Top 10 facts I learned about Alaska

1. Open carrying of a firearm is legal with two exceptions: You cannot legally carry a weapon into an establishment that serves liquor or into a governmental building.


2. You can have a message relayed to someone who doesn't have a telephone by contacting the local radio station and they will broadcast your "muskeg message" (free of charge).


3. Because of the frequency of weather-delayed flights, you can often obtain a "distressed traveler" rate at many hotels.


4. If you are flying Alaska Air on a flight within Alaska, you are allowed an extra bag at no cost (probably because of the frequency of weather-delayed flights).


5. No-seeums are nasty little bugs that cause nasty itching that lasts a very, very long time.


6. There are three criteria to establish prior to dating someone: Does he have all his teeth? Does he have a job? Does he have a place to live that isn't a boat and has indoor plumbing?


7. The offical Alaskan sneakers are Xtra Tuffs and they are also the offical Alaskan footwear. In fact, Sitka hosts an annual race, Running of the Boots.


8. The offical Alaskan luggage is really plastic bags you get from the grocery store (so you'll have plenty of food to get you through those weather-delayed flights). Carrying a sleeping bag is also recommended.


9. You better learn the 5 kinds of salmon. Each are known by two names, which can be confusing: king (chinook), sockeye (red), coho (silver), pink (humpies) and chum (dogs).


10. Everything revolves around when a hunting season opens and you better schedule any event accordingly. Deer season starts on Aug 1. Moose season starts on Sept. 15.