An extreme place

摘要

Southeast Alaska is an area most know little about. It rains a lot (averaging nearly 100 in. a year), has the highest cost of living in the Pacific Northwest, and navigation between communities is difficult and infrequent. Economically, it functions as a shipping thoroughfare between the lower 48 and the nation's 49th state; tourism is the highlight industry with five to 10 cruise ships passing through daily; and it supports struggling fishing and lumber industries. One thing Southeast Alaska has, better than most anywhere else, is incomparable beauty. Deep blue skies and mysterious blue water are separated by majestic mountains and wispy clouds.