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8A – Daily News – Monday, February 8, 2010 Advertising Feature Not every state can list the continent's tall- est mountain, one of the country's longest rivers, Santa Claus' home and America's national symbol on their "must do and see" list. They all exist in Alaska, and you can see them all in one trip. Wildlife is literally in every direction. Alaska offers unparalleled opportunities to observe and photograph wildlife, from the colossal grizzly bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve to the caribou, wolves, foxes and moose of Denali National Park and Preserve to the elusive musk oxen of the Far North. Alaska's shorelines are home to an abundance of marine life and are a birder's paradise, with nearly 430 species of birds, including the millions of seabirds. Alaska is also the best place in the country to see the national symbol, the American bald eagle. Catch sight of over 3,000 bald eagles at the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines, during fall, or simply keep an eye out throughout your trip and you're sure to catch a glimpse of the telltale white head of the eagle in the treetops. With 17 national parks — more than any other state — Alaska's opportunities for adventure are endless. Hop on one of the many fishing charter boats in Seward, near Kenai Fjords National Park, and head out into Resurrection Bay – hotspots for Alaska's renowned salmon, halibut, rockfish and lingcod; follow in the footsteps of tens of thousands of hopeful gold prospectors up the Chilkoot Trail in Klondike Gold Rush Na- tional Historic Park; raft one of the longest rivers in America in Yukon-Charly Rivers National Preserve; circle Mount McKinley, the tallest peak in North America; and much more. Glaciers, with their towering blue faces, are one of the most photographed scenes in Alaska's parks. Once on the ice, strap on some crampons (special glacier walking shoes) and explore the surface of a glacier, try ice climbing or even mush a team of sled dogs. Whether you want to explore Alaska's vibrant Native culture or other artistic and intellectual attractions like music festivals, local artisan handiwork, Russian iconog- raphy or museum exhibits, a long list of attractions in every region of Alaska awaits you. From Ketchikan to Skagway, the Inside Passage is home to impressive collections of totem poles, stunning onion-domed Russian Orthodox churches and ancient artifacts retrieved from deserted Tlingit and Haida Indian villages. Anchorage, located in Southcentral Alaska, is home to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, a unique cultural site dedicated to educating visitors about Alaska Native groups. Heading north from Southcentral Alaska is the Interior, a region rich with culture and home to the Museum of the North in Fairbanks, the state's primary repository of natural and cultural history. The Far North region encompasses a special combination of traditional Alaska Native culture and a gold rush past, and Alaska's expansive Southwest region is as diverse as it is big and rich with Russian Orthodox and Alutiiq history. Getting around Alaska is surprisingly man- ageable considering the state is over twice the size of Texas, larger than three Califor- nias, 12 New Yorks, 470 Rhode Islands and well, you get the message. Getting from point to point is a worthy endeavor of its own. Whether circling Mount McKinley in a Bush plane, navigating Alaska's shoreline by ferry or watching miles of untouched tundra roll by from the window of a train, car or RV, you can't go wrong in selecting a mode of transportation. In fact, the best itineraries include a mix of travel modes. For those who choose to see Alaska by road, there are many excellent campgrounds throughout the state's road system, offering an affordable way to travel. After deciding what to see and do and how to get there, where to stay is the easy part. Every region of Alaska has something unique and extraordinary to offer, from quaint bed and breakfasts and rustic lodges to full-service and luxury hotels. If you're wishing to enjoy the best of the outdoors without sacrificing any modern comforts or luxury, Alaska's wilderness lodges are the ultimate retreat and often specialize in fish- ing or wilderness activities or in relaxation and culinary delights. The menu options that make up an Alaska experience are as varied as the state is large. And the best part is, you choose the ingredients. Would you prefer to view crys- tal-blue glaciers from an eagle's perspective soaring above the treetops or down at sea level paddling eye-to-eye with sea otters? It's all possible, and all within reach. Ingredients for the adventure of a lifetime in Alaska The State of Alaska offers a free official travel planner at: www.TravelAlaska.com/vp Glenn Highway Brown bear Native dancers Resurrection Bay Experience !"#$%!&'"(&)*(&&+ ! Join us on The Kenai, Alaskas Playground soldotna seward Alaska s Kenai River City Alaska Starts Here Big Value /value For your free Visitors Guide on Fairbanks and Interior Alaska call 1-800-327-5774 or go online to www.explorefairbanks.com !"#$$"%#!"&&$! Order Your Free Juneau Guide For information and a FREE DVD An affordable way to discover Alaska ! Visit AlaskasHottestDeals.com Get the Hottest Deals from the Coolest State