JULY 3, 2012 NORTH POLE AND DISCOVERY
The day started out rainy and cold and ended up sunny and warm! This morning we went to Santa Clause Land at the North Pole (North Pole Alaska, that is). This is a very touristy place where the street lights are in the shape of candy canes and the store is full of Christmas glitz, but it was charming. I asked Santa for a Mercedes convertible, but he said I haven't been good enough!
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| Christmas in July |
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| Candy cane streetlights |
Barb and I took a 3 hour trip aboard the stern wheel vessel Discovery, but the guys chose to hang out around Fairbanks instead. The trip was really interesting. It started with a sea plane taking off and landing beside the boat, which was exciting to see. The homes along the Chena River were beautiful.
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| The Discovery headed downriver |
Next we stopped at the Trail Breaker Kennel for a sled dog demonstration. This kennel was owned by Susan Butcher, 4 time winner of the Iditerod, until her death in 2006. It is now run by her husband, Dave Monson, who gave us a great deal of information about the dogs, the kennel, and the race.
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| Trail Breaker Kennel |
We stopped at Chena Village, a replica of an Athabascan hunting and fishing camp. We had an interesting demonstration of catching, drying, and smoking salmon, and learned about daily life in the camp prior to the advent of western culture. We saw reindeer, a variety of animal skins, and a very beautiful parka, hand-made of moose hides. Our guides were young native girls who are students at the University of Alaska, and they were excellent.
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| Barb meets a moose |
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| I want this parka. |
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| Salmon smoking shed |
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| Fish wheel |
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| Discovery returning |
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| Steve and Gary welcome us back |
On the way back we were treated to a sample of salmon mixed with cream cheese. I still can't say I like salmon, but I am trying. Gary and Steve took some great photos as the boat came back to the dock.
The day started out rainy and cold and ended up sunny and warm! This morning we went to Santa Clause Land at the North Pole (North Pole Alaska, that is). This is a very touristy place where the street lights are in the shape of candy canes and the store is full of Christmas glitz, but it was charming. I asked Santa for a Mercedes convertible, but he said I haven't been good enough! 
Thank you for allowing me to come along on your journey. I love reading about and seeing the places you visit.
ReplyDeleteIf only the tumblers had dropped a little faster for you, and slower for me!!! An Alaskan rendezvous would have been such a treat! Is it not just the most amazing place? Barring operator error or equipment failure, it is impossible to take a bad picture in Alaska.
ReplyDeleteThis time to visit was the Inside Passage cruise, and it was fabulous. Many years ago, i did Anchorage and Kenai. Next trip...Denali.
Sure would love to do it the way you are, though. Enjoy the rest of your trip, and why don'tcha swing down this way on the way home?
I couldn't agree with you more Erin! Alaska is truly amazing and any photographer can look like a pro here. We are off to Denali tomorrow.
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