Alaska: The Last Frontier
Of all the spectacular destinations to check off your bucket list, Alaska certainly ranks at the top for adventurous travelers. For those living in the “lower 48”, Alaska can seem like a distant, mythic place calling up images of a truly wild west — a place of not only climatic and seasonal extremes, but extraordinary, breathtaking scenery. Where in the continental United States can you experience 24 hours of sunlight, set your sights on glaciers and snow-capped mountains and lay eyes upon passing whales and polar bears?
There is no shortage of natural beauty here. The 49th state, also known as “The Last Frontier”, contains 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the United States. The dramatic landscape is accentuated by an estimated 100,000 glaciers of various shapes and sizes and over 1,000 species of animals, including brown bears, bald eagles and sea lions. No surprise given the popularity of wild Alaskan salmon, the local economy revolves around the fishing industry, which harvests a staggering 6 billion pounds of seafood each year. Just behind fishing, the tourism industry is the state’s second largest employer. Preserving Alaska’s natural resources, beauty and heritage and sharing it with the world continues to be an important issue for local residents and officials. For visitors, the best time to go is between May and September, where your chances of encountering humpback whales and sea otters, not to mention more congenial weather, is higher.
CAL Alaskan Cruise
Are you ready for a picture postcard-worthy trip of a lifetime? Join the Center for Active Living in September as we set sail on an 8-day / 7-night Alaskan cruise aboard the new Norwegian cruise ship “Bliss.” Our itinerary takes us round trip from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport to Seattle, Washington, home of Starbucks coffee and the famous Space Needle. Here we enjoy a one-night stay and guided tour of the city before setting sail. Over the coming days we will travel through Alaska’s Inside Passage, a scenic coastal route weaving through the Pacific Northwest and Alaskan coast. The ride offers unparalleled 360-degree views of natural wonders, wildlife sightings as well as a plethora of opportunities to explore land on foot. In addition to cruising, Norwegian offers an exciting menu of on-ship and on-shore experiences to whet your appetite for adventure.
Cruise includes these must-see stops!
Juneau is often referred to as “Alaska’s peak experience.” Here the pioneering spirit lives on in a city that gracefully balances frontier ruggedness with cosmopolitan flair. See the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier, a river of ice measuring 1.5 miles wide and over 6 miles long. The glacier is part of Juneau’s larger Icefield, 1500 square miles of ice that feeds an additional 38 glaciers.
Skagway is a city that embraces its gold-rush past complete with saloons and dance-hall revues. In a single year, this remote town along the Inside Passage grew from a few tents to a city of 20,000 gold seekers. Today, travelers come in search of other riches – to experience yesteryear along Skagway’s charming boardwalk lined with buildings that replicate those Gold Rush days.
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a United Nations World Heritage Site comprised of 3.3 million acres of natural wonders. It is home to magnificent glaciers, snow-capped mountains, abundant birds and wildlife.
Ketchikan, also known as Kach Khanna, means “spread wings of the eagle.” The ancestral home of the Tlingit tribe, the city contains the world’s largest collection of totem poles. Thanks to its abundant rainfall, Ketchikan is surrounded by some of the world’s most lush wilderness — 2.2 million acres to be exact — in the Misty Fjords National Monument.
The cruise concludes in Victoria, British Columbia, the westernmost Canadian province. The city was named the Most Romantic City in Canada and one of the top 15 Friendliest Cities in the World. It is also internationally known as the City of Gardens with over 3.4 billion blooms. Roam the spacious lawns of stunning Butchart Gardens with its exotic flora, unusual topiary and exquisite fountains. Explore the historic Bastion Square with treasures of Chinatown (the oldest Chinatown in Canada) and the many sights and sounds to be found along the boardwalk of the Inner Harbour.
For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact Nikaela Frederick at 706.549.4850 or nfrederick@accaging.org.
