Have some extra miles lying around? How about Southeast?

While most of Southcentral Alaska slogs its way through a wet summer, Southeast Alaska is basking in warm sunshine. Perhaps it's time to use some Alaska Airlines miles to see some of the most scenic parts of the state!

Remember, for as little as 15,000 miles, you can get a ticket to Ketchikan, Wrangell, Juneau or Sitka -- which normally would cost $500 or more.

Because of the robust cruise industry, Southeast Alaska has an extraordinary infrastructure for travelers. Here are some of my favorite activities:

A. The Alaska Marine Highway. The ferry is a great way to travel. You can start in Ketchikan and head north to Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka and Juneau. You have much more flexibility if you just walk on -- and if you don't mind sleeping on the deck chairs in the solarium on the top deck.

B. In Ketchikan, you should make plans to go flightseeing in Misty Fjords National Monument. The best way to see this area is by plane. Pilots at Taquan Air will drop down and land on a lake or inlet so you can experience the grandeur at ground level.

Take a day and go kayaking with Southeast Sea Kayaks. They have full-day trips out to Gravina Island, or shorter trips around the harbor.

Where there are salmon, you'll find bears. Take a drive out to Herring Cove to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary. There, a naturalist will take you on a stroll along a salmon stream in the forest. Chances are good you'll see a bear -- so bring your camera.

I stayed at the Inn at Creek Street -- adjacent to the historic Creek Street district.This is where artist Ray Troll has his gallery -- and there are many other local artisan shops, including the renowned carver Norman Jackson. Right next door is the New York Cafe, which I think has the best coffee in Ketchikan.

C. Wrangell is not a big cruise ship destination, so most of the visitors are there to explore the wilderness on their own. The number-one attraction is the Stikine River. You can take a day-trip up to Shake's Glacier, or include a trip over to Petersburg and the LeConte Glacier. I've ridden on Jim Leslie's jetboats at Alaska Waters. Leslie also runs trips all the way up the Stikine River to Telegraph Creek, British Columbia. That's a great adventure! Also, from Wrangell, you can take a jetboat over to see bears at Anan Creek.

D. Juneau, as the state capital, is a year-round travel destination. But in the summer, things are really hopping! Right downtown, you can take the Mt. Roberts Tram up from the cruise dock. This is a great head-start on high alpine hiking -- particularly on a nice day like today. If you want to go higher still, take a helicopter flight up to the Mendenhall Glacier! TEMSCO Helicopters offers a Mendenhall flight which allows for about 20 minutes on the glacier and about 30 minutes of