| Summer is Alaskan cruise season, and despite the | | | | Throughout history, Alaska has always been a frontier. |
| enormous popularity of this particular destination, there | | | | Way back in the 1800s, Alaska was the destination of |
| are still some bargains to be found. | | | | a lot of gold miners and those who came to "mine the |
| Although it's known for glaciers and polar bears, going | | | | miners". In the 20th century, there was an oil boom. |
| to Alaska is a bit like going on safari. This state is 65% | | | | Right now, Alaska is enjoying what might be called a |
| national park, national forest, or national wildlife | | | | discovery bonanza as more and more people are |
| preserve. In fact, only one percent of this gigantic state | | | | finding out that it is a great vacation destination. |
| (3.5 million lakes!) is privately owned. | | | | Alaska sought to woo tourists a while ago with the |
| The result is lots of unspoiled natural habitat for | | | | creation of a railroad that connected it with the lower |
| creatures ranging from the bald eagle to the black | | | | 48 states. (Alaska is one of only two U.S. states that |
| bear. You can't beat the fishing; photographers will find | | | | does not border on another state.) These railroads |
| this place a paradise. You can see moose, elk, wolves, | | | | brought spectacular scenery to the passengers and |
| different types of bears, and all kinds of fish. | | | | allowed them to get in and out of a state that is |
| An Alaskan cruise is also one of the best way to see | | | | sometimes fairly inaccessible. Today, these railroads |
| some of the world's most spectacular glaciers. | | | | are updated and maintained. |
| Glaciers are actually moving rivers of ice. The sheer | | | | The problem with the railroads is that once you arrive |
| weight of them pushes them downward and outward | | | | at your destination, how do you get around? |
| and they move, in inches usually, over the course of | | | | Alaskans have always relied on ferry boats to move |
| years. Glaciers creak and groan as they move, | | | | between towns and the Alaskan Ferry is something |
| providing eerie sound effects. Every now and then, | | | | that increasingly numbers of tourists are discovering as |
| you may get to witness the spectacular process of | | | | well. If you have a vehicle, you can drive it on board |
| "calving," which occurs when a large chunk of ice | | | | and take the ferry (with your car) to your next |
| breaks off from a glacier with a resounding crash and | | | | destination. The Alaskan Ferry ( even offers |
| splash. Calving is how icebergs are born. | | | | staterooms, food courts, and some common areas so |
| There was a time when most glaciers had to be | | | | that you can spend some time moving around the |
| observed from a distance. Most are not safe for | | | | country. The ferry allows campers to camp onboard, |
| hikers or climbers (this is the original "slippery slope") | | | | too. |
| and are just plain inhospitable. That's why a cruise can | | | | But the best way for the newcomer or comfort-lover |
| allow you to drift by these magnificent creations in | | | | to see Alaska is by cruise ship. The cruise ship allows |
| comfort and safety and see them as few other | | | | visitors the luxury of remaining in one stateroom as the |
| people in history have ever been able to observe | | | | vessel makes port here and there, giving passengers |
| them. | | | | time to helicopter, flight-see, dog-mush, whale watch, |
| Most Alaskan cruises offer plenty of excursions and a | | | | shop, or go on photo safaris by day. |
| flight-seeing tour is a great way to take in a glacier. In | | | | Alaskan cruises typically take place from July to |
| Alaska, flight-seeing has become enormously popular | | | | September, which are the best months to see the |
| because many of the state's most specactular natural | | | | state anyway. |
| attractions are not readily accessible by land. (For | | | | When traveling to Alaska, do take some warm |
| example, you cannot get in your car and drive to | | | | clothing, including hats, jackets, mittens or gloves, and |
| Juneau, Alaska's capital city. No roads. Juneau is | | | | heavy socks. Even if the air temperature is not |
| accessed by boat or plane, period.) | | | | particularly cold (it can be 40 or 50 by day), the wind |
| Alaskan culture is extremely diverse. There is a | | | | onboard ship can make it seem colder than it is. But |
| relatively large indigenous population in Alaska and | | | | remember to pack sunscreen, sun glasses, and a hat |
| cultural influences on the state range from Eskimo to | | | | or a visor because the sun still reflects on the water; |
| Russian (the Russians owned Alaska till 1867). | | | | glare is common and the unprotected can get burned. |