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bordered by Canada and the icy waters of
the North Pacific and Arctic oceans is
the US state of Alaska the city of
Anchorage lies in the mountainous south
and is home to around 40% of all
Alaskans
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Alaska the great land the last frontier
apt names for one of the most extreme
places on the planet this is a land of
endless beauty immense riches and epic
horizons
purchased from Russia in 1867 for around
two cents per acre Alaska is the largest
state in the USA and one of history's
greatest bargains
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at the height of summer the city of
Anchorage Basques in an incredible 22
hours of sunlight with the Sun's face
barely dipping below the horizon
alaska's first peoples tell of a great
Raven who scattered the Stars Moon and
Sun into the sky so even when the long
winter comes the sky is never completely
dark
a gateway to the surrounding wilderness
Anchorage is a warm and inviting base
where you can rest and resupply between
outdoor adventures and you don't have to
go far the cities nestled snugly against
the immense Chugach State Park
grab your hiking boots and take the
half-hour drive to the trailhead of flat
top mountain if you don't make the
summit
don't worry every turn on these popular
trails serves up some of the best views
in the state
in the north that you got State Park is
Eklutna Lake a glacially fed basin
framed by snow-capped peaks and some of
the best backcountry trails in the
region
clamor into a kayak dip your paddle into
the sky mirrored waters and venture to
far-off shores
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follow your compass south to the resort
town of Girdwood in winter avid skiers
and snowboarders flock here for the best
powder in the state and when the snow
melts and greenery springs forth hikers
enjoy the pine veiled hillsides of this
glacial Valley too
take the 10 minute drive from Girdwood
to the crow Creek mine
operational since 1896 the mine is a
working relic of the Alaskan gold rush
locals whisper that hefty nuggets still
remain at Crow Creek so why not roll up
your sleeves a pan for gold in the
rushing snowmelt
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when you return to Anchorage share in
the riches of Alaska's first people at
the Alaska Native Heritage Center learn
traditional dances and games and admire
expert craftsmanship of their unique art
buildings tools and clothing stock up on
stories and folklore from the last
frontier at the Anchorage museum at
Rasmussen Center just like the outfitter
stores of old this museum carries a bit
of everything that celebrates the many
voices of Alaska
when the wilderness calls again take the
two-hour journey south to the Kenai
Peninsula at this remote fishing outpost
of Seward I see ocean breezes and the
clang of rigging awaits hang out at the
dock and watch as fishermen and women
unload and fillet their catch just as
they've done for generations
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to admire more of the stunning surrounds
and maybe even meet some of the locals
set sail to the Kenai Fjords National
Park marvel as deep sea Giants breached
the surface of these still waters and
witness age-old glaciers creak and
crumble into the sea
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climb aboard a seaplane or helicopter
and soar from Seward out to the Godwin
glacier this colossal river of ice was
formed from thousands of years of
compacted mountain snow the first
Alaskans believed the glaciers are
snake-like beings who have been winding
their way through the mountains since
the dawn of time
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ever since the early days of fur-clad
trappers and miners Alaska has loomed
large in the American imagination an
anchorage has been the Gateway to this
land of the Midnight Sun those who make
the journey here often discover more
than rugged beauty and captivating
cultures they often find that wild
spirit which resides within us
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you