13 breathtaking photos that show the natural beauty of Alaska
Meena visited Alaska for five days over the long weekend of Memorial Day this year. He and his friends used Airbnb to find a cabin to lodge in during their time traveling through the state.
Over the five days, the group traveled to Anchorage, Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Glennallen, Valdez, and then back to Anchorage.
"The most memorable part for me was to experience the transformation in nature," Meena said.
"I did kayaking near Columbia Glacier with moving icebergs, which were breaking off constantly, and it made me realize that global warming is real," he said.
5% of the state of Alaska — roughly 29,000 square miles — is covered by glaciers.
Source: State of Alaska
Alaska has an estimated 100,000 glaciers that range from small cirque glaciers to colossal valley glaciers.
Although there are more glaciers than you can imagine, you will see more than beautiful white ice when visiting.
Alaska has a wide range of greenery to enjoy as well.
Wildlife is very diverse in Alaska, and it's something you cannot miss. The state is home to over 450 different species of birds and hundreds of areas for bear-viewing. Sea lions roam the water, and moose wander on the streets.
"In those five days, I experienced cool blue to teal ocean, from serenely reflective lakes to impossibly massive mountains, from the Museum of the North to the sea lions in the south," Meena said.
Meena said he saw more mountains during his five-day trip to Alaska than in the rest of his life put together.
Take note that depending on when you go, it could be sunny all day long. While Meena was there, it was almost always bright. "Sunset happens at midnight and the sky stayed yellow till sunrise," he said. "There's very little darkness, and it totally made me look at my watch more often. You can't just guess time by looking at the sun."
Meena had some great advice for anyone traveling to Alaska. "Go outside, breathe the fresh air, take a new adventure, and push your limits," he said. "Great moments will naturally unfold if you're out there doing what you love. Also, whenever you see a gas station, just go in there and fill the tank, because it's highly possible that the next one is 300 miles away."
Follow Nitish Meena on Instagram.
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