Alaska State Fair
The Alaska State Fair is the best I've ever been to. The exhibits were so beautiful, and the grounds were clean the entire time we were there. People respect their surroundings here a great deal.
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The Gathering Place
My favorite fair exhibit was The Gathering Place. This was a living exhibit of native people from all over the state. They were showing where they were from, their crafts - tanning hides, hunting, building structures, garments, medicines, dance as well as some fine arts. They showed much bead work, dolls and lots of Northern Light representations. The music and beliefs were very familiar to the Nations of Natives around this coast. The main belief that we are all an important part of a large structure that includes all things. None are more or less than the other, it takes all parts to make the whole, and all parts respect one another for the role they play. I wish I could live with people like this every day for the rest of my life. HO!
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Garrison Keeler
We were lucky enough to get tickets to the Garrison Keeler Show. He's 73 and announced (again) this was his farewell tour. He brought his musicians along with Fred Newman. We got an update on Lake Woebegone and a magical sing a long. I know it sounds corny....
Garrison walked up to our section for the sing along. Everyone sang a few choruses of about 6 different songs, about 20 minuets long. There were so many harmonizing voices from the crowd it was just tingly. I looked around and the entire hillside of people were turned to face him. It was like he was the epicenter and the crowd radiated out from around him in song. My favorite type of church. |
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Livestock Competition
These young folks were so nervous and proud to be having their livestock judged. The boy kept laughing nervously when his bull would bellow. You would think the girl was in a pageant with the beautiful smile she kept on her face the entire time.
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Wildlife Conservation Center
The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is a fantastic organization! All animals here were rescued because their lives were endangered either from a natural situation like wildfire, injury or deceased mother, or from a harmful human situation. All animals here were rescued because their lives were endangered either from a natural situation like wildfire, injury or deceased mother, or from a harmful human situation. AWCC works to rehabilitate and replace the animal in its environment. They also work in repopulating a species when they can
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Baby Bald Eagle
This baby bald eagle was not in captivity but hanging out on the refuge grounds. He is molting which is why he appears a bit unkempt.
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Bear
This guy was gnawing on a huge bone. He kept taking a pointing finger and trying to pull the marrow out with his claw. Occasionally he would hold the bone up and look into the hollow. It looked like he was holding up a telescope.
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Black-Tail Deer
The Father is on the left, teaching his son how to rut. Rutting season had begun. The tender has to keep on his toes, and he was trying to rut his water jug.
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Anchorage Farmers Market
Art Gallery Near Turnagain Farm
The most beautiful chainsaw sculptures I’ve ever seen! Chain saws are the perfect tool in creating fur texture in wood. The Moose stood 5 ½ ft tall.
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Eagle River
Eklunta Russian Orthodox Church Built in 1880
Eklunta Spirit Houses
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I was very moved by the whole cemetery at this point, but this little house really got me. My approach to it is shown here. In order as I was experiencing it. As I approached the front of the house I was moved to tears at the love and sadness the builder must have felt when making this "dream house." As I looked in the front glassed in porch area there was a crochet hook sticking out of a crochet bag with a ribbon rose flower attached to it. Those who know my art know I have made crochet bags this same shape and size and also know I have made hundreds of ribbon flowers. For a moment I felt I was looking at my own memorial. I have been struggling with a lot of deep sadness this entire trip. Something so circular about life was presented to me when I saw this little house. I can't say that the reasons for this sadness have left, but the next day was brighter and lighter. I like to think the owner of this little house helped to shoulder some of my earthly burden for a little while.
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Glaciers
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Glacier Cruise - Portage
There are over 6 thousand glaciers in Alaska. While here Pres. Obama held an international Glacier Conference addressing the rapid melting and subsequent rising water. One village has had to completely relocate due to rising water levels.
The "Windex" blue color is created by light refraction. It's a wild color. Glacier white is the same as Titanium White. This area, Portage, AK will receive 100 ft of snow every year! Some glaciers that are melting to uncover Permafrost are hundreds of thousands years old. Now that the ground is being uncovered, what extraordinary things will be found underneath? |
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Glacier View School
Glacier View School Garden - The cabbages were 3' across, the parsley-one tuft covered the inside of my hand! Glacier soil is mineral rich even though the growing season here is only about 4 months long at most. Snow fall begins in early October
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Matanuska Glacier
The "Windex blue" lines in the glacier are about 40' tall.
These were the ranges to the right of the glacier. When the glacier wall receded it dragged across the rock creating "rock flour". It's a very soft milky grey powder that resembles baking flour. Many of the water ways have this green-grey color from the flour. |
Glen Highway
North Fork River
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Fire Weed is along the road side everywhere. It blooms from bottom to top. Once the flower blooms a fluffy white silk comes out and goes everywhere. It's the dandelion of Alaska.
The Rose Hips are meaty fruit and High in Vitamin C. One could literally eat nutritiously for several days by foraging alone during the summer. |
Otter Lake
Gulf of Alaska
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This drake looked me in the eye, stretched her wing to a full extension, holding it long enough for me to set a shot, folded it back, wiggled her bottom in the water and went to sleep. I have no idea what this was all about! Though she was sweet and would tilt her head and blink at me as I spoke to her.
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Sheep Mountain Lodge
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The Lodge, cabins and 2 green houses sit on a plateau under a gently sloped grassy hill and faces Matanuska Mountains and canyons. Dhal Sheep are indigenous to the area.
This is such a remote area (one of the highest mountain peaks in the range) that only 4-5 cars would pass on the 2 lane road every hour. In between it is absolutely quiet except for the other guest and their children playing on the rolling hill. At this altitude sounds carry differently. Someone right next to me would sound miles away, however the kids on a hill above sounded so close. They grow most of their own for the Lodge kitchen. The glacier soil and constant moisture produces super huge and tasty vegetables. Entire building including kitchen and side atrieum is log built. Entirely enchanting low ceiling and many windows. The smell of the building alone was intoxicating. |
Thunderbird Falls
Westchester Lagoon