciding on the honeymoon. While many grooms want to surprise the bride with the wedding trip destination, brides also want to have a choice in this once in a lifetime trip.

Surely an adventure vacation for couples is just the right type of getaway to inspire tales repeated to children and grandchildren as you grow old and gray together. So at the start of your life together, our adventure tours promise to provide the happy couple with great memories of fun, pampering, dining, biking, hiking, culture and education all wrapped up into one package. We handle every detail including activities, accommodations and dining. The bride and groom just need to be prepared for experiencing everything that their destination of choice has to offer.

Fortunately, there are many journeys to choose from because our travel itineraries include locations in North, Central and South America as well as Europe and Africa. For Mountain adventure getaways with skiing, kayaking and wilderness exploration, couples will find their choice of Canada, Rocky Mountains, Alaska or Grand Canyon vacations.

Those who want to experience foreign cultures and breathtaking scenery will find our European vacations  just right for honeymoon vacations. With trips to France, Spain, Italy and more, honeymooners will enjoy biking, gourmet dining and walking through picturesque villages and wineries.

For an unforgettable honeymoon, join us on one of our journeys as you begin your first days together as a married couple.
 

Do you hear the sound? It is the enticing call of adventure travel urging you to go ahead and find your adventure in some far off distant place.

Maybe it is to see the tortoises of Galapagos or voyage to the heights of Machu Picchu. Perhaps sailing on a small, private cruise to Alaska and exploring Glacier Bay will satisfy your taste for exploration. Whether a European vacation or safari adventure tour in Africa, adventure travel companies provide everything you need to get you to your destination and begin exploring nature in all its wonders while on bike, foot, horse or skis.

Every single detail of our adventure vacations is handled so you can seek out new and unfamiliar experiences in exotic, unknown areas of the world. The added benefit when traveling on our adventure tours is the small group setting with professional guides who have the knowledge and experience to personalize the trip and really make attendees comfortable. We chose accommodations to complete the locale and really enhance the entire experience.

If you have a touch of wanderlust and want to experience other world cultures, it’s time to immerse join us in our small group adventures. Give us a call or drop by our online site to start your journey.
 

Spend a week this summer in the rugged beauty of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Our adventure vacations to the land of the midnight sun were featured in Travel & Leisure’s Trips of a Lifetime for 2010, and once you journey with us, you’ll understand why.

With over 650,000 acres of breathtaking land, glacier formations and water, visitors to the area will be awestruck by nature’s pristine beauty and the many types of wildlife that can easily be spotted as you hike, fish and boat throughout the area. We offer two adventure vacation packages to this stunning location: one for everyone – singles and couples and another specially designed for families.

Alaskan Kenai Peninsula
Our single tours and adventure vacations for couples on this six day journey are filled with wildlife galore. Cruising the ice filled waters brings porpoises, sea lions and orcas readily into view in their natural habitat. Biking through flower covered meadows to reach cascading waterfalls will seem like a dream, and then feasting on wild Alaskan salmon in the comfortable lodge or resort makes everything right with the world. Vacationers to this part of the world can plan on plenty of activity with hiking, biking, kayaking and boating all part of this adventure trip.

Alaska Kenai Peninsula for Families
Our family vacations feature the same destination, but with different activities to really make it special for kids. Searching for sea creatures on Fox Island will yield plenty of sea urchins, otters, puffins and more. There are also caves and waterfalls to round out nature’s wonders along with a fast and furious ride on the zip line at Crow Creek. And of course, no Alaskan evening is complete without a dinner of fresh seafood and s’mores roasted on an open bonfire.

Alaska is waiting so don’t miss the vacation of a lifetime by joining us as we journey to this fascinating land (800) 575-1540.

 

Your children have always wanted to see sea lions, bears, moose, eagles and mountain goats in person. You’ve imagined what it would be like to hike through wildlife rich forests, stand atop a glacier and capture an amazing image of majestic 30 ton humpback whales in their natural habitat. Together, you’ve always imagined going on the adventure of a lifetime, and adventure vacation packages with Austin-Lehman Adventures are sure to fulfill that dream.

Explore coves of the bay in Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, with an experienced, friendly local ranger. Once you arrive at the Icy Strait, join the Captain on the bridge or the Expedition Leaders out on deck to search for marine mammals. Then, relish in the spirit-nourishing peace and absolute magic of two evenings in practical isolation inside of Glacier Bay.

Family adventure vacations to Alaska truly are epic adventures that you will cherish forever. Rediscover nature as it was intended to be – untouched and beautiful.

Adventure travel companies take care of the details so you can focus on the little things…like listening for the sound of the crack of a calving glacier and counting rainbows. Call today to schedule your voyage into the last frontier.  
 

Take a moment to imagine thundering waterfalls and pristine waters with wondrous rainforests and the aroma of deliciously crisp, fresh air. Travelers can discover such a wild place in the Kenai Peninsula, a spot of magnificence that only Alaska could provide.

Explore the unspoiled Resurrection Bay waters together with seals, puffins and sea otters. Feel the gentle misting of a waterfall as you bike to Hope, the town famous for being the center of the gold rush. Visit an island so secluded that you can hear serene sounds that you thought were long lost in the memories of your childhood – the sounds you would hear when your days were spent tossing rocks into the water and riding your bike through the woods – the peaceful sounds of nature. Our family adventure vacations to the last frontier allow everyone to enjoy nature’s playground. After you play, sample a dish of delectable wild salmon then relax in your cozy room at the unbeatable Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge.  

Adventure vacation packages to Alaska offer the perfect way to reconnect with the people you dream with in a place you thought could only exist in your imagination. Adventure travel companies like ours put together hassle free vacations so you can spend more time daydreaming with the family about your getaway. Call us today to plan your next journey.
 

When my family and I decided to try a European vacation this last summer, I wasn't sure what to expect. But Austin Lehman really put our minds at ease. From the moment we booked our travel plans, they handled everything with such professionalism. After much consideration we felt that we would like to include our love of biking in our travel plans, and try one of the cycling tours.

The idea of visiting small towns and museums while riding through the countryside seemed like just the getaway we needed so we chose Germany for our adventure vacation. I have to say from the moment we arrived in Trier, Germany, we were overwhelmed with all the beauty and majesty of the country. Although, the first day of biking from Luxemburg to Trier was just a little too long, overall we couldn't have asked for a better trip. The guides, Luuk and Tom, were so friendly and made everyone feel right at home. I've never experienced two people that were so sensitive to the needs of the group like they were.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was touring all the little villages. You can get lost in all the little shops and meandering pathways. As far as hotels, the stay in Cochem was wonderful with picturesque views, beautiful hotel room and extremely tasty restaurant.
Now I can’t wait to try one of the family adventure vacations so we can bring along our kids. We would love to try the Alaska tour next!

Name: Connie Jean
City: Celina
State: Ohio
Country: USA

For a new meaning to family adventure vacations, travel to the land of diversity in Alaska to be greeted by spectacular scenic beauty, wildlife, rich forests, gorgeous glaciers and rich history all waiting to be explored.

Our Remote Alaskan wilderness tour takes you to Glacier Bay National Park where you’ll see some amazing glaciers, and if lucky, you’ll be able to lower the skiff and float alongside icebergs created from fallen pieces of glacier. Kayak or hike through the rich country to get a glimpse of wild animals like puffins, sea lions, mountain goats, bears, moose and eagles. The excessive brightness of the forestlands due to its flora and fauna is simply breath-taking.

Stand atop a glacier and fill your lungs with clean and crisp fresh air. You will journey through the park with a local ranger as he leads you in exploring secluded places generally missed by tourists. Listen to Tlingit elders and learn fascinating facts about the place. Get inspired by learning about the Glacier Bay from scientists busy researching this unique biosphere reserve. Hike on North America’s highest peak that is 20,000 feet above sea level, Mt. McKinley. It is the world’s coldest and most spectacular mountain.

Of all the adventure travel companies out there, Austin Lehman helps you to see and experience the ‘real’ Alaska so visit us online today to learn more about our adventure vacation packages.  
 

Austin-Lehman Adventures has been showing our guest the best of our country’s National Parks for the last 27 years. We strive to incorporate the “hidden” gems on our National Park Tours. We also provide professional and knowledgable guides to show you the way and explain how we can help to preserve and protect our National Parks for tomorrow’s generation. We decided to share our top 10 “uncovered” gems of our National Park tours. Don’t worry we still have plenty up our sleeve…

1,) Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is home to a wide range of beautiful scenery, but probably best known for their stunning glacier carved valleys and enormous granite walls. John Muir named this place the ‘range of light’ and for good reason. One place to really get a full scale of these massive valleys is from Glacier Point, 3,214 feet above the floor of Yosemite Valley. Although Glacier Point is not “hidden” this spot is often over looked, this scenic point can be accessed by a 30-45min drive from the valley floor.

2.) Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is renowned for its amazing scenery and wildlife, here at ALA we try to show our guest a side of Yellowstone that they might not see on their own. That is why we have created Safaris in Yellowstone. What is a safari in Yellowstone you ask? An expedition to one of the most premiere wildlife viewing spots in North America. Often referred to as the “Serengeti of the West” we set out for the Lamar Valley to observe animals in their natural habitat, the ALA way! Our morning starts off at 5am at our hotel in Mammoth Hot springs, early morning is the best time to view the wildlife. Then we drove into the Lamar Valley, to catch a glimpse of grizzly bears, wolves, elk, herds of bison, antelope, black and brown bears.

3.) Canyonlands National Park
A real treat on our Utah- Arches to Moab trip is a bike ride along the Island in the Sky route. The Island in the Sky trail takes you along a sheer-walled mesa that is in the northern part of Canyonlands National Park. The route follows the rim of the mesa, with scenic points where you get amazing views out over the surrounding country, including rugged canyons that have been carved by the Colorado and Green rivers. In many places the surrounding country is 1,000 feet down, virtually straight down, just an added bonuses to this all ready heart pumping ride.

4.) Wind Cave National Park – South Dakota
Did you know that the United State’s 7^th national park was created in none other than South Dakota? Not only that, but this national park was created underground! Wind Cave National Park takes the status of the world’s first “cave national park” and is comprised of one of the world’s longest and most complex cave systems as well as the mixed grass prairie, ponderosa pine forests, and assortment of wildlife that flourish above the cave’s surface. Containing nearly 95% of the world’s boxwork formation, this cave lacks the stalactites, stalagmites, bats, dampness, and creepy crawlies that you’d normally associate with a cave. On ALA’s South Dakota tour, we descend into the depths of the cave with our national park service guide by our side. You’ll be amazed by the unique formations, colorful stories, and the general “feel” of the cool, dark cave!

5.) Kenai Fjords National Park
On our Alaska Adventure, you’ll be entering the only section of Kenai Fjords National Park that is accessible by road. Explore valleys sculpted by glaciers and get up close and personal with Exit Glacier, one of the out-flowing glaciers of the magnificent 700 square mile Harding Icefield. You’ll discover firsthand how plant life reclaims the barren rocky landscape as you ascend from green, luscious plant vegetation to an “as-far-as-the-eye-can-see” moon-like display of snow and ice. Views along the Exit Glacier Trail are nothing other than spectacular, but if you can ascend to the summit (which is definitely a challenge), you will remember the views of a lifetime (especially if you’re lucky enough to experience a clear visibility day!)

6.) Grand Teton National Park
Kayaking the pristine, clear waters of Jackson Lake is one of those experiences where you can’t help but think “Life is Good!” Keep an eye out for bald eagles, mule deer, osprey, and maybe even a playful group of river otters on the banks. Settle into a comfortable pace as you paddle your kayak through the calm lake near a wild bird sanctuary. About three-quarters of the way through this loop, we make a stop at our own private rocky beach. As we eat a cold bowl of ice cream on a hot, sunny day, we take in the magnificent views of the square-topped Mount Moran, seemingly emerging out of the far end of Jackson Lake! After skipping some rocks, building a few log structures and even playing a little “King of the Kayak,” we’ll head out for the marina where we will indulge in a tasty, nutritious lunch at a beautiful picnic area on the shores of our playground!

7.) Yellowstone – Wapati Trail
Experience all of the thrills of Yellowstone National Park in one single hike! Walk through the rolling grasslands covered in wildflowers with names like Indian Paintbrush, Yellow Columbine, and Fireweed, and keep an eye out for the enormous rack of a bull elk laying in the shade of a lodgepole pine tree. “Walk on the moon” as you enter a barren, white-out landscape created by one of Yellowstone’s four geothermal features: a hissing, steaming fumaroles. Continue past the lily pad pond and up a short, steeper section of trail to emerge upon one of the most beautiful views you will see in a lifetime – the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.

8.) Bryce Canyon National Park
Hike the magical hoodoo rock formations of Bryce’s Peek-a-Boo trail. This trail gives you amazing views of the Hoodoo formations. Hoodoos are tall slender spires of rock that protrude from the bottom of arid basins and “broken” lands. The formation name is Claron Limestone, the rock’s age is from Paleocene or Eocene age, 40-60 mya. The Native Americans believed that the Hoodoo formations would come to live as giants and ward off intruders.

9.) Zion National Park
Kolob Canyons is home to magnificent mountains of red sandstone. Kolob Canyons is a remote 30,000 acre block of Zion National Park located northwest of Zion Canyon.  It boasts the parks highest peaks – Horse Ranch Mountain at 8,726 feet and some of Zion’s youngest strata. The Kolob Arch flaunts one of the longest spanning freestanding arches in the world. The structure is an adult alcove natural arch set high on an exposed cliff. It was made as a result of vertical joint expansion, wall collapse and erosion.

10.) Glacier National Park
Hiking the Iceberg Lake Trail, the hike surrounds you in amazing flora with bear grass as high as your chest. The lake trail also provides some of the finest wildlife viewing opportunities in Glacier National Park. The vertical elevation gain of 1200 feet, providing unsurpassed views of the park. Lake Iceberg is named for the “icebergs” that float around on the lake. The lake sits in the shadows on the northern flank of Mt. Wilbur, receiving very little sun.

That is it for now… If you want to see some more uncovered gems of our National Parks, join us on one of our National Park Tours.

Your friends at Austin-Lehman Adventures

Carol getting to know the locals!

Over the past 13 seasons I have had the pleasure of working with many guests, helping them choose the adventure that is just right for them. That said, my favorite trips to plan are customs vacations and or exclusive adventures. I love going from A-Z, start to finish with the group, family, or just friends getting together for that special adventure vacation of a lifetime. Nothing gives me a better sense of accomplishment than knowing its another trip well done!

So many times I have heard conversations like this:  “At dinner with the Smith’s last week my husband John mentioned we were looking to take our family to Alaska and then the Smith’s chimed in they too were looking for an Alaskan Adventure. We started talking and mentioned we had such an amazing Family Adventure to Yellowstone with Austin-Lehman Adventures, we offered to make the call. The Smith’s then went on to mention their friends the Jone’s were talking about an Alaska Adventure as well. So I volunteered to call you”.

And there is starts…. You find yourself “chairing” the planning and scheduling of an adventure vacation for 3 families, with lots of different ideas, dreams and expectations. No need to be worried, every great experience starts with that first step….  And that first step doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

In the next few minutes I am going to try and share some simple steps I have learned and used these last dozen plus years. I will try and take away a bit of the anxiety and put in a dose of reality and a pinch of fun! These 12 steps can be used for an extended multigenerational family vacationor corporate retreat, for a singles getaway for that special group of girlfriends or just you and yours wanting something really special.

Without boasting I will take a minute and share just a few of my favorites these last few years….

How about the Grandfather that called wanting help in taking his two grandchildren on a National Parks Vacation. The catch being they wanted to do 5 National Parks in 6 days by private jet…  we made it happen!

Or there was the very special 60^th birthday party on the island of Kaui for a dozen friends celebrating this special occasion. The special day and moment came at sunset, standing in the surf, cocktail in hand as the Hawaiian Trio played and a helicopter dropped rose peddles from the sky… (OK that’s one of my favorites and doesn’t happen every day).

One more was a custom Yellowstone National Park adventure for the mother, her sons, their spouses and their children. 3 generations, 20 willing adventurers of all ages and desires. Everything from horseback riding, rafting, hiking, to wine tasting (for the adults while the kids were treated to a poolside pizza party)

The point is, anything and everything for anyone is possible! It just starts with that first step (call) and we will do our part to make it as easy as possible.

Key is information and education…  you first need to determine a rough idea of who the group is and what they may want. So before you get too far into it, try kicking things off with a “get together” of the key decision makers. Be prepared to ask at least the following questions and take copious notes…

1.      Narrow down your destination, its ok to have a couple but not more than three. Keeping it simple really helps when trying to decide. Be sure to agree on domestic or foreign.

2.      When is the best time for everyone (caution here, this can be a big challenge), try and get all to block out at least a few dates.

3.      Budget- Better get what the budget is or can be on the table early in the process.

4.      Wish List- Next up key activities and the wish list of everything you want to do. (Horseback riding, rafting, biking, etc..)

5.      Get an idea (this ties back to budget) on type of accommodations and or camping…  try and get a consensus.  Example: 4 start Lodges.

6.      Length- Also tied to budget is the overall length, be sure to allow a day or two on either end for traveling.

** OK, now armed with the above you are ready to “make a few calls” or emails for that matter (with Custom and Exclusive adventures I prefer).  Pick one or two tour operators (preferably from personal experience and or direct referrals, with googling up on the internet a distant 3^rd choice).  Then pick up the phone and give them a call!  (refer to: http://www.austinlehman.com/choosing-a-tour-operator-pages-477.php , for some additional tips and tricks for picking a Tour Operator)

7.      Be up front and let them know you are just the spokesperson for a group and describe the demographics of your party!

8.      Work with your adventure consultant to come up with 2-3 detailed rough and simple itineraries. Do not put endless hours into the details until you have a few sample itineraries to supply your group. No need to flesh out what you are doing on day 3 until you have determined if you are going to Alaska or Belize on your adventure. Get a budget on the 2-3 itineraries and take back to your party.

9.      Almost Ready- Armed with a rough itinerary, budget, destination and dates, you will soon find out how easy it’s going to be…  often this is the case, but occasionally its back to the drawing board. But if you did 1-6 above, you should be dang close and should be able to get everyone to agree on at least the next phase.

10.   Top Pick- Once you have that “top pick” ask for the nuances from the group. What they really like, what might be missing, special events (birthdates, anniversaries, etc.) and take this information back to your adventure consultant. Share all the details…

11.   Remember- With all this in place you should be able to get a final itinerary (remembering it’s a Custom/Exclusive Vacation and can be adjusted at any point, including while on the fly, ask me and I will tell you a few fun ones). With the final itinerary you should be able to lock in dates and pricing.

12.   The last step should be even simpler, now hand it off to your adventure consultant you have been working with and their team to work with all the individuals to get the final details, deposits, paperwork, insurance, etc., all in place. This doesn’t have to be your choir, it’s what they (we) get paid to do.  All we need is the list of participants and contact information.

Now step back.. there will be a lot of back and forth, a lot of Q&A before the actual trip, but relax, you did your part (and a great job you did I might add).

When the day finally arrives and you find yourself heading out to enjoy the adventure of a lifetime with the fellow travelers you help get on their way, you will smile ear to ear with the extra satisfaction that comes with being a key contributor in creating the perfect Custom Vacation!

In closing I will share one of my most memorable compliments, it came from a grandmother that I worked with to arrange a 80^th birthday trip for her husband, adult children and grand children to Costa Rica. She called me from the hotel in Gunancaste to tell me how perfect and fantastic everything was. A couple of years later I had the pleasure of working with her again to plan a trip with the family for her 75^th birthday. We are already talking about what we are going to do for his 90^TH!

your friendly travel expert,

Carol Austin

As we wave goodbye to 2011 and start dreaming of our next vacation with friends and family in 2012, I’d like to share something with those of you who have been fortunate enough to receive or purchase a new Apple iPhone 4 or 4s. With the excitement of getting my own Iphone 4s I decided to create a batch of travel inspired wallpapers specifically to test the new screen sizes and resolutions to see if the new Apple iPhone lived up to all the hype.

So, I’d like to invite you to enjoy some of Austin-Lehman’s Best Adventure Travel Destinations of 2011 with our adventure travel themed photo wallpapers created especially for the new iPhone 4 retina display (640 x 960 pixels at 326 DPI).

The Proof is in the Pudding.

iPhone 4 Wallpapers - from Austin Lehman Adventures

Alaska Animal iPhone Wallpaper

Alaska Landscape iPhone Wallpaper

Alaska Whale iPhone Wallpaper

French Church iPhone Wallpaper

French Steeple iPhone Wallpaper

Montana Landscape iPhone Wallpaper

Mystery Texture iPhone Wallpaper

Yellowstone Tetons iPhone Wallpaper

Yellowstone Lake iPhone Wallpaper

Yellowstone Winter iPhone Wallpaper

Made for Sharing

This photo gallery and any derivative media is provided as a courtesy to authorized and approved media representatives and our fans alike. We encourage you to share and use the photos as you see fit, in return all we ask is that you credit Austin-Lehman Adventures as the source and provide us with a link or copy of your story.

Once you’ve downloaded the photos, import the photos into Iphoto and create a new album. Once you’ve have done that, sync the album with your iphone 4 and “voila” you have the photos on your Iphone. Now all you have to do is set the photo as your wallpaper and your Iphone will be the coolest one on the block.

Hope you enjoy and keep checking back for more great wallpapers from Austin-Lehman Adventures!