By Wendy Rose Gould
Take in the sights of Alaska.
Alaska is a remarkable state with breathtaking beauty, idyllic landscapes and friendly faces. A trip to Alaska brings one face-to-face with nature. Whether you're fishing for Alaskan salmon, cruising through chilly waters or taking a road trip across the expansive region, an Alaskan vacation will not disappoint.
Climate
Because of Alaska's large size, weather varies depending on the region. In general, Alaska is typically cold. The Inside Passage region of the state is graced with moderate temperatures. Summers are not too hot, reaching highs into the 70s. Winters are also mild, and temperatures average in the 40s to 50s. Broader Anchorage and the Western Alaska regions experiences summer temperatures in the mid-70s, but winters are bitterly cold at minus 20 degrees to minus 30 degrees on average. Temperatures get a little more extreme for the interior regions with summers in the 80s or 90s and winters reaching as low as minus 50 degrees. The Arctic is also bitterly cold throughout the year.
Terrain
The types of terrain across Alaska are diverse. There are oceanfronts, dense woods, towering mountains and snowy banks. The tidal shoreline is 47,000 miles long, and 39 mountain ranges can boast 17 of the 20 highest peaks in North America. Some of the most popular mountains include Mount McKinley and the Alaska Range. Alaska is also part of the Pacific Rim of Fire, an ominous name given to a string of more than 100 volcanoes and volcanic fields that stretch from Asia into North America. As for water, there are 3,000 rivers and 3 million lakes in addition to the world-famous Yukon River (the third longest in the United States) that winds through Alaska. A number of cruise ship passengers make their way through Southeast Alaska, where the Inside Passage is located. More than 1,000 islands and the 16.8-million-acre Tongass National Rain Forest are located there.
Activities
A trip to Alaska often entails a few key activities that are inspired by Alaska's diverse natural surroundings. Some of the most popular activities include visiting the northern part of the state to view the spectacular Northern Lights, whitewater rafting and kayaking on one of Alaska's many rivers, a ride-of-a-lifetime on a dogsled, glacier viewing in the Arctic and hiking mountains. Visitors can also partake in Alaskan salmon fishing endeavors, eco-tours throughout the natural terrain of the country, gold panning and cruising.
Tour Agencies
There are a number of tour and travel agencies across the state of Alaska. Some of these organizations specialize in specific tours and events, but there are many that offer a scope of activities for visitors. Try some of these agencies for your tour needs.
ABC Travel Time Inc - Palmer
234 W Evergreen Ave.
Palmer, Alaska 99645
Phone: 907-745-7722
Alaska River Adventures
Mile 48.5 Sterling Hwy.
Cooper Landing, Alaska 99572
Phone: 907-595-2000
Alaska Travel Adventures Inc
470 Deermont St.
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Phone: 907-247-5295
Arctic Travel
308 Shore Ave.
Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
Phone: 907-442-3501
Cruise Line Agencies Of Alaska
Arr Dock
Seward, Alaska 99664
Phone: 907-224-5350
About the Author:
Wendy Rose Gould is a professional journalist who has contributed to "Glamour" magazine and the Huffington Post, among other publications. After internships at the "Indianapolis Business Journal," "Kiwanis International" and "NUVO Newsweekly," she earned B.A. degrees in journalism and philosophy from Franklin College in 2008. Gould specializes in health, beauty and fashion topics.
Photo Credits:
Juneau alaska image by David Hofer from
Fotolia.com
