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