Taoist Tai Chi Society

While visiting Alaska is a truly unmatched experience, hearing a perspective from one of the state's most highly regarded residents will shed a new light on various aspects of the area that you might have missed. Fortunately for tourists, that person is Mary Shields. The popular Alaskan Tails of the Trail with Mary Shields is an opportunity to share a personal home visit with this celebrated Alaskan musher and author. Her insights focus on her famous sled dogs, but Shields also is a splendid storyteller and her accounts of various events of Alaska's past are quite entertaining.

The World Ice Art Championships take place in Fairbanks every March. The competition is held over the course of eleven very dramatic and excitement-filled days. The event attracts the best ice sculptors in the world as they display their considerable talents in various competitive classes. Among the many categories, two of the most popular are abstract and realistic ice sculptures. The public is invited to watch the sculptures being created during the first two weeks in March and then to view the finished work during the last two weeks of the month. The festival is held at Ice Alaska's Ice Park which not only features the competition but also offers a kids' park with rides and other attractions.

Sparkle is more the rule than the exception at Bishop's Jewelry Gallery of Gold and Diamonds. Rita and Bill Bishop have been designing their one-of-a-kind jewelry items for years, and their experience as well as their flair for the unique is visible on every piece they create. The selection of innovative designer jewelry features such items as gold nuggets, Alaskan sculptures, native dolls and much more. The shop also offers custom designed jewelry for any occasion.

Whether you are a boat owner looking to light out or just enjoy relaxing outdoors by the water, you will find the natural solace of the Fortymile National Wild and Scenic River simply irresistible. This is an extensive network of creeks and rivers in east-central Alaska. Interestingly, 392 miles of the river have been given a National Wild and Scenic Recreational River designation. Boaters have many choices and routes available for recreational trips that, despite being different routes, all offer a chance to enjoy the area's breathtaking scenery.