Skip to main content

Beards, Booze, and Bacon: The Southeast Alaska Episode

Image used with permission by copyright holder

What new bourbon are we pumped about? Which hiking trail are we exploring? Why is the next supercar so cool? The Manual is dedicated to helping men live a more engaged life. Each week, our editors and guests get together for a round-table discussion about what’s new, exciting, and unique in the men’s lifestyle world. So pop open your favorite brew, step into your man cave, and start streaming.

For this week’s episode of Beards, Booze, and Bacon: The Manual Podcast, the round-table — the associate editor of lifestyle, Chase McPeak, and the ever-affable host, Greg Nibler — have a tete-a-tete about America’s largest and arguably most beautiful state: Alaska. However, since Alaska is so huge, the guys limit their coverage today specifically to Southeast Alaska.

First, Chase discusses his recent trip to Waterfall Resort on Prince of Wales Island, where he spent a week fishing for king salmon among the islets and islands of Southeast Alaska’s temperate rainforest archipelago. He details how you arrive at the resort (by floatplane), how to fish salmon (mooching), and points out the finer bits of the adventure, like spotting bears, eagles, humpback whales, and even orcas.

Next, Greg does a deep dive into cruising around Southeast Alaska. He offers tips on multiple places to eat, drink, and be merry in multiple little Southeast Alaska towns, all while trying hard not to denigrate the cruise experience. One great takeaway is that a cruise allows you to take your home base with you, wherever you may be wandering; you only unpack and pack once, you always know where your bed is, and you gain a sense of comfort and familiarity on a cruise ship that you might not otherwise get if you were attempting to drive from city to city and natural wonder to natural wonder.

Hear all the great stories that came out of these two guys’ separate trips to Southeast Alaska:

Thanks for tuning in! If you have a question for The Manual podcast crew, give us a shout at podcast@themanual.com — we’re always around! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and keep an eye out for podcast polls so you can join the discussion.

Further Reading

Topics
Chase McPeak
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Chase McPeak is the former Lifestyle Editor. Chase regularly appeared on Beards, Booze, and Bacon: The Manual Podcast where…
Nomatic’s sleek new carry-on bag is your holiday travel solution
A man holding the handle of a nomatic bag in the airport

Making your way through the airport can be a (literal) drag, from trying to keep your bulky items in order to deal with delays and last-minute gate changes. Luckily, Nomatic luggage is lightweight, effortlessly glides on its spinning wheels, and looks good while doing it.
Just in time for the holidays, the Nomatic brand has released a sleek carry-on, the Method Luggage Carry-On. The team boldly claims they "broke science" by devising a bag with 20% more packing space than comparable models. It's also 15% lighter weight than other carry-ons that are the same size, literally taking a burden off of the savvy traveler.
But with so many luxury travel bags on the market, is this one worth its price tag, and what actually fits inside? After a few weeks of testing The Method Carrry-On up close and personal, here are my thoughts on what it does best and who it's best suited for.

The Method Luggage Carry-On comes with these luxurious features

Read more
TSA PreCheck and its alternatives: Are they worth it?
There are ways to get through security and to your gate faster, but they will cost you
Airport security barriers with long line in background

Raise your hand if you like waiting in security lines at the airport. What, no one? Well, that’s probably not surprising considering a poll of 2,000 travelers by travel comparison site Cheapflights found waiting in line was Americans’ least favorite part of airport security. That came in ahead of other unpleasantries, such as taking off your shoes and coat and being patted down by TSA personnel.

Even though 31% of those surveyed said long lines were at the top of the list of most dreaded airport security experiences, 54% of those who had flown in the last 90 days reported having been caught in a long security line recently, and 7% had even missed a flight because of it.

Read more
Singapore Airlines revamps cabins for its long-haul flights
Singapore Airlines renovates cabins on its long range airplanes
Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900ULR

On Monday, Singapore Airlines announced cabin renovations for its long-haul Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The $835.5 million interior refresh covers 41 long-range and ultra-long-range airplanes, raising the bar for the airline’s highly-rated in-flight experience. 
Details of Singapore Airlines’ A350 cabin refresh
Singapore Airlines business class refresh Singapore Airlines

The airline’s seven A350-900ULRs lead the way with a brand-new first-class cabin. The carrier says it’s "designed with increasingly discerning travelers in mind." Only renderings are available now, but the cabin will surely create a premium experience. Singapore Airlines uses the A350-900ULR on its longest routes, including those from Singapore to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). 

Read more