To the North, in the Future

Adventures are priceless. Adventures are worthwhile. Let’s find some beautiful places to get lost.

]Sir Richard Burton said, “The gladdest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure into unknown lands”.

Us, as truly travellers by work, know it and we’re lost in reverie about wonderful destinations in our bucket-list. Over 7 years ago I took my first ticket on board of blissful big airplane and departed to unknown land, as mentioned above Sir Burton advised me. That trip left unforgettable memory in my heart. By its beauty, uniqueness, truly sincere and kind people, incredibly stunning nature... Alaska, the Last Frontier, 49th American State -  the land of salmon, bears and moose. Land of huskies and their sleigh ride in winter, land of northern lights and polar nights in winter. And colourful blanket of rare types of flowers and spruces in summer times. “To the north, in the Future” is a motto of the largest state of America. Hundreds of years ago it was sold to US by Russian queen, Ekaterina II, and Russian roots are intrinsic in some Alaskan villages. However, land is authentically kept as a motherland of the Eskimos, Aleutians, and indigenous Indian reservations – Atapaski, Haida, Tlingit, Tsimshians and small number of Russian descendants. [X]My first landing was in Anchorage, its biggest city. Feeling so, the atmosphere is different from the rest American megapolises. It’s hidden among the North Cordilleras mountains, like a small pearl, cosy and not vibrant, with kind and trustful people and already gives you a pleasant welcoming feeling with your first steps on that far land. You simply can walk alone admiring midnight-sun summer amusement, without any small hint of fear being abused or robbed around. To walk along the shore of the Cook gulf, lay down on the lawn and read the book. And the at midnight, being wondering, why the sun are still in the sky, confusingly looking at your watch, and counting the time difference. And then you remember: oh, the latitude is higher, it’s a zone of polar day, when the nights in summer are so long, so you still can play basketball at 11 pm… [X]After the first acquaintance with pleasant Anchorage I took a flight to North Naknek, at the shore of Bristol Bay, part of Bering Sea. Small plane with spinning ventilators took me over the Cordilleras and cosy bays. Mountains and warm Anchorage sun was replaced by grey-green tundra, glei soils, +9 warm daily sun laying on the far horizons changing to drizzling rains and subarctic winds… Having only dwarf willow with lichen out of all plants over there, tundra was still beautiful looking, giving me a feeling of being just a small human in such a huge world. Can be extremely for travellers-beginners as I was at that time, however, what can be more exciting than the reaction when you see a mother-bear walking with her fluffy kids to catch some salmon left on the river bottom. Moon’s gravity caused outflows of Naknek river throughout the days taking water out and leaving salmon in it, so bottom was a real fish market for curious bears. And it’s a real picture! Naknek looked like a grey dessert, with only 50 people living in the tiny village, but in summer season of salmon it rises up to 500, and from different countries of the globe. Midnight-sun moments spent at the shore of windy Bering sea, enjoying endless cold sunlight over the fishing boats. You’re realizing – you’re at the Earth edge. I haven’t done the trip to the very north, however, from the stories of my northern friends, it’s a scene from enchanted fairytales. Most travellers definitely would continue their way to the Arctic latitudes. Fairbanks, Yukon River, Brooks Range and North Slope are the famous places of northern territories. If it’s winter – it’s a synonymous with snow, dogs and the breath-taking northern light Aurora Borealis.  Simply take a flight to Inikuk, which is already at Arctic Circle in the magnificent Brooks Range. To feel real Alaska, you should take dog sled adventures or a small bushplane to the hills for skiing. There are many more adventures - worlds famous Alaskan fjords are in the bucket list of million people. Kenai national park with its fjords and bay is a very special place – not only because of the amazing number of tide-water glaciers, but also because of its granite cliffs. Spending time there, paddling in silence near calving glaciers, looking at the seals resting on the icebergs and whales playing with water…. As well, kayaking in Arctic river is a great idea, from Brooks Range to the North Slope. You camp on river bars and hike tundra with animal trails as your only company. Eastern Alaska will show spectacular landscapes – glaciers of the Wrangel, St. Elias and Chugach mountains, Copper River which is the home to one of world’s well-known runs of the salmon. You simply will disappear into wilderness luxury, it’s the largest national park in America. Famous cosy wooden lodges with sauna, your experience of [X] hospitality of local people, full day of hiking, fishing, wild life viewing or whatever you like. My friend working as a pilot of famous Alaskan-style small bushplanes, who is lucky to get best view of lands. I was lucky enough to have those pictures from him as a gift. Meanwhile, my own trip continued from Naknek to King Salmon, where I still admired rains and tundra life, with otters in its muds. I’ve got a [X] chance to stay with a woman from Aleutian island, from Dutch Harbour. Real Eskimo woman! In modern world you’ll hardly find a truly kind person. Many years past, and I still remember her. We used to live in same flat for few weeks, and her care was mom-like for me. I was admired to listen story of their life style in Eskimo villages, where they live, what hey eat. And the language is really unique: you can’t understand the letters themselves, it’s an interesting combination of sounds. Was sad for me to leave the land of tundra cold, however there were more places waiting for me to visit. My deepest love and respect to that woman are everlasting.  After that, small ride plane took me to the South-East Alaska, where I’ve seen most splendid landscapes in my life. And even though, nowadays I have a chance to see many wonderful places of the world, the picture of that places in Alaska are still in my eyes. I did stops in Anchorage, and then Valdes. Mountains there seemed like the highest I’ve seen in the world. This is really the highest ridge in North-American continent. Ice-covered tallest American mountain is exactly here, McKinley. [X] I could see it only from the plane window. However, truly travellers are conquering its highness, even though in Arctic conditions it’s as difficult as to climb the Everest. It’s not only a classic, but summitting allows you to look down on hundreds of miles of wilderness, some of them have never felt the press of human footprint. From Anchorage to the east towards Seward is the world famous Kenai National Park with its snowy picks, must-visit since you’re in Anchorage. Alaskan wildlife sanctuary is in the heart of it, with full-on views of the gorgeous glaciers. Plenty wildlife to see: from mountain goats to black bears, to killer whales, porpoises, sea otters, puffins and more. From Kenai Fjords national park and Seward itself you may take a kayak trip to Aialik Bay, following in the path of the Eskimos of Old, slipping silently across blue-green, glacier-fed waters and night camping on the land of Alutiiq Eskimos. They were first who arrived here as shippers thousands of years ago. On the other hand, since you’re in Anchorage, take a plane to Talkeetna, to visit Denali National Parks. Ice-covered blue picks of Denali are visible from Anchorage and the area is remarkably close to Mount McKinley and can be accesses only on small bushplane. Unforgettable landscapes, there you can walk on the glaciers and admire the landscapes.  In Anchorage I sit in a cosy small plane and further, to the Alexander archipelago. Was pleasantly happy, as the captain personally came to passengers and asked how we were doing. I remember of capturing by my eyes every single picture of the wide carpet of snowy picks from the plane window. We were landing in Saint-Petersburg, and I’ve seen marvellous fjords of Alaska Glacier Bay National Park mountains. I remember, colours of thick grey clouds were so nicely matching green fjords, white waterfall and turquoise small bays. After that, we headed to Junoe – one of the most beautiful places in Alaska, and its administrative town. I was wondering, why the famous glaciers in Junoe looked rose colour, especially in the light of sunset. As found out, ancient glaciers of this region contain frozen bacteria in it, which in the rays of sunlight illuminates in pleasant rose colour which makes a spectacular scene. The misty waters of Southeast Alaska exude some pleasant vibe, especially when you explore it by the small cruise ships. This region of AK is easily reached for tourist, as many world’s famous cruise lines come here with thousands of tourists [X] who love to see its beauty, especially the stunning Glacier Bay. Kayaking and paddling between fjords with waterfalls and glaciers tongs, between islands with rare seabirds and rich misty forests. From Junoe we took off to Sitka. Here you feel the Russian roots still left. Its dramatic shoreline will not let you leave this town quickly. Good to get a small boat, and get closer to the nature, watching puffins, eagles, whales, sea lions, harbour seals, otters, and bears along the shore. You’ve seen the beauty of Sitka already, if you watched movie “Proposal”. However, my last stop was Ketchikan, on the border with Canada, where I spend the whole month. Summer nights are longer there, so clearly you can see stars. However, sunsets where indescribable. Ketchikan host many tourists every year coming in cruise ships from all over the world. Main attraction goes to National Totem parks and Tongass National Park. Totem parks takes you to the historical past of Alaska, meanwhile walking by trails of rainforests of Tongass national park leaves you speechless. But whose who stay there for longer would certainly enjoy everyday life. People are happy to live there. You’re far away from all routines and crazy rhythm of the modern world. In the morning I was admiring while looking in the window and see the sea whale jumping out of the water giving the splash. Silent heaven of Ketchikan among the islands of Alexander archipelago make you feel calm and protected. You may walk the distances enjoying the sun and scenes, and hear how in the bushes there is a bear rumbling the leaves. He is just peacefully eating raspberries!  Many ships and boat of a small fishing town, the sound of a calm surf and seagulls… [X] You may join the locals for an evening fishing; look, they’ve just caught a pair of salmons for a dinner and caviar, of course, as a humble delicatessen. In sunny day you’ll be entertained by the smiling seal meditatively spinning in the water. Be relaxed here, even if you walk alone and you don’t know anyone, each and every parson passing by you will greet you and ask how you’re doing. The town is so small and cosy, it stands on stilts and surrounded by songs of excited seagulls. It will leave you speechless and will definitely leave a sparkle in your heart. I didn’t want to leave, but my vacation was over. In a while, I already was seeing city lights of night Seattle… [X]I believe, it’s one of the best adventures when it comes to Alaska, it’s in the bucket list. Its life and stunning beauty would definitely be the sublime experience that you’ll remember for a lifetime. Last Frontier, the 49th state, is a vast wilderness and connecting to the nature. It’s a destination for an adventurous soul that’s craving beauty that can’t be found elsewhere. #alaska #travel #wanderlust

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta

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