14-Day Great Alaskan Explorer

Once a camp for railway construction workers, Anchorage is now a cosmo-politan city with much to offer in culture and history. See the arts and crafts, weapons and costumes of the many Indian tribes who have long resided here displayed in the Historical and Fine Arts Museum,and take an excursion to Ship Creek, site of the original Tent City. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska and the gateway to many of thewonders of the Last Frontier.

Would you believe, Joe Juneau? It’s true–Juneau, Alaska is named for Joe Juneau, one of a trio of explorers who discovered rich reserves of gold in the stream that now runs through town. The stampede thatolwed led to Juneau becoming first a camp, then a town, then finally Alaska’s capital. Today, the town boasts some of Alaska’s most fetching scenery. Nestled at the foot of Mt. Juneau in the Alaskan Panhandle, it faces the water from the mainland side of Gastineau Channel. Several magnificent fjords are located along the channel coast and the majestic Mendenhall Glacier,
a favorite of visitors, is nearby.

“Spread wings of a prostrate eagle.” As any Ketchikanian will tell you, his is the meaning of their town’s name. It comes from the eagle-wing sppearance of water flowing over an unusual rock formation which can be seen in the Ketchikan Creek.

To own originated as an Indian fish saltery and grew to become the largest salmon-canning center in the world. The real growth came with the gold rush of 1898, when the town served as a supply center for wourld-be millionaires. of the town’s colorful past is still in evidence, especially at the Indian villages, which are renowned for their colorfully carved
totem poles and fascinating legends.

It’s a little bit Russian, it’s a little bit Tlingit. Once the home of the powerful Tlingit Indian nation, Sitka today is a combination of the best of Tlingit and Russian cultures, the Russians having arrived at the end of the 18th century.

There are plenty of historic and modern sights to see, including Indian arts and crafts and Russian music and dance. Best of all, the water is still crystal-clear, and massive timberland forests remain pristine.

Besides the interesting local tours and the Sitka dancers, if you have time, be sure to take a boat ride to the outer islands to see whales, otters, eagles and other wildlife. The fishing in the area is also excellent.

“There’s gold in them thar hills.” Well, there was, anyway, back in 1898, and as thousands of gold-crazed adventurers headed north, they found the furthest north they could get was the northern tip of the Lynn Canal. That’s how Skagway was born.
Nowadays, local park rangers interpret and re-create that remarkable era for visitors. Stores, saloons, brothels and wood sidewalks have been completely restored (not all of these are functioning, of course). Today Skagway is a jumping off pointfor those seeking scenic adventure and historical knowledge.

Port Valdez is located about 300 miles from Anchorage. Named by Senor Fidalgo after the Spanish naval officer in 1790, this ice-free port developed in 1898 as a debarkation point for the goldiggers of the Klondike. It was established as a city in 1901.An earthquake in 1964 mostly destroyed the original city, and the rebuilding process, along with the Trans-Alaska pipeline terminal gave the city of Valdez new life. It is also a gateway to beautiful Prince William Sound and
the huge Columbia Glacier icefield. Boat excursions are available to take you out and back or all the way through the Sound to Whittier at the other side. The Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) also runs the route, although they do not stop or travel as close to the glaciers and whales.

Located in southwestern Washington state, Vancouver is a port at the head of deepwater navigation on the Columbia River, opposite Portland, OR. Vancouver is a commercial, manufacturing and shipping center.