Now a little background info.. Wasilla was an old mining town named after the local indian chief Wassila. It became a part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough (roughly the size of West Virginia) in 1974. Located in South Central Alaska, it is about 45 miles north of Anchorage, and 320 miles south of Fairbanks. Wasilla and it's surrounding area has a population of about 60,000 people, the 5th largest city in Alaska. Wasilla is most famous for the Iditarod, which i will cover in a few months, and Governor Sarah Palin (who should be vice president right now, but i wont get into that).
Some Random Facts
- Alaska has highest suicide rate per capita in the nation (i think)
- Highest Point in North America - Mt. McKinley 20,320 feet
- World Record Cabbage - 98 pounds (Greatest soil in the world baby)
- Total Population - 686,000 people and eskimos
- Total Area - 663,000 sq. miles (WAY bigger than texas)
- Voted best State in America 47 times
I enjoyed your post and look forward to learning more about Alaska. I've recently heard the name more during this past campaigning season because of Sarah Palin, and from the little I've heard, I kind of get the idea that parts of Alaska resemble North Dakota, especially the rural environment. Is that true?
ReplyDeleteI've heard of Wasilla before, and I'm sure it is because of the Iditarod like you said. And I see you like Sarah Palin--me too. Have you ever met her?
Interesting statistics about Alaska; do you have any ideas why Alaska would have the highest suicide rate?
I am a big fan of Sarah Palin, mainly cause shes from my hometown, and went to my high school. She actually took her basketball team to the state championship and won, then later became the mayor, and on to the governor. Ive never met her, but she went to a bunch of our football and basketball games. I played football with her son, and had a gym class with her daughter Bristol is that counts? You could compare North Dakota to the most northern regions of alaska haha, because its all flat, cold and windy up there. And im not entirely sure about the suicide rate, but i know some people get really depressed in the winter cause its dark all the time, and a big percentage of it occurs in the native villages, way out in the middle of nowhere.
ReplyDeleteHey Beebo, this is Ethan Fylling. I was very surprised to hear that you come from the same hometown as Sarah Palin. Thats pretty cool that you have a celebrity living in your hometown. I thought that it was very interesting that the climate is similar to what we are used to around here. That's pretty cool that you were able to play football with her son. You should probably do your best to hook up with her daughter because that would be pretty awesome. I learned alot and look forward to your future blogs.
ReplyDeleteBeebo, your hometown sounds very interesting to me. I always wanted to visit Alaska just to hunt, and looks and the beautiful scenery you have in Alaska. For the next few months, I really look forward at knowing more about Alaska and Wasilla. One thing I do want to know is how many bear attacks are there in one year? I love bears and I do know that there are a lot in Alaska alone.
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Cheryl and I am your Aunt Kathi's BFF. Currently I am in West Palm Beach, Florida and will be meeting Kathi in Kauai on Friday night. Stop by to visit MY blog to read about our adventures. Tell you mom I said hello!
ReplyDeleteBeebo!! (trevens dad here)Good job on the blog. Why the sudden intrest in blogging? good subject and good content I understand in talking with Todd Palin that he is going to run the Iron Dog again this year. I wonder If Sarah had won the VP spot and Todd ran the Iron dog as he said he would "No matter what I'll Run the Iron Dog" how funny it would have been to watch the CIA try and keep up on the trail LOL Those suits & ties have probly never been on a snowmachine let alone on a trail as grueling as the Iron Dog...
ReplyDeleteThat's a good sized city. My hometown is about 18,000. Do you or anyone in your family own any of the gold that was mined there? I enjoy looking at the mountains. I think the Rockies are beautiful. How far is the city from McKinley?
ReplyDeleteWhy is the suicide rate so high?
I think Wisconsin is great because we have the Packers and happier cows than California (better milk and cheese).