For many, Alaska would appear to be nothing more than a frozen ‘desert’ of emptiness, however, the Alaska real estate displays many remarkable natural wonders. Alaska is by no means the backward and desolate state many may picture, as in the last few decades it’s infrastructure and industry has flourished while Alaska real estate has become more desirable.

Alaska became the 49th state of the United States in 1959, yet the history of Alaska as a territory of the USA started a few years after the civil war. Originally owned by the Russian Empire, the US negotiated a price of seven million dollars for its purchase. This made the Alaska real estate value at about two cents an acre. The majority of Alaska real estate is still owned by the US government, however, the available real estate is much prized for it’s glorious landscapes and breathtaking scenes.

Although the perception that Alaska is mainly cold, the summers can have temperatures reaching into the 90s°F especially in more populous areas such as Fairbanks. Areas in the central and extreme north which are largely unpopulated and undeveloped receive the coldest temperatures.

Commerce in Alaska has also encouraged development and made Alaska real estate more desirable in the last 5 years. Big Box retailers, especially Wal-Mart and Costco have found an excellent opportunity in Alaska. The Internet has also proved to be an economic stimulus, as Alaskan consumers are able to order products from all over the world.

Not withstanding the wondrous beauty of the state. Sportsmen from all over the world have sought out Alaska real estate to enjoy their hunting and fishing activities. Numerous real estate professionals deal in the rental and sale of Alaska real estate to persons interested in renting or buying cabins or lodging for outdoor excursions. The US Bureau of Land Management maintains more than 3 million acres of Alaska real estate for use by the public.

Aside from being a sportsman’s paradise, Alaska boasts a state park system larger than any other in the United States, making camping and wilderness exploration an ideal recreation. Many other outdoor activities such as snowboarding, skiing and snowmobiling are available in many areas. One more prevalent activity is to see the amazing ocean-view sights from an Alaskan cruise ship. Mostly a tourist attraction, it also makes a nice mini-vacation for residents.

Whether you seek a vacation home or a permanent place to settle, Alaska real estate offers advantages not seen in many of the lower 48 states. Great potential lies in the Alaskan lands of wonder, the beauty of nature combined with the advanced society makes it an extraordinary choice to live and play here.

Learn more about Alaska real estate and real estate in general.

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Sarah Palin’s run on the ticket with John McCain generated quite a bit of interest about Alaska – not that there wasn’t already. We get more than a million visitors to our capital city of Juneau each year. So, the interest is definitely there.

If I am asked where I’m from there is no hesitancy on my part in replying, “I’m from Alaska!” Yes, I was born and raised in San Francisco, but my heart (unlike Tony Bennett’s ) is right here in Juneau, Alaska. So, the obvious question is: “What’s so great about Alaska?” Well, if you’re an outdoor person – a hiker, a hunter, or a fisherman – it’s your almost private paradise. The Juneau area has more miles of hiking trails than it has miles of roads (including every street and alleyway that can accommodate an automobile) – roughly 250 miles of trails compared to 200 miles of roads. Our backyard is a 1,500 square mile glacial ice field that borders Canada, and our front yard is the Pacific Ocean and the islands of the Inside Passage. Granted, Juneau isn’t the easiest place to reach. You either arrive by air or by water. The 1500 square miles of ice prevent a road from reaching us; and the weather sometimes prevents the jets from landing. In the latter instances you might spend the night in Anchorage and, hopefully, reach Juneau the next day. However, when you do finally arrive, it’s all worth it.

Where else in the world can you think of where the locals go fishing in a lake (casting three barbed lead weighted hooks) for pieces of glacier ice for their evening cocktails? Or, where have you seen tourists ride rafts on a raging glacial river that winds through a small bedroom community? Yes, it’s true – dad is out on the back porch barbecuing and waving at the rafters as they float by. As that Russian comic (i think his name is ‘Smirnoff’) used to say, “What a country!”

In one of my future postings, I’ll tell you about some of my most notable fishing and hunting experiences in Alaska. In the meantime, remember my admonition: do yourself a favor – at least once in your lifetime visit Alaska.

I love writing and doing book reviews. I enjoy reading and writing mysteries and thrillers of all kinds; especially my own. Historical facts are often blended into my stories.

http://www.rainsmurder.com

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I always recommend allowing older children and teens (even younger children in a limited capacity) to have some voice in deciding what activities to do while thinking up San Francisco vacation ideas. After all, it is their vacation too and just because we think they will like it doesn’t necessarily mean they are remotely interested in it-this goes back to the beautiful and unique creature statement.

The great thing about San Francisco is that while your teen may swing in vicious cycles between being a child and thinking he or she is grown, there is quite a lot that will appeal to both sides of your teen’s personality. Fisherman’s Wharf is probably my favorite San Francisco destination. Pier 39 offers a great number of attractions for teens. From Frequent Flyers where your teen can experience the feeling of being air born to the Riptide Arcade, with shopping, sea lions, and entertainers in between there is a lot that this area has to offer the teen in your family. You can also rent a kayak and let your teen do the navigating, if you’re really brave that is. Another attraction at Fisherman’s Wharf that your teen might find more enjoyable than anyone else in the family is the Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum.

Lombard Street

I think even a teenagers won’t find trolley tours beneath them. In fact, your teenager might have a great deal of fun taking one of these tours as well as accidentally learning some small nugget of information about San Francisco history that will stay with them long after the vacation is over.

If you feel up for a ride, you might consider taking your teen to Paramount’s Great America in San Jose. In fact, this is a trip that the entire family might enjoy. Little kids can enjoy the Nickelodeon characters and the rides that are designed especially with them in mind. Teens and adults can enjoy some of the more thrilling rides created for the adrenaline junkies in your life.

Your teen might get a kick out of a trip to the Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf. This museum offers realistic recreations of people, events, and horrors beyond imagination-well my imagination. This is definitely one of the more interesting San Francisco vacation ideas. Take a walk through history or onto the set of the latest horror movie. It all seems so real and the characters so life like.

Your teen may really enjoy one of the Alcatraz tours. They offer a day tour and an evening tour. I seriously recommend the evening tour if at all possible as there are more features than on the day tour and it makes a much more ‘thrilling’ experience. You may also wish to combine a tour to Angel Island with your trip to Alcatraz. Angel Island also has a rich history as well as some breathtaking views and great trails for hiking and biking. You could also consider making a day of your trip to Angel Island, especially if your teen enjoys either of these activities.

And then there’s the shopping, a favorite pastime for teen girls and a potential bonding experience for mothers and daughters. Conversely, men can bond with teenaged sons and/or daughters over a nice sports game. The bay area offers many options for sports lovers.

No matter what your teenagers tastes at the moment, I have no doubt that you will find something in this great city that you can all agree on. Be sure to work in attractions that you wish to enjoy between the attractions of your teen. This will make the interests of the other more tolerable for everyone.