Alaska here we come

I felt very clever negotiating the metro to get to the airport( how about you),  and two flights later ,we are in Fairbanks. Since the town is spread over a vast area( this I am not kidding about), we are catching the local buses. As an added bonus because we are old and ancient, you get to ride free!
Anchorage and Vancouver airport have lots of art and displays to occupy you while you wait for your flight…..and drink your coffee.

Flying over Denali National Park,we saw the mountain top above the clouds. Since the weather is stormy here,  it probably will be the only way we see the peak as it is known for being hidden by clouds.

The main tourist attractions in Fairbanks are the Museum of the North, Chena Springs, the Salmon  Bake (finished last weekend), and Pioneer Park. Today you get to explore the Museum and at 1.00am you will be sitting in the Chena hot Springs. Yes ,you can have an afternoon nap. The Museum  has a wide collection of prehistoric and preserved animals from the Alaska region. It also shows different aspects of the indigenous people who made this country their home. I was most surprised by the size of the animals. When you look at them in a book, you think you know how big they are. Sorry if you are like me ,you are mistaken. Alaskan wolves are nearly as tall as me , beavers are the size of a medium dog and grizzlies…..well meet Otto. He is 8feet 4 inches.

Now having seen the stuffed animals, I still want to see the living versions….just from the safety of a car, bus or even a train.  Many different indigenous groups live in Alaska and although they have embraced modern jobs, they have kept many of their traditions and languages. Old crafts such as making and decorating traditional clothes are being taught to a new generation so they are not lost. Ceremonies and gatherings still bring opportunities for the tribes to gather and share.

Some items are old but many have been made in the last 20 years. Furs parkas are definitely from another time period . Some moose skin coats and dresses have made by the women of each tribe in recent years. Wasn’t the lynx and beaver fur soft? You can understand why they were hunted. 
It’s time for our pick up. Grab the swimmers. More tomorrow.