Denali National Park

Taking a tiny seaplane from the Anchorage coast, we flew over the beautiful snow covered hills of Denali and water-landed in a small reserve unpopulated except for native wildlife. In the tucked away hills of the reserve, I felt a freedom never experienced before. The sight itself was beautiful; the warm colors of the water splashed against the bright and intoxicating view of the mountains surrounding us. The air was sweet and crisp, and the only sounds were of a comforting wind rustling the grass and whistling between the hills.

To stand there, feeling completely and totally at peace, was an experience unparalleled in my world travels and when I close my eyes I can still conjure the memory rich with detail.

After the zoo, this is the best place to find wildlife. On a good day, you'll see moose, bears, wolves, and coyotes. You can get there by car and visit the first 15 miles, for the remainder of the trip, you have to hire a bus that goes for about $30 (maybe more. The longest route is open from mid-June and takes about 13 hours.