I haven't been to Alaska, but one of my favourite books of all time is a book about Alaska, 'O Rugged Land of Gold' by Martha Martin, published in 1953,  Victor Gollancz Ltd, London.
This gives a wonderful personal picture of living and working in Alaska.

www.amazon.com/Rugged-Land-Gold-Martha-Martin/dp/0940055007

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From Bellingham in Washington state, the ferry takes a gentle three days or so chugging north past Canada. It is called the Inside Passage because for most of the journey you are not in open sea, with a view of beautiful forested hills, snowy mountains and glaciers. The M/V Kennicott (among other boats) calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, Haines, Skagway. There are other routes to Sitka, near Anchorage and the Aleutians. Would recommend spending your money on a cabin with a BIG window.

www.akferry.org/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Marine_Highway
Google map: tinyurl.com/2wb8d2m

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Enjoy bathing in the hot springs, although sadly pumped in and a bit too sanitised for those who'd rather bathe in the open. Or even better use it as a base for signposted walks in the area, avoiding many of the risks of walking in the woods in Alaska, of which getting lost is only one (albeit a pretty serious one).

www.chenahotsprings.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/32da4n3

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Independent cinema/bar on the Parks Highway just out west of fairbanks on the the way to Ester. Get your food and drink from the bar and eat at a table in the cinema. Pretty cool.

2999 Parks Highway, Fairbanks 99709
www.theblueloon.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/2vtnz7c

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Nature trails, interpretive centre and wildlife viewing 30 minutes from Anchorage. Salmon runs, black and brown bears, bald eagles, beavers and moose all live in and around the nature centre complex which is in a valley of the Chugach mountains east of Anchorage. It is easy to access by road year round and is an easy drive from Anchorage and US$5 to park.

www.ernc.org/
32750 Eagle River Road, Eagle River
Google map: tinyurl.com/2vftl7h

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Yukon territory is a spectacular place to view the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. Located on the border of Alaska and British Columbia in the Canadian Northwest Territories, its population of 31,000 has remained constant since 1900. The capital, Whitehorse, is a welcoming yet remote destination that is the best place to view the lights. Warm your cockles by a log fire with a steaming cup of tea in preparation for sunset. Once the sun goes down, the bright stars come out, and during August and September, so do the ripples of green sulfurous gases and oxygen emissions that form the Northern Lights. The impressive sight illuminates the sky in dancing patterns on certain nights of the year. So wrap up warm and head to Yukon to catch a sight you will never forget.

Fly to Vancouver, Edmonton or Calgary from London Heathrow then get a connecting flight to Whitehorse International Airport.

www.auroraborealisyukon.com/

Google map: tinyurl.com/yayzn8t

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There are ferries on streams, there are ferries on rivers, but ferries on oceans, well they are something else. And may favourite is the ferry service of the Alaska Marine Highway along Alaska' Inside Passage.

The Passage is mesmerising, the longest such stretch of protected fjords, thick forest, and myriad islands in the world. And to sail it by ferry, with whales for company in the water, and locals to spend hours chatting with up on deck, stopping off at small settlements as you go, is simply the best way to experience southern Alaska in its rugged finery. If you are young enough you might even try braving nights in a sleeping bag up on deck.

Magical.

www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.shtml

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