Rob Taylor
Canberra
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Former journo, now in cybersec. Wall St Journal alum, former Reuters Kabul chief and AAP head in SE Asia. Doing the Kessel Run in 11 parsecs
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Articles by Rob Taylor
Brooks Lodge at Katmai National Park: Everything You Need to Know Including the Lottery Process
Staying at Brooks Lodge in Katmai National Park is the ultimate Alaska bucket list for a lot of people, including Alaskans. Imagine waking up in the morning as walking over to the boardwalk or to the beach and watching a mama brown bear and her three cubs playing close enough to make eye contact. Or having lunch then walking to a waterfall where you watch the sockeye salmon jumping while bears wade through the rapids fishing.
Staying in King Salmon at the Antlers Inn
Y’all, King Salmon isn’t the destination most people are aiming for when they plan a trip to Southwest Alaska, but it serves its purpose as a jumping off point for other amazing Alaska adventures, like Katmai National Park or incredible fishing trips. The Antlers Inn in “downtown” King Salmon is the only hotel/motel option in town, and it’s just fine for being able to have a clean, quiet place to rest before the bigger adventures begin.
Kodiak’s Friends By the Ocean Resort – Quite Stay on a Beautiful Black Sand Beach
Visiting Kodiak is a one of a kind experience, and being such a large island with so many adventure lodge options, staying at Friends by the Ocean is a wonderful choice for a quiet escape surrounded by the nature that Kodiak is famous for. With beautiful cabins just off a perfect Alaskan cove, the setting is calm and unlike what you’ll find in the busy port town that most visitors experience.
Planning and budgeting for fun stuff in 2027 - sorry to be looking into next year already
I finally get to start writing an update that doesn’t have me feeling anxious or frustrated. It was a good week at home, a good week with work, and a GREAT week for the county. I know most people don’t tune into my newsletter for politics, but when something impacts so many people so much (even if they don’t get it or think it doesn’t) it’s important to discuss, as least a little bit. This week, we saw huge turns in the tide, and it’s going to have an impact at the national level.
From Soil to Supper: How to Eat Our Way Out of the Pesticide Problem
If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent years drifting through the supermarket, dropping glossy apples, plastic-wrapped lettuce and January strawberries that taste of nothing, into the trolley without ever stopping to wonder how they got there. Dig beneath the surface, however, and reality is a lot less charming. Our aisles are filled with ‘perfect’ foods because modern farming has become dependent on chemical inputs.
Katmai National Park vs. Lake Clark National Park
Alaska has two National Parks in the southwest stretch that are famous for the incredible bear viewing. Katmai National Park and Lake Clark National Park are both phenomenal for the number of coastal brown bears you’ll see congregating on the rivers, lakes and at the waterfalls. But which do you choose to have your epic Alaska bear adventure? Having been to both and seen an incredible number of bears, I’m here to help you choose and make an informed decision.
Complete Guide to Visiting Katmai National Park, an Alaska Bucket List Experience
Katmai National Park and Preserve is amazing; it’s one of my favorite places on earth. Picture this: you’re standing on a boardwalk, the crisp Alaskan air filling your lungs, when suddenly a massive brown bear launches itself into a waterfall, salmon flying through the air like tiny silver missiles. This is Katmai National Park, and frankly, it might just be the most awe-inspiring wildlife experience you can have anywhere in the United States.
The wheel came off my car, the Nor’easter has been bonkers, and now there’s some peace
So welcome to November. It is historically the busiest month in our house but usually in good ways, and this month is shaping up that way again, so that’s exciting. It’s starting out stressful though, because we, like many households, are anxious to see what Tuesday’s voting will bring about.
Homer’s Moosetide Hotel: a fresh twist on historic hospitality
Getting to stay in downtown Homer is a cool, quintessential Alaska experience. The Moosetide Hotel is a lovely old hotel made new in the perfect location for being able to enjoy Homer on foot, and it’s an easy solution to the time old question of where to stay on an Alaska trip. From amenities to the quirky and thoughtful touches, we’ve got the full scoop on what to expect and how to plan a great stay at the Moosetide Hotel in Homer.
When a Troubled Credit Needs a Workable Path Forward
Having a turnaround plan and understanding whether it can actually work are two different things. In a distressed situation, that distinction can carry significant weight. For lenders, restructuring may offer a chance to keep a borrower solvent and operating rather than force an immediate liquidation. But before determining whether a turnaround is the right path, lenders should consider some important questions. Are the forecasts reasonable and reliable? How much cash does the business really need?
When a Troubled Credit Needs a Workable Path Forward
Having a turnaround plan and understanding whether it can actually work are two different things. In a distressed situation, that...
Kayaking Kodiak: Awesome Experience, Kayak with Puffins and Sea Otters
Kodiak is a big, huge island at the edge of the Gulf of Alaska, so it might not seem like the place to go kayaking, but you’re wrong! Kayak Kodiak gets people out into the protected waters of Kodiak where there is a ton of wildlife, both in the water and on the rocks. And the best part is you can go kayaking with puffins! That’s right! Paddling from the float plan harbor through the bay, Kayaking Kodiak is able to get you to an amazing puffin rookery (with other birds and wildlife too).
Incredible Guided Bear Viewing with the Kodiak Bear Bus
Kodiak is known for its incredible brown bear population, but not every visitor is either able to get to where the bears are or understand bear safety enough to get out into the wilderness to see them. The Kodiak Bear Bus is a really good solution to being able to both make it to where you can find the bears and to learn about brown bear habits and life on Kodiak.
Fall means pumpkins, busy days and ELECTION DAY! Here’s what it’s looking like for us in FL.
It’s been a month since I’ve sent out a newsletter because it’s just been busy (like always) and I was on a really wonderful trip through Yosemite, Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks. But I’m back and have some questions for everyone, and some new articles to share. Fall is always a weird time for our household because it’s my busiest time for travel project AND it’s the busiest time for school things and holidays too.
Hiking at Grewingk Glacier in Kachemak Bay State Park in Homer
I’ve been to lots of glaciers, including hiking to quite a few, and I have to say that I love the journey and experience of the Grewingk Glacier in Homer more than most. Located within Kachemack Bay State Park, Grewingk Glacier is an experience that combines a boat trip, hiking, relaxing and even a hand tram over a river. I think it’s a really fun way to experience a different side of Homer and a great way to spend a day outdoors in the Alaska fresh air.
Halibut Fishing in Homer – Half and Full Day Trips in the Halibut Capital of the World
Halibut fishing from Homer is a bucket list Alaska experience for many people, and when you get out on the water and you start landing fish, you’ll understand why Homer is called the “Halibut Capital of the World.” Inlet Charters leaves from the Homer Spit and does a fantastic job making the halibut fishing experience both fun and successful whether you’ve never been deep sea fishing or if this is your tenth time.
Kachemak Bay Flightseeing Tour from Homer – Beautiful Views and Glaciers
Flightseeing takes all different forms and brings you to many different views, so flightseeing out of Homer you know is going to be special. Beryl Air does an ideal Homer flightseeing trip leaving from the sea plane base and touring the entirety of Kachemack Bay, going over cove towns, glaciers, river valleys and, of course the world famous Homer Spit.
Juneau Crabbing Tour – One of the Most Unique Activities in SE Alaska
Fishing isn’t for everybody, and I get it, but you know what is a fun Alaska activity that is really a great immersion into Alaska culture AND is a good option for the sportsman that still wants to spend time with their traveling buddies or family that’s not into fishing? Crabbing! One of the most unique tours I’ve gotten to do in Alaska, the Juneau crabbing tour with IntoAlaska is a fun, relaxing and completely engaging activity that’s great for all ages and interests.
Who controls discovery when AI answers first?
Table of contents When ChatGPT hit the mainstream in late 2022, very few of us could have predicted what would come next. AI adoption since that time has grown exponentially, but it’s the world of commerce where these assistants are really mixing things up. In our Commerce & AI Trend Report from earlier this year, we found that 47% of shoppers use AI to research and compare products, while 39% use it to discover new products and recommendations.
Visiting Glacier Bay National Park: A First-Timer’s Guide
If you’re visiting Glacier Bay National Park, expect icebergs floating in still water, glaciers splitting the horizon, and humpback whales breaching in the foreground. The photos are accurate but the planning reality behind them is not what most people expect though, and it’s not all tidewater glaciers everywhere you look. Visiting Glacier Bay National Park for the first time you’ll likely be surprised by the landscape and overall experience.
What the ReLU Revolution Revealed About Biological Plausibility
Publish AI, ML & data-science insights to a global community of data professionals. Deep Learning The activation function was never a fixed biological commitment but a working hypothesis revised under empirical pressure. Rob Taylor October 1, 202610 min read Image generated using AI Introduction Few decisions in the design of a neural network have attracted as much attention, and as much revision, as the choice of activation function.
The Silverbow Inn: Coolest Hotel in Juneau, without question.
Located directly downtown Juneau, the Silverbow Inn has become my new favorite hotel in the city. It’s fresh and beautiful kept, it’s in a great location and bonus, it’s got hot tubs on the roof! I love visiting Juneau but it always is such a busy trip that it’s tough to squirrel away some relaxation time, but here it’s different. I found the Silverbow Inn to be both a retreat from my bustling days and a great homebase for playing tourist.
Demand-Side Spotlight: Simpli.fi
Location is playing an increasingly important role in advertising as data and technology evolve, enabling campaigns to deliver the right message to consumers when they are most likely to act. In this edition of Demand-Side Spotlight, we sit down with Amanda Shelton, VP of Product at Simpli.fi to get the lowdown on location and how it can transform consumer intent into store visits and sales. Simpli.fi is a media platform built around location intelligence.
Hot Tub Boat Tour in Juneau – Yes, you read that correctly!
The hot tub boat in Juneau is the activity you didn’t know you needed. Wow, what a unique thing to do, and if you’re like me and spend most of your time in Alaska hiking, getting out on the water IN a hot tub is a welcome and relaxing experience. I know this may sound so very odd, but let me just say that you don’t know what you’re missing until you head into the harbor, surrounded by mountains and birds while you soak in a hot tub.
Am I having a career shift? Well, kinda... and I’m excited about it
I’m not stepping back from travel writing, but I’ve taken the steps to work with people OFFICIALLY in a professional travel capacity, and I’m really excited for the potential of a new direction. Happy Tuesday! Normally you hear from me on Sunday afternoons, but I took days off! If you are your own boss and don’t regularly make yourself take a day or two off, you really need to do it and completely disconnect from work. It’s kind of awesome and I’m going to do it more often.
Glacier Bay National Park Boat Tour – Wildlife Tips and What to Expect
Glacier Bay National Park is most often visited on a cruise ship without making any stops on land, but that isn’t how it has to be. Did you know that you can actually visit Gustavus, Alaska and explore the area and then do an all day boat tour into Glacier Bay National Park‘s waterways? You can and it’s actually amazing. It’s a similar experience to visiting Kenai Fjords National Park with a bit on land and then the biggest highlights at sea.
The Rustic Annie Mae Lodge in Beautiful Gustavus, near Glacier Bay NP
I’ve always wanted my own giant log cabin, but since that’s not happening staying at the Annie Mae Lodge in Gustavus is as close as I’ll be able to get for now. This unique lodge is located very near the Bartlett Cove area of Glacier Bay National Park and is a quiet retreat you’ll love. Ran as a contactless property, the Annie Mae Lodge has some modern touches making it an easy escape into nature at the edge of all kinds of beauty and fun in the National Park.
Juneau’s Aviator Hotel: Easiest Stay for Early Flights and Mendenhall Glacier
Normally I would recommend staying someplace in downtown Juneau, but the Aviator Suites Hotel at the Juneau airport is actually a great find and good home base for exploring the city and nature all around. Located walking distance from the main terminal, the Juneau Aviator Suites Hotel is an easy solution to building out a fun adventure in Alaska’s capital region. Also, it’s pretty nice for being SO CLOSE to the airport.
The Glacier Bay Lodge: Everything You Need to Know for Staying in Glacier Bay NP
Visiting Glacier Bay National Park is a special experience and not many people get to enjoy the park onshore, but staying at the Glacier Bay Lodge is how you can do it. Located in the tiny town of Gustavus, the Glacier Bay Lodge is a small, cozy, rustic but nice hotel experience set in the beautiful setting of Bartlett Cove in the National Park. This is a good home base for exploring Glacier Bay National Park both on land and on the water.
Recap of my EPIC Alaska Trip from Glacier Bay to Katmai National Park
2+ weeks traveling on my own and now I’m home. I’ll tell you what: there is nothing like time away from your family to get recentered on enjoying every moment you get to have with them. As I bounced around remote Alaska towns I only had reliable enough wifi or cell service to get to talk to my family a few times, and being away from them for 17 days made me really ache. Now that I’m home I feel like I care more about the 30th Anniversary Pokemon and what the current Minecraft project is.
Valdez’s Whitney Museum: where my point of view on Alaska souvenirs changed
We visit a lot of museums because they’re always very different and have such varied collections. The Maxine and Jesse Whitney Museum in Valdez is very different from any other we’ve been to in Alaska. While most museums in Alaska strive to tell the story of Native Alaskans through the lens of settler interaction or preserving their historic pieces, the Valdez Whitney Museum has a completely different approach, sharing the story of Alaskan artisans through early tourism.
Visiting Worthington Glacier in Valdez: is it worth it?
There are lots of different glacier experiences you can have around Alaska, sometimes they’re just nice views and sometimes it’s hiking across the face of the glacier. Visiting Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site is both good for the views and it can be some good hiking. This is a very different experience from visiting the Valdez Glacier or Matanuska Glacier, but it’s a fun stop and is good to add to the drive on the Richardson Highway between Valdez and the Copper River Valley.
Tune-up your bidstream pipes: The Q4 checklist for buyers and sellers
Q4 is known as the ‘golden quarter’ for retailers, thanks to the multiple holidays that see shopping surge. But for those in the engine rooms of advertising, it also presents significant challenges as brands encourage people to buy, buy, buy and the bidstream fills and overflows with excess media trading traffic.
Sonar Supports OpenAI’s Call for Collective Action on Cyber Defense
*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from Sonar Blog authored by the team. Read the original post at: https://www.sonarsource.com/blog/sonar-supports-openai-call-for-collective-action-on-cyber-defense/ The window to strengthen cyber defense is narrowing, as advanced AI models compress the time between vulnerability disclosure and exploitation from months to minutes. It’s the responsibility of the defenders to match that pace.
Down's syndrome project promotes black visibility
The founders of an advocacy initiative for black children with Down's syndrome have said they launched their project two years ago due to a "lack of representation". Danise Bartlett-Grant, who is one of four mothers who co-founded the Black Child Down Syndrome Project, said they wanted to create a platform for parents and carers to find advice, help and "have conversations outside of the larger disabled community groups".
BidSwitch partners with Adalytics to strengthen media quality for supply partners
Bespoke research insights will provide an additional opt-in layer of media quality review for supply partners, contributing to a higher quality ecosystem. New York, NY (September 9th, 2026) – BidSwitch, a subsidiary of Criteo (NASDAQ: Criteo), today announced a data sharing and research partnership with Adalytics Research to offer specialized bidstream data analytics to its supply partners on an opt-in basis.
Most Popular Alaska Summer Activities (South to North)
Planning a trip to the mainland of Alaska this or next summer? Great! There are so many fun, adventurous, beautiful things to do from Homer to Fairbanks and everywhere in between. Summer activities in Alaska include hiking, fishing, wildlife tours, rafting, kayaking and just taking in the views. We’ve put together some of our favorite summer things to do in Alaska that you can easily add to your trip, whether you’re planning a 7 day road trip or doing 2 weeks in Alaska.
How to Visit Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward AK
Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park is one of the most visited glaciers in South Central Alaska. Just a short drive from downtown Seward on the Kenai Peninsula, Exit Glacier is an easy hike through a beautiful forest with some amazing views. I remember when you used to be able to just drive up to Exit Glacier and get right on it… but that’s not the case anymore.
Ferry from Whittier to Valdez, Alaska: Schedule, Fares and Prince William Sound
Riding the Alaska Marine Highway is always a fun way to travel, both for the views and the ease of transportation. And yes! There is a ferry from the Anchorage area, from Whittier, to Valdez on Prince William Sound! The MV Aurora between Whittier and Valdez is a route that’s really fantastic, as it’s both a great way to skip the long drive from Anchorage to Valdez and because it’s a journey on Prince William Sound, so it’s full of wildlife and glacier ice.
Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site: Things to Do and Camping Info
One of the coolest things about visiting Alaska is getting to see glaciers, whether you’re into geology or you just love a beautiful landscape. The Matanuska Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers from the Anchorage area, but it’s really expensive to get to visit up close due to the access land being privately owned. However, there is a wonderful state park, the Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Area, where you can take in great views, enjoy some hiking, picnicking and even camping.
Portage Valley Visitor Center for Chugach National Forest: interesting, easy activity
Getting to have an adventure in Alaska means visiting and exploring lots of protected areas, and that includes the Chugach National Forest. The second largest of the US National Forests (the Tongass NF in Southeast Alaska is the largest) here in the Chugach you’ll find waterfalls, lakes, glaciers and tons of wildlife.
Byron Glacier Trail Hiking in Portage Valley Near Anchorage: Easy and Beautiful – My Alaska Trip
Often overlooked but a really wonderful place to visit is the Byron Glacier in the Portage Valley near Anchorage. While it might not be grand like when you see the Knik Glacier or when you visit a tidewater glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park, the Byron Glacier trail is a great way to get up close to a glacier and be immersed in the beautiful surroundings on Alaska. I like the Byron Glacier hike because it’s not too difficult and really packs a lot into one hike.
My "State of Florida" Address - my current observations of living in FL in 2026
So August is hot, and I know it’s not just Florida. We’re back to school and working for the weekend again. It’s funny how easily we all slipped back into the routine, and thank goodness because I love summer break and it’s sad when it’s over. But, it’s been good and the kids have both loved being back. It’s weird to think that they’re in middle and high school. Where has the time gone? But anyways, there are things happening that I want to share. Thank you for tuning in.
10+ Reasons to Visit Alaska in the Fall Season
Alaska in fall is quieter, more relaxed, and in many ways more visually stunning than anything peak season delivers. July is considered the best time to visit Alaska, but the parks fill up, park buses run at capacity, and harbor docks are loaded with visitors who all had the same idea. That’s not a complaint about summer because I love busy season. It’s just an observation that there’s another version of Alaska most visitors never see, which is fall.
Alaska Railroad Trips: Transportation and Sightseeing
The Alaska Railroad is a special feature of getting to travel in Alaska. A lot of people consider it as a part of doing a cruise, but it’s actually for everyone! We’ve done the Alaska Railroad several times and love the experience of getting to enjoy the beautiful sights as you travel from Fairbanks through Talkeetna and Anchorage, all the way to Whittier or Seward.
4 Day Itinerary for Haines, Alaska – Bears, Bald Eagles and Beautiful Views
Visiting Haines, Alaska is pretty special, and not just because it’s beautiful, but because so many visitors overlook stopping into Haines in favor of the more famous nearby Skagway. Well, guess what: they’re completely missing out. I love Haines and think it’s the perfect Alaska town. It’s got a simple downtown, awesome fishing opportunities, wildlife like you wouldn’t believe, fun events, and a gorgeous setting. Add to this an active, vibrant indigenous community and it’s just amazing.
Root Glacier Guided Hike: Alaska Glacier Tours in Wrangell-St. Elias NP
One of my favorite guided tours we’ve done here in Alaska is the hike to the Root Glacier from Kennicott in Wrangell-St Elias National Park. Kennicott Wilderness Guides does a great job outfitting guests for a glacier hike and then safely getting them onto the Root Glacier and exploring. We did this with our 11 and 14 year olds and they LOVED the adventure of it (and didn’t even complain about the hiking).
Kennecott Mill Town Tour at Wrangell-St Elias National Park, an Alaska Icon
One of the most famous or most popular historic sites in Alaska is the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark in Wrangell-St Elias National Park. You’re able to explore the mill area on your own, and then continue through hiking the different mine trails, but to go inside the towering mill building (THE icon of Alaska mining) and hear the stories and learn about the booming Kennicott mine community, you need to do a guided tour of the Kennicott Mill Town.
Kayaking at Valdez Glacier: a Beautiful Paddle with Waterfalls and Icebergs
Yes! There’s a glacier in Valdez! This is one of the coolest and most unusual kayaking spots we’ve been to. You launch just above the outflow from the glacier, so all the icebergs and chunks from the Valdez glacier have made their way here, creating an ice maze that you have to figure out how to paddle through, and then when you make it through the labyrinth you have this gorgeous lake with countless waterfalls pouring into it, and then a calving glacier at the end of it.
The Best Way to See Alaska: cruise, road trip, or expedition boat? (and costs)
What’s the best way to see Alaska? Alaska is 663,000 square miles, bigger than Texas, California, and Montana combined. The truth is that no single type of trip covers all of it, and no single visit should try. Most first-timers burn time looking for the “perfect” way to see Alaska when the better question is: which travel mode fits your specific trip desire, budget, and priorities?
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