An August 2004 trip to Nome by J. Stephen
Quote: Nome is a small, isolated Alaskan town situated at one of the westernmost points of the North American continent on Norton Sound of the Bering Sea, 102 miles south of the Arctic Circle and 160 miles east of Siberia. A relatively young town, it is steeped in history and legend.
Overview
Nome is unlike most other small isolated towns in Alaska in that it did not have its beginnings as an Eskimo settlement, although nearly half of the 3,500 inhabitants today are of Native American decent. The town was officially established in 1901, as a Gold Rush boom town, and it still has the look and feel of the old wild west. The fabulous wealth of Nome's nugget-rich hills and beaches of gold drew a population of 20,000 during its heyday. Gold mining and tourism are still major factors in keeping the town alive into the 21st century.
For the budget minded traveler, Alaska Airlines also offers package tours to Nome which includes both airfare and hotel accommodations.
Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. Without the tour company's help there are many things I saw and learned that would have been almost impossible to have done otherwise - like visiting the dog musher's camp. Tours of various length are available, and they do offer some time for exploring on your own.
J. Stephen Cincinnati, Ohio