The television series "Northern Exposure" was set in "Alaska", which was actually in the foothills of the Cascades in Washington state.
As wild and rugged as that scenery was, it is smaller and flatter than anything one sees in Alaska ...
DH has been up fishing in Alaska (or was it crabbing, or whatever <g>) and he told me that he hasn't seen anything in the lower 48 that would compare to Alaska (and, yes, we have been over the Continental Divide) ...
I agree with the others - - it takes special people to settle Alaska - - HATS OFF to you very IMPRESSIVE Americans <wave>