Alaska: The Thrill Seeker’s Paradise
Alaska is famed for its breathtaking scenery, deep forests, fjords, mountains, rivers, and glaciers. The bio-diversity of Alaska is also remarkable and unique. There is plenty to see and do here and there seems to be a surprise or adventure at every turn. If you think of Alaska and equate it to snow and ski chalets, then you couldn’t be more wrong!
The very idea of going to Alaska was enough to fill me with a keen sense of excitement and anticipation. The extreme weather, the dramatic landscape, the possibility of being close to big brown grizzlies or moose, the thought of cruising in near frozen water to see and touch glaciers, everything was thrilling to me.
I attempted white water rafting on the Rivers Tenana, Nenana, and Kantishna, which flow across the Denali National Park. These rivers are cold and beautiful and surrounded by lush forests. I also did some hiking and was fortunate to get glimpses of a few Alaskan birds and animals. I saw bears, foxes, and bald eagles, even one elusive gray wolf.
One misty morning, I decided to go kayaking alone at the Byer’s Lake. The place was isolated and silent, with only the faint sound of a cool wind moving the leaves and branches of the trees around. I let my kayak glide slowly and I gazed with wonder at the marvellous beauty of nature there. The mountains rose in the distant and the blue stretched beneath me endlessly. I looked at the pink bellied salmons swimming nearby and wondered distractedly whether a bear was in close proximity. The experience was an unhurried one but it was immensely delightful nevertheless.
I know that many people regard hunting as an adventure sport and it is pretty big in Alaska. I fail to understand the thrill of it because to me it is much more rewarding to witness the wildlife in its natural habitat. I absolutely loved watching the lazy sea lions, the mischievous seals and porpoises, and the milky white beluga whales among other animals at Whittier and Seward. It was spectacular and enormously thrilling.
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