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Introduction
It had been a year since we'd taken a vacation and we needed to do something. We looked at all kinds of options and two things became apparent: we wanted something both relaxing and adventurous. We decided on Alaska for the adventure and rented an RV to fulfill our relaxation requirement.
On Friday, July 21, 2006 with a Frommer's Guide in hand and a loose itinerary, we set off to witness one of the most remote and untamed regions of the planet. During our trip we learned a lot about this untouched land. A few common threads bind the people together: the wilderness, the wildlife, the railroad, the oil and the ocean.
There were a few surprises. First, the weather is crappy in Alaska. The state in general isn't particularly sunny, but two locals told us that this was the worst summer they had experienced in a decade. Secondly, the roads in Alaska are horrible. With the extreme temperatures in the winter, potholes and bumpy roads are a constant problem. We had one bus driver tell us that there are two seasons in Alaska: Winter and Construction. Thirdly, there are no roadside fences in Alaska. This came as a big surprise because every square inch of Texas land is fenced in some way. This policy keeps the wilderness wild and allows the animals to roam free.
We had a great time on our trip and felt that we truly experienced what Alaska is all about, from the life, the land and the people that live off both.
Books Read On Our Trip
Nicholas:
- The Deep Dark: Disaster and Redemption in America's Richest Silver Mine by Gregg Olsen, ©2005
- The Grizzly Maze: Timothy Treadwell's Fatal Obsession with Alaskan Bears by Nick Jans, ©2006
Courtney:
- The Other Side of the River: A Story of Two Towns, a Death, and America's Dilemma by Alex Kotlowitz, ©1999
- The Corner: A Year in the Life of an Inner-City Neighborhood by David Simon and Edward Burns, ©1998