Wild About Anchorage

This is a summer to remember for sure. The weather has been perfect. Activities abound, and my personal recovery from double knee replacement is almost complete. However, I read in local news that the tourist business is down, and those that are here are spending less. Downtown appears to be pretty crowded with these tourists, and all the restaurants have waiting only during the dinner hour, so who's to really know the stats.

The baseball season is half over, and the Anchorage Bucs, my team, is near the to of the Alaska Baseball League. Today is Bastille Day, and the traditional show at Jens Restaurant is sure to draw a crowd as always.

The big Petroleum Club golf tournament finishes the week . . . the field draws over 400 golfers, and their charity remains the First Tee Program. . . there's always plenty of partying as the club hosts the players, volunteers and guests to a steak dinner under a triple tent on the grounds behind the club, and dancing indoors.

Anchorage knows how to throw a party, and this could be called party week by me, anyhow, as I'm going to test my new knees and try to get to all of the above.

Those who chose to leave the big city often head to Spencer Glacier, which is accessible by train only. It's a beautiful place, and rafting and kayaking are popular there. This is midway between Anchorage and Seward, and the route is much more beautiful than the drive, altho' I will say the road has been improved and you can reach Seward (from Anchorage) in two hours now.

Plan your trip to visit us soon!

Fireworks in Anchorage

This is the Fourth of July, so the apt title. My blogs have been minimal this month since I'm recovering from double knee surgery, and no one wants to hear about 'pain' . .. in fact, every time I mention it, the reply is, "Well, you elected to do it" and I'm suffering in silence. The bright side is that my neighbor/caregiver/friend has brightened my condo, deck, and rooftop patio with flowers galore and the image above is one of the "Salmon on Parade" from downtown. You see, each summer Anchorage displays like salmon with themes around the downtown area so the tourists, and locals too, can follow the map to see them displayed, and at the end of the summer there's a big charity auction to spread them around. This is just one of the joys of walking around downtown Anchorage, as they have music concerts, fairs, markets, and constant activity. The restaurants are abundant, and they're all crowded, it seems. I have my favorites, but you can't go wrong just walking into one blindfolded. The 'downtown' salmon fishing in Ship Creek just ended, but they pulled some big ones out of there, and it's faster, easier, cheaper than traveling to the many lodges scattered throughout the state. This is also the time for baseball and tonight's fireworks follow the double header between the two local teams, the Anchorage Bucs and the Glacier Pilots. So come on down and visit us.

Summertime in Alaska

Although it's not officially summer, this is it. The weather has been so beautiful of late, and it's particularly enjoyed as the writer is recovering from double knee transplant surgery. Walking up and down the halls of my condo in the sunshine is a sure cure for any aches and pains left . .. and believe me, I had plenty. Now I feel mostly recovered and glad to have it over.
The tourists abound, even tho' the numbers are down. Fishing is so good, they're raised the limits on your catch most places. The two local baseball teams, the Anchorage Bucs and Glacier Pilots, are at it again, with the 4 other teams of the Alaska Baseball League, and the visiting players are strong.
This is a great time to visit the great state, so come on down!

Anchorage Hosts Bearded Men

Anchorage is hosting the international beard contest tomorrow, and all around town today there are these bearded guys from the whole world struttin' around. I went to the Chamber of Commerce Business Exchange, and they gave us all $20 tickets, so I guess I'll go, altho' the Pioneers are really working all weekend, getting the Downtown Cemetery ready for Monday's ceremony.
Of course, there will be the usual trail out of town, but there is plenty to do here. The American Legion is having their anual bar-be-cue, and there is a half-marathon run coming up, too.

Addendum: These characters have been parading around town, and it's such fun to watch them in their 'costumes', which adds interest to the beards and moustaches. I liked Robert E. Lee best, as I get nostalgic to my Texas days. I'll try to find a shot of him, to post here. Guess I could even get out my Nikkon Cool Pix and snap a shot myself . . .

The weather has been so beautiful the past weeks, that I'm reminded why I live here. Plan your next holiday in the great state, and you'll see what I mean. .. . .

Beautiful Alaska

The tourists are arriving, and they are lucky to share the beautiful weather we've been having . .. while the Florida folk are seeking cooler spaces, we Alaskans are enjoying beautiful sunny, windless days, and it's perfect for outdoor exercise, and everything else. The downtown market opened last week, and it was pretty crowded, as it will be thru September.

The potholes caused by the fierce winter weather are being repaired 24-7, and the down side is that so many streets are closed for repairs, too. That's pretty minor compared to views such as the image above, which was taken by a local fellow, which you can see exactly from downtown. Mt. Susitna is nicknamed "Sleeping Lady" and a well known view west of Anchorage. Hard to improve on sitting in a downtown restaurant at dusk, viewing such sights.

We have so many events this week that I can only mention a few. The Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau is hosting a "Business Exchange" at the Wild Berry Farm, which is always a highlight of the season. Complimentary food, drink, entertainment, promotions. To describe this place, it's a short drive (or complimentary bus ride) from downtown, and the campus includes the Sourdough Mining Company (great ribs), Gen'l Store (great British licorice), outdoor patio, theatre, reindeer viewing, etc.
Another big one is the Open House at the Alaska Backpackers Inn, which is the only Alaska member of Hostelling International. This place is only blocks from downtown on Eagle Street. (The North-South streets are alphabetical, so it's 5 blocks from town - E is the 5th ltr. of the alphabet . .. . get it?)

Okay, I'll admit I'm cutting this short as my flowers are calling me for some attention . .. I'll be attaching some our the great flowers bloomin' around here soon. So check back!

The Sun Shines on Alaska

Just when you think you can't take any more winter, spring arrives. Seems like overnight, we're planting our flowers, going outside without coats . ... well, you know, it happens every spring. One of the first signs of spring is the culmination of the raffle for the Nenana Ice Classic. It's a silly old tradition that you guess the time of the right day that the stake in the ice at Nenana will fall over. The pot is around $300,000, and I was counting on it to go out this week, as I bought several tickets for myself and friends, but it fooled me, and fell on Friday night.

So, the next sign is the arrival of birds in my bird feeder. Maybe they've been hibernating with the bears.

Next, comes clean-up. City-wide, groups, clubs, and singles have been filling large orange plastic bags with trash. Our church had the big clean-up on Saturday, and 'they' did a great job. I mean, without me. Guilt was written all over my face when I went to services on Sunday, but I had a good excuse, which we won't go into.

Alaska puts little feelers out around the world, and this week, we witnessed an Alaska son become an overnight hero at the Kentucky Derby. Local business man (and therein lies a long story), Bill Allen, has a son in New Mexico, who drove his horse to the races, and was a 50 to 1 bet. It wasn't long until everyone knew Mine That Bird and his rags to riches story. Hurray for him. Let's have another Mint Julep on that one.

Speaking of Mint Juleps, do you realize that Cinque de Mayo is on the cusp, and there are enough celebrations going on without this, but let's just add this to our list. The Petroleum Club is recognizing this independence day, and the Pioneers of Alaska have an unusual party, as the men are supplying the food and drink after the regular business meeting. So that's where we're at, right now, with a long, social list set for May.

However, there is a down side to all of this. One is the announcement of the discontinuance of Norwegian Cruise Lines coming this year, and the cutting back, sizeably, of Carnival, Holland-America, Celebrity, etc. cruises. . . this could be the downturn of the economy, but more likely our State Legislature imposing a $50/head tax on all cruisers. This is going to hurt the businesses in Southeastern especially.
One last word . .. following up my travel insurance pitch, I want to report that my friend was reimbursed for the expense of hotel and other for the delayed flight last month en route from Anchorage to Portland. It's worth the extra buck to be covered when you travel because more things are happening than in the simple days of the past.

Swine Flu Has Not Reached Alaska!

I hear from some of my faithful followers that they're tired of reading about our volcano, Mt. Redoubt. I don't blame them. Now the big scare is this swine flu starting from Mexico City, but it's not here. Don't forget to get travel insurance, especially if you leave country! We have only beautiful springtime days and it's so great to go outdoors coatless. I'd post some pictures of flowers, but it's a little early, so you'll have to visualize some of Georgia O'Keefe's great art. We have our fair share of artists here, too, and one of the best (watercolor and sumi-e) is my magic partner. The Anchorage Museum of History and Art is being renovated, and a multi-million dollar extension promises to make it a visitor's destination when it reopens late May. Until then, the first Friday Art Walk continues to draw art lovers, and wine sippers, too.

The bike trails continue to grow, and as the bears come out of their hibernation, we read daily about encounters with bikers and runners. Another of our year-round attractions is Kinkaid Park, which is a huge 40 (?) acres park with cross-country ski trails, a popular chalet, etc. It's just south of the Anchorage International Airport as the crow flies, but a longer drive to reach it. The bike trail goes from Kinkaid Park all the way to downtown, and it skirts the inlet, Earthquake Park, Turnagain Subdivision, and Westchester Lagoon. Pull out your GPS or Mapquest, and you can enjoy viewing from above.
As April fades away, I'm trying to post my Midi version of "I'll Remember April" but I have to figure out how to get my piano hooked up again. Lots of visualizing needed on this blog, eh? Well, after you picture the flowers, picture the music. Til then . .. cheers.