Subject: We did take a cruise!
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Posted on: 2015-08-10 05:29:00 UTC
And I enjoyed myself immensely. We stopped in Canada once the way up. Sadly, we saw no puffins, but we did see a couple whales - the species escapes me - but they were large and quite impressive. If I come back, I'll be sure to let you know!
(As a side note, Barrow reminds me of Finnish Lapland)
Yes, the city I call home has been around for 100 years now. How far this little tent city at Cook Inlet has come. From the founding location of the Alaska Railroad, to becoming the main trade port of Alaska, to becoming its largest city, Anchorage has a deep, rich history. We have gone through some rough times, but here we are, still going strong.
To celebrate this occasion, I am going to open myself up to questions about Alaskan history and culture. I would restrict it to Anchorage, but that is boring. Now, I know I did this once before and left you guys hanging, but at the time classes got too much for me so I could not answer many questions. However, I find myself with a few days off with little to do. So, I will answer any questions you have, to the best of my ability. It's good practice for me anyway, in case I get back into tourism.
So, please, fire away!
(If you are wondering, why now? Our locale NBC affiliate is running a special on it, and it inspired me to answer any questions you may have about my home.)
And the price of stuff there, is it more expensive compared to the average prices of USA?
What the people there usually eat?
And do they have fast-food restaurants there?
And how many people actually live there, year-round or seasonal?
Let me guess... Eagle River?
All I remember is that they live in Alaska and I met them when I was eight. Tawaki knows a little more about that than I do.
I guess it's gonna be a big event, huh?
Although, it was not as big as I had hoped. Still, the Fur Rondy is still coming, so we will see what they do with that. Mostly, the Railroad had some big specials, as it was their 100th too.
If you ever come here, a ride on the Alaska Railroad is a must. Not because it is all that fast. No no, but because it has the most beautiful scenery, and very well trained guides. I should know. I took the course. ;)
Unfortunately, I probably will travel to America (plus, Alaska) when I start earning 20.000 PLN a month ;D
Everything that is worth a dollar is three times more expensive for me.
I've been to Alaska once several years ago - I believe I visited Juneau though. I'll have to go back and visit Anchorage sometime.
Boring question first - how cold does it get during the winter? I was in Juneau during the summer and it must have been sixty-something degrees out. Makes me wonder how cold it gets in the dead of winter...
Well, it all depends on where you go.
Now, before anybody calls that out as a cheap answer, you have to remember that Alaska is the size of 1/3 of all the U.S. So, it would be like assuming the average temperature of Miami Florida is the same as in Des Moines Iowa.
As a side note, for all temperature measurements, I will be using Fahrenheit. Because I am a lazy American who does not want to open a temperature converter in the next tab.
Starting with Anchorage, as it is our centennial, the average winter temperature is around 10 degrees, though it has been known to get into the negatives. Well, that is the overall average. In recent years it has been getting much warmer. Snow was sticking on the ground by Halloween very reliably, except these last couple of years. This last year, we were hovering around the 30 degree mark for the average, and seeing as 32 is the freezing temperature, you can see how bad that can be. But, that is a soapbox I won't get on right now. Perhaps later in the Q&A.
Now, what about the rest of the state? Since you went to Juneau, I might as well mention it. In the panhandle, it is closer to 25 degrees. Much warmer then the rest of the state.
How about our farthest north settlement? Barrow is at a toasty -15 degree temperature. Even better, it is a very wet cold, so the cold droops over you like a blanket trying to freeze you to death. Double that with literally no sun for several months, lends to a rather chilly time in the winter.
I hope that answered your question!
Now, with that over with; how did you enjoy the trip? I assume since you went through the panhandle, you took a cruse? What was your favorite part? Did you see any whales? Or Puffins? Puffins are my second favorite bird we have up here. So cute and fluffy.
If you ever do come back to Alaska, do let me know. I would love to show someone around!
Never seen it get that low, but it does get around 20 Fahrenheit here in the winter.
And I enjoyed myself immensely. We stopped in Canada once the way up. Sadly, we saw no puffins, but we did see a couple whales - the species escapes me - but they were large and quite impressive. If I come back, I'll be sure to let you know!
(As a side note, Barrow reminds me of Finnish Lapland)
Probably humpback whales. They like to hang around up here, expecially in the warmer waters. They move around between the panhandle and Seward quite often.
Ah, darn. Not that it's suprising, as Puffins tend to stay in the Seward region. Sometines they go over to the cruse lins though, so I thought I would check.