Spring Saturday

Today was such a pretty spring day! It was about 65 and very sunny! We started out this morning going downtown and visiting some of the shops. Some sold t-shirts, key chains and other touristy things. We went into a fur shop and saw lots of **interesting** styles of coats. There was also a coyote tail key chain. I decided that one would not be coming home with me today. We saw some boots that we liked and they were only $600. Here is a picture of them below:
We also visited the Visitor Information Center Log Cabin (#2 on our list) and got lots and lots of information about things to do in the area. We got maps and information for the parks in Anchorage as well as guide books for other cities we want to visit including Seward and Homer. Some of the things are really cheesy. For instance, we can take a dog sled tour. In the middle of summer. On a sled with wheels. Lame. I will wait until winter, thank you very much. Here is a picture of the log cabin, so rustic and right in the middle of downtown!

You can see in the picture the huge boulder on the left side of the door. It is a piece of Alaskan jade that was found in a creek above the Arctic Circle. It weighs 5000 lbs.! The cabin was just a very helpful place to visit for anyone visiting or new to the area.

For lunch we ate hot dogs from this little cart downtown. It was perfect because we were able to sit outside and enjoy the nice weather. Steven ate a reindeer dog, but don't worry it wasn't Rudolph! I just played it safe and stuck with a beef one...

Then we visited the Oomingmak Musk Ox Producer's Co-Op (#5). Some farmers shear the qiviut (the downy soft underwool of the arctic musk ox) from the oxen in the summertime and then spins it into yarn. They send the qiviut into the villages and the artisans there knit things out of it like hats, scarves and headbands. The qiviut is finer than cashmere, 8x warmer than wool, doesn't itch like wool, doesn't shrink, is lightweight and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. We are planning to go back and get hats for winter... I want one with some cute little ear flaps. The building has lots of oxen painted on the outside:

After a quick break for a trip to Best Buy and some basketball-watching, we went to Resolution Park (#10). It is right by the water and the mudflats. We also saw the Port of Anchorage and some of the metal shipping boxes. The statue is of Captain James Cook, who I am sure you are familiar with. He was a great explorer and is celebrated for his mapping and surveying skills.



Here is the view of Cook Inlet and the mountain that is across the water. It is called Mt. Susitna, but everyone calls it the Sleeping Lady. it is now almost 10pm and it is still very light outside. We have been forgetting what time it is and going to sleep later than normal!


It has come to our attention that no one comments about our posts. This is somewhat sad. We might stop writing and updating if y'all don't start leaving us some comments soon. THANKS!!!!


Rebekah