Today our first stop was at the Veterans Memorial. We are still trying to find a cloud free picture of Mt. McKinley. Not having much luck today either.
ALASKA VETERANS MEMORIAL
Spent a short time here remembering the veterans of Alaska.
Our next stop was along the road to Hurricane Gulch. This was a deep gulch under a bridge on our travels. It was pretty cool.
This was a very deep gulch,,,,picture doesn't really show just how deep this was.
We stopped for a short time along the roadside for a quick lunch and then off for another 80 miles to get an ice cream cone. Of course the excuse was we had to stretch our legs.
Our final stop for the day was the Iditarod Race Headquarters. They had the dogs and sleds here and you could take a 3 minute ride for $10.00. We passed up the ride but watched others as they rode. Inside was a 30 minute movie on how they train the dogs for the Iditarod Race. It was very interesting. These dogs are not forced to race, they are born to race. When harnessed they automatically want to pull. They are beautiful dogs.
Headquarters for the Iditarod Race
Dogs pulling getting ready to race
AUGUST 13, 2012
Today we went on a tour of the Alaska Native Heritage Center. They had dancers demonstrating the native dance. They explained what each movement meant before they danced. Much like the Hawaiians, the natives dance tells a story. The women stand with feet and knees together and use their hands to tell the story. The men, however, kneel and are much more animated in their dances, bouncing up and down throughout the dance. Always on their knees. They were dressed in their native clothing with headdress. It was very interesting to watch.
We then took a tour of the village. We got to see totem poles and the houses where single men stayed and where married people stayed with their families. They were all cross trained,,men and boys learned to cook and sew and women and girls learned to hunt. A single boy could join the single mens houses only after they could cook and sew,,,,they had to be able to take care of themselves without the women when they were out hunting. The women needed to be able to hunt small animals in case the men were away for a long time and they needed food. They sure had a hard life.
There was a community building there for the tribes. The backs of each tribes garments had certain markings on them that would tell you were part of the tribe. To enter the building you had to step in backwards so those inside would know by your garment that you were part of the tribe and not someone coming to harm them.
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Jesse backing into the community house
Jesse and Rita with our tailgunners and wagonmasters standing between whale jawbones at Alaska Native Heritage Cultural Center
Totem Pole
This was another good museum.
This afternoon the two of us went to see Earthquake Park. This is a memorial to the earthquake that happened here on Good Friday, March 27, 1964. On our walk to the site we spotted a moose. Closest one so far.
Can't get much closer than this
Tonight we went to a movie and dinner. The movie was on Alaska and the land. It was an excellent movie. We were then served dinner. Another meal of baked Salmon. The best we've had so far. Afterwards there was a wildlife exhibit. They had a golden eagle and reindeer. Up close and personal.
Golden Eagle
Reindeer at wildlife exhibit
AUGUST 13, 2012
Today is our last day in Anchorage. Spent the day doing chores,,,,,,like laundry, grocery shopping and a little cleaning of the motorhome. Tomorrow will be another long drive.
Having a wonderful time.
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