There are those certain moments that stand out like a first kiss or killer sunset. A holy moment if you will, never forgotten. Descending into Alaska onboard America West flight 8012 at 12:30 in the morning with just enough light to witness the mountains below and the rivers that meander between them was one of those moments. Everybody on the plane was silently gazing out the tiny windows. Even the sound of the engines seemed to disappear and the descent was so smooth that it was like the plane was as light as a glider.
In the airport greeted by stuffed polar bears, world record halibut and antlers of all varieties, I was struck by how simultaneously hard and colorful all the people looked. Long white beards and missing teeth seemed to be the style of the day. There were babies, hippies, and thugs. There was even a group of kids break dancing and a cyclist clad in spandex despite the cold. And it was cold. Still in my shorts and t-shirt, I decided to grab the only sweater I brought from my luggage and off into the night we went looking for the car rental agency. I guess it was dawn even though it was only 1 am. The sprinklers were on and we were hit with tiny droplets of water as we passed.
Over the next ten days I traded a piece of my soul with the state of Alaska. It is a trip that I would not hesitate to take again. In these coming pages you'll see pictures that do not do justice to the beauty and majesty of the mighty 49th.