Alaska (meaning ‘Great Land’) is the largest state in the USA. America bought the state from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, or two cents an acre. Consider the cost of purchasing enough land to build a single house on now, and that does not sound like a bad deal at all.
I think the Russians were duped there...
It is also one of the least populated states. In fact, if everyone in Alaska was spread out across the entire state, they would have one square kilometre each, plenty to go weeks at a time without seeing anyone. If the idea of going weeks without seeing another soul sounds appealing to you, then Alaska is somewhere you should consider. Despite a reputation for relatively high prices, this is a state with plenty going for it.
Alaska is universally acknowledged as being as close to the wilderness as you will get in the USA while still maintaining the tourist comforts that most want from a holiday - it is a holiday, after all. So if the idea of adventure in the day followed by a cosy bed at night appeals, read on.
One of the most popular ways to see Alaska is by cruise. This epitomises the adventure/comfort combination that most tourists love, with high-quality dining, a library and warm and comfortable surroundings on the cruise ships combined with high-falutin’ expeditions when the ships dock. Juneau is a good example of the kind of destination cruises will stop at. The only state capital in America that is inaccessible by car, it is a perfect place to stretch your legs and get a lungful of the clean, crisp air, and the Juneau wildlife cruise promises you half of your ticket price back if you see less than three species of animals during the trip.
Fancy a nice cruise?
If this all sounds a bit tame for you, some cruises also offer a stop-off at one of the local towns for a sightseeing trip by air, where you can take a light aircraft over the Alaskan wilderness, gaining a whole new perspective, and if it is ever possible to tire of seeing such things, then you have a cruise ship full of amenities and food to return to.
For some, cruises are tacky, expensive and unwieldy. On a ship of that size, it is difficult to get to the interior. So instead, why not consider a series of ferry trips? There is no complete route through the entire state by ferry, so car hire will be required. But if the idea of an itinerary and the freedom to explore in relative comfort sounds like a better balance to you, consider this option. The state-owned ferry system, the Marine Highway, is a lifeline as certain parts of Alaska are completely inaccessible by car, so you should find you have a consistent experience even if you have to plan several trips for the route you want to go on.
Just a little trip might be better
If all of this sounds a bit sanitised and you want to get into the heart of the state, then think about taking a rafting expedition. As exciting as it sounds, you will journey down the interior of Alaska via one of its rivers accompanied by a couple of guides. This is a great way to really get a feeling for the outdoors lifestyle as instead of going back to a plush hotel room at the end of each evening you will instead be setting up camp, taking loo breaks on portable toilets and bathing in ice cold water.
This is by far the best way to get a close (but not too close) look at the majestic Grizzly Bear, or the less glamorous but strangely comical Moose. Here be the trade-off then: how wild are you willing to go?
Is he laughing at me?
Perhaps these general holidays are too broad. If you are looking for something more specific, Alaska offers several ways to enjoy its wilderness. Stay in a hotel and go panning for gold - there are several tours available and you get to keep any gold you find. Often, these tours include a visit to a local museum or a full dinner to replenish you after a day in the cold water. Just make sure you pack some waders and warm clothing, and beware of the bears who are likely to be frequenting the same shallow waters you are. Luckily you will have an experienced tour guide with you - taking on a bear and having no idea what to do is not a good combination.
If fishing is more your thing, head to the Alagnak river to witness the run of the sockeye salmon, one of the most impressive sights in nature. Coincidentally, this is also one of the best times to try and nab one, so pack some tackle and line and get yourself a permit for a few days fishing. If the weather is right, it can be one of the best experiences in the state.
For some, all of this will still not be enough. Yes, rafting sounds quite cool, but fishing? Gold panning? Where is the excitement? Well, Alaska saves it all for one yearly event in early March called the Iditarod. What, pray tell, is the Iditarod? Leave it to their website to explain:
‘You can’t compare it to any other competitive event in the world! A race over 1150 miles of the roughest, most beautiful terrain Mother Nature has to offer. She throws jagged mountain ranges, frozen river, dense forest, desolate tundra and miles of windswept coast at the mushers and their dog teams. Add to that temperatures far below zero, winds that can cause a complete loss of visibility, the hazards of overflow, long hours of darkness and treacherous climbs and side hills, and you have the Iditarod. A race extraordinaire, a race only possible in Alaska.
Cool boots!
‘From Anchorage, in south central Alaska, to Nome on the western Bering Sea coast, each team of 12 to 16 dogs and their musher cover over 1150 miles in 10 to 17 days.’
It has been referred to as the last great race on Earth. So there you have it. If you want a taste of the wilderness, Alaska has whatever you need to ensure you have a fantastic experience.