A Story About Alaska (Learn English and About American Culture)

Sofia was a high school student from Spain who loved nature. When her family planned a summer trip to the United States, she asked to visit Alaska, the largest and most northern state. She wanted to see mountains, wildlife, and places she had only read about in books.

Sofia’s trip began in Anchorage, the biggest city in Alaska. Even though it was summer, the air felt cool and fresh. From her hotel window, she could see tall mountains and the bright, late-night sun. Her father explained that in Alaska, the sun stays in the sky much longer during the summer. Sofia thought it was strange but exciting.

The next day, the family drove to Denali National Park. They joined a bus tour that went deep into the park. Sofia saw wide valleys, flowing rivers, and huge mountains. The guide pointed to the tallest one—Denali, the highest mountain in North America. Sofia felt small but amazed as she looked at it.

During the tour, they also saw animals. A brown bear walked across a field, searching for berries. Farther away, a group of caribou ran gracefully over the hills. Everyone on the bus became quiet, watching the animals in their natural home.

Later in the week, Sofia’s family visited Seward, a town by the coast. There, they took a boat tour to see glaciers. The water was cold and deep blue. Sofia gasped when she saw a glacier break and fall into the ocean with a loud crash. The guide explained that this was called calving.

Before leaving Alaska, Sofia tried a local dish: grilled salmon. It tasted fresh and delicious, and she said it was her favorite meal of the trip.

As she flew home, Sofia looked out the airplane window and saw mountains and ice stretching far below. She felt grateful. Alaska had shown her a world of wild beauty, and she knew she would never forget it.