10 Things I Have Learned in Alaska

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  Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Monday, August 11, 2008

I know that the blog has been a little sparse during this assignment but hang in there. I'm operating solo on my next one so you'll probably get way too much information. It has also been much more exciting hearing about so many of your lives since I left home in July. So many great things are happening I can't wait to share some of it with all of you when I return. My GB/TB will be landing next week and the itinerary is daunting. I only hope we continue to have semi sunny skies and 60's for a couple more weeks. What a difference some sun makes.

My life continues the same. Work during the day - except for the great teen all night lock down - and exploring Anchorage at night and on the week ends. They laugh at me here as I make time to go to an ikabana class (given by a Japanese master!), the good health lecture at the fabulous Providence Cancer Center (doctor was from U of M currently doing research in Ann Arbor), the Austin to Anchorage ride for Cancer (those college students were awesome and the Alaskan fish cookout was great), the blueberry festival (no we did not enter the pie eating contest) and many other local events. Somehow here it all seems so manageable.

Speaking of nights. The days are becoming shorter. No more golfing until 10:30 but then who could stand the mosquitoes! If you could just train them to pick up your golf ball and drop it at a more ideal spot on the fairway you could shave several strokes off your game. The temps, although improved over July, are definitely feeling like fall - make that winter - some nights.

Bikeride

The flowers are amazing as are the vegetables. Some of the lettuce reminds me of the perfect specimans in shades of greens and reds that I saw in Paris at the famous "lettuce lady's" stall. They are so beautiful that with the addition of a ribbon they could easily be used for bridal bouquets. The fall vegetables are hardy (as are most of the flowers) and huge. Unfortunately, the cool and cloudy summer has left the strawberries, blueberries, and I imagine many of the other fruits unripened. With the shortening days I'm not sure they are going to make it this year.

Bearanoia continues and a large 15 y.o. grizzly ventured into the downtown area and was hit by an unsuspecting driver. Attacks have subsided but most people are hiking with care. I don't think I ever mentioned the hundreds of fantastic hiking trails in and around the city. No excuse here for not staying in shape except for the great Alaskan brewed beers. We shared some with 3 of Fairbanks best college hockey players. We talked of the Wings and they were impressed when I spoke of growing up watching Gordy Howe - so I was already grown up for those of you who are counting. I sat talking to one of the young players next to me. When I asked if he was any good he looked at me and said, "I do my job." The other amazing thing was when one of them received a phone call he looked at us and said, "I don't want to be rude but if you'll excuse me I need to get this call." Come to think about it I don't remember too many people with constantly ringing gadgets in Northern Exposure or Men in Trees.

End of 18

I think they might be on to something here.

The salmon are losing their color and dying in droves having completed their mission in life. Makes one glad that the human aging process isn't that quick.

In July political scandals were almost as interesting in Anchorage as they were in Detroit. People were quick to let you know what side of the fence they were on with both the local and national issues coming up for vote. Oil and the situation in Russia were on people's minds. Who would have known how quickly the focus would change by the end of August!





It is always good to be learning so here are a few of the things I have learned in the months I have spent in Alaska:

1. The mosquito is fondly referred to as the Alaska State Bird.

2. Beluga whales are born muddy looking and turn white as they age.

3. That working "The Slope" does not mean you are operating the ski lift equipment at Alyeska (the nation will soon know exactly what the slope is when they do an article on Palin's husband).



4. What an oosik is.

5. Love is a Verb. The rest of the lecture to follow thanks to Mark.

6. What a growler is.

7. The Raptor is a single seater.

8. Anchorage has no sales tax but not so in many of the surrounding cities.

9. Bull moose drop their antlers every year and regrow them in the spring. Those moose can also disappear in seconds when they turn into the woods which means they can reappear in the same amount of time.

10. Exactly what goes on at the Friday night show at Mad Myrna's ;o

I also know the lyrics to "Prop me up beside the juke box if I die - Fill my boots up with sand and put a stiff drink in my hand."

I'm still downloading pictures so stay tuned for the end of the line adventure, "Today Is The Tomorrow You Dreamed About Yesterday."

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

flowers2	Salmon3	State Bird	Moose
flowers1	flowers3	Cabbage	Flowers4
Flowers5	Flowers6	Dragonfly	Flowers7
Salmon2	Flowers9

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