Global warming is to Alaska what rain is to Southern California -- with the melting and the mud-sliding, there goes the scenery, let alone what was built on it. The landscape 
is definitely changing up north, and concerns that this distant wilderness will eventually disappear is also influencing tourism. Clearly it's a good time to experience the massive beauty -- and take stock of the global consequences of our selfish over-consumption. One way is an Alaskan cruise. Another is a small ship cruise.
I once climbed a mountain in Norway that led to a vast glacier plateau. So this is what it means to be on top of the world! Each step connected with relatively solid footing, but the foundation was simply water frozen solid. The idea that this sheer crystalline surface could vanish and literally shift the landscape made every step a surreal experience. Nature is fragile, and we must honor her while we protect her.
