Anchorage, is Alaska's metropolis, the largest city in the state, with about 360,000 inhabitants within the greater metropolitan area. This comprises about 58% of the total population of the entire state. Even though Juneau is the capital, Anchorage is not only the largest but perhaps the most cosmopolitan of the two and this unique destination is truly located in one of the world's most spectacular settings. The city is surrounded by six mountain ranges, many of which are still snow-capped. The area is warmed by a maritime climate and appears to be alive year round with adventure, recreation, seasonal festivities, sporting events and more. It has been recognized as a four-time All-America City and yet it is surrounded by spectacular wildnerness. Today, while returning from the grocery store, we had to stop and wait for a moose to cross the street in front of us, and we were right in the middle of town! There are many parks and hiking trails throughout the area and the people share their neighborhoods with moose AND bears.
The days seem endless with 20+ hours of daylight and everywhere we look there are dazzling displays of flowers adorning homes, storefronts and lightpoles. It is estimated that there are more than 10,000 hanging flower baskets in addition to countless gardens and plantings EVERYWHERE. As one walks around, live music fills the air, painted salmon sculptures appear along city blocks and king and silver salmon are caught right in the heart of downtown in Ship Creek.
Next year marks Alaska's 50th Anniversary of Statehood so there are also a lot of celebration activities going on.
While here we have relaxed, shopped and enjoyed much of what this wonderful city has to offer.
- We visited the village of Eklutna, which is the oldest continuously inhabited Athabascan settlement, where there is a cemetary complete with Spirit Houses. These unique structures are a mix of Russian Orthodox and native funeral practices, built over a deceased person's grave to hold essentials for the afterlife. They are only a couple of feet high, painted in bright family colors and often decorated with fences (which signify the final resting place of an Elder), blankets and family-specific markings.
- We hiked Thunderbird Falls, Earthquake Park and The Coastal Trail.
- We went to the Native Heritage Center where we spent the day learning a great deal about the five groups of Alaska Natives: 1) the Athabascan, 2) the Yup’ik and Cup’ik, 3) the Inupiaq and St. Lawrence Island Yupik, 4) the Aleut and Alutiiq and 5) the Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian. While there we enjoyed singing, dancing, demonstrations of Native Olympic games, arts and crafts, a tour of many indigenous dwellings and several movies.
- We attended two movies detailing the Good Friday Earthquake of 1964 in which significant damage was done in Anchorage, Seward, Valdez and much of the surrounding area. The quake registered 9.2 on the Richter scale which makes it the second strongest earthquake ever!
- We attended the Sled Dog Rodeo which is a comedic, as well as informative, presentation that concentrates on the importance of sled dogs in Alaska and also the Iditarod.
- We have taken several scenic drives and have continued to be dazzled by the awesome views.
Below is a link to some pictures that show several of the things mentioned above. All of the flower pictures were taken while walking around town.
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Sbs27hoxZMMO¬ag=1
Tomorrow we're going to a couple museums and then visit with Pat's cousin who lives in Eagle River, a suburb of Anchorage. On Wednesday we're driving down Turnagain Arm to Portage Glaciar and through the Whittier Tunnel. It is deemed to be quite a spectacular drive.
More coming soon...
Take care and stay safe,
P&J
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