In my younger days I spent a winter working in Alaska, and two summers hiking and canoeing its wildernesses.  Alaska is still wild, and it is a place of amazing beauty.  Juneau is a wild west town packed into a deep narrow gorge with ribbons of waterfalls cascading endlessly down its cliffs.  Admiralty Island is a watery wilderness with waterfalls that switch directions with the changing tides, sea lions popping their heads out of dark water to stare at you a canoe paddle's distance away, abundant fish the size of a good-size dog, and twice as many brown bears as people, so be careful approaching any fishing hole!  Alaska is dark in the winter but as equally bright in the endless days of summer, when most people visit.  The Aleutians are barren and wind-swept though beautifully stark; the panhandle islands are amazingly lush.  From Anchorage streets you can see Denali bathed in alpenglow 130 miles in the distance.  Alaska is beautiful, and it is part of our nation.