Return to Anchorage July 19th about

Returning to Anchorage was a geographic requirement, as it is on the only road out of the Kenai  Peninsula.  Speaking of roads, as you have probably guessed by now, there are not that many in the whole state of Alaska!  It looks like we will have driven on nearly all the paved routes in this area before we head south again.  Maybe that is why so many residents have their own plane.  It takes all the money assigned for roads just to repair them after winters up here; nothing left to build more.  Anyway you can get to every place that you want on the roads they have now.  

When we got to Anchorage we stayed at a different campground, due to caravans taking over the others.  Nothing wrong with this spot, the Ship Creek Campground.  It had every thing we needed--including trains running by just on the other side of that fence.  Got used to them.  

If you recall, the last time we were in Anchorage we ran out of  time at the Anchorage Museum.  Not this time.  We spent four or five hours there and saw nearly all of what was in it.  It was worth the return visit.

 


The Museum is mostly about the different cultures of Alaska, the original natives, termed First Nation.  Displays showed a lot of the clothing they wore, the weapons they used, the storage boxes, etc.  It would fill a book all the stuff we saw.  So you should plan on seeing it yourself next time you are in Anchorage.   This is only a sampling of the contents. 

Raincoat made of Seal gut.

Did you ever wonder how people in wet & cold climates managed before rubber and plastic rain gear? 

This raincoat made of sea lion gut would take as long as six months to complete, with its very fine stitches.  

There was a Russian Navy officer's rain cape made by a Native, made of sea lion gut, feathers and human hair.  That picture did not turn out and we don't show bad pictures.  I mean, we don't TAKE bad pictures.

The following three pictures show some of the fine beadwork First Nations peoples did.  Beautiful!!!!!

Sled dog halter

There were also wood carvings such as this wooden box.

Look at this cash register; such telling price keys!!  Hold on .  .  .  this truly belongs in the Antiques section. 

This old photos shows a women's foot race in the very early 1900's.  Fashions of the day didn't do much to help!

 This Northwest coast village model was one of several different cultures depicted at different times in their history.  Looking at all the little details was most fun!

This shows an Athapaskan Caribou Hunt.

An Eskimo Whale hunt

Aleut Village

Model of an early Anchorage rail yard.

 





Even some fossils; the Mammoth Tusk, not the tourist.   






   
 The interactive section included the Big Bubble you could get inside.

He burst his bubble!

I would like to tell you a little about the Anchorage Museum at Rasmusson Center.  It is an art museum, natural and cultural history museum, and science center--all in one.  The museum's hallmark Alaska Gallery provides a quintessential (My Dear Bride helped me with that word) look into the state's rich history, while its premier collections of Alaska Art showcases famous artists.  The Smithsonian Artic Studies Center features 600 rare Alaska Native artifacts and the Imaginartuim Discovery Center a hands on experience of the science of Alaska with simulated earthquakes, sea life touch tanks, a planetarium and more.  Including the big bubble playing machines.
It covered also the Gold Rush, the pipeline project, 1964 earthquake, and the Valdez oil spill disaster.   Like I said we were there for awhile.  For more information http://www.anchoragemuseum.org/.

Alaska's State Colors, royal blue and gold, were beautifully carried out in the landscaping as well.

 Of course, we must include some of the flowers that were outside.













We returned to the RV full of information but needing food and rest.  I had to sternly discipline Pauline's dog.  He must learn not to chew on books.

I am sure he won't do it again.

(after all that serious time in the museum we had to be silly)

We went to the Ulu knife factory, watched a demo on how it is used, and found she knew how already.  It was mostly just another tourist gift shop.   It was near to Ship Creek, and fishermen were out.  I saw a lot of fishing, but not too much catching.

The Bridge Restaurant is right over the Creek for good viewing of all the action.

The all-you-can-eat salad bar was unique and scrumptious!

 .  .  .  as was the main course.

 It was a good meal

 I just can't believe she ate the whole thing ! (actually, I didn't.  We took a nice box home to the RV for later enjoyment!)
















All the while we were eating we watched the fishers beside and below us: fishing, but not catching.  

When we first sat down for the meal the muddy bar they are standing on was covered with water.  Ship's Creek goes into Cook's Inlet just downstream, and the tides changes very fast.

After we ate we walked along the Ship Creek trail, then back to the RV for the end of day.  I think we walked twenty miles today,  and don't listen to what my Dear Bride says.  (So I won't even try--but you know Chuck!)


Friends told us of Alaska's largest open air market, which is held downtown 18 weeks each summer on Saturdays and Sundays.  It's very popular; it took us nearly a hour just to find a parking spot.  (Haha!)  There were over 300 booths and quite interesting.

This picture does not show the crowds that were there.  But we walked around for a few hours, spent a few dollars, and learned more about Alaska from the people in the booths.

 Near the Open Air Market we saw the Eisenhower Monument.  He was President when Alaska became a state in 1959, and pushed hard for their statehood.  

 



 I love this planting color palette around the Statehood Monument!











The next day we walked out to Ship Creek Overlook.

 We found when the tide goes out the barges stay in.  Just sitting on the mud.

Also at the overlook was an anchor from the USS Anchorage.  More info on this LSD here
http://en.wikipedia.orgwiki/USS_Anchorage_%28LSD-36%29

The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is an 11 miles long trail beside the inlet, heavily used by both bikers and hikers.  Some bikers zoomed by.  It was a little breezy so we were not bothered so much by the mosquitoes.  There was this lovely view across the Inlet. 

Some of the hills over there were Mt. Spurr, Mt. Torbert, and Mt. Gerdine.

The other direction was the skyline of Anchorage--a big, modern city.

Along the trail was a small pond where some ducks made there home next to the mudflats at low tide.  A bench on a hill allowed people to rest and enjoy the views.

 Here we are on the trail.

The tide was out so the mud flats were quite visible.  Not a place for a stroll.







 

Cute sign we saw on the trail.  There were quite a few folks getting exercise from their dogs. 

I really don't understand why they have this statue of this little girl peeing on a rock.  Guess it shows it can be done.

(When I wrote this thought My Dear Bride would change it.  She didn't.  It is a statue showing children's curiosity)

At a nearby historic house, there was a wonderful flower garden.

You will see more on the Tony Knowles trail here

http://anchoragecoastaltrail.com/

As we headed back to the RV My Dear Bride saw this front entryway she liked.  Very nice.

Tomorrow we are doing our clean-up--you know, laundry, vacuuming, etc., and  take a walk, (surprise) down to the outlet of Ship Creek again.  The salmon should start shortly.

We found they were really catching and keeping.  Lot of them were fly fishing as compared to spinning .

Tomorrow we are heading for Valdez.  See you later.