The post on Monday suggested Alaska as a destination for this summer. Exciting, untamed and domestic, Alaska is the kind of place that everybody puts on a must-see list. Anchorage has half the state's population and is a logical arrival point. But Anchorage isn't just a travel hub. You can use it as a gateway for immediate scenery touring, getting some of the best of Alaska within an easy drive of a major airport. You can also take the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Fairbanks, a 12-hour trip that cuts through the Alaska Range and Denali National Park.
The Seward Highway leaves Anchorage and runs 127 miles southward weaving through mountains, passes and glaciers. It skirts coastlines and fjords, and then ends up at the city of Seward on Resurrection Bay (map). The Seward Highway has been identified by the U.S. Government as one of 126 destinations highlighted by the National Scenic Byways program. Some of the notable scenic stops are described as follows, with a photo linked to the names for a quick visual reference. Potter's Marsh has a 1,550-foot boardwalk for getting closer to the assortment of bald eagles and migratory waterfowl. At Bird Point you have one of the earth's few places where you can stand on dry land and see snow-white beluga whales in the sea below. Girdwood is a noted summer destination for camping and cabin overnight visits. At Mount Alyeska you can ride a ski lift to the 2,300-foot mountain top for a breathtaking scenic overview. Near the end of the trip Resurrection Bay opens into view, as well as Seward, the southern end point.
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