15-Day Off The Beaten Path - Tour OA8

Copper River, Alaska’s fourth largest river travels from the dry interior climate to the temperate rainforest along Prince William Sound.

Fairbanks was founded in 1902 during the Gold Rush days, and was named for a U.S. Senator.
Fairbanks lies on the trans-Alaska oli pipeline connecting Prudhoe Bay and Valdez, and
serves as the main supply center for Alaska’s oil industry. The University of Alaska is just
outside of town, and the North American Sled Dog Race Championships
are held here each year.

Fairbanks offers small-town hospitality and continuing pioneer spirit, with
first-class accommodations and restaurants, museums, some of Alaska’s top-rated
visitor attractions, world-renowned concerts and performances, upscale
galleries and specialty stores, historic sites, Alaska Native culture,
and access to the Alaskan wilderness.

Would you believe, Joe Juneau? It’s true–Juneau, Alaska is named for Joe Juneau, one of a trio of explorers who discovered rich reserves of gold in the stream that now runs through town. The stampede thatolwed led to Juneau becoming first a camp, then a town, then finally Alaska’s capital. Today, the town boasts some of Alaska’s most fetching scenery. Nestled at the foot of Mt. Juneau in the Alaskan Panhandle, it faces the water from the mainland side of Gastineau Channel. Several magnificent fjords are located along the channel coast and the majestic Mendenhall Glacier,
a favorite of visitors, is nearby.

“Spread wings of a prostrate eagle.” As any Ketchikanian will tell you, his is the meaning of their town’s name. It comes from the eagle-wing sppearance of water flowing over an unusual rock formation which can be seen in the Ketchikan Creek.

To own originated as an Indian fish saltery and grew to become the largest salmon-canning center in the world. The real growth came with the gold rush of 1898, when the town served as a supply center for wourld-be millionaires. of the town’s colorful past is still in evidence, especially at the Indian villages, which are renowned for their colorfully carved
totem poles and fascinating legends.

“There’s gold in them thar hills.” Well, there was, anyway, back in 1898, and as thousands of gold-crazed adventurers headed north, they found the furthest north they could get was the northern tip of the Lynn Canal. That’s how Skagway was born.
Nowadays, local park rangers interpret and re-create that remarkable era for visitors. Stores, saloons, brothels and wood sidewalks have been completely restored (not all of these are functioning, of course). Today Skagway is a jumping off pointfor those seeking scenic adventure and historical knowledge.

Located in southwestern Washington state, Vancouver is a port at the head of deepwater navigation on the Columbia River, opposite Portland, OR. Vancouver is a commercial, manufacturing and shipping center.

Highlights include Whittier Museum, Bailey House, Pio Pico Mansion, Whittier Village, historical sites . . .