Have you ever heard one of those tall tales about an extremely lucky purchase? You know, like the guy who bought a second-hand painting that turned out to be a Van Gogh original, or the yokels who were tricked into buying a bad plot of land only to discover oil reserves underneath? In fact, one of the best lucky investment stories in history is far from an urban legend.

This story happened exactly 150 years ago – at 4 in the morning on March 30, 1867. After a night of heated negotiations, US Secretary of State William Seward and the Russian Minister Attaché signed the treaty for the purchase of Alaska. The US got its future largest and wealthiest state for $7.2 million, or $4.74 per square kilometer. At this price, my country (Bulgaria) would cost about $521,000. Even if we apply the inflation rate and calculate the amount in today’s money, it seems far too modest – no more than $123 million for 1.5 million square kilometers of land.

© Lina Kirilova

Nowadays, the scale of the purchase seems beyond belief. The most shocking thing is that Russia not only agreed to this but initiated the arrangement. Why? Well, at the time Russia was caught between two wars. This meant the country was suffering extreme financial problems and had no strength or resources to defend Alaska. From the Russian perspective, the Last Frontier itself was a wilderness, valuable only for seal hunting.

© Lina Kirilova

Many years went by before the United States appreciated the significance of the purchase of Alaska. First, gold was found in the Yukon, then oil, gas and other minerals. The expansive wilderness turned out to be a real treasure!

© Lina Kirilova

Today, Alaska’s GDP (gross domestic product) is about $49 billion a year – as much as my country’s (Bulgaria’s GDP for 2016 was $50 billion). Unfortunately, William Seward didn’t live to receive praise for his future vision – in his lifetime, American society and the press criticized his “pointless spending of public money”. The purchase, along with the new territory, was unfairly named “Seward’s Folly” after the misunderstood visionary.

© Lina Kirilova

Here are some fun facts about Alaska that will make you want to head north straight away:

1. Alaska is the biggest state in the United States. It is twice as large as its next rival, Texas, and is also larger than the combined area of the 22 smallest US states. Three Californias, 12 New York states, or 470 Rhode Islands could fit into Alaska. If Alaska were a country, it would be the 20th largest in the world!

2. Of the 20 highest peaks in the United States, 17 are in Alaska. Alaska is also home to North America’s highest peak, Denali, which rises to 6 190 m (20 310 ft). The name of the peak comes from the native Athabascan language and means “The Great One”.

3. Alaska or “Aleyska” is the Aleut word for “great land”.

4. Alaska is also the widest state of all. It spreads across both the eastern and western hemispheres. What’s more, it boasts the northernmost (Point Barrow), easternmost (Pochnoi Point on Semisopochnoi Island in the Aleutians) and westernmost (Amatignak Island in the Aleutians) points in the United States.

5. It’s the only state in the US to have coastlines on three different seas (the Arctic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea).

6. There are more active glaciers and ice fields in Alaska than in the rest of the inhabited world. Five per cent of the state is covered by glaciers.

7. The Aurora Borealis (also known as the Northern Lights) can be seen an average of 243 days a year in Fairbanks, Alaska.

8. John Muir (also known as “John of the Mountains”) fell in love with the wild, unknown and unexplored territory of Alaska. He made several trips to The Vast Land in the late 1800s and recorded his experiences and reflections in Travels in Alaska – a book he was still working on at the time of his death in 1914. To this day, Muir’s words ring true:

“To the lover of wilderness, Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world”.

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Exploring Alaska is an amazing adventure for any type of traveler. From grizzled backcountry veterans to young families, there are plenty of ways for almost anyone to discover the natural beauty and outdoor activities that the 49th state offers. From fishing in frozen lakes and camping atop majestic glaciers to hiking through deep snow-covered forests and gazing at a sky full of the Northern Lights, Alaska has it all.

There are many great ways to explore Alaska. Just exploring the cities is enough for many, with Anchorage, Juneau, and Seward offering great cultural attractions and excellent dining options. But the real joy of Alaska is in the wilderness, beyond the city limits. You can rent a car and discover the Alaska Highway, one of the most famous roads in America. You can jump on the Denali Star and journey along the Alaska Railroad, seeing the countryside from the rails. You can even hop on board a ship and explore the rugged coastline and picturesque islands before you leave Alaska on a cruise.

However, for a genuinely special and exciting way to travel around this magnificent state and experience Alaska like a local, you might like to consider renting a camper van and getting out into the wild under your own steam, self-sufficient and adventurous. Here are four of the best ways you can explore Alaska by camper van.

Drive the Alaska Highway

The Alaska Highway, also known as the Alcan Highway, is one of the most iconic and exciting roads to drive in the entire US. Originally built during the Second World War to connect Alaska to the contiguous United States via Canada, it runs for 1,500 miles straight through the gorgeous, rugged heart of the state. Driving the Highway in a camper van is one of the best ways to get up close and personal to the ‘real’ Alaska, giving you the opportunity to take your time and explore the beautiful landscapes and wildlife at your own pace, and stay overnight wherever you want to!

Camp on the Kenai Peninsula

The Kenai Peninsula is one of Alaska’s most picturesque spots. Jutting out from the southeastern coastline of Alaska, Kenai is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the state, as well as the full range of astonishing wildlife that the Last Frontier has to offer. Exploring the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in a camper van is a sure-fire way to get up close to the remarkable creatures that call the peninsula home, and gives you a unique point of view on some of the most exciting attractions of the state.

Explore Denali National Park

In the shadow of the vast bulk of Mount Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America, Denali National Park is a pretty spectacular place to visit. One of the best places in the state to get a feel for the vast wilderness that covers most of Alaska, exploring Denali National Park in a camper van gives you easy access to the park as well as convenient backcountry camping, leaving you free to explore the park’s natural beauty.

Renting a camper van provides the freedom and flexibility to explore the state at your own pace and experience the wilderness in a unique and authentic way. It offers a truly unique perspective and is a great option for an Alaskan vacation.

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The couple went backpacking around Alaska and shot amazing views which will make you want to go right now.

Here is Toby on the trip and Alaska:

In short, Alaska is beyond incredible and definitely exceeded my expectations. It was a place and a trip that has been on my mind ever since I left. Not only were the landscapes stunning, but my favorite part of the trip were the amazing people, strangers that took us in all over the place. We were so lucky to have made new friends all along the way. We hitch-hiked over 20 different times, tent camped over 30, couch surfed, and a few nights at hostels.

Recommended: full screen and good sound:

Alaska – Timelapse Film 4K from Toby Harriman on Vimeo.

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Seward

When you are in Alaska, make sure to visit Seward, which is a coastal town that is roughly 120 miles away from Anchorage Alaska. You can reach this town via vehicle or train, but you also have the option of riding a cruise ship. Since this is a coastal town, make sure to visit the Waterfront Park Beach located at the heart of the community. Visiting this beach is one of the best things to do in Seward Alaska because this is where you will find many places to eat, along with various campgrounds where you can breathe in the fresh ocean breeze.

You can also visit Lowell Point Beach in Seward, which is another popular destination in the town. Otherwise, you can consider exploring The Fourth of July Beach or take a hike in Mount Marathon. You can also follow the Two Lakes Trail or the Lost Lake Trail in case you are more into hiking. If you want to get educated, you can also visit the Alaska SeaLife Center in the town.

Denali National Park

When you are in Alaska, you will never run out of national parks to visit. One of the national parks that you should not miss is the Denali National Park, which is the third-largest in the United States. This national park encompasses North America’s highest mountain. It is home to grizzly bears and wolves, as well as reindeer and elk. There are also more than 167 species of birds recorded to inhabit the park.

Tracy Arm Fjord

Tracy Arm is one of the most popular destinations for cruise ships, as well as boat tours. Perhaps this can be attributed to the fact that the fjord is edged with glaciers and waterfalls tumble down sharp rock walls, creating a scenic setting. During the tours, seeing wildlife is common, regardless of whether you encounter a brown bear or a moose. There are also instances wherein whales and seals that inhabit the waters are sighted. Some other tourist favorites in this place include the Glacier Bay National Park, as well as the Prince William Sound which is near Anchorage.

Alaska Highway

A trip to Alaska is never complete without traveling through the Alaska Highway. This road stretches from Dawson Creek in British Columbia through the Yukon Territory. It was primarily built for military purposes way back in 1942 but since then, it has been one of the most important means of access to the Yukon Territory and southern Alaska. If you are keen on a road trip, then make sure to pass by the Alaska Highway because you will be able to pass by plenty of motels, shops, and gas stations that you can also explore.

University of Alaska Museum of the North

Aside from the diverse wildlife in Alaska that you can explore, there is also the option for you to visit the museums and educational centers in the state. For instance, in the University of Alaska Museum of the North, you will be able to discover over a million artifacts and natural history pieces that are made and used by some indigenous groups in the region. Even the building that houses the museum is worth your trip when you visit. The best part is that a visit to this museum is free for students and teachers, but tourists may be charged with a meager admission fee.

Inside Passage

Finally, never leave Alaska without a visit to the Inside Passage. One of the most popular ways to reach this place is through a cruise ship or a charter boat. You can also reach this place by stopping off the highway at Haines, where you can enjoy the incredible scenery of glaciers, mountains, and ocean.

The places in Alaska listed above are only some of the sites that you need to include in your itinerary when you visit the state. There are various other places that you can consider exploring and for sure, you won’t run out of destinations in Alaska to put into your itinerary. The key is in ensuring that you enjoy every place that you see in the state and you make the most out of your visit.

Photo: © Lina Kirilova

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