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| Source: Wikimedia Commons |
Jade is the official state gemstone of Alaska, and is found in large quantities in the state.
Jade Mountain, a 4500 foot mountain on the Seward Peninsula, is made almost entirely of jade. Supposedly when the sunlight is just right, the whole mountain turns a spectacular shade of jade green. The mountain is far from any of Alaska's major road systems, so pictures of it are hard to come by. I'd love to see it someday.
It seems that Alaska is a state of extremes, as my reading for the letter "J" took me from a mountain of jade to an ice field that covers 1,500 square miles.
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| Source: Wikimedia Commons |
The Juneau Icefield, which is located north of the city of Juneau, is the source of more than 30 glaciers, including the Mendenhall.
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| Source: Wikimedia Commons |
The ice field is a popular tourist attraction, with helicopter tours taking visitors over the site.
Have you ever seen the Juneau Icefield? Or the "off the beaten path" Jade Mountain?
My A-Z theme of Alaska is inspired by my debut novel, Polar Night, which is set in the Alaskan Arctic. Click here for all the info on the book.
I'm surprised someone hasn't mined the entire mountain yet.
ReplyDeleteWow, Jade Mountain sounds magnificent! And I've been to Juneau but I don't think I went to that ice field. I did walk around on a glacier though. :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos! My favorite color is green so jade is perfect to me. :)
ReplyDeleteNow I want to go see Jade Mountain! I bet it's amazing. And maybe I could take just a little chunk home.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen either, but would love to. I'd particularly enjoy a helicopter ride over the ice field.
ReplyDeleteThose shades of blue and white in the ice field are marvelous. I still have to see snow, let alone an ice field. The only snow I've touched is the one inside my freezer, hahaha.
ReplyDeleteIt's so darn pretty!
ReplyDeleteLove the photos! I have been near Juneau ice field . . .but we didn't take the helicopter ride.
ReplyDeleteNo, I have never been to Alaska, but I know both places must be spectacular.
ReplyDeleteJade is so pretty--I'd love to see Jade Mountain in person someday.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog for Carol's blog tour today. :)
I had no idea there was Jade in Alaska, I always thought more Asia, but I guess actually that's pretty close.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.melanieshulz.blogspot.com
@Alex, I know, I thought that too.
ReplyDelete@Madeline, I'm jealous that you walked on a glacier, how cool.
@Jackie, I love green too.
@Kate, wouldn't that be nice? :D
@Tim, me too.
@Al, I'm not sure if dragons would do well in snow so maybe it's for the best. You would melt it all with your fire LOL.
@Regina, agree!
@Tyrean, I agree, I just loved these pics.
@Inger, I think so too.
@Linda, my pleasure, and thanks to you as well.
@Melanie, I didn't either, I was surprised to learn about this.
I love jade, so I know I'd like to see that mountain.
ReplyDeleteAh so that's where I can go if I want some jade!
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool! And cold! Jade Mountain, I'd like to visit :)
ReplyDeleteA Jade Mountain! It's the kind of thing Magical Stories are made of.
ReplyDeleteNifty.
Thank you,
Happy A to Z!
-g-
@Carol, I would too.
ReplyDelete@Michael, now you know! :D
@SK, I agree.
@Maggid, so true! :)
Wow that'd be amazing. An entire green glittering mountain!
ReplyDelete@Pk, I know, I can't imagine seeing it.
ReplyDeleteLove Jade. Not to venture from the mineral, I know someone that has a jade plant that reaches the ceiling.
ReplyDelete@Cathrina, oh wow, I bet that is a gorgeous plant.
ReplyDeleteThat is so amazing about the Jade mountain! I'd love to see it too.
ReplyDeleteBoth of those look very cool. Nature is always amazing.
ReplyDeleteMy parents went to Alaska last year and it looks just beautiful. I'd love to see the Jade mountain.
ReplyDeleteMy parents went to Alaska last year and it looks just beautiful. I'd love to see the Jade mountain.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty. Jade and the icefields. That would be something to see in person.
ReplyDeleteGreen is my favorite color, so I would love to see Jade Mountain! The icefields look amazing too.
ReplyDeleteJulie
That would be an awesome sight. We have Glass Butte, but it's not showy. You have to dig for the obsidian.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool! I'd love to see that one day.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie, thanks again for popping in to my blog. Let me know what you think of my "San Jose Volcano". Alaska sounds so lovely and the glaciers are stunning. Best wishes and talk again sometime, mw
ReplyDeleteHi Julie, thanks again for popping in to my blog. Let me know what you think of my "San Jose Volcano". Alaska sounds so lovely and the glaciers are stunning. Best wishes and talk again sometime, mw
ReplyDeleteOh my! I never knew about Alaska having jade and certainly not an entire mountain of it! I always think of stones as not being cold-friendly, I guess.
ReplyDeleteAn entire mountain of jade? It must be gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteJuneau Icefield is beautiful! Plus I'm a big fan of jade. (:
ReplyDeleteSo cool. I love the ice field- very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteJade is a favorite stone, so just the thought of a jade mountain is exciting. Your posts are making me want to visit Alaska even more than I wanted to before.
ReplyDelete@Nicki, I know, I'd so love to see it.
ReplyDelete@Mark, agreed!
@Kate, that must have been an amazing trip.
@Kathy, I know, maybe someday!
@Julie, I love green too. :)
@Mary, that sounds really cool too.
@Christine, me too. :)
@mw, my pleasure, and thanks to you as well. :)
@Laura, I know, I never would have guessed.
@Madeia, I can't even imagine it really.
@Elise, agree!
@Rebecca, I thought so too, I'd love to see it sometime.
@Patricia, I felt the same way writing them. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos - very cold, but tranquil *grabs sweater*
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Sam
WriterlySam
Hi, Julie,
ReplyDeleteThis is truly stunning! The more pics I see of Alaska, theore I want to go there!
Green being one of my favorite colors, I've always loved jade, and never knew that it was so prevalent in Alaska or that a mountain was pretty much made of it. Great post.
ReplyDeleteOk that is very cool! I learned something new today.
ReplyDelete"Cool" idea for the A to Z challenge. Alaska is such a gorgeous place. I hope to visit one day. Incidentally, my husky mix dog that I had for 16 years was named Juneau. :)
ReplyDeleteJade mountain sounds like an incredible place to visit. The giant icefield? Not so much for this thin-blooded gal!
ReplyDeleteLove that you had Jade & Jade :)
ReplyDeleteKate @ http://whenkateblogs.blogspot.com/
Alaska has a mountain made of jade?! So cool! Now that would be awesome to see...
ReplyDeleteInformative!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
Keep smiling,
Lakshmi
A fellow blogger from A - Z challange
wow, that's a big hunk of jade! I didn't know that was Alaska's official gemstone.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing, you have made me want to go to Alaska. You must have learned so much about it researching your book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog and good luck with the rest of the A-Z Challenge.
Ebby
I hope to see Alaska one day. I think of glaciers as waves frozen in time.
ReplyDeleteTake 25 to Hollister
Don't be a Hippie
Hello...I truly enjoyed the pics and the article. Lately, I have read several fictional books about Alaska. Never been there; probably never will, except in books. I'm fascinated by a mountain of jade, however! Thank you for the very interesting post. Best regards to you, my friend. Ruby
ReplyDeletethe entire mountain is made of jade?! whoa. i'm surprised it's still standing and hasn't been mined. maybe it's too cold or the ice makes it difficult? *shrug*
ReplyDeleteanyway, just dropping by from a-z :D
@Sam, cheers to you as well!
ReplyDelete@Michael, I totally agree.
@Nancy, I had no idea either. And it's funny to see how many of us love the color green, it seems to be popular!
@Kerri, me too!
@Cheryl, oh, that's a great name for a dog. :)
@Jocelyn, LOL, I'm thin-blooded too. :D
@Kate, thanks!
@Heather, isn't it cool? I totally agree.
@Lakshmi, thank you! :)
@Lynda, I didn't know either, and never would have guessed there was a whole mountain of it.
@Ebby, my pleasure, thanks and good luck to you as well. :)
@Su-sieee, I love that description, awesome.
@Ruby, thank you and best regards to you as well. :)
@reeyah, I know, I wondered about that too. Thanks for dropping by!
I have a friend who's daughter is named Jade. I'm going to share this with her. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie - a whole mountain of jade? - gosh the sight must be stunning ..
ReplyDeleteand the moraine from the glaciers .. always amazes me with its beautiful colours .. I haven't been to Alaska - perhaps one day!
Cheers Hilary
@Jenn, oh, that's a pretty name!
ReplyDelete@Hilary, perhaps one day for me as well, I hope so.
The list of reasons to visit this state just keep growing!
ReplyDelete@Beverly, I thought so too! :)
ReplyDelete