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