Saturday, April 13, 2013

L is for Lakes

Source: Wikimedia Commons


As I mentioned in my J post, it seems to me that Alaska is a land of extremes. This became clear to me again when I read about Alaskan lakes. There aren't just a few lakes in Alaska. Instead there are millions, and 94 of those lakes have a surface area of more than ten square miles.

The largest lake in the state is Lake Iliamna, shown in the picture above. Located on the Alaskan peninsula, Iliamna covers 1,000 square miles.

The second largest is Lake Becharof, which is 35 miles long and covers 458 square miles. Lake Becharof is shown here:

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Becharof Lake is part of the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge, and is the largest lake in the entire U.S. National Wildlife Refuge system.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

I get the sense that everything in Alaska is beautiful in addition to being large. I'm sure there are some ugly things, but in my search of the state I've yet to find them. Based on these photos, they're not to be found in the millions of Alaskan lakes.



My A-Z theme of Alaska is inspired by my debut novel, Polar Night, which is set in both Fairbanks, Alaska and in the Alaskan Arctic. Click here for all the info on the book.

45 comments:

  1. I really need to see Alaska. I don't think of it having lakes, either. To me, everything is frozen. LOL

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  2. Alaska is a beautiful place. Thanks for these lovely pics.

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  3. A lake large enough to produce waves is impressive.

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  4. it is very scenic - I get the impression the only ugly things in Alaska are man made.

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  5. Even though I've never been to Alaska, I believe it's touted as one of the most beautiful places in the world. Thanks for sharing, Julie. Loving all these pictures and information.

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  6. How amazing they look. You're really selling this country to me now, but like I've said before, only for a really short holiday :-)

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  7. I'm in love with Lake Superior but would love the chance to see these in Alaska.

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  8. Wow, gorgeous! And you are so right. I've never felt smaller than when in Alaska. Complete and total Earthly majesty.

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  9. It's amazing to imagine all those lakes! Stunning.

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  10. LOL nearly all lakes I've ever been on have produced enormous waves at even the hint of a breeze. Alaska sounds way too wild for me to even contemplate visiting. I'll appreciate the pretty pictures but I detest cold, I detest foul weather, and I detest grizzly bears.

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  11. There is no doubt it is an awesome place. Thanks for the alphabetical tour, Julie x

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  12. That first lake looks like the ocean! It's amazing they can be so big.

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  13. I bet the lakes are amazing in Alaska. And Kiska island looks beautiful. I am loving all the new and fun facts from Alaska...might need to plan a trip some day :)

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  14. Spectacular scenery! My husband was based in Anchorage when he was in the airforce. He really liked it there, says it was beautiful.

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  15. @Laura, I think of it as all frozen too LOL.

    @Sheena, you're welcome, glad you like them!

    @Alex, I think so too, definitely none like that around here.

    @David, probably true.

    @Cathrina, thanks, I'm so glad.

    @Annalisa, it would have to be short for me as well LOL.

    @Regina, I've never been to Lake Superior, but I've heard it is gorgeous.

    @Pk, I can imagine!

    @Kate, I agree.

    @Michael LOL definitely not the place for you then.

    @Carolyn, my pleasure!

    @Gwen, I thought so too.

    @Rebecca, I feel the same way, someday maybe. :)

    @Melissa, oh, that's interesting! I bet it was gorgeous there.

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  16. I think the only ugly thing would be if you get lost in the wilderness of all that beauty! Writer’s Mark

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  17. I'm sure Alaska has SOME ugly things. Some tourists for example.

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  18. More like seas than lakes, almost.

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  19. I'd say you know a lot more about Alaska than many of us now, and if you say you haven't found any ugliness in your research so far then I'm happy to take your word for it! I've always wanted to visit this place but you are motivating me more!

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  20. I also have the impression everything in Alaska is beautiful, although I've heard there's a muddy season when those big mosquitoes come out to play.

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  21. A lake that gives rise to waves? Is this a normal phenomenon? I suppose it depends on the size... interesting!
    Really beautiful too...

    Writer In Transit

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  22. I can't disagree with you there. It is truly beautiful but it does look sooo cold.

    Rosalind Adam is Writing in the Rain

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  23. Such beautiful pictures! I really want to visit Alaska someday...probably through an Alaskan cruise.

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  24. I think Alaska takes the lakes title away from Minnesota, where I live. I'd love to visit Alaska. The other night I dreamed that I was about to board a float plane to take me to a remote area in Alaska for my new teaching job!

    Play off the Page

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  25. I didn't know about Alaska's many lakes. Gorgeous pictures.

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  26. I remember reading about the ice fogs on here a while ago - with all these lakes, I'm not surprised. Thanks for all the valuable information I'm gleaning about Alaksa (this is better than research!)

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  27. Hey Julie - I have an award for you over at my site. No pressure tho!

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  28. @Nancy, very true!

    @Al, LOL, no doubt you are right there.

    @Nick, yeah, that's how they look.

    @Trisha, I want to visit too, I hope someday.

    @Patricia, oh, that's right, I have heard about the terrible mosquitoes. Yeah, that definitely qualifies, ugh.

    @Heather, isn't it? I thought the state would be too cold for that.

    @Michelle, I know it's normal with the Great Lakes but definitely not with the lakes near where I live.

    @Rosalind, yeah, the cold is a huge downside, I wouldn't want to deal with it!

    @Michael, I'd love to do that too.

    @Mary, what an interesting dream!

    @Medeia, I thought so too, so pretty.

    @Susan, glad you like it, thanks!

    @Jan, oh, thanks, I'll be over!

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  29. I never thought about Alaska having lakes. Good to know. That one is huge!

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  30. Now that's a lot of lakes! Mind-boggling.

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  31. @Carol, I never did either.

    @Joy, I agree!

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  32. I'm really loving all the sights of Alaska. That Lake Iliamna is so big it practically has waves. And seeing green landscapes rather than beige sure is refreshing for me! lol
    Keep up the awesome posts! :-)

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  33. That is a gorgeous photo. Alaska is huge and amazing. As fair as ugly goes, I remember some muddy areas in the summer that weren't very pretty, but other than that, it's a gorgeous place.

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  34. Love these beautiful pictures you've been posting :)

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  35. @Lexa, I agree, I love the green landscape. Thanks!

    @Tyrean, I still can't really comprehend how huge the state must be.

    @Emilyann, so glad you like them, thanks!

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  36. It's amazing how many lakes are in Alaska. The photos do look breathtaking!

    Julie

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  37. These pictures look amazing!

    www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

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  38. Wow. Alaska is such a beautiful state. I just love the pictures of the water with the mountain range in the background.

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  39. @Julie, glad you liked them!

    @Gina, so glad you liked them, thanks.

    @Juliet, thanks!

    @Elise, I agree, loved that one too.

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  40. My parents took a cruise there once and they also had a bunch of gorgeous photos. Makes me want to go...

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  41. Hi Julie .. I imagine it is full of lakes, though I hadn't really realised .. but I enjoyed the finding out .. cheers Hilary

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  42. @Hilary, glad you enjoyed the post, thanks! :)

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