By Jennifer Ciotta
Jack London traveled the rivers of the Yukon with his own handmade boats. Today, a tourist can still have the same experience in Alaska. Ecotourism is on the rise, meaning that visitors must act environmentally-friendly while touring the natural surroundings. Jack London observed the same rules by fighting the rapids of the Yukon River, and being resourceful in sleepy gold mining towns. A popular ecotourism activity is kayaking in the rushing current of the Yukon River, while other bodies of water in the Yukon Territory offer a different perspective. Kayaking in the Kenai Fjords is a Jack London-esque experience, where one can see overpowering mountains, stunning waterfalls, glaciers and icebergs. The Valdez Glacier, located near the Kenai Fjords, is ideal for hiking, though it is recommended to bring a guide or join a tour group. The Valdez Glacier served as an on foot "highway" for the Klondikers, who traveled from all over America to find gold here. On a hike, an explorer can view Alaskan wildlife such as brown seals, bald eagles, brown bears, birds, otters, salmon and even a whale or two.
Traveling through Alaska proves to be a multicultural experience. For example, the Native Americans combine with a Russian heritage since the Bering Strait separates the two countries. The cities of Cordova and Valdez were named as such due to Spanish exploration, while the Inside Passage region has a major Scandinavian influence. Cordova offers a variety of activities including extensive bird watching and nesting, and enjoying the Copper River Wild Salmon--these fish attract marine aficionados from around the world. Perhaps the most popular site is the Ilanka Cultural Center, where a killer whale skeleton (one of only five worldwide) is on display. Petersburg is a city that resembles its Scandinavian ancestors. It has the same brightly-painted, pristine houses of Norway, while seafood remains its dominant industry. Fisherman's Memorial Park is dedicated to the fisherman who lost their lives on the job; photographs tell their story in this historical site. Cape Decision Lighthouse is home to the largest king salmon ever caught--weighing in at 126 pounds. The town of Sitka was the first Russian-America city until 1867; however, it still has strong European bonds. St. Michael's Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox church, built in the mid-1800s. It was the first Russian cathedral built on American soil; however, it burned down, and was
rebuilt in the twentieth century. It has the onion domes and gold crosses, reminiscent of St. Petersburg and Moscow. One can also visit the Russian Bishop's house, still intact from 1842. The Bishop's living area has been refurbished and the chapel is on display as well. The New Archangel Dancers perform Russian folk dances, in the well-known multicolored costumes of Eastern Europe. For an outdoors excursion, a trip to Mt. Edgecumbe, a 3,200 foot dormant volcano, is highly recommended.
The best way to end a trip from the Yukon territory to the Inside Passage is by stopping in Juneau. It has been called the most beautiful United States capital. The skyline is stunning with the golden lights of modern buildings reflecting off the deep blue Alaskan
water, and all of this, set against the bluish-pink night sky. Juneau is a fascinating architectural city mixing the new and the old--it combines trendy glass offices with the older Governor's Mansion, which is a well-lit display during the Christmas season. The city has a very "neat" look complete with tiny shops and globe street lamps, emphasizing the Scandinavian small village ambience. However, the city's background has majestic mountains, resembling more a Western American city like Salt Lake City, Utah. Juneau has 42 glaciers, including the Mendenhall Glacier which a tourist can drive on. It
flows twelve miles from the source and changes colors to deep shades of blue on cloudy days. St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church is one of the city's most popular tourist destinations; however, if a visitor decides to join a service, they should be forewarned. Worshippers must stand for the entire two hour (or longer) service. Perhaps the
best way to end a trip to Alaska is where the trip began. A visitor can pan gold at public creeks with a tour group, just as Jack London did back in his Yukon days.
