An Alaskan Overview

On September 3, 2022 our Alaskan Family History Adventure leaves Seattle for the Inside Passage of Alaska.

Personally, I am getting super excited about this cruise for many reasons. First, because I finally get to see my genealogy friends again. Second, this cruise has been planned since 2019 and replanned and replanned again. Finally, third because I want to see Alaska!

I’ll be honest and say that it was never a place I wanted to go as I was growing up. My father contemplated moving there at one point when I was a child and I remember putting my foot down that I did NOT want to do that. However, fast forward many years and a few movies showcasing Alaska later and I am down for the visit!

I have spent the last few days collecting a lot of different data on Alaska and the Inside Passage to share with all of you and to hopefully encourage others to join us.

According to Travel Alaska, “the Inside Passage is home to breath-taking temperate rainforests, protected waterways and glaciers reaching into deep coastal fjords. The hub communities in this area are Ketchikan and Juneau.”

Did you know that 18% of Alaskan communities are accessible by road, even though they have over 31,000 miles of road? The best way to travel is by boat or plane. You can take a ferry or water taxi between communities.

scenic view of frozen lake against blue sky — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Here are some interesting statistics that I learned about Alaska:

There is 46,600 miles of shoreline.
There is 3,000,000 lakes.
There is 100,000 glaciers.
There are 2,600 islands.
Home to 14 mountain ranges.
There are 229 Native Tribes.
Home to the only temperate rainforest in the United States.

I found all of that very impressive and hope you do to.

northern lights during starry nights — Photo by stein egil liland on Pexels.com

The one thing I am looking forward to the most, is a chance to view the Northern Lights. It is something I have wanted to see, for such a long time. Alaskan Native tradition says that the Northern Lights are dancing spirits. I love the thought of that. Maybe our ancestors will be dancing for us when we visit.

Did you know that Alaska actually forecasts the Aurora?

For those of us who have never been to Alaska I truly feel this is going to be an amazing adventure for us to share.

Over the next few weeks I will be sharing information on the wildlife, and history of Alaska. I will follow up with more detailed information on the ports we are scheduled to be visiting during the cruise.