In retrospect, Alaska seems to be more than just a state I lived in this past summer. It has become a place that will forever be etched in my memories as an adventure waiting to happen. The millions of acres that rest inside the boundaries of the great state are a constant reminder of how large the world really is. The mere adventures that await those willing to take the chance provide unlimited entertainment, enjoyment and closeness to nature.

Every day I spent in Denali National Park I only needed to look around me to be reminded of the potential adventures that awaited me. The mountains that shoot up to the sky on all sides always looked over my shoulder waiting to challenge me.

The Nenana River that ran through the park constantly flowed through the canyon it had created, carrying rafters down the white water rapids, always had a convincing nature to it. Cold 38 degree water that had only been unfrozen for 12 hours from nearby glaciers reminded all of the rafters and kayakers just how serious Alaska's adventures could be.

But many of the adventures that I found were outside the realm of Denali National Park. In fact, one of Alaska's most popular adventures, fishing, got better and better the further I traveled from Denali.

Towards the end of my stay I traveled through Alaska in search of anything I felt like I had missed. My travels took me many places and exposed me to many experiences. I experienced adventures that seemed to dwarf the entire summer in single days.

As I decided to head home, one of my destinations along the way was Seward, Alaska. In Seward and the surrounding areas, numerous things can be done.

In the mountains surrounding Seward on one side is a thing called the Kenai Fjords Ice Field. This ice field is an attachment of multiple glaciers that cover multiple mountains. In just a short hike a person can go up to the Exit Glacier and actually touch the ancient ice. However, this is slightly on the dangerous side as ice is constantly melting, breaking, and falling off of the glacier.

For those that enjoy adrenaline a bit more there is always the Kenai Fjords Ice Field Trail. This trail, which disappears into the snow just above the tree line, starts at the Exit Glacier and continues on across the ice field. If a person is ambitious enough, they can hike the trail until they arrive at Bear Glacier, which empties into the ocean. This kind of hike can be extremely dangerous, though, since crevasses and unforeseen weather changes are very common in this kind of climate.

If crampons and ice axes are not everyone's fancy, then ocean fishing is an excellent option. Alaska is known worldwide for its salmon and halibut fishing. Most people have the best luck when they pay for a spot on a charter boat. These boats should come with a knowledgeable captain as well as all the equipment needed for a successful trip.

In my personal experience on one of these boats, the fishing was excellent. Our captain, Eric Clock, was able to locate a good area where everyone on the boat was able to catch their daily limit of halibut and salmon, including an 86.8 pound halibut. Although the fish are not all this big, it is very exciting when you are fighting a fish that weighs half as much as you do. When you get the fish to the surface it is very important to not let such a large fish knock you or anyone else out of the boat.

Fishing and ice exploring are not the only things in the Seward area. For people that enjoy two-wheeled fun there are plenty of mountain bike trails. Most of these trails are old mine road and similar trails. The trails range from very fast and very technical to quite easy, requiring very little knowledge of mountain biking.

Regardless, Alaska is a never-ending adventure, all it requires is the desire to partake in it. If the desire is strong enough the adventure will be there for anyone to have.
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