Yukon, I Mean Alaska Ho!

Boy oh boy is Jenny's dad jealous that I got to go to Alaska on a business trip! It was totally awesome. Of course, I would have preferred that I had gone there under different circumstances--namely, on vacation with Jenny, rather than all by myself on business. But the trip was cool nevertheless. And I picked an interesting time to go--not many people get to be so close to the Arctic Circle (no, not that one) during the week of the summer solstice. The sun didn't go down until after 10:00 and it was as light as dusk/dawn ALL NIGHT LONG! I don't know how those people live up there without going crazy. I'm sure the beautiful landscape and the world-famous fishing (if you like that sort of thing) helps compensate for the endless winters and the endless summer nights.

My coworker and I arrived in Anchorage Sunday evening, rented a car, and then made what is perhaps the most beautiful drive that I have ever been on in my life. The blue glacial water contrasts amazingly with the jagged, snow-capped mountains and the beautiful evergreen trees in the background.

Here I am in front of the Russian River just outside of Soldotna, Alaska.

The Russian River has a gentle waterfall where we could see trout jumping upstream like you see in National Geographic pictures. We hiked along this river for a mile or so and enjoyed the scenery and the fresh air.

Speaking of the Russians, I was fascinated to learn that I was a mere 750 miles from the north-eastern tip of Russia. In fact, there is a tiny little island in Alaska called Little Diomede that is less than three miles from a Russian Island called Big Diomede. The international date line runs right between the two! When I realized just how close I was to Russia, I also realized just how far away I was from the rest of the United States. How strange to think that this vast snowy land in the north is part of the US.

In addition to being so far north, I was able to drive the western-most point that can be reached by car in all of North and South America!

This picture of Redoubt Volcano (yep, it's active) was taken on the shore of Cook Inlet at the western-most point accessible by car in all of North and South America. Even though Alaska extends for millions of acres west of this point, that land can only be reached by boat or plane.

I figure if you have to go on a business trip, it might as well be to someplace beautiful that you don't get to visit every day!