What's the weather like in August? I was in Anchorage around end of May on business way back in the mid-80s but I didn't get to see much. A few of us drove to Portage and I remember seeing a lot of eagles.

You may enjoy reading "Going to Extremes" by Joe McGinniss. It's a fun, quick read about different towns in AK and the eccentric characters who live there. You must report back!

For the book recommendation. I will check it out. I would enjoy eagle watching. More eagles in WA than where I came from, but still don’t see many. Great idea!

I remember eagle soaring low, right over the hood of the car, and the person driving was like, "meh." They see so many, I guess.

Depending on where you are in that state, you won't have very many hours of darkness to see the aurora borealis. Plus, I'm thinking it's simply not that visible in summer. Plan a return visit six months from now.

We took the train from Fairbanks down to Anchorage, stopping off to stay near Denali National Park along the way. The park was a blast! We didn't see the mountain, though, because it was overcast. But we saw tons of wildlife from the school bus that drives you through to safely view the grizzlies. Took the ferry down the Inland Passage to Seattle on the way back. Saw whales and lots of great scenery on the ferry.