by Stefanie Gorder, CTP, DSWelcome to My Alaska - A selfish promotion of the Great Land
Alaska! An expansive land framed by unparalleled scenery. A place where wildlife comfortably roam through lush green valleys as well as civilized cities. A destination one-fifth the size of the United States, where caribou outnumber people.
Whenever I mention I’m from Alaska, the questions come quickly from left and right. So, let’s just start with a basic understanding of our great state so that you will accept a personal invitation to read MY monthly article. The intent is to provide insight into Alaska travel, northern networking opportunities and introduce the world to the hottest people in the coolest state by bringing a personal perspective through not just stories, but also photos! Knowledge is power and having power makes what seems to be impossible actually possible.
Alaska. Where is that?
Depending on the television show, Alaska could border Canada or Mexico (watch the morning national weather shows and see how Hawaii and Alaska are often to the left of Mexico and you’ll know what I’m talking about). Alaskans know we are a short three hour flight north of Seattle Washington and very accessible via air, cruise ship and land. Head North… North to Alaska!
Alaska. Does anyone live there?
Absolutely! With over 571,950 square miles of land, Alaska has a population of about 683,000. Anchorage is the most cosmopolitan city with over 260,000 residents enjoying a lifestyle typical of any “lower 48” city.
Alaska. Why do people live there?
Great question! There are a few typical stories on what brings folks to this part of the nation.
1. Military. Alaska plays an important role in the safety of our nation and we are a very transient state. My parents came up in 1964 (after the BIG earthquake) and never left. It’s a very typical story.
2. In hiding. Some people just can’t play nicely with others and Alaska seems to be a great destination for alternative lifestyles. Even today, people move north to the wilderness desiring to live off of the land. Think camping with modern day amenities a great distance away. The so called “rat race” does not exist anywhere in Alaska and this calm style of living is appealing to many. Everyone in Alaska knows someone who has a cabin with no running water. This is not the life I lead as indoor plumbing remains at the top of my list of “necessities”.
3. Industry. Whether it be oil, fishing, timber or tourism, Alaska is a great place for big and small business. As an entrepreneurial state, it’s a great place to make a difference and thrive. This is the northern spirit that keeps my family here.
Just click on the Logo above for a no-strings TEST DRIVEAlaska. What about that weather?
Contrary to a popular myth, we are not in the land of cold and ice year-round. In fact, mid-westerners often remark how their temperature is much colder than Anchorage during the winter season. Now move further north into Alaska’s harsh arctic region and WOW is it cold! That’s why we run away to Hawaii, Arizona or Mexico during the winter months.
Alaska. It’s in the news a lot lately.
Yes we are!!!!….and it’s best to let the national media outlets continue their crazy frenzy alone. We have our ties to wildlife interactions and famous Alaskans involved in politics but you won’t be reading a great deal about those subjects here. We are about networking. We are about expanding our horizons. We are fact based … with a little fun thrown in.
Alaska. The WOW factor (or facts to impress your family over the dinner table).
· Alaska has areas that have over 24 hours of daylight during the summer months.
· Alaska has areas that have over 24 hours of night during the winter months.
· Alaska has over 3 million lakes and is the only state to have coastlines on three different seas (Arctic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea).
· Alaska has 29 volcanoes (the most recent being Mt. Redoubt, which erupted March 22, 2009 and is still active).
· Alaska’s record high temperature in 1915 was 100 degrees and record low temperature was minus 78.
· Alaska’s record snowfall in 24 hours was 62 inches and record snowfall in a year was 974 inches near Valdez.
Alaska. The FUN factor.
· If Alaska were cut in half, Texas would be the third largest state.
· It would take 10 Illinois’s to fill the land mass of Alaska.
· Alaska comes in first in the national consumption of ice cream.
· Alaska comes in second (only to Hawaii) in the consumption of Spam.
· Alaska is the only state name that can be spelled on one line of a standard keyboard.
Alaska. Historically speaking.
It’s fantastic to be invited into The National Networker family during Alaska’s 50th Birthday Celebration! William Henry Seward was Secretary of State under President Abraham Lincoln when he began negotiating a deal for the United States to buy Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million or 2 cents an acre. The purchase agreement was signed by Seward on March, 30, 1867, and approved by the U.S. Senate May 27, 1867. President Andrew Johnson signed the final treaty the following day and the transfer was made Oct. 18, 1867, in Sitka. In 1917, the third Alaska Territorial Legislature created Seward's Day to mark the signing of the treaty. That same year, lawmakers also designated Oct. 18 "Alaska Day." Alaska was first a district, becoming an organized territory on August 24, 1912. Alaska became the 49th state on January 3, 1959.
Consider this the official invitation to explore Alaska with a real Alaskan. Watch for our monthly article and if there are specific topics you would like to be intertwined into our writings, please send those ideas to Stefanie@marketing-Cents.com.
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Stefanie Gorder, ctp, ds
marketingCents
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Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER. All rights reserved.
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1 comment:
Wow! How are you going to top this next month? What a great first post (I just tweeted it). Nicely Done.
So I have an important question:
Do you think the Simpson's represented your state well in their big movie?
Have a great day!
Terry Bean
www.networkedinc.com
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