49th.......

ALASKA: A PRIMER

Outsiders first discovered Alaska in 1741 when Danish explorer Vitus Jonassen Bering sighted it on a voyage from Siberia.

On October 18, 1867 Alaska officially became the property of the United States. Many Americans called the purchase "Seward's Folly."
Joe Juneau's 1880 discovery of gold ushered in the gold rush era.
In 1943 Japan invaded the Aleutian Islands, which started the One Thousand Mile War, the first battle fought on American soil since the Civil War
Alaska officially became the 49th state on January 3, 1959.
Alaska's most important revenue source is the oil and natural gas industry.
Alaska accounts for 25% of the oil produced in the United States.
The state of Rhode Island could fit into Alaska 425 times.
The fishing and seafood industry is the state's largest private industry employer.
Most of America's salmon, crab, halibut, and herring come from Alaska.
Nearly one-third of Alaska lies within the Arctic Circle.
Alaska is a geographical marvel. When a scale map of Alaska is superimposed on a map of the 48 lower states, Alaska extends from coast to coast.
The state's coastline extends over 6,600 miles.
At 20,320 feet above sea level, Mt. McKinley, located in Alaska's interior, is the highest point in North America.
Juneau is the only capital city in the United States accessible only by boat or plane

So whats all this damn Alaska talk you might ask ....well, it just so happens that I am going to Alaska next August. I have been invited by a couple of guys from the church to go Hallibut and Salmon fishing and after a few days or working out the costs I am on board. It will take me all year to get the money together but it will be something great to work for and I think in the long run the trip will mean more to me because its something I am gonna work hard for....My money tree out back died years ago !!
I am so excited....Alaska for me is one of those top 5 places to visit in my lifetime.
Highlands of Scotland,London,Vietnam and Anzio,Italy. They round out the top 5.
Anyway enjoy the Alaska tidbits....More info later
Peace and Love