Fun Fact Thursday: Alaska

I have always, *always* wanted to go to Alaska. When Aaron and I first started talking about our honeymoon and he gave me the option of going anywhere in the entire world, I think he was somewhat surprised to hear me say "Alaska!" without hesitation. His response was, (and this was a couple of years ago so I am paraphrasing) "I can't believe I'm marrying someone who, when given the choice to go anywhere in the world, wants to go to Alaska. Score me!" He was relieved I didn't want to go and lay on a beach somewhere sipping frosty drinks (in all honesty, I wouldn't mind that, but it certainly wouldn't be one of my top 3 vacation destinations).

Our vacation/belated honeymoon is going to be amazing and I am beyond excited. Here are some interesting facts about Alaska:

• Alaska is the 49th State in the Union.
• The state of Rhode Island could fit into Alaska 425 times.
• The state motto is "North to the Future".
• Nearly one-third of Alaska lies within the Arctic Circle.
• 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the United States are located in Alaska.
• Mount McKinley ( 20,320 feet ) in the Alaska Range is the highest in North America.
• The state's largest city is Anchorage; the second largest is Fairbanks.
• In 1867 United States Secretary of State William H. Seward offered Russia $7,200,000, or two cents per acre, for Alaska's almost 400 million acres.
• Alaska has 6,640 miles of coastline and, including islands, has 33,904 miles of shoreline.
• Alaska has areas that get: 24 hours of daylight and 24 hours of night.
• Alaska contains approximately 3 million lakes.
• Alaska is 55 miles east of Russia.