We made it! The end of the longest year is only a few weeks away! 2020 held a lot of lessons for us – necessity is the mother of invention (quarantine crafts!); streaming is the new cinema; masks can be a fashion accessory; and so much more. Arguably the most important thing we learned from 2020 is how much we cherish time with our family and friends.

If you are participating in a trivia contest and the question is ‘which state is home to the easternmost point in the US’, the answer is Alaska. It is also home to the northern and westernmost points. The 49th state is the largest in the country and is home to 17 of the 20 tallest mountain peaks, more than 3000 lakes, over 34,000 miles of coastline, 100 volcanos, the 2 largest National Forests, and more glaciers than any other state. The Aurora Borealis, the northern lights, are visible on average 243 nights per year in Fairbanks. There are so many things that make Alaska unique that it is a perennial bucket list favorite!

Water is essential for life. Throughout history cities and towns have grown along the shores of rivers, lakes, and seas. These waterways provided transportation, drinking water, and fertile farmland. Today, our modern conveniences allow us to live further away from those vital waterways but many of us continue to look to the water for our leisure activities.

Americans love their automobiles and the freedom that they represent. Throughout the 20th century highways were constructed to cross the country and in the 1950’s, with the start of the interstate highway system, the Great American Road Trip flourished. With a camper and a map, families would set out to explore America and bring back memories to last a lifetime! The 2020 version, the Road Trip – Evolved, looks different than your parents’ road trip but is equally as enjoyable!