Alaska

Alaska. Land of the Midnight Sun and the 49^th state to join our Union on January 3, 1959. Our most northern state and home to Denali State Park. State bird is the Willow Ptarmigan (Willow Grouse). Alaska's capitol, Juneau, is situated in the Southeast part of Alaska known as the Panhandle. Forget Me Not grow all over the state and is the state flower. It's in Alaska where ½ of the world's glaciers can be found.

Seven of the eight golden stars adorning the blue backdrop of the state flag are in the shape of the constellation, Ursa Major (the big dipper). The remaining star represents the North Star and indicates Alaska as the northern most state in the union.

A trip to Alaska is truly an experience to remember. An area twice the size of Texas were one can find some of the most beautiful and breathtaking sights to behold. Towering snow covered mountains and eye popping sunrises and sunsets as well as the magnificent Northern Lights make a trip to Alaska a visual experience to last a lifetime.

Wildlife living in the pristine and untouched wilderness of Alaska's backyard can be viewed from the comfort (and safety) of a train ride on the Alaska Railroad. Offered by Princess Tours, the "Midnight Sun Express", begins in Anchorage and winds a path to Talkeetna and Denali National Park.

Anglers can choose from 3 million lakes to cast a line for one of the best fishing adventures around. Expect to find King Salmon, Halibut, Rainbow Trout or the great Northern Pike challenging your pole and raising your spirit.

Hunters will experience big game hunting like no where else in the lower 48. Dall sheep, brown bear, grizzly bear and moose will get your heart pumping as you view one of these mighty animals in your gun sight.

Hikers should be prepared for the untamed wonders of trails and those itching for a climb up one of Alaska's many mountains will not be disappointed. Mount Denali is the tallest in North America at 20,320 feet. Watch out for Kodiak Bear, Polar Bear, Grizzly Bear and Moose as you traverse the trails of Alaska.

Purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, the name "Alaska" means the object towards which the action of the sea is directed. It was at one time called Alyeska. An Aleut word meaning "great land". William Seward, secretary of state under Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, negotiated the purchase of Alaska. At that time, the purchase was refered to as Seward's Folly because no one really knew what to do with such an isolated and desolate piece of land, however, that changed when gold was discovered in the 1890's. Amazing how some little yellow nuggets turned even the most ardent critic into an enthused seeker of riches.

Alaska is the only state with coastlines on three different seas. The Arctic Ocean to the north, Pacific Ocean to the south and the Bering Sea separating Russia from the U.S. by only 55 miles. It's here in the Bering Sea where nature comes alive as whales move along migration routes.

During WWII, the United States was surprised to find Japanese soldiers had taken up residence on two of the Aleutians Islands. Attu and Kiska. A military campaign was mounted to remove enemy soldiers from U.S. soil in June of 1942. It took a year and 3 months to drive the Japanese off the islands. Called the Forgotten War, this was the first foreign invasion of American territory since the War of 1812. Workers who were building the Alaska Highway at the time increased their efforts to quickly finish construction so the military could provide much needed supplies to U.S. troops fighting in the Aleutians.

Some of the historic places to visit include, Independence Mine State Historical Park, Klondike Gold Rush National Park, Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Sitka National Historical Park.

If you are in to more of the tourists sites, check out Alaska Heritage Library Museum,Alaskan Botanical Gardens, Alaska Zoo or Spirit Walker Expeditions.

Maybe dog mushing is your thing. If so, plan a trip to watch or take part in Alaska's most famous dog race. The Iditarod. The race begins the first week of March and has been run on the Iditarod Trail from Anchorage to Nome since 1973. Dogs and humans cover over 1,150 brutal miles of frozen landscape that can leave one humbled and in awe with the beauty and severity at every turn along this famous trail. Man and dogs compete in this race to commemorate the 1925 serum run that saved the lives of residents in Nome after a diphtheria outbreak threatened to wipe out the town's residence.

Be prepared for long days in the summer and long nights in the winter. If you travel above the Arctic Circle, a day can be 24 hours or even a couple of months. Farther to the south in Anchorage, you will experience a summer solstice day with 19.5 hours. Winter produces the opposite during the winter solstice with 24 hours of night and months with only a flicker of twilight in the sky above the Arctic Circle. Anchorage can only muster a sparse 4.5 hours of daylight during the winter solstice, making it the shortest day of the year.

Famous Alaskans include, Jewel-singer, Tommy Moe-Olympic gold-medal skier, Libby Riddles-first woman to win the Iditarod and Jack London-not really an Alaskan, but traveled into the Yukon and wrote two classics, "The Call of the Wild" and "White Fang" from his travels and experiences while in Alaska.

It's been said that once Alaska get into your blood, you can never get it out. The wonders of a state that can only be fully appreciated by stepping into the magic of the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Alaska, 59states.com

Alaska, Wikipedia

Alaska Travel Information, Google