| Alaska. Talk about a place that's gotten a | | | | generations of top-20 Iditarod racers and |
| bum rap. Half the world thinks it's part of | | | | fourteen generations of champion sled dogs. |
| Canada and the other half thinks it's just a | | | | It was founded by Dan Seavey Sr. in 1965. |
| big block of ice. Well, hold on to your fur | | | | His oldest son Mitch took over the racing |
| coats because there is more to see and do in | | | | program in 1982. |
| Alaska than you know. | | | | |
| | | | For those looking to get a bit of an |
| For starters there's Kenai Fords National | | | | education there's the UAF Institute of Marine |
| Park. Here you can go on a sightseeing | | | | Science Seward Marine Center which is a unit |
| cruise to visit some glaciers and see some | | | | in the University of Alaska Fairbanks School |
| marine wildlife. The ship sails out of | | | | of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. Yes, there |
| Seward. The park is just 130 miles south of | | | | is a lot of education in Alaska about Marine |
| Anchorage. It is made of a range of coastal | | | | life. Considering fishing is one of their |
| mountains which slowly sink into the ocean, | | | | main industries it certainly makes sense. |
| transforming its former glacial valleys into | | | | The park was established as Mt. McKinley |
| long fjords with rocky and steep walls. | | | | National Park on 26 February, 1917. The |
| Photos just don't do it justice. You have to | | | | original park was designated a wilderness |
| see it in person. | | | | area and incorporated into Denali National |
| | | | Park and Preserve in 1980. The Park was |
| While we're on the subject of parks, there's | | | | designated an international biosphere reserve |
| also Denali National Park & Preserve. It | | | | in 1976. |
| features North America's highest mountain, | | | | |
| 20,320-foot tall Mount McKinley. The park is | | | | Believe it or not, people DO have fun in |
| more than 6 million acres. Now THAT is a | | | | Alaska. It's not just all ice and snow. |
| huge park. It comes complete with a sub | | | | There is a nightlife that would give any city |
| arctic ecosystem featuring such animals as | | | | a run for it's money. |
| grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, and moose. | | | | |
| | | | One of the hottest spots in Alaska is "Club |
| Then there's the Alaska Sealife Center. It's | | | | Oasis" located on Seward Highway. Here |
| a non profit marine science facility | | | | you'll find live music, great drinks and no |
| dedicated to understanding and maintaining | | | | cover charge. This is where those wild |
| the integrity of the marine ecosystem. In | | | | Alaskans really let their hair down. |
| other words, they're doing everything they | | | | |
| can to see that the fish don't end up belly | | | | Then there's Chilkoot Charlie's in Anchorage, |
| up. | | | | Alaska where you'll find the famous Bird |
| | | | House Bar, great drinks, music, wild women |
| Speaking of fish, if you're into that sort of | | | | and non stop fun. You can even cater private |
| thing, there's the Homer Spit Fishing Hole. | | | | parties here. |
| Here you can fish for kings and silvers right | | | | |
| off the bank of the Homer Spit. | | | | Yes, Alaska certainly is more than just a |
| | | | chunk of frozen wasteland. When you're in |
| Then there's the Ididaride Dog Sled Tours in | | | | the neighborhood stop on by. You may not |
| Seward, Alaska. Here you'll find three | | | | want to leave. |