If you go to Alaska

BIRD'S-EYE VIEWS: In Alaska, flying services and air taxis are legion. A few of the well-established ones:

• Rust's Flying Service, Anchorage (www.flyrusts.com, 800-544-2299). Services range from $95 for a half-hour flightseeing tour to $550 and up for bear viewing, overnight trips, etc.

• K2, Talkeetna(www.flyk2.com, 800-764-2291). Denali National Park flightseeing and glacier landings, $180 and up.

• Talkeetna Air Taxi, Talkeetna (www.talkeetnaair.com), $175 and up for flightseeing, glacier landings, climbing support, Iditarod custom trips.

• Alaska Airlines, as well as smaller carriers, flies scheduled commuter flights throughout the state. See alaskaair.com and also www.travelalaska.com (click on "transportation").

• Google "Alaska flying services" to find many more options. When choosing a flying service, ask how many planes the service has (more is better) and how long it's been in business.

HURRICANE TURN TRAIN: alaskarailroad.com/arrc127.html or call 800-544-0552

FOUR-WHEELING, SNOWMOBILING: Four-wheeling and snowmobile trips are another way to get into the wilderness.

• Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours (www.youralaskavacation.com, 800-478-2506) offers summer and winter packages

• Alaska Snow Safaris (www.snowmobile-alaska.com, 888-414-7669) has snowmobile rentals and tours.