A nod to Morgan le Fay, a sorceress from the King Arthur legends, Fata Morgana is an atmospheric optical illusion caused by warm air trapping in cold air beneath it. In other words, it’s a temperature inversion that does some pretty weird things to your interpretation of whatever is on…
It wouldn’t be a true Alaska summer without what some locals joking call its state bird—the mosquito. And as pesky as these tiny insects are, they’re an extremely important part of the state’s ecosystem. In the tundra, mosquitoes are particularly critical. Scientists say that without mosquitoes to feed on, populations…
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Alaska’s mountains are known to impress. They span a wide range of terrain and offer spectacular features like active volcanoes and picturesque glaciers—more than enough visually breathtaking options to satisfy even the most well-traveled and experienced landscape photographer. Don’t forget about Denali, the highest peak in North America. But in…
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“Game of Thrones” is one of the most popular shows (and book series) in the world right now, but we’ve always had a sneaking suspicion that it was meant to be filmed in Alaska. In honor of the sixth season premiering April 24, here’s our pitch for why Alaska would…
If your travels bring you near the seaside community of Seward, Alaska, located on the shores of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula, the Alaska Sealife Center is one of the top destinations in town. The center is the only facility in the state that combines a…
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Alaska is known for many things—epic outdoors, fresh seafood, wildlife encounters—but it has also staked its claim as a state that appreciates a good cup of coffee. The Lower 48 may be ahead of the game in many respects, but Alaskans have been pioneers of all things coffee for decades.
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On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed an act to establish the National Park Service, granting the Department of the Interior authority over what was then just 14 national parks. This August, the National Park Service turns 100, commemorating a century of stewardship to parks across the country. While…
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March is a month full of activity in Alaska. Besides the excitement surrounding the Iditarod and the wave of travelers the race brings to the state, March is also a time when locals, anxious to welcome spring, begin to remember that winter is nearly over. And St. Patrick’s Day happens…
While spring may be just around the corner, the temperatures in Alaska will remain chilly for quite some time, leaving a wintry feeling long after the winter season is officially over. There is a lot to embrace about wintertime in Alaska—from the fresh, powdery snow to the northern lights in the…
The thrill of racing down a steep alpine incline on a pair of skis may sound exhilarating to some, but rest assured there are plenty of options for those less in love with velocity. Cross-country skiing, invented thousands of years ago in Scandinavia as a way to cross terrain…