| > | | | | College Fjord, Tracy Arm Fjord and Glacier Bay |
| For an extraordinary family adventure, nothing offers | | | | National Park offer some of the most spectacular |
| as many options as an Alaska vacation. | | | | sights and sounds you'll experience on your Alaska |
| Adventure awaits in America's last great frontier. | | | | vacation adventure. After moving ponderously down |
| Every one of Alaska's 586,000 square miles invites | | | | the mountains and fjords, these massive rivers of ice |
| you to its own extraordinary adventure. Rich in wildlife, | | | | drop their bounty into the sea. The process is known |
| this great frontier is home to more animals than people. | | | | as "calving," and some tidewater glaciers shed |
| Its magnificent scenery inspires awe in the beholder. | | | | enormous chunks of ice several times an hour. |
| So an Alaska vacation is your passport to a thrilling | | | | In most cases, the cascading wall of ice you see is |
| adventure. | | | | several hundred years old. While these newly formed |
| Alaska's National Parks | | | | icebergs melt rapidly in the warmer water, some are |
| Alaska is home to 8 national parks. These parks | | | | large enough to support seals and other wildlife looking |
| occupy one-half of the land area in the U.S. national | | | | for a free ride even though it is temporary. |
| park system. So, an Alaska vacation would not be | | | | Cruising Alaska's Inside Passage |
| complete without a visit to at least one of these parks. | | | | Cruising the Inside Passage is one of the most popular |
| Each park has is own unique characteristics. The | | | | Alaska vacation adventures. Ancient glaciers carved |
| centerpiece of Denali National Park is Mount McKinley, | | | | the passage. Now blanketed with majestic hemlock |
| the highest mountain in North America. Denali's more | | | | and spruce, it is a region of pristine water, snow |
| than 6,000,000 acres is home to grizzly bears, Dall | | | | capped mountains, deep fjords and forested islands. |
| sheep, moose and wolves. | | | | The area, with its mild, maritime climate, is a prime |
| The Wrangell St. Elias National Park contains the | | | | habitat for bald eagles, sea lions, porpoise and whales. |
| largest number of glaciers. Remote mountains, deep | | | | The picturesque communities along the coast continue |
| valleys, wild rivers and an abundance of wildlife are | | | | to reveal the area's rich history. Quaint churches and |
| dominant features of this park. This is a great park of | | | | other historical buildings preserve the Russian influence. |
| the avid photographer. | | | | You will relive the Gold Rush era as you make your |
| The Kenai Fjords National Park is located in | | | | way through the Passage. |
| southeastern Alaska. It is dominated by great fjords | | | | Ancient totem poles are constant reminders of the |
| and the Harding Icefield. Fjords are deep valleys | | | | Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian Indian cultures. You can |
| carved by ancient glaciers. These fjords are now filled | | | | watch as this generation of Native Americans |
| with sea water. The Harding Icefield sits on a mountain | | | | preserve the art of totem carving. You can also see |
| platform above the coastline. Only rarely does a | | | | demonstrations of their traditional dance and music. |
| mountain peak penetrate the flat ice surface of the | | | | An Alaska vacation is no ordinary experience. The rich |
| field. The Exit Glacier is extremely popular with | | | | variety of options assures that you will have the time |
| vacationers, and it is easily accessible. | | | | of your life. From the majestic mountains that dominate |
| These parks are representative of all Alaska's national | | | | Denali National Park to the massive tidewater glaciers, |
| parks. A visit to any one of them on your Alaska | | | | from abundant wildlife to remote lodges, your Alaska |
| vacation will offer rich dividends. | | | | experience will be permanently imprinted in your |
| Adventure to Alaska's Glaciers | | | | memory. If you never get to visit Alaska again, your |
| Imagine the spectacle of ancient glaciers dropping | | | | Alaska adventure will still live within you. |
| massive chunks of ice into the sea. The glaciers of | | | | |