Alaska: Where Humans meet Nature
By Jessica F.
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When most people think of “Alaska”, they think of endless snow and a place that no human would dare venture. However, much of Alaska flaunts incredible beauty while still being accessible to the typical tourist. Though the cold (temperatures in August for Juneau, the state capital, average 50 degrees Fahrenheit) can be deterring for some, the low temperatures help foster the state’s glaciers, which are visible in parks such as Glacier Bay, reachable by plane off of Juneau.
In addition to its famous glaciers, the state's cold temperature attracts several different kinds of animals that are not normally found close to civilization- a simple walk through the park could mean finding salmon swimming upstream and a ravenous bear stalking his next fishy catch. For those not interested in Alaska's natural attractions, Alaska is also well-known for the Klondike Gold Rush that occurred in the late 1800s, centered in historic cities such as Skagway, and for the Iditarod, a dogsledding race through harsh conditions in late March. All-in-all, Alaska is an incredible view in the natural world and an interesting historical destination for most families.
In order to reach Alaska, a person can either drive, fly, or arrive by boat. If one chooses to arrive in Alaska by car, it may be impossible to reach certain cities, such as Juneau, a city by the sea that has no inland roads leading out to it. It is also important to note that traveling by car can be impractical for many who live far from the west coast of North America. However, having a car means that a person has the freedom to travel where they want, and for the most part their journey will remain uninfluenced by others. On the other hand, traveling by plane can allow a person from far away to travel to Alaska quickly and still have control over their journey, but prices to reach more obscure locations (places other than Juneau and Anchorage) can run high, and it may be hard to find an