by Keith Cantrell

Created on: October 02, 2008   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

The name "Alaska" is thought to have been derived from an Inuit word meaning "...the big country." It has one of the smallest populations of any of the states, a huge backcountry that is virtually empty of human habitation, unparalled beauty, untamed wildlife and incomparable hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities.

The fishing in Alaska is notable for two very popular fish. Native salmon are like no salmon anywhere else in the world. There are several species to choose from including the smallest salmon species, the pink, which are plentiful during their yearly migrations. However, the king of salmon species is the Chinook which can exceed 50 pounds. There are miles and miles of salmon streams as well as ocean fishing in Alaska offering the traveller limitless possibilites for catching them and savoring their pink flesh.

The other fish species that garners a lot of attention is halibut. A salt-water species, this giant fish can be caught in the shallow water of bays, coves, and sheltered rocky shorelines all over southeast Alaska. Unlike salmon they can be caught virtually any time of the year and can exceed 300 pounds in rare cases.

When it comes to exciting hunting, Alaska has no competitors. First of all, the potential for getting lost is very real. Secondly, the weather can kill you. Thirdly, the animals themselves can pose a serious threat to your safety if you don't take the necessary precautions. It's the only place where you can hunt grizzly bears on a regular basis, or find trophy moose larger than anywhere else in the world or where a regular hunting season exists for wolves which have been a protected species in every other state in the union. Additionally, if you've never seen a caribou or had the opportunity to savor its meat, you have missed out on both a hunting and dining pleasure found nowhere else in the world.

Not a hunter or a fisherman? No problem. Alaska abounds with hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, skydiving and even hot springs unlike any found anywhere else. Mountains, virgin snow, geothermals, untamed wilderness, wild rivers and friendly people are waiting to be discovered.

If you find these descriptions to be irresistable, you'll want to plan a trip there as soon as possible. It's the only way to quench the thirst for exotic travel and to experience the thrill of direct contact with nature that inspires the human spirit to experience life as never before. Start with a brief and informative glance at the many websites devoted to Alaska and narrow your search down to the few who offer verifiable information about travel, lodging, food and sites to see. Then decide how you want to get there. You can drive up the Alaska/Canada highway but that trip requires at least two to three weeks and plenty of planning to make the most of your time. You can also go on an Alaska cruise but then you'll be limited to just the coastal areas of Southeast Alaska and will completely miss the opportunity to visit the vast and intriguing interior. You can also fly which can be spendy these days but allows you the luxury of time and you can rent a car when you get there to explore other places on your own. You can also travel by ferry from Seattle which is very reasonably priced and takes you on a scheduled route making it easy to plan ahead for your desired destinations and site seeing.

If you want an adventure instead of just a vacation, then what are you waiting for?

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