Since we were in Anchorage for over a week and some days we did not do much sightseeing, we are going to group the activities. Following are some of the places we went and things we did: At the Visitors’ Center we obtained information about Anchorage. A bus tour took us to Earthquake Park, where the 3/27/64 quake slid 35 expensive homes into the water, and Hood Lake, the largest seaplane base in the world.
One afternoon we returned to Earthquake Park. We were thrilled to find a bull moose was eating his dinner, oblivious to his audience. Soon he decided it was time to cross the road but looked neither to the left nor right. That is why so many of them are killed by motor vehicles. Two natives were in a van with the door open and urged us to get in. We thanked them but just went around to the back of the van. The moose was only interested in crossing and being on his way. However, moose do kill by stomping their victims. This is usually a cow moose with a calf that feels threatened. At the Ulu factory knives are made out of modern materials. The natives originally made the knives out of rocks they sharpened into curved blades and attached handles. It was what they used for skinning animals and preparation of food.
They have a contest every year, and the artists had designed some very interesting-looking fish art. The Alaska Zoo housed just about every animal we are used to seeing in the lower 48. However, we missed monkeys. John concluded it was not warm enough because they did not have enclosed buildings for the animals–just rock dens. At the Alaska Native Heritage Center they demonstrated dances done by the native tribes. There was also a path around a small lake where they had replicas of the homes of the various tribal areas and a native of that area gave some information regarding their tribe. But there were no igloos. We understand they are only built by some of the native hunters and trappers during the winter when they are away from their villages. The Alaska Botanical Gardens were nice, but they had passed their peak. The Anchorage Museum of History and Art at Rasmussen Center housed much interesting information, artifacts and displays regarding the native people. At the Wild Berry Park we saw a very beautiful film about Alaska and were able to hand feed and pet reindeer. Inside the building where they made wild berry candy they had the world’s larger chocolate fountain.
The J C Penney store in downtown Anchorage has a Kokiak bear on display. It is on record as the 101st largest bear taken on Kodiak Island. Its weight was 900 lbs and it was 10 feet 6 inches tall. We can’t remember if we have made mention of the beautiful flowers everywhere you look. Alaskans, who after a long winter are anxious for color, decorate their lawns, lamp posts, and porches with hanging baskets and flowers everywhere. It is really a beautiful sight.
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