Anchorage, Alaska

We flew into Fairbanks, Alaska, and from there, we went to Denali and Anchorage. Arriving at the hotel in the evening, we felt exhaustedA and went to bed. After sleeping for several hours, I woke up and looked out of the window and was shocked to see that at midnight it was broad daylight because, in Anchorage, a day lasts 19.5 hours. A woman was fishing in Ship Creek behind the hotel. Apparently, from spring to fall, 24 million gallons of water come through Ship Creek. It is a pristine Creek in which salmon spawn. We got a terrific opportunity to watch salmon run while fishermen attempted to hook them.

Five species of salmon inhabit Alaska waters. Chinook (also known as King); coho (silver); humpback (pink);

sockeye (red); and chum (dog) are the varieties that are commercially harvested. Salmon is hatched in freshwater rivers. They live one to two years in freshwater before going to the ocean. They live in the ocean for 3-5 years and return to their natal river for spawning. They change color as they grow older. After spawning, they die.

To see Alaska Photos click here.