Miscellaneous and Musings

Hello All - A collection of topics that don't really fit into the travel journal, but are worth noting:

People:

We read a sign somewhere that said Alaska is as much an idea, as it is a place.  We have met so many interesting people, many rugged individualists amongst them.  Most everyone has been open and welcoming, making us feel right at home.  People love talking about how they came to Alaska and why they stayed.  And we have heard many of their stories.

Individualism was observed recently in the attire of those the Southeast Alaska state fair in Haines.  We had a wonderful time.  However, we were the odd balls, looking comparatively like we stepped out of a GQ magazine (not really, but you get the idea).  These folks know how to have fun.

Where else can you get away with folded down muck lucks and a skirt? Or, a hippie skirt and flannel shirt?  Or pink sparkle tights and converse sneakers?   Gotta love it !!

Lots of men grow their hair long - it's not unusual at all.  The man on the left in this picture (the floral shirt) competed in the lumberjack axe throwing event, nearly winning it.  He is about our age.

Other folks

 In a different town several weeks ago, we met a woman who grew up on a homestead, and is now the town's restaurant/hotel owner.  She is also a grandmother, who does roller derby.  She was 'practicing' on the main drag in the one road town, with her granddaughter riding a bike behind.

Quilts:

For our quilt loving friends, we have seen some beautiful quilts.  The mountain / nature ones were created by an artist in residence program in Denali National Park.  The maroon floral one won grand prize in the Southeast Alaska state Fair.

Musk Ox

Musk Ox are an animal closely related to the sheep family that have been around since prehistoric times.  They prefer life in the artic.  They are prized for their wool (qiviut) which is lighter, warmer, and very much more expensive than the finest Alpaca wool.  The Alaska population of musk ox was completely eliminated in the late 19th century.  They were re-introduced in the 1930's and their numbers are rebounding due to hunting regulations.  We visited an experimental domestication farm where they are engaged in an active breeding and herd management program to harvest the coveted qiviut.  Their horns grow continuously throughout their life.

Stinky:

We are happy to report that Stinky is still having a wonderful time.  He is getting quite comfortable, both inside and out.  He now asks to go outside.  We put him on a leash attached to the home and let him get tangled up in the trees.   Fun, Fun, Fun for all !

When he's not playing outside, he navigates, plays with pens, or naps.

Art:

Kris can't manage to be away from art.  She found an 'adult' coloring book, where the line drawing is provided.  It's up to her to fill it in.  This is much less mess than painting, and can be done in small windows of time.  Not entirely original, but it scratches the itch.

 

There is still time for oil painting ... once in a while.  First one done from inside the camper looking out at a site that was too buggy to go out.  Second one outside the camper at our campsite in Haines.  It was low tide and there were exposed rocks, seaweed, and general sea gunk.

 

 

 

 

 Other Misc Shots:

Size reference on Grizzly claws with a skin/pelt. 

There's a harder way to do this trip.  UGH.

Exhausted.  Tour book, phone and coffee ... fast asleep.

Abrupt end to vacation  (seen roadside in Yukon)

Random ... in the middle of nowhere

Night Night.

Next post - heading south toward Haines.