Entertainment: Beach Blanket Babylon

Photo: Sarah Palin and John McCain

This weekend I’m headed into San Francisco for two fun-filled girlfriend-getaway days in North Beach, San Francisco’s Little Italy. It’s one of my favorite neighborhoods to hang in the city, it’s full of eateries, quaint boutiques, galleries and near some of the city’s most popular attractions: Coit Tower, Washington Square, Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf.

It also happens to be home to Beach Blanket Babylon, a satirical musical show that is one of the city’s longest running and most beloved revues. My favorite is their winter holiday show. Nothing says Merry Christmas like dancing, singing Christmas trees. If you haven’t been, make a point to go … you’ll enjoy it. I guarantee it.

Travel: Mic's travel tips for Alaska

I have only one tip … listen carefully … you might miss it.

BRING MOSQUITO REPELLENT!

And don’t be a pansy about it, leave the Avon Skin So Soft at home and bring the strongest stuff you can find. No kidding! Go for the industrial eat-your-skin off variety favored by outdoorsmen and hunters. If you’re going to be there for more than a day, bring a brand new bottle of the stuff, because you’ll be bathing in it at least twice a day.

For those that aren’t aware, mosquitos are the Alaska state bird.

Oh. They’re not? Well, they should be.

Bring. Mosquito. Repellent.

Over and out.

Travel: Dogs of Alaska (and their owners)

Everyone in Alaska seems to have at LEAST one dog and they bring said dog(s) everywhere. Wherever the people go, the dogs go, too. If you don’t like dogs, don’t go to Alaska. Really. Seriously. Slowly back away from the state border and run like hell. RUN LIKE THE WIND! Go, go, go!

Still here? Okay, let’s move on and meet our first dog.

Teresa and Jaime have three dogs and two cats. At some point I will introduce you to Cosmo (named after Suz Brockmann’s fictional heartthrob character Cosmo). This dog is a lover. No surprise given his namesake.

But today, we’re not into lovers. We’re into more intimidating, scary, ferocious canines.

This is Teresa’s brother Lorien’s dog who comes over almost daily to romp with the Hollingsworth pooches while Lorien’s at work. It’s some kind of awesome doggy daycare, man.

Meet R-Lo.

Food: My favorite breakfast in Alaska

Most of my stay in Alaska was spent bunking with friends Teresa and Jaime at their home in Fairbanks. My thanks to these two cannot be expressed enough. Let me tell you, these guys are the hosts with the most! They’ve got the perfect combo of pampering and make-yourself-at-home down to an art.

A big boon of crashing at their pad was the home-cooking. They’ve got a beautiful open kitchen that is perfect for cooking and entertaining—whether you’re actively involved in the cooking process or just sitting at the bar and watching them dish, it’s a nice setup. And both Teresa and Jaime sport serious culinary skills, which makes for some darn good food.

My favorite breakfast was one dished up by Jaime …

Travel: Fourth of July parade + picnic, Ester, Alaska-style

I’m finally getting a chance to go through the photos from my recent ten-day trip to Alaska. One of my favorite experiences of the entire trip was the Ester Fourth of July parade and community picnic.

This, folks, is what Fourth of July parades are all about! The potluck picnic that took place directly afterward is the definition of “community” and I loved every minute of it—from watching dozens of kids ride their bikes and trikes helter skelter, to the groups of men standing around shooting the breeze, to the clans gathered under big umbrellas slurping watermelon and fresh lemonade, to the billions of dogs on display (everyone in Alaska owns a dog—or four—and brings it with everywhere they go), to the random and welcoming conversations struck up by strangers and neighbors alike.

Warning: there are a bajillion photos, so scroll fast and it’ll be just like you were there.