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Anchorage, Alaska sits in the crux of Cook
Inlet, in southern Alaska. To the north lies most of the state, to
the southeast is the panhandle which extends down the western edge of
Canada, to the southwest is the Aleutian Islands, a volcanic chain
of progressively smaller and rougher islands that squirts into the
pacific ocean. What most people don't realize about Alaska is the
shear size of it. Everything is on a much grander scale.
People don't have deer in their yards, they have moose, you don't have a
dog, you have a team of dogs. If you look at something on a map
and think, weekend getaway, expect to drive 8 hours. Luckily for
us, with the massive scale comes,
unbelievable scenery and experiences.
Because the environment is so overwhelming here, the people don't buy
into material things. Almost every male here has a closet full of
Carhartts and flannel, cars are dirty and purchases are practical.
People are real, down to earth and practical. Compared to where we
lived in Long Beach, it is a world away.
Alaska Facts
- Alaska is by far the largest of the US states. It's equal
to 2.1 Texases, 11 Floridas or 545 Rhode Islands.
- It's population density is 1.09/square mile. Although 42 %
of those live with us in Anchorage, the state's largest city.
- It is the US's most eastern
and western state, the Aleutian
Peninsula crosses the International Date Line, placing it in the
Eastern Hemisphere with Russia, China and Mongolia.
- Alaska became a state
in 1959
- The westernmost point
of mainland Alaska is only 54 miles from Siberia.
- The state sport is Dog
Mushing.
- Juneau, the state
capital is the largest US city covering 3,108 square miles.
- The Alaskan State flag
was designed by a 13 year old.
- It is so large it has
sends exchange students from the interior to the Anchorage.
- There are no snakes in
Alaska, and ironically St. Patricks day is not that big here.
This page includes our trips
to Fairbanks and areas around Anchorage. Links to our trips to
other parts of Alaska can be found on the navigation bar at the bottom
of the page.
Chugach State Park just east of Anchorage. This is the historic Iditrod Trail that runs from Seward to Nome. This section runs through the Chugach Chena Hot Springs Resort and Ice Museum
Chugach State Park covers 700 square miles just east of Anchorage and is the third largest state park in the US. It contains glaciers, abandoned mines and some of the most breathtaking views we have seen on our travels. About 60 miles outside of Fairbanks is the Chena Hot Springs resort and Ice Museum. Inside a 20 degree werehouse is a series of ice sculptures including a tower, bar, lounge, igloo and four minimalist rooms. All of the ice is harvested locally from the beaver pond near the resort and carved by a husband a wife team of sculptors. For a generous price we could purchase an Apple Martini. It was served in a souviner ice glass which was ours to keep and later became a souvier puddle, ah memories. For a mere $575 a night you could sleep in an ice room and in the past 2 years they have had 30 people do so. The accomidations were sparse and uncomfortable. I would have to think that it is the novelity rather than the luxury that brings people here, however I had a hard time buying a novelty drink in a souviner glass that melts let alone dropping over half a grand to have the equivlent of cold feet over my entire body. 800 miles of the pipe run from Prudoe Bay to Valdez carrying millions of gallons of oil. Only a few miles of it runs underground because the warmth of the oil (145-180 degrees) would melt the permafrost destroying its support system which would lead to collapse of the pipe and untold environmental catastrope. The locals love their pipe. Everyone we talked to said we had to see it and in all honesty, it was one of the finest pipes I have ever laid eyes on. The trip wasn't all ice and cold. The hot springs bubbled up at 156 degrees and was almost too hot. For over 100 years (the pamphlet said) people have been coming to Chena to bathe in the water and feel its healing affects. We enjoyed our stay, although we were not healed of any conditions (that we know of). I'd like to think that I was developing a bad case of scurvy and I slipped into the springs just in time. Part of the scenary from our return trip down the Glenn Hwy. As the ice that covers the state melts it gives us glimpses of what we can expect when the summer comes. You won't find scenery like this in Tennesse or Florida. While not the best picture merge, it gives an idea of the scale of the state. Put this in the lower 48 and it would draw people from miles around to marvel at its beauty. We saw three on the way home. This is number 10 on our moose count and was spotted by Catherine on her way home in our neighbor's yard eating the branches off of their landscaping. We went back out to find it resting in a vacent lot 30 ft from a bus stop.
Chugach State Park just east of Anchorage.
Chugach State Park covers 700 square miles just east of Anchorage and is the third largest state park in the US. It contains glaciers, abandoned mines and some of the most breathtaking views we have seen on our travels.
Other Alaska
Excursions
[ Denali ] [ Kenai ] [ Prince William Sound ]
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