ALASKA
When Alaska was purchased in 1867 by Secretary of State William Seward for 2 cents per acre it was referred to as Seward's Folly. It was so isolated that few could see any value in the purchase, including the Russians from whom it was purchased. In reality it was a diamond in the rough. As you tour this magnificent land you develop an appreciation for its rugged pristine beauty. 
The capitol of Alaska is Juneau with a population of just over 30,000. Most of the population live in and around Anchorage which is by for the largest city. There are other small villages throughout Alaska with a few hundred to a few thousand people. A Russian influence in the buildings and art work is evident in a number of the Southern cities, perhaps more abundantly in Sitka. Native Alaskan influence also is evident throughout the State, from the totem poles to the art work on exhibit in shops and public buildings.
Denali National Park and Preserve covers more than six million acres. It is one of the major tourist destinations in Alaska with over 400,000 visitors each year. It is home to grizzly bears, caribou and many other species of wild life and birds. Bring your camera and an extra battery. Mount McKinley, which rises to 20,320 feet is a part of this park, For specific activities at various times of the year you should contact the park rangers at Denali National Park Visitor Center, 907-683-2294 . The park is accessible by car on the George Parks Highway or by the Alaskan Railway from either Anchorage or Fairbanks.
Much of the population of Alaska lives near the ocean and because of this the ocean temperature controls the weather. It rains often and in the winter the temperature can remain below zero for weeks at a time. Since summer is the tourist season in Alaska you should take a rain coat and a warm sweater or light jacket
Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the United States combined. Seeing it - and Alaska's abundant marine life and tidewater glaciers - is one of the most popular travel options in the state. There are two ways to reach Alaska by sea: cruise ship or ferry. Cruising is the most popular way to see Alaska. Cruise ships have mastered the art of comfort and care-free traveling. The scenery is spectacular with lots of excellent dining and entertainment. These ships stop at many of the cities on the South Eastern coast of Alaska with time for side trips, shopping, and photo opportunities. The side trips may include "whale watching" boat trips. Bus tours by very knowledgeable guides to glaciers, historical and scenic sites.
| THINGS TO DO | THINGS TO SEE |
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Alaska Railroad
The Alaskan Railroad extends 470 miles from Seward through Anchorage and Denali Park to Fairbanks Alaska. It is a beautiful train with dome cars to facilitate sight seeing and picture taking. Cruise Passengers disembarking at Whittier can make connections via coach to the Alaskan Railroad.
Glaciers
Glaciers scenes are not available to most people in most countries. Alaska is an exception. Several ice
fields exist on the more extensive mountain ranges which spawn glaciers down the canyons and draws. These glaciers are usually marked on travel maps. They are worth going out of your way to see them. They differ in color and makeup. Some have visitor centers with displays that explain the Glacier growth process until they slowly march down the mountains and form the lakes below with small blocks of ice floating near the mouth.
Denali Park
400,000 visitors enter Denali each year. It is a spectacular natural resource abounding with unique plants, Grizzly Bears, Moose, Caribou, Mountain Sheep and other wild life living in their natural habitat. Tours of various length can acquaint you with the Park. The Park has completed a new state of the art visitors center about sixty miles into the park. This should probably be a minimum tour. The ultimate tour extends over 90 miles into the back country and takes about 13 hours. Tours are by bus or van and are expertly narrated. The highest mountain in the United States is Mt. McKinley and is located within the Park. If your lucky you may even get a good picture though most visitors have to endure a few clouds near the summit.
