Anchorage, Alaska
2003 world mountain marathon
(Girdwood, Alaska)
This year I was doing something new for me though, I was booking flight, hotel and car rental at the same time. I used Expedia and found their site easy to use with a handy phone number available for the nervous!!
Alaska is a beautiful state with clear, dry air. The water taste different, fresher, sweeter, and though I am not an expert, I suspect had a few less chemicals. Alaska is the United States 49th state admitted to statehood., and is also the largest state in the union, and the last frontier. There are many miles of undiscovered, pristine wilderness. Hunting, fishing, dogsled races, and many winter sports are enjoyed by Alaskans, and visitors to this beautiful state.
My journey touched on only a very small part of Alaska. I stayed in Anchorage, Alaska's largest and most southern city with a population under 300,000, and drove to Mount Alyeska; Girdwood, Alaska every day of the races, approximately 40 miles (64.7km.)from my hotel. I had a few problems along the way and did not get very many race pictures. The engine light on the rental came on, so back to the airport for a couple of hours, more paperwork and a new car to figure out. Saturday it started snowing, and snowing, and snowing, so I went back to Anchorage early that day. The hairpin curves up to Mt. Alyeska bothered me and since I am not used to driving in snow I decided to play it safe. Anchorage was only having a little rain, though on the drive back I went through everything from snow, to sleet, to a downpour in places.
The seasons change rapidly in Alaska and I could see winter in the air. An Alaskan I talked with said fall may only last twoo weeks before winter moves in. My last day there I could feel the arctic wind blowing, though the dry air kept me from being all that uncomfortable. I have devided this Alaskan tour into 3 pages of pictures and text for easier viewing.
.I enjoyed my stay in Alaska, and I would recommend it as a vacation spot, whether you are a hunter, fisherman, photographer, like the outdoors, or want something a little different in a vacation.
Please click on Alaska's flag below to start this picture journey
Eight stars of gold on a field of blue - Alaska's flag. May it mean to you The blue of the sea, the evening sky, The mountain lakes, and the flow'rs nearby; The gold of the early sourdough's dreams, The precious gold of the hills and streams; The brilliant stars in the northern sky, The "Bear" - the "Dipper" - and, shining high, The great North Star with its steady light, Over land and sea a beacon bright. Alaska's flag - to Alaskans dear, The simple flag of a last frontier.