IN 1725 CZAR PETER THE GREAT OF RUSSIA wanted to know if Asia and North America were connected by land. He commissioned Vitus Bering, a Danish sea captain, to explore the yet unknown North Pacific region. Berring sailed more than 6,000 miles over three years. He did discover a water way he named the Bering Strait. But because of dense fog he and his men never saw land. Fifty years later the famous British sea captain James Cook sailed along Alaska's coast too. He went as far north as the Bering Strait, as did other Spanish and French fleets. Over time, not quite sure about what lands they had actually found, all these sailors and shipping companies built up a huge fur industry in Alaska. But soon all the new Russian and European entrepreneurs lost interest in "that distant, cold land of Alaska" named by the Alute Indians. It means 'Great Land.' Seizing the opportunity, much like it did when it bought the Louisiana Purchase, the United States federal government in 1867, under the recommendation of U.S. Secretary of State William Seward, offered to pay the Russians $7,200,000 for all of Alaska...or 2 cents per acre. American citizens were hugely upset with this "unnecessary purchase of vast ice lands." They called it 'Seward's Folly.' No one knew then of Alaska's wealth in mineral resources. Nor did they know that one day Alaska would be the #1 vacation spot for world travelers to the United States. More tourists travel to Alaska every year than any other state in the union, including even New York and California. August is the best time of the year to visit Alaska because it is the driest, warmest, sunniest time of year in the nation's 49th State. It's when the whales return, the bears come out, the salmon swim upstream and Alaska's Husky dogs are happy to take you on sleigh rides. You'll board ship in Seattle. You can stay in our travel club's favorite hotel over looking Seattle's Space Needle. Why not have dinner in the Space Needle too? During the cruise be sure to tour Canada's Internationally recognized Butchart Gardens with more than 100 acres of flowers. And take the world famous train ride along Alaska's White Pass. Every day on the cruise you're invited to participate in water exercises, tai chi, stretch classes, deck walking and ballroom dance lessons. All classes are included in the price of your cruise. They are held in private for club members only. Do take this cruise to Alaska in 2012. See it, touch it, feel it....while you still can.