A lot has changed in Alaska since Seward's Folly - the much-ridiculed bargain basement land purchase that placed the territory in the US' possession. After a gold rush and decades of simmering cultural clash, Alaska is now a state eager to expand and diversify its industries. Fishing - salmon fishing in particular - is a major business, with everyone from local indigenous peoples to mid-western college kids working hard at it.

But as is becoming increasingly apparent for Alaska, fishing alone can't pay the bills. The disappearance of natural resources and native cultures are also growing problems. But Alaska, a state of two faces, has some surprises up its sleeve both for the hard times ahead and for visitors. In fact, the presence of tourists really goes a long way towards sustaining this starkly beautiful state during this difficult period of transition and exploration.

The Iditarod is perhaps a perfect example of Alaska's new direction. This is the premier sled dog race, and it is notoriously grueling. Stretching over ten days and more than eleven-hundred miles, this event is tough on the "mushers" (as the human competitors are known), as well as the dogs they love, but the race's organizers have recently taken pains to run the race over two courses running in two directions, alternating courses each year.

This feature of the race reduces impact on the environment and local cultures, without taking any of the heat out of the competition, which is good, because - as any musher will tell you - it's cold out there. If you want a front-row seat for the finish, your best bet is to book your trip with CareFree Travel and Cruises - experts in getting you where you need to go, and you won't need to handle a dog team to get there.

While competitors both brave and crazy come from all over the world to participate in a race based on a distinctly local form of transportation, Alaska's one-of-a-kind geology and scenery are also real crowd-pleasers. Alaska is home to North America's tallest mountain-the alluring and deadly Mt. McKinley, a jewel in the crown for the globe's best mountain climbers, but a notoriously harsh mistress. Those looking for slightly tamer ways to experience glacial country will also be satisfied at the wide range of outdoor adventure available in Alaska.

Alaska's buckled, scraped, and folded landscape - the heritage of glaciers on the move-has rendered large portions of the state inaccessible by land. In fact, many glaciers remain to this day. Visitors travel by cruise ship or chartered boat to explore the nooks and crannies left between these giant blocks of ice. Avid birdwatchers show up eager to mark extremely rare species in their life books, while even the least zoologically minded visitor will appreciate the novelty and excitement of seeing a live polar bear in its natural habitat. Additionally, Aurora Borealis - the northern lights - are an amazing sight to behold in the crisp air, as your ship glides over the frigid water and the glaciers look dark in the dusk.

While Glacier Bay National Park may be Alaska's most famous attraction, many visitors are surprised by the amount of time they want to spend in Anchorage, an under-celebrated, metropolitan city whose population is increasingly international, and which is called home by many people originally from the lower-forty-eight. One of the most convenient - and certainly most popular - entry points to the state, Anchorage is something of an Alaskan anomaly. Its affluence, excellent city planning, and good weather make it distinct from many other Alaskan towns and cities, which are sadly often struggling to make ends meet.

The culture in Alaska remains a unique mix of typical North America and deeply traditional native populations that strive to maintain their way of life and family structures as the younger generation becomes more and more attracted to modern ways of life - snowmobiles and big-city living are notable examples. So while Alaska's path to prosperity and cultural preservation remains uncertain, what is clear is that booking your Alaska trip with CareFree Travel and Cruises is a smart way to see this breathtaking and unusual state at this important crossroads.

Call your Alaska Vacation Specialists
(361) 994-8747 or 1-800-727-4874