Anchorage

One of Anchorage's biggest tourist attractions has become, of all things, a bike trail. But one trip down the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and I could see why.

Downtown whale

This was the only whale I saw in Alaska, on the side of a building, trying to nose its way into a fountain.

Cook Inlet

The water rises and falls dramatically in Cook Inlet with the tides. I heard many chilling tales of the dangers of walking out on the mud flats. People get trapped and then find themselves unable to extricate themselves as the freezing tide returns.

Civic pride

Anchorage, the city of flowers: they were everywhere, and I couldn't figure out why until I realized that 20 or so hours of sunlight during the summer can produce spectacular results.

Flattop family

In Anchorage, I was told the classic day hike was up Flattop, a short drive south of Anchorage. Sure enough, when I got there, dozens of people were making the same climb. Though the going got a little hairy, I persevered, in large part because this family -- seen in the distance of this shot -- had marched all their kids up to the peak, including a toddler.

Flattop

Looking up the trail. It's 9:30 at night, by the way.

Flattop summit

I wasn't used to wearing sunscreen much after 3 or 4, but it was after 10 when this photo was taken.