The 2010 Gathering for PMNC will be held in Anchorage Alaska

schedule | travel options | Anchorage activities | Denali tour

Host: Prince of Peace Mennonite Church
Location: University of Alaska -- Anchorage
Theme: Caring for God's Creation

Tentative Schedule:
Thursday, June 24: Arrival; evening, Pastor-Spouse Dinner
Friday, June 25 -- Annual meeting sessions begin, all day
Saturday, June 26 -- Annual meeting sessions continue, all day
Sunday, June 27 -- morning, final worship service; departure

Travel options:
Ever visited beautiful Alaska? Ever attended the PNMC Annual Meeting? Ever wanted to do both? One special Alaskan cruise tour will take place in conjunction with the Annual Meeting June 25-27, 2010 in Anchorage, Alaska. The cruise and tour will happen the 10 days prior to the meeting.  *UPDATE on 3/2/2010*  The cruise ship is filling up, so don't wait any longer to register for this tour.  Sign up today! Alaska Cruise Tour; June 14-27, 2010

Suggested Activities in the Anchorage Area
John David Thacker
Mayor's Marathon, June 19
If you are a runner, you can enjoy Alaska's beauty while participating in a Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay or Five Miler. A few conference participants have already expressed an interest. If you register for the race or are interested in being part of a relay, .
Website: http://www.mayorsmarathon.com/

Alaska Native Heritage Center
The Alaska Native Heritage Center is a renowned cultural center and museum in Anchorage where visitors can expand their understanding of Alaska's first people. The center features displays of native crafts, culture and history, live demonstrations of native games and dances, and reconstructions of traditional dwellings.
Website: http://www.alaskanative.net/

Chugach State Park
Good hiking is found in Chugach State Park, which forms Anchorage's eastern border. Flattop Mountain is the most popular hike in the state. This moderately difficult, three-mile round trip will take you up 1200 feet to great views of Anchorage and the Cook Inlet. The hike takes approximately two hours and is accessible from the Glen Alps Trailhead.(You will pass the meeting pace for Prince of Peace Mennonite Church on the way to the trailhead.)
Website: http://tinyurl.com/yd4jxpn

Downtown Anchorage
Downtown is the place to buy your moose nugget swizzle sticks and Alaska sweatshirts. It is also home to the newly-expanded Anchorage Museum. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail begins at the western end of downtown and follows the coast to Westchester Lagoon where it links up to the Chester Creek Trail.
http://www.anchoragemuseum.org/

Anchorage Trails
Anchorage has an extensive network of paved trails for biking, walking and running. The Chester Creek Trail is accessible from the University of Alaska Anchorage campus.
Website: http://www.trailsofanchorage.com/

Out-of-Town Daytrips
Kenai Peninsula: If you have one day to see Alaska outside of Anchorage, I recommend a trip to Seward. Enjoy spectacular scenery and look for Dall Sheep and Beluga Whales along the Turnagain Arm. Stop at the Portage Glacier Visitor's Center and/or Exit Glacier to see some glaciers (before they are all gone.) Eat some halibut or salmon in Seward and stroll around the marina. Seward also has the Alaska SeaLife Center, and you can take a day cruise in Resurrection Bay to view wildlife and calving glaciers. You can also take the Alaska Railroad to Seward if you prefer not to drive.

Parks Highway: If you would rather go north, I recommend a trip to Talkeetna, an eccentric little town about two hours north on the Parks Highway. Denali National Park is about another two hours beyond Talkeetna. The Alaska Railroad has trips to Talkeetna and Denali.

Websites:
http://tinyurl.com/begichboggs
http://www.nps.gov/kefj/planyourvisit/exit-glacier.htm
http://www.alaskasealife.org/
http://www.akrr.com/

Official Anchorage Travel Guide
For more information, check out the Official Anchorage Travel Guide from the Anchorage Convention and Visitor's Bureau.
Website: http://www.anchorage.net/

Post-conference Denali Learning Tour
June 27-July 2, 2010  Cost: $450/$400 (student) (all expenses from Anchorage)
Leader: David Radcliff

Don't wait to register!  Minimum number of registrants needed by April to ensure the trip will happen.
Join in five days of experiencing one's of the world's most amazing natural areas--Denali National Park. This trip will include camping in Savage River campground beside pristine (and cold!) Savage River; hiking in the surrounding area and up nearby Mt. Margaret; a day-long bus trip deep inside the park; a day at the amazing Visitor Center and sled dog demonstration; and wildlife sightings that may include bear, moose, caribou, porcupine, lynx, and wolves. And if we're lucky, we'll get a good look at the highest peak in North America, Mt. McKinley. The trip is appropriate for ages 10-ancient, and is limited to 15 participants.
 
Participants will need their own camping gear, including tent and eating utensils. Food, transportation and camping fees are included in the registration. The trip is led by David Radcliff of the New Community Project, a veteran of six previous trips to the park.
 
To register or for inquiries, contact David by or 888-800-2985.

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