Anchorage Alaska

Brad Phillips
	"Don't miss the 26 Glacier Cruise into Prince William Sound. People are out there with their mouths open. They've never seen anything like it—I don't care where they've gone." Who he was: Tourism pioneer, former state legislator, founder of Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise. (deceased 2009) Don't miss: Take the 26 Glacier Cruise into Prince William Sound. You've never seen anything like it.

I came to Alaska in 1946

I came to Alaska in 1946, right after World War II. My brother and I were sitting around having a couple of beers just after we got out of the service. One of us said, "Why don't we go to Alaska?" So we bought a jeep and a trailer and went to Alaska—just for a short visit. I've been here since

One of the greatest challenges

One of the greatest challenges about Alaska living is making the rest of the U.S. understand what Alaska is and how important it is. It's not just a hick country with people living in igloos. They'd find out they had a real gem here if they took a few minutes to figure it out.

Alaska experience

My favorite off—the—beaten path Alaska experience was putting the Nome and Kotzebue trip together for Alaska Airlines when tourists had never been there. I went to the Arctic and Eskimo Country helped get it organized so it could handle tourists.

I was heavily involved

I was heavily involved in lobbying Washington for statehood and in writing the state constitution while I was in the legislature. It was exciting. How many people get to meet five presidents on a personal basis? We started with blank paper, had to write the laws from scratch. We weren't correcting what somebody else did.

Visitors should not miss

Visitors should not miss the 26 Glacier Cruise into Prince William Sound. People are out there with their mouths open. They've never seen anything like it—I don't care where they've gone.

How would you spend your perfect weekend in Anchorage?

I would get up and take my dogs on a walk along the Coastal Trail. Stop at the city market and have a cappuccino. I might go to the downtown market and by some fresh produce. Then have lunch and a long bike ride with my husband—maybe out to the highway towards Girdwood or Eagle River. Come home and grill some fish outside on the deck.

What's one experience or attraction you think visitors should not miss in Anchorage?

Probably the Anchorage Museum of Art and History. The historical exhibits and current exhibits aren't ones to be missed.

What are top myths that tourists/outsiders have about Alaska?

It's not really that cold; our winters are kind of like Chicago's. People really do think we live in igloos. I think people are surprised that we can be savvy, forward thinking, and sophisticated.

What's one thing about Alaska you think visitors may not know that you would like to share with them?
The vast size and how it compares to the continental U.S. Also, how so many of our towns in the Bush are only accessible by air.
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