Alaska is bordered to the east by Canada and to the west by Russia. From what I have been told (nothing that I could confirm) was that during the winter months you could almost walk to Russia from Alaska. Of course I would think that you would freeze to death before you got over the ocean of ice to Russia. Although I would really like to visit Russia at some point in my life, walking over the frozen ocean was not my idea to start a vacation.
I can honestly say that visiting Alaska was a highlight of my life. Although I was born in Fairbanks (army brat), I had not been back since I was 2 years old. So needless to say I did not remember anything of the place.
The first thing that I noticed when we got to Alaska and went shopping was the cost of living there. It was a lot more expensive there then it was here in Texas. Of course everything has to transported either by boat or plane and that in itself is expensive. Besides the cost of living we also learned that every citizen of Alaska receives a check from the Alaskan Government for oil rights. I was surprised to learn though that it is not just the Alaskan Indians that receive this but anyone that owns land and lives there year round that recieves it. We also learned that most people there live off of the land. Whether hunt for there food or fishing for it. If you are thinking about moving to Alaska it is a totally different situation than living in any other state in the United States. Not only because of the weather, which even in the summer months usually does not get above about 75 it is also a dangerous place to live and most villages do not have roads that you can travel to get to other parts of Alaska. If you do not have a boat or a plane it is almost imposible to travel. Not only do you have to worry about the cold but the animals that freely roam the state as well. Don't get me wrong, I believe that Alaska is one of the most wonderful places in the United States and would love to live their myself.
The fishing in Alaska is awesome. Where you can go fishing for Alaskan sea crab, Salmon, (of which in Alaska they have 5 different kinds) Halibut, Northern pike, Rainbow trout and many others. If you are visiting Alaska and decide to go fishing there are a lot of places that will ship your catch home to you. If you are thinking about going the best times for fishing vary from different places but pretty much is from May to July.
If you are traveling with children then the one place that you must visit while in Alaska would be the North Pole. Where the entire town is set up as Santa Claus' north pole. It is within driving distance from Fairbanks so it would be an easy one day trip to make. Along with the North Pole you do not want to forget visiting other great places to see. Such as Denali National Park, Glacer Bay National Park, Kenai Jford National Park and may other sites as well. Besides places to see the things to do are awesome. You should allow the kids to try to DogSled rides along with yourself of course. You can always use them as an excuse to go! Take a train ride to Canada. When we went I didn't see much because it was so close to the drop off I tended to keep my eyes closed most of the time. But what I did see was great!! And lets not forget the Northern Lights.
If this is a vacation that you are thinking about, I think you have made a wonderful decision and hope you have the time of your life!
