Week In-stagram Review Alaska
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I have spent the last two weeks exploring Alaska – and it’s so big I still have a week to go! I’ve been sleeping at truck stops, soaring with bush pilots, experiencing 3 seasons in a day, riding the rails, exploring abandoned buildings, and even doing a little hiking. As I stare up at the snow-capped mountains while rolling along in the train, I realize Alaska is getting under my skin. I’m starting to use new Alaskan terms that I’m amused by, such as,
- The Lower 48 – referring to the rest of America as if it’s another country (which seems quite appropriate when you are here)
- Sourdough – Someone who isn’t from Alaska originally but lives here now
- Dry Cabin – Cabins/homes that have no plumbing or running water
- Ice Road – A road literally made of ice – they build them in the winter over the frozen tundra.
- Permafrost – a layer of soil (sometimes up to 1000 ft deep) that remains frozen permanently. It’s a fascinating slice of geology that basically dictates the entire region’s landscape…trees, infrastructure, and landscape.
- Aurora Wake-up calls – When the Northern Lights are out, the front desk of the hotel will call you in the middle of the night to let you know….coolest hotel amenity ever!
And if you ever doubted climate change, then come here…it’s in these remote, extreme environments where you see it the most. If there’s anything that my trip to Wrangel Island and Alaska has taught me, it’s that the world that we live in is rapidly changing; we (and all animals and plant life) must evolve. And speaking of climate change, apparently President Obama is going to be joining me next week in Alaska and will be the first President to visit the Alaskan Arctic; however, I doubt he’ll be staying with truckers like I did.
I’m here for another 9 days, so there’s much more to come on my Alaska Instagram.
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Read all of my Alaska articles
Disclosure:
I was a guest of Travel Alaska during my time in the state, however all opinions here are my own!
Lovely photos. You’re making me miss Alaska too. Thanks!
It looks like you’re having a blast!
Breathtaking photos! I love the “Aurora wake-up calls” – such a unique and awesome idea!
It looks like a great place to be right now.