I guess now that we have been here for 14 days orientation to the state is way overdue. Alaska is big, which I am sure you already knew. But the scale is hard to get your head around. It is 20% of the size of all of the rest of the states in the U.S. put together; or you can think of its size in terms of taking Texas and multiplying it by 2. Texas is the second largest state in the U.S. after Alaska. In Alaska, you can only access 20% of the state by car- to see the rest you need a plane or a boat. Alaskans are so excited about the size of their state, there is a whole fact sheet in the tourist information centers about how many of each state in the U.S. will fit inside of Alaska. For example, 470 Rhode Islands can fit inside the state of Alaska.

Now that we have size out of the way, I have a puzzle for you. Alaska is the northern-most, western-most, and eastern-most state in the U.S. Have you figured out how that is possible? Here is a hint: the Aleutian Chain is part of Alaska. These islands are closer to Tokyo than they are to Anchorage. The islands are on the other side of the international dateline which makes them in the “eastern” hemisphere.

Sure, Alaska has wildlife. But what makes it interesting, is that many species that roam freely, are endangered in the rest of the U.S., for example grizzly bears. You still won’t see a wooly mammoth, they are truly extinct, but Alaska has made sure they are always remembered by making them the state fossil. I can’t say that I even know if my state has a fossil, and if so what it is.

One last thing about Alaska. I was just informed tonight by Mark’s daughter that ranch dressing was invented here. I have to admit that really threw me. Kind of like Caesar salad was not an Italian invention, but came from Tijuana Mexico. Ranch dressing was invented here by a plumber turned cook to make his employees’ food more edible (the practice continues today with children, and even adults -Peter I’m looking at you). But it was perfected in California, when the plumber/cook moved to Santa Barbara and opened a guest ranch in Santa Barbara, called Hidden Valley (get it?). Alaska has so many great stories to tell. You never quite know where or when the next one will appear.

If you decide to explore the state beginning at Anchorage, there is a great tourist center in the Anchorage Airport near baggage claim. I stopped in twice (once at midnight when my plane landed), and both times I was greeted with very helpful and friendly volunteers….even someone who was working there at midnight.

Speaking of help, it has taken a team effort to help me gather information and edit these posts. So thanks to everyone for letting me dominate multiple happy hours in my quest for a “short”story. Also a huge thanks to Mark and Cat for showing us what makes their great state so special.