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and physical sciences, as well as the TOTE KidSpace
      where children through the age of 5 and their parents
      can explore art, history, and science through play.  The
      Thomas  Planetarium  hosts educational,  entertaining
      films, and presentations that explore the night sky.
        FLIGHT CHARTERS
        Often, flying is the only way to reach backcountry
      areas  that  offer  an  unforgettable  experience  in  the
      pristine wilderness of Alaska. Flying is so popular in
      Alaska that 1 in 36 residents have a pilot’s license and
      towns without  a stop sign probably  have a landing
      strip. Even  the  capital  city  of Juneau can  only be
      accessed by water or plane.
        There are many companies offering charter services
      for just a few hours or longer backcountry trips. From
      Anchorage, take a flightseeing trip to Denali National
      Park and circle the majestic mountain while looking
      down on the fantastic flora and fauna below, or stop
      and enjoy lunch on a glacier. A fly-in fishing trip is a
      popular way to experience an unforgettable, once-in-
      a-lifetime Alaskan thrill.
        GOLD STAR PEAK
        A peak in the  Chugach  Range  between  Eagle   Pick up your copy of Travel Guide Fly Alaska at the
      River  and  Palmer  was  officially  named  in  2018  to   Anchorage Visitor Information Center
      honor and salute families of soldiers who have died
      during military service. Eagle River’s Kirk Alkire, a
      retired U.S. Army First Sergeant who served in the
      4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) 25th Infantry
      Division from Fort Richardson, first initiated efforts
      to attain formal approval to name “Gold Star Peak”
      in May 2017. The Eklutna Tribe and State of Alaska
      granted  their  permission  and  the  project  generated
      tremendous  support, with  solid  backing by  many
      Alaska  individuals  and  organizations  and  from  all
      50 states.  Alkire was proudly in attendance when
      the Senate announced the U.S. Board of Geographic
      Names had voted unanimously in favor of his
      proposal.
        Alaska has at least  300 registered  Gold Star
      families  – immediate  relatives  of  Armed  Forces
      members  killed  in combat  or in support of certain
      military activities. Alkire says, “We recognize that no
      one has given more for the nation than the families
      of the fallen. Honoring them by naming this peak is
      a  small  token  of our appreciation  for each  of their
      sacrifices.”
        Overlooking the Matanuska-Susitna Valley about
      30 miles north of Anchorage, the 4,142-foot mountain
      lies south of the Knik River and a little west of a
      complex that includes Mount POW/MIA, named in
      1999 to remember soldiers who  were prisoners of
      war or missing in action. There is a commemorative
      plaque at the Matsu Visitors Center Veteran’s Hall of
      Honor off the Glenn Highway where Gold Star Peak
      is very visible, and another along with flags and other
      memorials atop the mountain.
        A primitive, steep trail to the mountain begins at
      Mile 5 on the Eklutna Road, just between the marker
      and a speed limit  sign; another  landmark is power
      pole 85. Many hikers park at a small pull off about
      Mile 4-3/4 and walk along the road to the trail that
      begins above a steep bank.
        In  response  to  requests  from  veterans  and
      surviving family members for assistance in making
      the moderately difficult climb, Alkire founded Gold
      Star Peak, Inc. In its first season, the non-profit helped
      well over 100 people including children and seniors
      to  undertake  the  healing  pilgrimage  to the  top.  For
      those requiring an easier pace, their combat veteran
      guides offer other free nature adventures ranging from
      viewing the Northern Lights to watching the salmon
      run. For more information, visit goldstarpeak.org.
        ANCHORAGE HISTORY
        Anchorage’s history is relatively new, although
      the first settlers of Cook Inlet (direct descendants of

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