Jamey Bradbury

The Alaska kitchen is a problematic space. Kitchens tend to be the room where families, friends and guests gather to share food and conversation—but many Anchorage kitchens are too dark, too cramped and often oddly shaped.

Winter in Alaska is the perfect romantic setting: The lights are low, the aurora lends just the right amount of ambiance and the cold temperatures are perfect for snuggling. Alaska also provides some local aphrodisiacs to help get you in the mood.

Elizabeth Niiqsik Ferguson, the reigning Miss Arctic Circle and Miss WEIO, is all about family, culture and building confidence.

Kotzebue's Elizabeth Niiqsik Ferguson has been crowned queen. Twice. The reigning Miss Arctic Circle and Miss World Eskimo Indian Olympics is less concerned with beauty and more interested in sharing stories about her Alaska Native culture.

Alaska's Percent for Art program has a 30-year history of adding art, color and community spirit to what could be no-frills architecture -- schools and government buildings.

Who would Alaska pilot Cleve McDonald invite to his fantasy dinner party? Find out in this Q&A.

Roughly a third of Alaska's population is reachable only by boat or airplane, so Alaska's Cessna, Skyvan and de Havilland Beaver pilots are a lifeline for the Bush.