Cook Inlet, Anchorage

Favorite thing: The City of Anchorage overlooks Cook Inlet, named for Captain James Cook who explored this area in his vain search for a northwest passage across the top of the North American continent in 1778. The inlet , surrounded by mountains and filled with glacial silt, extends from Anchorage 150 miles to the open Pacific Ocean. These waters are ferocious and wild, with whirlpool currents and a tidal range of almost 40 vertical feet. However, a navigable passageway is kept open, allowing Anchorage to be a major ocean port, as well as a favorite destination for numerous cruise ships. At Anchorage, Cook Inlet divides into two arms, Knik Arm extending to the northeast, and Turnagain Arm extending to the southeast.

This photo of the Cook Inlet, framed with mudflats and fireweed, was taken from Anchorage along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. The small boat you see in the center is actually a very large ocean freighter making its way toward the Port of Anchorage.

www.inletkeeper.org

Favorite thing: You must have seen this classical view before on some travel brochures. Actually, it is taken at a view-point at the Earthquake Park at the south coast of the city. It is worth a visit to this historical park as well as get yourself in the photo.

Favorite thing: go out to the Inlet and watch the sunset over Sleeping Lady.

Fondest memory: I lived in Anchorage during the Good Friday Earthquake on March 27, 1964. As you can see, I now live in Fairbanks.


Where does a Fairbanksan go for a quick vacation? Anchorage, of course. We travel there at least once a year, but often it's more.

I learned how to ice skate in Anchorage. It was the first place I ever lived that had ice rinks all winter. Most public schools have an ice rink nearby, and the skating is free.
If you happen to visit in the summer, there is an indoor ice rink in the Diamond Mall.