Life In Alaska

Cruise Alaska a Dream Come True

2005-11-26T12:36:00.000-09:00

By Adam Lenk

There's no better way to take in the explosive panorama of Alaska than from the deck of a cruise ship. Let Alaska's wildlife and amazing sea and landscapes surround you in all its grace while you sit back and indulge in all kinds of cruise ship pampering.

Rise early and witness the soul-shaking rumble and crack of glacier shards as they drop into Alaska's jade green waters, and then duck inside for a croissant and a cup of joe. Spy a brown bear hunting salmon or a harbor seal catching some rays while you soak up the sun on deck in a chaise lounge with that book you've been longing to read.

Gaze into the soar of bald eagles while sipping tea poolside. Spot whales spouting and tail flipping while taking a stroll on the top deck after your five-course meal in the dining room. Watch the dance of porpoises alongside ship as you enjoy a midnight sunset. All this in the middle of the big blue sea and only in Alaska…

Once your ship pulls up to land, you're in for a whole other adventure. Take excursions by train, tramway, canoe, kayak, or floatplane in Alaska's seaside cities like Skagway, Anchorage, Ketchikan, Sitka, Haines, or Juneau. Investigate these quaint towns, appreciate totem poles and local crafts and artwork from Alaska's indigenous people and buy souvenir replicas.

History buffs can enjoy a variety of tours of "The Great Land" from the perspective of native Aleut, Athabascan, Eskimos, or Northwest Coast Indian storytelling, the narrative of the Russian "discovery" of Alaska, or the tales of the Gold Rush.

Head for the trails and immerse yourself in Alaska's thick forests on hiking tours. Perhaps you'll glimpse a moose, Dall sheep, caribou, brown bear, or grizzly bear. You won't believe your eyes in Alaska.

What better way to see Alaska's beauty than by floating along the edges of its waterways? This land is rich in wildlife, culture, and unspeakable beauty from its snow-capped mountains to its rich green forests. Come, take Alaska in and enjoy an array of onboard amenities along the way.

By Adam Lenk
For more Alaska Cruise information
visit http://www.cruisesdaily.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

The World Champion Eskimo Yo-Yo Contest

2005-11-19T17:37:00.000-09:00

The Eskimo yo-yo consists of two furry balls attached to a common cord. The object is to get them whirling in opposite directions without hitting each other. It's not as easy as it looks. I've tried and failed nearly every time.

Those who can accomplish twirling one yo-yo then begin to master the art of getting two yo-yo's going; one in each hand. Beyond that, you can use your imagination.

Coming up this month, Nov. 13, will be the World Champion Eskimo Yo-Yo Contest in Anchorage. The event hasn't been officially held since 1969, 35 years ago. Back then there were competitors who could do amazing things with two or more yo-yo's.

For example, one youngster was able to do a back bend while twirling two yo-yo's. Another was able to work a hula hoop while keeping two yo-yo's going. And another young boy was able to get three yo-yo's going, one in each hand and one in his mouth.

The Yo-yo Contest will be just one of the many attractions of this month's Alaska Native Heritage and American Indian Heritage Month. There will be a Cultural Awareness Workshop, a forum for Alaska native writers and publishers, a free tour of the excellent Alaska Heritage Museum, a panel about Native Rights and Responsibilities, a yo-yo making workshop, and the Alaska premiere of the film, "Aleut Story." The final event will be the Intertribal Gathering at the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

I'm sure that in the past 35 years many new tricks and dazzlements have been developed by Eskimo yo-yo experts. Perhaps there will be some world records set at this year's event.

Are You Interested in Alaska Trout Fishing?

2005-11-19T12:44:00.000-09:00

By Ken Austin

For those of you that don't know, Alaska trout fishing is one of the most beautiful, most unbelievable experiences in this world. Not only are the trout big and beautiful, but the area around the fisherman is enough to make the trip perfect. The most common trout fishing done in Alaska is for rainbow trout. But, there are many more types of trout and even some gorgeous salmon that you can catch.

Alaska trout fishing is a journey, not an adventure into some of the most beautiful lakes, streams and rivers imaginable. The rainbow trout you find are simply breathtaking. Many people choose to kayak through the area. Fly fishing is also popular. But, make sure that you use a quality, heavy strength line and rod because these fish will put up a strong fight! They average a weight of 8 - 10 pounds in Alaskan waters.

For those who are considering Alaska trout fishing, they will be happy to know that there are many locations that you can visit. No matter where you are coming from or your skill level, you will be amazed at what Alaska trout fishing has to offer the individual. In fact, there are many fishing trips you can take.

Rainbow trout being native to the area, there is no short supply of quality fish to be had. Take a guided tour to find the best trout fishing. Also, the trips can provide you with knowledge of what type of lures, flies, and other equipment work the best in Alaska trout fishing. There are several lodging areas and tourist facilities to help you find the best locations and all the hiding spots.

Alaska trout fishing is a great way to spend your time. If you are lucky enough to make this trip, make sure you enjoy all of the beauty and fish that are available there. No matter if you are an avid fisherman or a beginner, you will see that Alaska trout fishing is all about the beautiful fish and the quality of spending the day out on the lake, river, or stream.

Ken Austin
All About Trout and Trout Fishing

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Forest Fires in Alaska

2005-11-05T19:35:00.000-09:00

Each year we read the stories about forest fires in America. Huge fires cause massive damage and cost states a great deal of money to fight and contain. Did you know that each year the largest fires are in Alaska?

Many of the forest fires in Alaska do not threaten population centers so they do not make big news. Fires in other states are generally more threatening than the forest fires in Alaska, so they are well publicized.

This past fire season was the third worst in history in Alaska. The 2004 fire season was the worst. About 4.6 million acres burned in 2005 and about 6.6 million acres burned in 2004.

Battling the fires cost Alaska about $56 million dollars this year, and last year's first cost about $108 million to fight. Conventional wisdom says that major fire seasons do not happen back to back as they have done for the past two seasons.

Unfortunately, the dangers on the Kenai peninsula and in the Interior of Alaska are great for next year. Both areas have been hit hard by warm, dry summers and infestations of spruce bark beetles. The beetles have left massive numbers of dead trees that are prime fuel for future fires.

It is possible that next year's forest fire season could be the worst yet.

Bridge to Nowhere: Fact and Fiction

2005-11-01T19:05:00.000-09:00

Recently there has been a lot of talk and a lot of writing about the effects of the Transportation Bill in Alaska. A couple of bridges for Alaska made it into the Bill and at least one of them has been knicknamed the "Bridge to Nowhere."

Not surprisingly, however, there is considerable misinformation about the projects and about Alaska. Let me take this opportunity to address the mistakes and attempt to correct them.

Fiction
Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma tried to eliminate the bridge funding recently, but his attempt was voted down by an 85 to 15 margin. He said that the Ketchikan bridge project would benefit only 50 people. He referred to "Ketchikan, the very place where 50 people live, and a $230 million-plus bridge is going to service them."

Fact
Ketchikan has a population of 8,000 and is the fifth largest city in Alaska. The bridge will connect Ketchikan to Gravina Island where the city's airport is located and where 50 people live currently. The bridge will benefit far more than 50 people.

Fiction
It has been written that the Ketchikan bridge will connect an island to the mainland. George Stephanopolous on ABC's "This Week" said that the two bridges would connect the mainland to two small islands.

Fact
Ketchikan is on an island itself. There was not enough room on the island for the city's airport so they located the airport on nearby Gravina Island. A ferry services the airport and island, but a bridge is a better long range solution. The Anchorage bridge would connect Anchorage to Point McKenzie across the bay, both of which are part of the mainland.

Fiction
Many have said that the bridges would be in remote parts of Alaska.

Fact
The Anchorage bridge would be located in a large city of nearly 270,000 people. The Ketchikan bridge would serve the state's fifth largest city of 8,000.

Fiction
Senator Ted Stevens was described as the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. George Will said that Representative Don Young was on the House Appropriations committee, then corrected himself and said that Young was on the Ways and Means committee.

Fact
Senator Stevens has not been the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee for more than a year. Representative Young is chairman of the House Transportation committee.

Fiction
The Ketchikan bridge will cost about $450 million in appropriations.

Fact
The Ketchikan bridge appropriation is $223 million and the Anchorage bridge appropriation is $229 million.

Now that you have the facts straight, what do you think? Is it OK for Alaska to have their bridges? Write and let me know what you think.

Alaska Plans a Road to Nowhere

2005-10-31T22:23:00.000-09:00

They've been debating a road from Juneau to Skagway, Alaska, so that the citizens of our capital city, Juneau, would have a way to drive to the rest of Alaska or through Canada to the rest of the United States.

You see, our capital is not accessible by road currently. It's the largest city in the U.S., about 30,000 population, that does not have road access. Juneau and Honolulu are the only state capitals not accessible to the rest of the state by roads.

You have to want to get to Juneau real hard. You can fly into Juneau from Anchorage, about 2 hours plus travel time to and from airports, or you can drive from Anchorage to Haines, Ak, and then take the ferry to Juneau from Haines. That trip is about 12 hours of driving plus about 5 hours for the ferry boat section of the trip. And bear in mind that the ferry runs only a few times per week.

So the idea has been to build a road along the Lynn Canal from Juneau to Skagway. It's rugged territory through there, very lush and beautiful. It would be a great scenic drive. The road could be driven in around two hours.

However, a road to Skagway would have to pass through a section that is designated as part of the Skagway and White Pass National Historic Landmark and the ruling is that federal money cannot be used to build a road through that particular section. Nobody knows why, really, it's just that's the way it is. Somebody must think that they are protecting something.

So, the new idea is to build a road from Juneau to within 50 miles of Skagway and dead end it there. Then build a ferry terminal so that road users could put their car on a ferry for the 8 mile trip to Haines. From Haines one can then drive to Anchorage and the rest of Alaska. Or to anywhere else really.

That road could be built with federal funds. They would have to add two ferry boats and a ferry terminal to the plan. Still, that plan would be cheaper than the original plan of building a road all the way to Skagway.

Predictably though, it would become known as the "road to nowhere."

The plan doesn't make too many people happy, however. Residents of Juneau really want a road that takes them all the way out not almost all the way out.

Well, stay tuned. Perhaps there will be another plan along shortly. Alaska already is planning a "bridge to nowhere" and I'm not sure they really want to add a "road to nowhere."

The Northern Lights in Alaska

2005-10-26T16:43:00.000-08:00

Northern Lights photo by Evan Steinhauser

The Northern Lights activity has been very high lately. The massive eruptions on the sun are sending particles to earth that ionize in the atmosphere and release highly energetic light displays. The nights have been clear this week, allowing the aurora to easily be seen.

Here is another recent picture of the aurora published in the Anchorage Daily News.

Take Me to McCarthy, Alaska

2005-10-23T21:22:00.000-08:00

You may have read the New York Times article by Julia Moskin about life in McCarthy, Alaska. The interesting article included numerous excellent pictures, and highlighted one of my favorite areas of Alaska.

A number of years ago I went to McCarthy with my bicycle to do a little sightseeing around the area. McCarthy is not easily accessible, lying well inside the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, an expanse larger than Vermont and New Hampshire combined. The mountains in this area are huge and many are currently inactive volcanoes. In fact the St. Elias range is a coastal range among the tallest and most rugged in the world. Some of the largest glaciers in the world have made this range their home.

To get to McCarthy I drove 300 miles from Anchorage, the last 58 miles on a gravel road to a dead end at the Kennicott River. At that point I had to load my bicycle and myself into a metal bucket, or tram, attached to a cable across the river. I then pulled on the other cable, hand over hand, to draw myself across the river. I did this a few years ago. Now there is a foot bridge across the river to replace the cable tram.

After crossing the river I was able to ride my bike into McCarthy, a short distance away. The town is home to 30 or so people year round and several hundred tourists during the summer. It’s a world-class area for adventurers who love glacier and mountain climbing and endless backcountry travel.

With my bicycle I traveled a few miles up the valley to the old Kennecott mine. The Kennecott Copper Mine operated from about 1908 to 1938, when falling copper prices forced the mine to close. During the years of operation the mine shipped $200 million worth of high grade ore to the coastal town of Cordova via a railroad. The gravel road into McCarthy follows a section of the old railroad bed.

During its heyday the Kennecott Mine and surrounding area was home to 500 people. Down the valley McCarthy grew to a population of several hundred and included two newspapers.

Nowadays, McCarthy and Kennicott welcome tourists with lodging, meals, gift shops, guide services, river rafting, air taxis and shuttle bus services. Life there is still rustic, yet comfortable if one makes some basic adaptations.

Here is a brief description of how residents of McCarthy adapt.

There are decent grocery stores within 100 miles or so of McCarthy in towns like Chitina, Valdez, Copper Center, and Glennallen. But every once in a while residents make the 600 mile round trip to Anchorage to shop for major supplies. The supplies can be hauled back to McCarthy and over the foot bridge or shipped back via air taxi service or the US Post Office.

Storing large quantities of produce for long periods is not too difficult if one digs a root cellar. McCarthy sits on a plain at an elevation of 1500 feet with glaciers and cold rivers everywhere you look. A proper root cellar will naturally refrigerate cabbage, potatoes, onions, and other produce for a year.

The long daylight hours of the summer months allow residents to grow large vegetables, three times larger than normal. Huge cucumbers and cabbage, plentiful carrots and lettuce. Residents learn the art and science of gardening and canning as a necessary part of their home economy.

Residents also learn to brew their own beer and to make their own sausage. Moose meat is plentiful as are recipes for sausage, jerky, and pate. And you’re right; there is an abundance of salmon and freshwater fish in the nearby streams, especially the Copper River. Smoked salmon is a staple in every household. Some residents have smokehouses large enough for two men. Even if the cupboard is bare there are always smoked salmon and pickles available.

Most McCarthy homes include outbuildings on their property. Sheds store tools and vehicles, and caches store food away from potential prowling bears and wolverines. A cache is a small building on 10 foot stilts, designed to frustrate marauding animals. It is accessed by a ladder, which most animals are not skilled at climbing. The rule is, don’t keep your meat where you sleep.

Ah, yes, Green Acres was never like this.

I enjoyed my bicycle tour around McCarthy and expect to do the trip again soon. It’s a great place to be reminded that the simple life can also be abundant.

Senator Stevens Defends the Bridge to Nowhere

2005-10-23T14:28:00.000-08:00

Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska put his foot down regarding a couple of bridge projects in Alaska and threatened to quit the Senate if an amendment to rescind federal money from the Alaska bridge projects passed the Senate. Whether the other Senators took him seriously or not the amendment was defeated 82 to 15.

Due to the work of US Representative Don Young of Alaska, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Alaska has been granted significant funds to help build bridges in Ketchikan and Anchorage. The Ketchikan bridge has been labeled, "the Bridge to Nowhere" by outsiders and Alaskans alike.

The amendment proposed reassigning the federal money to New Orleans in order to help rebuild some highway bridges there that were damaged by the recent hurricanes.

Senator Stevens sternly said that "this amendment is an offense to me. It is not only an offense to me, it's a threat to every person in the state."

His words were very dramatic and not exactly a reflection of Alaskan resident's opinion. Many Alaskans have said that it makes sense to reassign the money to help New Orleans now, since it seems likely that Alaska can receive money for the bridge projects again in the future.

The bridge projects make sense for the long range future, but not everyone agrees that it is better to start the projects now rather than later.

The bridge in Ketchikan will link the city to the airport which is located on an island. Ketchikan is surrounded by mountains and water and cannot expand further without a bridge to a nearby island. Currently a ferry service takes passengers to and from the airport. With a bridge to the island, new residents will be encouraged to build homes there and the city will be able to grow.

Many of the same issues are true for the Anchorage bridge. The Anchorage area is surrounded by mountains and water and needs additional area for growth. A bridge across the Knik Arm will allow for significant growth. Currently, that area is a 90 minute drive from Anchorage, but with a bridge the area will be only a 15 minute drive away.

Senator Stevens put some fire into his words when he said that "if the Senate decides to discriminate against our state, to take money only from our state, I'll resign from this body. This is not the Senate I came to. This is not the Senate I've devoted 37 years to."

Hopefully, the 82-15 vote will persuade him that it is the right Senate after all. Perhaps they'll name one of the bridges after Senator Stevens.

And the World Goes 'Round

2005-10-05T14:33:00.000-08:00

If you are a citizen of UK or Australia, you are permitted to snicker at this problem. Anchorage, Alaska, just opened its first two roundabouts at a major intersection.

Not a big deal if you are experienced at negotiating roundabouts, but Anchorage residents certainly are not. The good thing about a roundabout is that it substitutes common sense and courtesy for traffic lights and signs. The bad thing is that Anchorage drivers have never been accused of common sense or courtesy.

The roundabouts have been built on either side of our Seward Highway where about 20,000 vehicles per day will attempt to pass through unscathed. Accidents are expected, especially during the road-slick winter months.

Luckily, there are three auto body shops and three auto repair facilities within two or three blocks of the roundabouts. They may be considering running a "Roundabout Special."

Well, I decided to try out the roundabouts and, guess what, I had no problems. In fact I enjoyed driving through the roundabouts so much that I turned around and drove through them again. Then, just for grins, I went back for a third trip, whirling all the way around and back out the way I came. Amazingly, I was not able to cause any accidents. So I went home.

A bit dizzy.

Surf Alaska!

2005-10-03T17:50:00.000-08:00

Here’s an Alaska topic that surprises me, and I’ve lived here for 25 years.

The latest issue of Outside magazine named Yakutat, Alaska, as one of the 5 best surf towns in America. Outside magazine is one that I read often and always enjoy. It’s one of the premier magazines in America.

Yakutat is northwest of Juneau in southeast Alaska and is home for about 700 people. In the Outside magazine article, Yakutat joins Cocoa Beach, Fl, Montauk, N.Y., Santa Cruz, Ca., and Coos Bay, Or. as the top surfing destinations in America. That’s pretty amazing company, don’t you agree?

There is a full time surf shop in Yakutat called Icy Waves Surf Shop, and it is featured in the magazine article. The shop is owned by the Endicott family who are thrilled with the article.

Jack Endicott, owner of Icy Waves, stocks numerous surf boards, including the special model called the "Yakutat Model." The Yakutat Model is bigger and more buoyant than other surf boards in order to compensate for the lower salinity of the local surf and the heavier weight, due to the need to wear a good wet suit, of the surfers.

Yakutat is difficult to access, is a small town, and has few accommodations. It is estimated that only about 100 non-Alaskans visit Yakutat each summer to surf their waves. The best time to catch great waves is mid-April to mid-June and mid-August to early October.

Some of the surf spots are easily accessible and some require the aid of a good bush pilot to drop off a surfer in a remote spot. Part of the charm of surfing Yakutat is the remoteness of the area.

So now you know. Alaska is a surfing destination.

To see the rest of the magazine article go to www.outsideonline.com

Mosquitoes

2005-09-28T12:17:00.000-08:00

If you’re going fishing in Alaska you’d better put on the DEET. And do it liberally because those pesky mosquitoes seem to be worse this summer than recent past summers. Mosquitoes and other biting insects are normally aggravatingly bothersome every year, but this year they are even more so.

The product that Alaskans swear by more than any other is 100% DEET. It’s a strong smelling application that masks the lactic acid in our sweat which mosquitoes can sense up to 50 yards away. They are also attracted to the carbon dioxide that we exhale. The fact that the mosquitoes can sense my presence up to 50 yards away always amazes me. The fact that they have developed such sensitive detection systems shows that they really are out to get us.

There are a few other products out recently that also do an effective job of masking our presence. One product is oil of lemon eucalyptus which has a scent similar to citronella, a low potency repellent. By the way, citronella applications are quite ineffective in my experience. They smell good to me, but the mosquitoes can still find me without any trouble. The oil of lemon eucalyptus may be a stronger alternative.

Another possible alternative to DEET is a substance called picaridin. It has been widely used in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. We’ll give it the Alaska test to see if it is effective against our sophisticated mosquitoes.

DEET, as you may know, is very strong, and for that reason many people choose not to use it. DEET can damage plastics, tents, watch crystals, and painted surfaces. I’ve used it as a penetrating substance to loosen rusted nuts and bolts. What does it do to your skin?

Actually, it is harmless to your skin, unless you have a developed sensitivity to it. Still, the thought of applying something to my skin or clothing that can eat through rust seems inherently appalling. The thought of those pesky mosquitoes is more appalling so I use DEET whenever I have to.

Any thoughts about insect repellents? I’ve learned that everybody in Alaska has a story to share about mosquitoes and what works for them.

Maggie the Elephant Gets a Treadmill

2005-09-15T11:12:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen a 16,000 pound treadmill built for an elephant? The Alaska Zoo now has one and Maggie the elephant will soon learn how to use it.

Maggie is the only elephant in the Alaska Zoo and the fear is that she has not been getting enough exercise. Since winter weather in Alaska keeps elephants and other zoo animals from exercising, the solution to Maggie's problem was to build a large treadmill for her.

Several other adjustments have been made to make Maggie's life more pleasant, including having zoo handlers spend more time with Maggie. It's very unusual for a zoo to have only one animal.

The treadmill was lowered into place through a hole in the roof of Maggie's living space which was already being renovated.

The next step will be to teach Maggie how to use the treadmill. Elephants have never had a treadmill before, so Maggie will be a pioneer in this area. Zoo officials are certain that Maggie will learn fast, since she has always been a fast learner.

Ever See a 144 Lb Watermelon?

2005-08-29T20:06:00.000-08:00

The Alaska State Fair is going on in Palmer, Alaska, right now. Palmer is about 50 miles north of Anchorage. The Fair lasts a couple of weeks and ends on Labor Day.

One of the highlights of the Fair is the exhibit of giant vegetables.

Since Alaska gets long daylight hours in the summeretime, and since we always have abundant water available, it is possible to grow huge vegetables here. Cabbage, lettuce, beets, watermelons, squash, cantaloupe all can grow to huge size.

Here's a rarity, a 32 lb table beet. A table beet is different from a sugar beet and I'm not sure why one would grow one.

Both the beet and the watermelon are state records and are on exhibit now. I plan to make my pilgrimage to pay homage to the vegetables this weekend. Upcoming is the judging of the cabbage on Thursday.

How big do you suppose a cabbage can grow here in Alaska? John Evans had a world record 45 lb red cabbage about 10 years ago. Barb Everingham had a 106 lb regular cabbage in 2000.

Other Alaska records include a 19 lb carrot, a 63 lb celery, and a 65 lb cantaloupe.

How do these sizes compare to vegetables in your state?

More Salmon Sculptures and One for the Halibut

2005-08-15T09:04:00.000-08:00

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers annually sponsors an art show and auction titled, "Wild Salmon on Parade." The event kicks off in early June in Anchorage with a party and a display of all 30 of the entries. The sculptures are then displayed at various locations throughout Anchorage and then auctioned off in September. The auction proceeds benefit various nonprofit organizations.

"Reel Fish"

Here's a salmon whose heart is in Hollywood, not Alaska. A spawning salmon may look viscious, but this one wants to be a star. After all, his buddy the shark made it big. Julie Rychetnik is the artist who created this sculpture. Coming soon to a theater near you.

"Fish and Chips"

Stewart Allison has created a halibut sculpture instead of a salmon sculpture and appears to have an Ace high. Allison's halibut is promoting the local poker game, Alaska Hold 'Em. As you may know, Texas Hold 'Em is only played in secrecy here.

Dogs playing poker is so yesterday. Halibut playing poker is what is really cool.

More Wild Salmon on Parade

2005-08-08T21:01:00.000-08:00

The local Internation Brotherhood of Electrical Workers annually sponsors Anchorage's summer-long "Wild Salmon on Parade." They provide each entrant with a fiberglass salmon sculpture and $500 for supplies and materials. Each artist takes these basic items and creates the wildest and wackiest sculptures that they can.

The sculptures are displayed in various places throughout Anchorage and are auctioned off in September. The auction proceeds benefit various local nonprofit organizations. A party in early June kicks off the promotion.

"Summer School"

Pat Adolfae has created a large yellow school bus out of his salmon. This seems appropriate for our local salmon sport fisheries. Often the streams in Alaska are so full of returning salmon that it seems that they have arrived by the busload.

Adolfae's salmon is complete with reflectors, signals, a flashing light, and the required stop sign. Nobody may pass this salmon when his stop sign is out.

"Spamon Y"

This wild salmon has scales of Spam cans and is a pun on the favorite sandwich, ham on rye. Notice that the salmon's tail is a large bottle opener, just what one needs to open one's favorite beverage.

What is in the salmon's mouth? Could it be that he has taken the Spam bait? Alaska fishermen have been known to fish with anything, including Spam.

A Walk In the Park

2005-08-04T21:17:00.000-08:00

Kincaid Park, the largest city park in Anchorage, has about 43 miles of maintained trails throughout its 1400 acres. It lies adjacent to the Ted Stevens International Airport and is a popular destination year-round for hikers, cyclists, skiers, snow sliders, picnickers, bird watchers, and beach combers.

Along its hills and bluffs are many excellent scenic views. At Pia’s Overlook, partway along the popular Mize Loop, a family of Bald Eagles has found a great place to nest, raise a family, enjoy the views, and do some significant people watching.

Their nest is just a few yards off the trail. Go to the left corner of the bench and look to the right. Up in the cottonwood trees is a large eagle’s nest where a pair of Bald Eagles and several fledglings reside.

It’s unusual for eagles to nest in the Anchorage city proper. There are an estimated 10 to 20 nests in the city, not many compared to the tens of thousands of eagles in Alaska, more than in all of the rest of the United States.

The disadvantage of the nest’s location is that it is near the noisy airport with large jets flying nearby. The advantage of the location is that it is close to a plentiful food supply.

The fledglings are about 2 months old. They will stay in the nest until September, and then start hopping and fluttering to other tree branches. Soon thereafter, they will learn to fly and will leave the nest forever.

In the meantime the eagles and the trail users seem to be getting along fine.

More Salmon Sculptures

2005-07-31T08:50:00.000-08:00

Thirty salmon sculptures are entered into this year's "Wild Salmon on Parade" promotion. They will be displayed in numerous locations throughout Anchorage until September. An auction will be held to auction off all of the sculptures, and the proceeds will benefit local nonprofit organizations.

"Uncle Salmon"

This fanciful creation is from the artists at the Arc of Anchorage. They have created a patriotic salmon in the likeness of our country's icon, Uncle Sam. Their red, white, and blue salmon is complete with a top had and a white beard. Uncle Salmon wants you. And we want the salmon.

"Float Fish"

As you may know, Alaska has more private airplanes per capita than anywhere else in America. Our pilots often travel to wild and scenic parts of Alaska to fish, often times for salmon. It seems only appropriate that a salmon should sprout wings and floats to be able to escape our numerous local fishermen. The "Float Fish" was created by Don Ricker.

Yukon River King Salmon

2005-07-26T22:55:00.000-08:00

Grayling, Alaska, is up the Yukon River a few hundred miles. About 200 people live in the village, and the vast majority of them are native Alaskans, primarily Athabascan. The location of the village is a beautiful spot on the wide river, and the village has been active for a long time. The population has been stable, increasing only about 100 people since 1900.

Like all villages along the Yukon River, the Graylng natives anticipate the arrival of the king salmon to their local waters. News of the salmon’s arrival passes along the river from person to person and via telephone. Once the salmon have reached Anvik, about 18 miles downstream, they will usually arrive at Grayling in about two days.

That gives the local fishermen, who fish eagerly for subsistence, time to mend the nets and prepare for the Yukon Kings to arrive.

Yukon King Salmon have a reputation for being especially fat and tasty. It makes sense because the Yukon is a very long river, over 2000 miles long. Some of those salmon have to store up extra fat for the long journey since they do not eat anything once they enter the fresh water of the Yukon.

Imagine the richest salmon that you have tasted, then imagine one extra rich. That’s the Yukon Kings.

Joel Gay visited Grayling recently and reported in the Anchorage Daily News. He interviewed Joseph Maillelle Sr. who said about the king salmon arrival, “You can’t wait for it to get here, then you’re glad when it’s done.” Harvesting the salmon is a lot of work.

The king salmon harvesting period on the Yukon lasts a couple of weeks in July. Sam Burkett remembers catching 126 salmon in a 24 hour period. As he put it modestly, “It gets kind of tiring.” Sam is skilled at filleting the salmon with his large ulu. The ulu is a traditional knife that is especially well designed for chopping and carving. They are a practical knife and also make a good Alaskan souvenir.

If you’re curious about tasting the Yukon Kings, I have to warn you that they are hard to find outside of the Yukon River. Locally, in Anchorage, they are priced at about $19 per pound, and I know of only one store in town that has some. You’ll have to take my word for it, the Yukon Kings are delicious.

Eskimo Olympics on National TV

2005-07-23T21:26:00.000-08:00

The Olympics were on TV this past Friday. Did you see the coverage on ESPN? You missed it? You don’t know what I mean?

I mean that the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics competition is currently underway in Fairbanks. Eskimo and Native American athletes from America, Canada, and other mostly northern countries are competing in this multi-day international event. This is the 44th edition of the WEIO. ESPN TV decided to spotlight the games in several segments on Friday. They had fun with it.

Listen to some of the unique events. On Thursday they ran the Race of the Torch, which is a 3 mile run to see who will get the honor to carry the torch in the opening ceremonies. Leona Kriska of the small village of Koyukuk won that event. There is a One Arm Reach, where competitors balance themselves on one arm and try to reach a ball suspended above them. Elizabeth Rexford won the women’s one had reach at 52 inches while Jesse Frankson won the men’s title with a one hand reach of 78 inches. First of all, how do you even balance on one hand?

David Thomas won the men’s Toe Kick with an effort of 64 inches. I’m not sure how that event works. Jared Pickett won the men’s Grease-Pole Walk with a distance of 57 inches. I’ll let your imagine how that competition might work.

Matt Evans defeated Garry Hull in the men’s Eskimo Stick Pull competition. In this event the contestants try to wrest a one inch diameter stick away from their opponent while sitting on the floor with their feet pressed together against each other and their knees bent.

Elizabeth Rexford, currently a sophomore at Dartmouth College, won the women’s Kneel Jump. This event simulates the movements of a person on moving ice during a break up period. The contestant must sit behind a line with feet flat on the floor, then spring up and forward as far as they can. Rexford won her event with a kneel jump of 39-1/4 inches. I hope that’s far enough to make it to the next block of ice. Jesse Frankson won the men’s Kneel Jump event with a jump of 64 inches.

The High Kick finals are always a highlight. More contestants seem to enter this event than the other events. The high kick requires the athlete to sit on the floor beneath a ball and grasp the opposite foot with one hand. Then with his other hand on the floor the athlete springs upward and kicks the ball with his free foot.

As expected both Jesse Fankson and Elizabeth Rexford won their High Kick events. Rexford won with her 67 inch high kick and Frankson topped out at 91 inches. He was three inches short of the world record that he set last year. Frankson hadn’t trained as hard for the event as last year because of the recent birth of his son, Jesse Jr.

Both Frankson and Rexford were victorious in the Scissors Broad Jump a tricky event where the landing is important. Both athletes failed on two attempts but their third attempt was good enough to nail the victory. The scissors broad jump resembles the triple jump in track except that the legs must be crossed on the second step. Rexford won the women’s event with a jump of 23 feet, 8 inches. Her landing was perfect. Frankson slipped on two landings but stuck the third one for a 34 foot, 1 inch jump.

The events will continue this week.

Kenai River King Too Big For The RV

2005-07-13T11:16:00.000-08:00

Lorraine and Jim Prestwood of Lakeview, Oregon, drove to Alaska to vacation and do some fishing on the Kenai River. Now they have a big problem. A 75 pound problem. They caught a king salmon on the Kenai River but do not have room for it in their RV camper.

The king salmon took an hour and a half to land. Lorraine said that she felt like her arms were going to fall off before her husband was able to put the landing net beneath the large king and haul it into the boat. The king measured about 55 inches long with a girth of about 34 inches. Sounds like about the size of a small person without arms and legs.

In 2001 Lorraine also caught a large Kenai king salmon. That year she snapped her fishing rod while wrestling the 59 pound king into the boat.

When asked what she will do with the large king, Lorraine said, “We’ll brag a lot. We’ll take a lot of pictures, freeze it, and share it with the kids.”

We currently have a good late run of king salmon on the Kenai River. The run should last another week or two. Our Fish and Game department reports that the current late run ranks seventh out of the past 19 years.

Don’t think that fishing is almost over on the Kenai River. Following the kings will come the sockeye salmon and the silver salmon. There’s still plenty of good salmon fishing left this summer.

Perhaps Lorraine and Jim will land a few more before returning to Oregon.

Salmon Sculpture, "Leonardo da Fishi's The Last Supper"

2005-07-10T08:47:00.000-08:00

About 30 artists have entered salmon sculptures into the annual "Wild Salmon on Parade" which kicks off this June. In September there will be an auction of all of the sculptures and the proceeds of the auction will benefit local nonprofit organizations. The promotion is sponsored by the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Leonardo da Fishi's The Last Supper

Debra Dubac created a salmon masterpiece this year with her wild creation. Dubac painted the side of the salmon with a scene reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci's painting, "The Last Supper."

In Dubac's painting the salmon have live bait such as fish eggs, crab, and worms to celebrate their last supper. Supposedly they will then be ready to head upriver and spawn. As you may know, salmon do not eat anything further after they start their spawning migration back to their birth waters.

The huge salmon is mounted on a plate, complete with huge eating utensils, a huge supper for some lucky person.

Dubac put in many all-nighters in order to make her masterpiece a reality. Last year she created an Elvis with her salmon entry, which was a big hit. She already has ideas about her salmon creation for next year's entry, but she's not giving any hints about what it will be.

Here's a Diet I Like

2005-07-06T23:10:00.000-08:00

We've been saying it for years: eating fish on a regular basis is a very healthy part of your diet.

Articles are comin out on a regular basis with studies that confirm the idea. The fats in fish produce positive health benefits, such as increased heart health.

Recently, a study of 3000 Greek men and women found that eating 10 ounces or so of fish each week will reduce the level of inflammation in the body. In particular, the implication is that the inflammation caused by plaque in the blood vessels and arteries can be reduced.

When plaque causes inflammation in the arteries, the process of clotting begins to reduce the inflammation. That can be dangerous because small blood clots can block blood flow, causing heart attack and stroke.

The study suggested that all fish are heart healthy and that people should eat fish more regularly. Other studies have shown that the omega-3 fatty acids in salmon, halibut, tuna, and mackerel are the best of the fish oils. Walnuts, vegetables, and whole grains are also a source of omega-e fatty acids, though in much lower amounts than in fish.

I'm all for adding more fish to the weekly diet. After all, salmon and halibut are extremely good tasting. And it is easy to add tuna to sandwiches and other meals.

Eat more fish. Here's to good health.

Ben Couturier Finishes RAAM in 11 Days

2005-07-01T00:30:00.000-08:00

Ben Couturier of Eagle River, Alaska, has finished the Race Across America in 11 days, 3 hours, 10 minutes. He finished in 7th place from among 25 original solo riders who started the race in San Diego.

That's 3000 miles across the United States to the finish line in Atlantic City.

Ben is the youngest rider ever to finish the course in the 20 year history of the event. Ben is only 18 years old, a student at Chugiak High School in Eagle River, Alaska.

It was reported that Ben was a hit among the other racers because he was always friendly and ready to share a joke. I'm sure there were many jokes about his youth, one of the few riders under the age of 30. But now he has the last laugh, defeating all but 6 of the older, stronger, and more mature racers.

At the end of the long race Ben said, "Nothing hurts, I feel great." I hurt just thinking about what he did.

Congratulations to Ben and his father who helped Ben train for the race.

Ben Couturier in 7th Place in RAAM

2005-06-29T23:06:00.000-08:00

There's only a couple of more days that I can write about Ben Couturier's participation in the Race Across America. Amazingly, he is only about a day away from Atlantic City. That sure sounds like a long way from Alaska!

Ben has been riding his bicycle this summer. Of course he didn't ride it all the way from Alaska to Atlantic City. No way. He rode it from San Diego to Atlantic City, and it looks like he will finish the race in a little over 10 days. That's over 3000 miles in 10 days. Now that's doing some cycling.

There were about 25 solo riders who started the race and only 14 of them are still on their bikes and in the race. Ben is in 7th place. That's an amazingly respectable place for an 18 year old. He's by far the youngest person in the race and he'll be the only teenager ever to finish the race.

Ben is only 5 hours behind the 6th place rider so he has an outside chance to move up a position. Most of the riders are slowing the pace now at the end and getting some extra rest. The only sleep 2 to 4 hours per day. They take a few other rest periods and quick cat naps.

How fast would you fall asleep if you were riding 300 miles per day?

Here's a funny note about Ben. Since he's young and resilient, he's the only rider who can get on and off his bike by himself. All of the other riders need help to get off their bike when they want to take a break.

Race Across America Stars Alaskan Ben Couturier

2005-06-26T03:51:00.000-08:00

Here’s some more of that amazing story about the teenager from Eagle River, Alaska, who is competing in the Race Across America.

Ben Couturier is only 18 years old, by far the youngest rider in the RAAM which left San Diego last Sunday and will finish in Atlantic City in just a few more days. The riders are halfway across America already. Believe it or not the winner will finish the 3,000 mile race in 8 or 9 days.

I can barely drive a car across country in that time, let alone a bicycle.

Bear in mind that I have ridden a bicycle across America three times, but each ride took about 90 days. We rode about 60 miles per day and rode only 6 days each week. We had fun. That was the whole purpose of the trip, and riding across America is an amazing amount of fun.

But Ben is riding over 300 miles each day and he is competitive. He is in the middle of the field, which means that he is stronger than half of the male riders so far. A rider doesn’t reach maturity for a race like this until he or she is in their 30’s. Again, Ben is only 18.

So far he has been over a couple of mountain ranges. He’s a strong climber so the mountains are one of his strong areas.

He’s endured 118 degree temperatures in Utah. Now that’s not one of his strong areas. He’s from Eagle River, Alaska, remember, and he has never ridden in temperatures above 85 degrees before this. While riding in the heat he is being sprayed down every five minutes by a water hose from the motor home that is accompanying him as support.

Ben is also sleeping more each day than some of the riders. He’s been sleeping about 4 hours each day, which is more than normal in a race like this. But then he is younger than normal for a race like this. So far it is paying off and Ben is still competitive in the race.

We’re hoping that he will continue to be strong and be able to finish the race in Atlantic City. He’ll be the youngest ever to do so.

By the way, a friend of mine, Peter Lekisch, from Anchorage finished the race a few years ago at the age of 60, the oldest rider ever to finish the race.

Salmon Sculpture, "A River Runs Through It"

2005-06-24T20:44:00.000-08:00

The "Wild Salmon on Parade" promotion kicks off this June and culminates with an auciton of all of the salmon sculptures in September. The auction proceeds benefit local nonprofit organizations.

The sculptures are wild and wacky, and a good example is the sculpture by Deborah Schildt and Larry Meyers, titled "A River Runs Through It."

The salmon is cut into three pieces and a power cord supplies the power to give the sculpture life. The sculpture is a fountain with water flowing from the salmon's mouth and emptying into the copper basin beneath. The sculpture is the only one in the exhibit with a power cord for movement.

The elaborate piece was begun in December by Schildt and required a week's worth of intense work in her brother-in-law's shop in Sun Valley, Idaho. Schildt's brother-in-law, Larry Meyers is a metal artist and has all of the necessary tools to complete the sculpture.

This salmon probably migrated futher than any of the other salmon sculptures in the exhibit.

Emergency Opening of the Russian River for Red Salmon

2005-06-17T11:42:00.000-08:00

The Russian River is a gorgeous freshwater stream that originates in the Chugach Mountains and empties into the Kenai River. The Russian and the Kenai are two of the most famous salmon streams in America. Normally the sanctuary area of the Russian is closed to salmon fishing until the middle of July in order to assure that enough reds are able to swim upriver to spawn to perpetuate the strong presence of red salmon in the aquasystem.

However, yesterday the biologists and managers of the state’s fisheries declared an emergency opening of the Russian River to red salmon fishing. Figures show that enough reds have already escaped to assure the life of the stream. Now sport fishermen and women can come in and enjoy some lively and plentiful fishing. The biologists expect that the run will be strong for the next two weeks.

Since the confluence of the Russian and Kenai Rivers is always a strong fishing area, there is a large parking area and several campgrounds nearby. We’re fortunate that the highway passes close to the popular fishing hole, making it easily accessible to young and old alike. A pedestrian ferry takes people across the Kenai River where more adventurous types can hike up the Russian River to additional good fishing sites.

As you can see in the picture above, fishermen commonly use both spin rods and fly rods when casting for the red salmon. The fly rods may surprise you. Salmon fishermen in Alaska have developed a unique approach to fly fishing. Since live bait is not permitted in this fishing area and flies are the only allowed presentation, why not use a fly rod? The technique for fishing this area is a spin casting technique but a fly rod can basically do the same thing. With a medium weight fly rod, a floating line, and a 12 foot leader, one becomes a fly fisherman.

Many local fishermen spend winter weekends tying flies for salmon fishing. Locally, these flies are called “Russian River flies” and are quite huge compared to traditional flies. In fact they don’t really look like flies, but rather like crudely disguised fuzzy hooks.

Of course, the salmon don’t care. They don’t feed on flies anyway. And in the spawning stage they don’t feed at all. The technique is to float the fly down in front of the swimming salmon, irritating it, and causing the salmon to strike at the fly to get it out of the way. That’s when you set the hook and start reeling it in.

The salmon don’t give up easily and provide several minutes of fight. After about 10 minutes of play the salmon can be brought close enough to scoop it up in a landing net and brought ashore.

If you are curious about the different species of salmon check out this article. It will give you a great overview of the sizes, characteristics, and coloration of the various species.

Foxes In the Fairway

2005-06-12T17:05:00.000-08:00

Anchorage is blessed with more golf courses per capita than nearly any other city you can name. It stands to reason. Alaskans love to be outdoors just about any time of the year, but especially during the summer months. During spring, summer, and fall, the days are long and comfortable. Where else can you expect to be able to play a round of golf after 11 pm? There’s plenty of daylight during our summer months to get out onto the courses where the grass and trees are naturally green and the mountains are in the background. It’s a paradise for golfers.

But here’s a hazard that one would not expect to find elsewhere. Near the 17th green of Anchorage’s Eagleglen Golf Course is a family of red foxes. There’s a mother fox raising four kits in a nearby den. The father is probably not too far away. In fact, both parents probably were raised in the area themselves a few short years ago.

The foxes allow the golfers to play through and the golfers allow the foxes to walk by as need be. The foxes are used to the golfers and don’t pay them too much mind.

But a golf ball rattling through the trees and plunking on the ground is an object to be pounced on. The kits leave the ball alone if it is just rolling along the ground, but if it comes out of the trees it is fair game. The kits grab the ball and carry it proudly back to their den, much as the mother fox does when she brings rodents back to the den.

The ground rule is that when a fox moves your ball, you are allowed a free drop from the point where the fox attacked.

Salmon In the News

2005-06-11T15:58:00.000-08:00

The Salmon Derby - The Ship Creek Slam’n Salm’n Derby is currently underway. Some good sized king salmon have been caught at the derby so far with the largest being the 50 pounder recently landed by Crag Harrison.

Ship Creek is near downtown Anchorage and is one of the most amazing urban fisheries in the nation. Some work on the channel below the dam has resulted in a more normal ebb and flow with the tides. They improved on a good thing, which is quite a trick.

The Commercial Fishermen – Boat Captains from 24 seiners decided to pull up their nets early and return to home port out in western Alaska this week. The commercial boats were using nets to catch sockeye salmon during the open fishing period and could have stayed out longer. They returned to port before the open period ended.

It’s not that they weren’t catching plenty of sockeye salmon—they were. But they were also catching a large number of chum salmon. In fact they were catching about 4 chums to each sockeye.

The chums were in their yearly migration to western Alaska rivers and happened to be in the sockeye run. The seiner captains all decided to leave the area until the chums could move out of the area. This was a gesture of good will toward those Alaskan natives who depend on the chums this time of year.

The next sockeye fishing period starts this Sunday, so the 24 seiners will be back in the water soon.

The sockeye salmon are worth about 60 cents per pound at the dock versus about 10 cents per pound for the chum salmon. The seiners could have remained on the water and earning good income, but they sacrificed a few days of good fishing for the sake of the chum run.

Their goodwill sacrifice was appreciated and hailed as the right thing to do.

Salmon Fishing Downtown

2005-06-09T16:15:00.000-08:00

They say that a lousy day of fishing beats a great day of working. But what about a great day of fishing?

Here are a couple of photos by avid fisherman and professinal photographer, Andy Sorensen. These photos are from last weekend.

The annual Ship Creek King Slam'n Salm'n Derby has just begun. The fishing in Ship Creek, which is near downtown Anchorage, has been very good. If you don't live in Anchorage I'll bet you are envious. This is an excellent urban fishery that few other cities have.

Here's a great idea. You can visit the Downtown Saturday Market this weekend and then walk over to Ship Creek to either cast your line or to watch others fish for large salmon. Either of these by themselves are great weekend activites. Come join us.

By the way, for some more excellent photos of the Derby visit Andy Sorensen's website at www.andysorensen.com.

Would you like to buy some wild Alaska salmon? Go to www.alaskagoldsmokedsalmon.com.

Medical Marijuana: Doctor Says Yes, Court Says No

2005-06-06T10:20:00.000-08:00

Today the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a person who is using medical marijuana under a doctor's prescription can still be prosecuted under the federal law that bans the possession or use of marijuana. Alaska is one of 10 states that have state laws that legalize possession and use of marijuana for medical reasons.

Alaska goes one step further. The state Supreme Court has ruled that Alaska's privacy laws allow the use and possession of small amounts of marijuana for any reason. It still is a federal crime, but local law enforcement takes a hands-off approach and does not pursue marijuana users under the federal law.

The case that went before the U.S. Supreme Court involved two California women, Angel Raich and Diane Monson, whose medical marijuana was confiscated under the federal law. Raich and Monson are two of roughly 100,000 patients in California who use marijuana for medical reasons under a doctor's recommendation. Raich and Monson both use marijuana to relieve intolerable pains that no other medication has been able to relieve. Both women feel that the marijuana is essential in their treatment.

Raich, for example, was able to walk again after spending four years in a wheelchair. She needs to take the cannabis treatment about every two hours.

The ruling by the Supreme Court was 6-3, with Chief Justice Rehnquist as one of the dissenters. The bright spot in the ruling for cannabis advocates is that Justice John Stevens, speaking for the majority opinion, said that Congress and the democratic process can change the existing laws.

Evidently, a simple change in the law that would make possession and use of medical marijuana acceptable would make all the difference. The courts feel compelled to support the existing law, but the national legislative process is free to redefine the law.

That's a good point. Do you know where your national Congressional representatives stand on the issue? Are they likely to initiate or support a revised marijuana law?

Do some research if you support the idea of legal medical marijuana. This is one of those ideas whose time has come. What do you think?

Can You Imagine Racing a Bicycle Across America?

2005-06-04T10:50:00.000-08:00

A local youth from Eagle River, Alaska, plans on doing an amazing thing this month. Benjamin Couturier will be participating in the annual Race Across America, starting June 19. The race heads eastward from San Diego for about 3,000 miles and finishes in Atlantic City. The solo winner will finish this race in 8 or 9 days. That’s over 300 miles per day! In all kinds of weather, mostly heat! Up hills and down!

What is remarkable about Ben Couturier’s entry is that he is only 18 years old, by far the youngest entrant in the race. In fact, out of about 25 solo riders, only three are less than 30 years of age. With the team divisions included there will be about 150 riders heading out across America. Of that total, less than 10 are under 30 years of age and only Ben is a teenager.

I’ve ridden across the United States on a bicycle three times myself but I have never raced across America. In fact I would never even consider doing so. It’s too much work. I enjoy cycle touring as a leisurely activity, not as an endurance challenge. But I have participated in various types of club racing and I admire and appreciate any individuals who choose to enter bicycle races.

However, Ben’s challenge seems impossible to me. As a teenager he is nowhere near his peak physically. Most winners of the Race Across America are in their 30’s.

We certainly wish Ben Couturier a lot of luck. We hope he is able to finish the race strong.

Check this link for more information about the Race. And check this link for an interesting profile about Ben Couturier.

By the way, the record for the fastest solo ride in the RAAM is still Pete Penseyres' time of 8 days and 9 hours. That record was set almost 20 years ago in 1986.

Can You Catch Big Fish Downtown?

2005-06-03T06:55:00.000-08:00

When Anchorage residents want to test their skill at catching a 40 or 50-pound salmon they don't have to do anything fancier than drive downtown to Ship Creek. The urban fishery a short distance from downtown Anchorage is perhaps the most amazing in the U.S.

Here it is early June and already sport fishermen are landing 20 to 50 pound king salmon. During the recent Memorial Day weekend the fishermen were lined up on both sides of the stream below the old dam. Parking near the stream was hard to come by. Spectators were as numerous as the fishermen.

It's always fun to watch them pull in the king salmon.

The stream was modified this year as some culverts were removed. The result is a much better fishing stream. The flow of the water in and out with the tides is much more natural now.

Coming up soon at Ship Creek is the Downtown Soup Kitchen's Slam'n Salm'n Derby. The top prize will be $1000 plus a five-day adventure at a remote Alaskan lodge.
The Derby annually attracts big crowds of fishermen.

Click here to read a good article about local fishing tackle and apparel.

Click here to view a complete local fishing guide pamphlet.

Click here for the local current fishing report.

Wild Salmon on Parade

2005-05-31T21:35:00.000-08:00

"Wild Salmon On Parade," a yearly promotion organized by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is kicking off this month. The salmon sculptures will be exhibited throughout Anchorage and then auctioned off in September to benefit local non profit organizations.

The salmon sculptures are wild and wacky and fun to catch, just like real Alaska salmon.

Salmon Pow

This sculpture is the artwork of Chris Jenness. He created a comic book sculpture by drawing comic strip panels on the side of the salmon which tell the story of Sammy the wild salmon and his adventures while swimming to his spawning grounds.

Jenness added the starburst panel that says "POW!" to give the sculpture an eye catching element. It's a Roy Liechtenstein item according to Jenness.

Chris calls his main artwork "digital illustration," and his works will be on display in two art shows this June, one in Homer and one in Soldotna.

Wanted: Treadmill for an Elephant

2005-05-29T12:02:00.000-08:00

Maggie, the 22 year-old African elephant, has been a resident of the Alaska Zoo since 1983. The Zoo recently decided that Maggie needs nicer quarters, more attention, and a treadmill. She weighs 9,100 pounds and does not get enough exercise, especially during the long Alaskan winter months.

Alaska Zoo officials debated this past year about whether to keep Maggie. She has been the only elephant in the zoo since 1997 when her companion of 14 years, Annabelle, died. Some experts believe that in order to be healthy and happy a zoo elephant should be part of a small herd of 3 or more.

The Zoo’s elephant committee decided that the risks of moving Maggie out of state and of totally changing her life were too great. Besides, she seems happy here and she has a familiar “herd” in Alaska already. Numerous Zoo officials, animal handlers and exercisers, and familiar frequent visitors spend many hours a day with her.

In order to increase Maggie’s comfort and health, zoo officials decided to give Maggie’s living quarters softer flooring and better ventilation. Zoo staff will also increase the number of hours that they spend with Maggie from 8 hours daily to 12 to 16 hours daily.

Finally, the Zoo will help Maggie get more year-round exercise and lose weight. They will purchase an elephant-sized treadmill. However, nobody has ever designed or built an elephant treadmill. Designs are being developed now, but if you have any good ideas bring them forward.

Then stand in line behind me to watch Maggie work out on her new treadmill.

Can you imagine the elephant-sized headphones and iPod that she’ll need?

Wild Copper River Salmon is Now Available

2005-05-24T11:05:00.000-08:00

Copper River red salmon are now being harvested and shipped all over the U.S. For example, Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington D.C. is now servng wild Alaska salmon. Said chef John McPerson, "It's a happy day because we have Alaska wild salmon."

The Copper River sockeye run is traditionally the earliest large run in Alaska and is much anticipated. The sockeye from the southeast Alaska river has a rich, wonderful flavor with a firm, healthy texture and a gorgeous red color. It makes my mouth water just to think about it.

Old Ebbitt Grill placed ads in the Washngton Post featuring a bear holding a fish and the words, "Wild Alaska Salmon." It's one of the biggest promotions of the year at Old Ebbitt Grill and it's one that never disappoints their clients.

Here in Alaska we also anticipate the Copper River reds arriving in the grocery stores. After a long winter it's good to get some fresh sockeye salmon again. Other species of salmon taste great also, such as the silvers and the kings, but most people's favorite is the sockeye.

In case you are curious about the 5 species of pacific salmon and the atlantic salmon, check out this article. It tells you more than you probably wanted to know.

In case you are wondering about the reputation of the Copper River red salmon, the Copper River association has done a wonderful marketing job to make the name known worldwide. It has become like a brand name. Alaska has many different runs of red salmon in numerous parts of the state, though none begin quite as early as the run in the Copper River. Many of the runs elsewhere in the state are as flavorful, and sometimes more flavorful than the run of reds in the Copper River.

Just as an example, the Yukon River kings which run later in the summer, are prized for their richness and flavor, probably the richest in the whole state. The king salmon that return to the Yukon River, a 2000 mile long river, contain extra amounts of fat and omega-3 fatty acids in preparation for their long run up the river. The result is that their meat is extra rich in flavor.

But for now, the wild Copper River red salmon are the best we can offer. If you see it on the menu in a restaurant near you, you can bet it is fresh and delicious.

Saturday Market is Now Open

2005-05-22T05:04:00.000-08:00

The Saturday Market is now open for the summer season. The days are longer and warmer and the tourists are starting to arrive on tour boats. We always look forward to the reopening of the Saturday Market at this time of the year.

The Saturday Market has been an attraction for over 13 years now. It is an open air market beneath gleaming white tents for over 300 vendors in downtown Anchorage. It runs 18 weeks between May and September each year. This year they have added a Sunday Market in the same location with the same vendors as well. Now there are twice the opportunities to sample Alaska's best food, souvenirs, arts and crafts.

It's like a carnival atmosphere or even a State Fair flavor. There are entertainers on hand throughout the day. Many food vendors supply local Alaskan items, such as Salmon Quesadillas, reindeer sausage, and halibut burgers. There are also Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches, snow cones, and coffee, among the huge assortment.

Local artists exhibit their posters, photos, and drawings. It's a great place to find beautiful norhtern lights prints. The selection of local arts and crafts are too numerous to list here.

Check out the Saturday Market website at AnchorageMarkets.com

By the way a friend of mine does a great job at the Saturday Market with a Smoked Salmon booth. As you might suspect we eat a lot of salmon here in Alaska. All of Alaska's salmon products are wild and natural. There are no farmed salmon products here. Check out the smoked salmon website at Alaska Gold Smoked Salmon.com

A Great Island for Bird Lovers

2005-05-15T23:39:00.000-08:00

If you travel south of Anchorage about 50 miles to Whittier, which accesses Prince William Sound in the Gulf of Alaska, then another 60 miles south to Montague Island at the edge of the sound, then another 60 miles south into the Gulf of Alaska to Middleton Island, you'll find about 175 species of birds on an island inhabited only by a handful of Federal Aviation Administration workers.

Middleton Island is a great rest stop for birds that migrate between Alaska and the lower 48 states. It's an island that only birds and seals could love. The area receives considerable rainfall from fierce Gulf storms each year. In 1976, nearby Montague Island received 332 inches of rain, about an inch per day, a North American record.

The island is a few miles long, having risen from the sea only in the past 5,000 years, like only yesterday in geologic time. In 1964 it rose 12 feet in one day alone, Good Friday. That's the day that a huge earthquake struck southcentral Alaska. Since then the island has been rising one inch per year, a significant amount.

On the island is an old shell of an abandoned 35-foot tall radar tower, leftover from the Cold War days of the 1950's. It is now a huge bird house, home to plovers, kittiwakes, gulls, cormorants, and many other species.

Each summer a few biologists spend time on the island studying the populations of the various bird species. For example, they have found that the oystercatchers are increasing in number while the kittiwake population is declining. That's because the uplift of the island has resulted in shoreline that has caused the cliffs to be lifted away from the sea. Therefore the cliff dwelling birds such as the kittiwakes, puffins, auklets, and murres have not been able to nest and rear young as successfully as in the past. On the other hand the miles of new shoreline are perfect for oystercatchers and their long beaks.

The snowy owl's story on the island is interesting. In the 1950's some fox farmers intoduced rabbits to the island. Their population has grown significantly and the snowy owls love it. Instead of migrating further north onto the mainland to hunt small voles and tiny shrews, the owls find it much easier to hunt the defenseless and larger rabbits on Middleton Island.

Alaska, An Average Day in Paradise

2005-05-12T20:07:00.000-08:00

Just another average day in paradise here today. Temperature was about 65 degrees with low humidity and a cooling breeze. The sky was bright and sunny, the air was so crystal clear that the mountains looked like you could reach out and touch them. There’s still snow in the mountains to give them a contrasting beauty.

The trees are bright green and the grass has greened up also. People are out in shorts and short sleeve shirts playing and having fun.

But we want to keep all this a secret. We want non-Alaskans to think that it is cold, dark, and snowy all of the time. We want everyone to stay away so that we can have all of this beauty to ourselves.

Don’t tell anyone that I told you these secrets, OK?

The Tiny Alaskan Shrew

2005-05-07T23:43:00.000-08:00

Alaska is home to many large mammals. In fact the wildlife that attracts tourists and hunters to Alaska are the large mammals such as bears, moose, caribou, and wolves. Yet Alaska is also the home of the smallest mammal in America, the shrew.

A good sized shrew is only about 3 inches long and weighs only about the same as two or three pennies. A small shrew weighs less than a dime.

Shrews are abundant in Alaska. Perhaps that’s an understatement, because there are 10 different species of shrews and their combined populations are in the billions. That’s right, there are billions of them, and they do not hibernate in the winter but busy themselves with everyday life beneath the snow pack.

Since they’re so tiny, the shrew can live very well in the small space between the earth and the snow. The air temperature there is far warmer than the air temperature above the snow. The shrew eats plants, insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates which are all plentiful in that small space amongst the dead grasses beneath the snow.

With billions of shrews scurrying around, you’d think that they would be a nuisance problem. Yet most Alaskans will tell you that they have never seen a shrew. Not only are they hard to spot because they are tiny, but they do not infest homes the way mice do.

In fact a shrew would not survive long in a home. A mouse can survive on crumbs and garbage in a home but a shrew needs a much healthier diet in order to survive. A shrew can only live for a handful of hours without food which means that shrews hunt for food all day long. That’s why they don’t infest homes; they really need to live outdoors where the supply of insects and small plants is plentiful and healthful.

Shrews generally have a normal life span of 12 to 18 months. They are preyed upon by weasels, marten, fox, and cats.

Shrews have been on earth for about 100 million years, emerging from the age of the dinosaurs as one of the first mammals on earth. It’s amazing how they have gone largely unnoticed for that amount of time. Scientists still know very little about the common shrew. Now that’s what I call stealthy and smart.

Snow in Alaska? -- You'd Be Surprised

2005-05-02T18:51:00.000-08:00

Does it snow in Alaska? Of course it does. But the reality of the snowfall amount that Alaska receives may be far different from the popular concept of snow in Alaska.

Many people conceive of Alaska as a barren land where it snows constantly in massive amounts and where everyone lives in igloos. Such a concept makes Alaska sound like a cold and white land.

In reality Alaska has more lakes, rivers, and green trees than does any state in the U.S. The state is intensely green and rich much of the year. But the rainfall total and the snowfall total may be much less than you may think.

Alaska Snowfall Totals

Here are some average annual precipitation and snowfall totals for a cross section of Alaska.

Anchorage –-- 15.37” precip –--- 69.0” snowfall
Barrow ------- 4.67” ----------- 28.0”
Fairbanks ---- 10.37” ----------- 68.0”
Homer ------- 24.93” ----------- 58.0”
Juneau ------ 52.86” ----------- 101.0”
McGrath ----- 16.18” ----------- 93.0”
Nome -------- 15.64” ----------- 56.0”
Valdez ------- 61.50” ----------- 320.0”

By comparison Buffalo, N.Y., receives an average of 80” to 100” of snow per year. Some sections of upstate New York, similarly affected by their proximity to the Great Lakes, receive an average of 150” to 200” of snowfall yearly. Hooker, N.Y., received 466” of snow during the winter of 1976-1977.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, received their heaviest seasonal snowfall total of 98” during the winter of 1983-1984.

As you can see from the Alaska totals above, most of Alaska is relatively dry, receiving less that 20” of precipitation annually. The southcentral and southeastern coastal areas receive far greater precipitation.

Far northern Alaska receives precipitation totals typical of a desert. Notice Barrow’s annual total of only 4.67” of moisture. Of course, most of that total falls in the form of snow. Due to the ice beneath the soil and the lack of intense drying sunshine runoff and evaporation are minimal. That’s why northern Alaska is not a dry desert despite the small amounts of precipitation.

Alaska Snowfall Records

It’s always interesting to hear about extremes and they can certainly be found in Alaska. For example, Thompson Pass, a popular extreme ski and snowboard area north of Valdez, once received a record 974.5” of snow during the winter of 1952-1953.

Thompson Pass recorded 62” of snow during one single 24 hour period in December, 1955. During February, 1953, Thompson Pass received a record 297.9” of snow. That’s almost 25 feet of snow in just one month!

The deepest recorded snow pack in Alaska, and the deepest in all of North America, occurred at Wolverine Glacier on the Kenai Peninsula during the winter of 1976-1977. The depth was 356”. That’s packed, condensed snow. Almost 30 feet deep!

By comparison, Barrow, in the dry north, received a record minimum amount of snow during the winter of 1935-1936 of only 3”.

Here are a couple of other extremes for total precipitation. Montague Island in 1976 received a record 332.29” of precipitation. That’s almost an inch of rain per day! On the other hand, Barrow received only 1.61” of precipitation during all of 1935.

Alaska stores an immense amount of fresh water in its glaciers. An amazing 75% of the world’s fresh water is held in glaciers worldwide and Alaska holds more than its fair share.

Alaska has more than 5,000 glaciers, covering in excess of 100,000 square miles. Alaska has more glaciers than the entire rest of the world combined, excluding the ice fields of Antarctica and Greenland.

Read more about snow and Alaska snow facts.

Little Diomede Gets the First Whale of the Season

2005-04-24T09:28:00.000-08:00

Edward Sooklook was concerned when the three man whaling crew had not returned from their hunt for bowhead whales. The three men, including Thomas Menadalook, Patrick Sooklook, and Chuckie Menadalook, had departed early in the morning but by 11 p.m. they still had not returned. What Edward did not know is that the crew in their 18 foot aluminum boat had just harpooned a 32-foot bowhead whale and they were hauling it back to the village on Little Diomede Island

They arrived at the shelf ice outside the village about midnight. Edward Sooklook spotted them first and realized that they were towing a whale. He ran back to the village and began yelling to all of the homes, “We need help! They got a whale!”

Most of the 140 villagers realized that it would take the entire village to be able to haul the whale out of the water and onto the ice. Every man, woman, and child arrived to help out. They were only able to haul it halfway onto the ice, but that was far enough.

Immediately they began the happy chore of cutting up the meat and muktuk, distributing it, and hauling it to the homes on the tiny island. Muktuk is the thick slab of skin and blubber that whaling communities harvest each year.

Though the yearly quota for Little Diomede is two whales, this was the first whale taken since 1999. Prior to that year the last known strike was in 1953 and the last reported landing was in 1937. This was only the second whale take in 70 years.

The whales are just starting to return to northern waters after a long migration to and from the warmer waters of Mexico and Hawaii. This was the first harvested whale of the season by any of the 10 whaling communities on the north western coast of Alaska.

Little Diomede is the smallest of the whaling communities and the village is at a distinct disadvantage compared to other whaling villages. For one, their smaller size makes it more difficult to send out whaling parties and to land a whale if one is struck. For another, their hunting territory is severely restricted by their proximity to Big Diomede Island. The two islands are less than three miles apart and the better whaling grounds are around Big Diomede. However, Big Diomede belongs to Russia and armed guards on Big Diomede prevent Little Diomede villagers from approaching too closely.

The enormity of the late night catch made the following day a bit of a holiday. Since the school-age children of the village were out late and worked hard, school was optional. The village worked long hours to cut up and preserve the meat from the 16 ton whale. What they are not able to use themselves will be shared with other villages. After all, those villages have been sharing with Little Diomede for the past few years.

According to resident Roger Kunayak Sr., “Everybody is going to have a feast tonight. I know I will.”

A Big Fish Story

2005-04-23T06:48:00.000-08:00

Ketchikan, located in southeast Alaska, is a good place to fish for halibut. Sally and John Balch live in Ketchikan and have a favorite spot nearby to halibut fish. It’s a secret spot, so don’t ask where it is.

The Balches were fishing there one Sunday and having good luck landing cod and halibut, so they decided to stop about mid-morning. Sally started pulling in her gear and felt a tug on the line.

It was more than a tug, really. Sally said that she thought she had snagged the bottom of the ocean. Sally reeled in the line with all her strength, tired, and turned the rod over to her husband.

John and Sally fought the halibut over the course of the next hour. They reeled it to the surface three times, but each time the halibut regained strength and swam back down to the bottom of the ocean.

After more than an hour the tired Balches were successful in subduing the halibut, and after another hour were able to bring the halibut into their boat.

Back in Ketchikan the Balches towed their boat over to the local lumber yard where John works and used the fork lift to unload the halibut from their boat. A crowd gathered to listen to repeated tales of the adventure, and the Balches filleted the fish and gave away pieces to anyone who wanted a piece.

They had plenty. The halibut was 7 feet long and weighed 323 pounds. And Sally caught the large halibut with a bargain $39 Penn rod and reel combo.

Ski Race And Other Adventures On Little Diomede

2005-04-21T10:50:00.000-08:00

They held a cross country ski race and town event recently out in western Alaska. Way out west. Like within sight of Russia and within walking distance of the international dateline.

Local teacher Ben Seymour of Little Diomede Island organized the event. According to Ben, “All in all, a successful meet.”

Little Diomede Island is a small island with just one village of 140 resients out in the Bering Strait between Russia and Alaska. A larger island, Big Diomede Island, is a little over two miles away and it belongs to Russia. Between the two islands runs the international dateline.

Villagers from Little Diomede still use skin covered boats to retrieve groceries from Wales, 28 miles to the east. Helicopters deliver the U.S. Mail once a week. Polar bears make their homes in the area and winter lasts more than half the year.

An athletic event had not been held on Little Diomede for about 30 years, but the village was excited to stage this one. One of the main events was the cross country ski race for the elementary school children. Children from neighboring schools, about 9 in all, were flown in for the weekend. The children came from Wales and Teller and other villages within a hundred miles.

The first event of the weekend was a scavenger hunt. The children were paired with local adults and sent out to find various items in the village. They searched for polar bear fur and king crab legs. They also searched for a dead housefly from someone’s window, dried macaroni, beads, a village elder’s signature, and the Inupiat name of the island (Inaliq).

The next day they held the cross country ski race for the 50 or so elementary age children. They didn’t time the event since the purpose of the event was fun and recreation. Children were given race bibs and a goal line, but every school and every child was declared a winner.

A unique aspect of the race was the need for armed polar bear guards to protect the race course. The course was created on the ice shelf of the Bering Sea which is well frozen this time of year. Luckily, no polar bears were curious enough to investigate the race.

That night the villagers celebrated with dancing. The local Diomede dancers had just returned from the Camai festival in Bethel and were ready to party with all of the guests.

The next morning the village held a French toast breakfast. Following the breakfast the kids were bundled up and sent off on a one mile hike across the ice to the international dateline. Village parents had set up a banner at the dateline where the children rallied, wrestled and played for a while before returning home. When they crossed the dateline they were in tomorrow.

The children did not spend too much time in tomorrow nor venture any closer to Big Diomede Island than the dateline. Big Diomede Island has armed Russian guards who will fire warning shots if any villagers approach too closely.

Later that afternoon the guests began their journeys back to their home villages to relate their adventures to the elders and to write their school reports. Said Little Diomede mayor Pat Omiak, Sr., “I’m pretty sure it’s something they’re going to remember for a long, long time.”

The Bald Eagles are Swarming

2005-04-12T11:06:00.000-08:00

There are about 50,000 bald eagles in Alaska, far more than anywhere else in the U.S. They've never been endangered here, as their habitat and food supply are abundant. Alaska is where I would want to live if I were a bald eagle.

Down in Homer, a gorgeous community about 200 miles south of Anchorage, eagles are especially plentiful this time of the year. As you may know Homer is literally at the end of the road. Homer is at one end and Key West, Florida, is at the other end with a huge cross section of America in between.

At the end of the end of the road is a spit of land that juts several miles out into beautiful Kachemak Bay. Throughout the winter months about 500 eagles take advantage of halibut, herring, and salmon that are thrown onto the spit by local citizens and local fish processors. All together about 50,000 pounds of fish are left for the eagles to consume. The eagles love it because hunting for fish during the winter is cold and blustery. They appreciate the free handouts and don't feel insulted at being called dumpster divers.

The problem is that having so many eagles in the area creates several dangers. For one, they are mighty stinky. For another they weigh about 12 pounds with wingspans up to seven feet and have powerful claws. When they attack small dogs or cats, mistaking them for rabbits, or people they cause serious injuries.

A local Homer resident, Jean Keene, who is 81 and a celebrity, lives on the spit and feeds up to 150 of the eagles each morning. She draws lots of attention from tourists, photographers, and of course eagles. She was the 2004 winner of the Lifetime Meritorious Service Award from the American Bald Eagle Foundation. She is known as the "Eagle Lady," and she has been feeding her birds for 27 years.

Many residents would like to see Jean and others stop feeding the eagles. Doing so would decrease the population and control the nuisance factor. The eagles can fend for themselves. After all, Kachemak bay is rich with halibut, herring, and salmon. The eagles have lived there for centuries and love it. But there is no law against feeding the eagles, so it is not likely to stop.

Ben Franklin famously advocated the turkey as the best choice to be our national representative. He said that the bald eagle is "a bird of bad moral character; he does not get his living honestly." Wait Ben, they fish for a living. What is there not to like about that?

Jean Keene disagrees with Ben Franklin. She has her own quote. "Turkeys are scavengers too," she said.

Marijuana, the Legislature, and Childhood Games

2005-04-08T12:36:00.000-08:00

Last September the Alaska Supreme Court upheld an Appeals Court ruling that personal possession of small amounts of marijuana is protected by the Privacy Clause of the state constitution. Small amounts is generally accepted as 4 ounces or less.

However, last fall voters indicated by a 56% to 44% majority that they prefer to make possession or use of any amounts illegal.

Lately the Governor, Frank Murkowski, has been pushing for a bill that would create a legislative record that shows marijuana use and distribution is harmful enough to outweigh the state constitution's right to privacy clause. For the past few months the state lawmakers have been hearing testimony from various experts who present evidence of the harmful effects of possession and use.

It's a two step approach. First they will pass a bill to create the legislative record, then the lawmakers will crete a bill to criminalize the use and possession of marijuana based on the legislative record. Actually, there is a third step. Then they will have to sit back and see if the courts will re-uphold the privacy clause of the state constitution.

It reminds me of the childhood game, King of the Montain. The last one remaining on the hill wins.

Pope John Paul II, The Right Man at the Right Time

2005-04-02T01:16:00.000-09:00

The world has been blessed to have Pope John Paul II for the past 27 years. Many people have called him The Man of the Century. Pope John Paul II was certainly one of the best known and most revered men on earth.

According to the Reverend Billy Graham, "He'll go down in history as the greatest of our modern popes. He's been the strong conscience of the whole Christian world."

Health

Pope John Paul II lived a long and vigorous life, surviving many events and health problems that might have ended his life too soon. Since the diagnosis in 2001 he suffered from Parkinson’s disease, an affliction that affected his ability to speak and his muscle control throughout his body. Additionally, Pope John Paul II had significant arthritis, which put him in a wheelchair for the remaining several years of his life. He was recovering from throat surgery prior to his passing.

As a young college student in Nazi-occupied Poland, he survived a collision with a truck which nearly ended his life. Later, as Pope, John Paul II was attacked in an assassination attempt, surviving a gunshot wound while walking to a gathering in St. Peter’s Square.

Born in Poland

Pope John Paul II was born in Poland in 1920 as Karol Josef Wojtyla (vo Tee la). His father was a retired military officer and his mother was a schoolteacher. He grew up in Nazi-occupied Poland and later in Communist-dominated Poland.

Karol Josef Wojtyla secretly studied theology at an underground seminary in Krakow during the Nazi occupation. He became an ordained priest at age 26 while continuing his studies. He was a brillint man, an intellectual who earned two doctorates by age 36, and he became a professor of ethics at the Catholic University in Lublin. Also in his background were experiences as and actor and playwright, a poet, a quarry worker, and a chemical factory boiler-tender.

He became Cardinal at age 47 and began the leadership that led to the fall of Communism in Poland.

Accomplishments

Among his numerous accomplishments, Pope John Paul II was fluent in 8 languages and adept in 13 languages. He was truly at home and welcome throughout the world, having traveled over a half million miles to 125 foreign countries, more than all the countries visited by all other popes combined. Prior to John Paul II popes generally remained at the Vatican and confined their infrequent travels to a few locations in Europe. Pope John Paul II reached the world through his masses delivered to millions of people and his audiences with the world’s major leaders.

The great thrust of John Paul II’s life as Pope was the elevation and promotion of human rights throughout the world. His first trip as the new pope was to visit his native Poland in 1979 to encourage his homeland with his support for the Solidarity trade union movement which opposed Communism in Poland. Ten years later a peaceful revolution resulted in the downfall of Communism in Poland. A few years later the Berlin Wall fell and the cold war ended throughout Europe and the world. An extraordinary event occurred when former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev visited Rome following the collapse of Communism. Pope John Paul II was one of the leaders of the democratic movement.

As the Pope had said years earlier, “It is the task of the Church, of the Holy See, of all pastors, to fight on the side of man, often against man himself."
Pope John Paul II was the first pope to visit the Jewish Synagogue of Rome, the first pope to visit the Auschwitz Holocaust memorial, and the first pope to visit Israel. The first audience that Pope John Paul II gave as the newly elected Pope was with his Jewish boyhood friend, Jerzy Kluger, who later was instrumental in arranging the Pope’s visit to Jerusalem. The Christian-Jewish reconciliation was the result of the Pope’s efforts to bring the two great world religions together.

During his Papacy, John Paul II helped bring to the Vatican many modern touches. The Vatican now uses satellite transmissions to reach the Church faithful. They produce video cassettes for educational purposes, and in 1994 they used an audio CD to record a recitation of the rosary set to music, which they made commercially available.

Pope John Paul II wrote abundantly, contributing significantly to Vatican Council II, and writing explanatory encyclicals that amount to over 150 volumes. The Pope also wrote a book in 1979 entitled, “The Future of the Church,” and another book was created from his written answers to a journalist’s 20 questions and entitled, “Crossing the Threshold of Hope.”

An Example of Leadership

Pope John Paul II was a model of Christian principle, kind, humble, generous and forgiving. In 1983, just over two years after his recovery from gunshot wounds in an assassination attempt by a Turkish gunman, the Pope visited his attacker in prison. The Pope spoke privately to the gunman and forgave him for his actions. Though neither man revealed details of the conversation, the Turkish gunman was moved and humbled. The Pope had extended forgiveness to his enemy.

Pope John Paul II was the 265th pope in history. His Papacy lasted 27 years, longer than that of all but two other popes. He was one of the youngest ever elected to the Papacy, and he was the first non-Italian elected in 455 years.

He was a unique and special man. Pope John Paul II will be greatly missed.

First Golf Tourney of the Spring

2005-03-30T11:51:00.000-09:00

It snowed about a foot here in Anchorage last week with differing accumulations elsewhere in the state. In fact, the new snow delayed the Pillar Mountain Golf Classic in Kodiak by a day.

Golfers are anxious people, you know, and no less so in Alaska than anywhere else. In Kodiak, where the temperatures were in the upper 30’s, a nice moderate temperature that anyone with a jacket can enjoy, they teed up on a cross country course.

By cross country course, I mean a course that consisted of only one hole, from the bottom of Pillar Mountain to the top of the mountain. The length of the hole is undetermined and the elevation is irrelevant. The only important thing is that it gave local golfers an opportunity to get out the woods and irons and play golf. It’s been a long winter.

Kelvin Howard won the event with a score of 11, Jim Sandin scored a 29, and Salmi King, the top female finisher, shot a 48. King did not lose a single ball, however, so she was much admired for her play. Two golfers did not finish, though they did reportedly make it back home safely.

The golfers used bright paint on their ball with each stroke so that the paint marks could be seen on the snow and brush as the ball bounced along, making it easier to locate the ball’s final resting point. Spotters used axes and machetes to further help locate the ball.

The hole at the top was a five gallon bucket sunk into the ground, and the marker was an eight foot two-by-four with a large blue flag.

Kelvin Howard got off to a good start by using a driver to hit his ball 250 yards up the hill from the tee. From there he used a 5- wood and a pitching wedge the rest of the way. He used the wedge often to keep the ball in the air and from bouncing too much on the ground. That was probably a good idea since other golfers were discovering ravines, rocks, trees, and snowbanks that made it difficult to advance their ball.

But everybody had fun and nobody got hurt. According to Salmi King, “Everbody is up there to have a good time.”

Further, King said, “It was so beautiful. There was no wind, and you can’t beat a day on the mountain like today. I loved every second of it.”

“How could you not have fun?”

Seward's Day, Have a Treat From the Ice Box

2005-03-28T01:00:00.000-09:00

Aren’t you glad you purchased Alaska? You got a bargain, you know. You purchased it for 2 cents per acre for all 586,000 acres of it.

By “you” I mean you as a tax payer. Back in 1867, under President Andrew Johnson, successor to Abraham Lincoln, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.

Purchasing Alaska was not an impulsive decision. The U.S. Congress had been discussing it for several years. Alaska represented a lot of land and nobody really knew what was up there in that part of the world. Russia was motivated to sell. Alaska was too far away for them to be able to do anything worthwhile with all that territory. And, after all, Russia had gotten Alaska for nothing, so they knew that they would realize a nice profit no matter what price they sold it for.

So, finally, on March 30, 1867, the purchase was finalized. The man responsible for negotiating the purchase was William H. Seward, Secretary of State under President Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. The land deal was immediately named, “Seward’s Folly” and “Seward’s Ice Box” and “Walrussia” by folks who thought that the United States had purchased a wasteland. It was also referred to as “Johnson’s Polar Bear Garden.”

In fact, the deal almost did not go through. The Alaska Purchase was ratified by a margin of only one vote.

William Seward, of New York, envisioned the ownership of Alaska as part of a bigger plan. Seward dreamed that the U.S. would someday own all of North America.

Most people do not recall that on the night that Abraham Lincoln was assassinated an attempt was made on Seward’s life by an associate of John Wilkes Boothe who broke into Seward’s bedroom and stabbed him multiple times.

Today, Alaska is recognized as a state rich in resources and not as a frozen wasteland. Alaska produces almost 20 percent of the nation’s oil and it is home to several outstanding gold mines. Alaska also leads the nation in seafood production and soon will be home to the largest natural gas pipeline project in North America and the world. Alaska now exports over $3 billion worth of natural resources.

So, it should be no surprise that one of Alaska’s most picturesque, thriving cities, Seward, is named after the shrewd negotiator of the Alaska Purchase. And on the last Monday in March, Alaska celebrates a State holiday, Seward’s Day.

Marijuana Use is Both Legal and Illegal in Alaska

2005-03-25T13:37:00.000-09:00

Marijuana use in Alaska is in the news again. The subject comes up quite often because Alaska has one of the most lenient positions on marijuana of all the states.

Last August the Alaska Court of Appeals ruled that personal use and possession of up to 4 ounces of marijuana is protected by the privacy clause of the Alaska Constitution. The court ruling was unanimous.

In September, the state Supreme Court let the ruling stand.

So, in Alaska, possession and use of pot is legal under state law but illegal under federal law. Practically speaking, local law enforcement leaves pot users and growers alone.

Some of the history of the issue dates back to 1975 with the Alaska Supreme Court decision known as Ravin v. State which ruled that personal marijuana possession and use was part of a fundamental state constitutional right to privacy. However, a voter initiative in 1990 cause a change in state law that made personal possession of marijuana illegal.

The most recent court ruling declares that the 1990 voter initiative was unconstitutional because voters are not allowed to overturn a core constitutional principle.

So, here we are in 2005 and the issue is not yet over. A drug enforcement officer, Al Storey, recently said that marijuana “is the number one cash crop in Alaska.” What he means is that Alaska produces enough marijuana to satisfy personal usage in Alaska and be able to export the crop to all of the western states. That is illegal under state and federal laws, but local law enforcement is unable to handle the traffic.

Now Governor Frank Murkowski is appealing to the state legislature for help in outlawing marijuana usage. The Attorney General’s office has presented evidence at legislative hearings about the negative effects of pot usage. They hope to create a legislative record of testimony that could be used by the Legislature to pass anti-pot bills.

It seems like a desperate strategy to me. Though the Governor’s office can introduce a wide variety of statistical evidence regarding the negative social and economic effects of marijuana usage, the courts will continue to stand behind the right to privacy issue. That particular interpretation of the state constitution will not change anytime soon.

So, since Alaska is a state of contrasts and contradictions, we will probably continue to live with the irony that pot possession and personal usage is legal under state law and illegal under federal law.

Works for us. Would that work in your state?

Dogs In Heat and a Blizzard, What Fun

2005-03-22T11:42:00.000-09:00

Phil Morgan and his team of eight dogs arrived in Nome after 15 days on the Iditarod Trail, the final finisher of the 33rd annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. As the last place finisher, Morgan was presented the Red Lantern award.

According to Morgan, “Earning the red lantern was no piece of cake.” He added that he and his dog team “lived through some crazy experiences.”

During their final day on the trail into Nome, Morgan and the team endured a cold blizzard with winds over 60 miles per hour. Morgan finished 6 days behind winner Robert Sorlie.

Shortly after the start of the race, Morgan discovered that 3 of his female dogs were in heat and that the male team members had a hard time concentrating on racing. Morgan had to untangle the team over 200 times during the first half of the race. Eventually he had to drop the three females from the team in order to bring some peace to his team.

Morgan is a pilot for Alaska Airlines and normally flies 737 aircraft at 500 miles per hour. His average speed to Nome? 2.98 miles per hour.

Iditarod Sled Dog Race Stories

2005-03-20T12:30:00.000-09:00

I want to catch up with several of the more noteworthy stories from the recent Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Martin Buser

Martin Buser, from the Wasilla/Big Lake area 50 miles north of Anchorage, is always a local favorite. He is a popular speaker at promotional events and always has a winning smile on his face.

Buser has won the Iditarod on 4 occasions and he owns the Iditarod record fastest time of 8 days, 22 hours, 46 minutes, accomplished in 2002. He has also placed second in the race on two occasions. This year is the 22nd Iditarod race for Buser.

This year Martin Buser challenged for the race lead with eventual winner Robert Sorlie before finally finishing in 13th place. For such an experienced racer that would seem like a disappointing effort.

However, consider this. Just a couple of days before the race start this year Buser lost part of the middle finger of his right hand, just above the second joint, in an accident with a table saw. Though Buser is left-handed it takes two good hands to be able to handle the dog-feeding and dog-care chores that are a huge part of a dog musher’s daily activities. Buser needed pain killers all along the route, and halfway through the race he needed some medical attention from a veterinarian when his finger swelled badly.

I can’t imagine a person with such a serious and painful injury being able to be competitive during a 9 to 12 day endurance contest. So, it seems to me that a 13th place finish for Buser is just amazing.

Incidentally, Buser has two sons, Nikolai and Rohn, both named after Iditarod Trail checkpoints, who are teenage competitors in the Junior Iditarod.

Lance Mackey

Now consider the rigors of racing a major 1000 mile endurance race and turning around 9 days later to tackle another 1100 mile endurance race. Several mushers have accomplished such a feat in the past but none were ever as successful as Lance Mackey was this year.

On Feb 24 Mackey won the Yukon Quest race from Whitehorse to Fairbanks. Then with half the dogs from the Quest team plus some fresh veterans Mackey set off on the Iditarod trail. Amazingly, his team finished in 7th place. That makes him the first musher to win the Quest and then finish in the top ten in the Iditarod.

Mackey’s father, Dick, won the Iditarod in 1978, and his brother, Rick, won the race in 1983. This is Lance’s fourth Iditarod.

Also noteworthy of Mackey’s performances is the fact that he is a cancer survivor. Four years ago he had surgery to his lymph nodes and neck muscles to remove cancerous growth. As a result Mackey has to carry lots of water with him because he no longer has saliva glands.

DeeDee Jonrowe

DeeDee Jonrowe is another local favorite from Willow. She raced her 23rd Iditarod this year and finished in 10th place. That’s the 13th time that she has finished in the top ten, including three 2nd place finishes. Jonrowe is a breast cancer survivor and is a popular speaker at promotional events.

Rachael Scdoris

Rachael Scdoris, the 20-year old legally blind rookie from Oregon, had to scratch from the race only 400 miles from Nome. The reason that she had to pull out of the race is because many of the dogs in her team were ill and losing weight. She was faced with the task of pulling five dogs out of the team and proceeding with a team of six. She decided to wait until next year.

If you wonder how Scdoris is able to participate in the race, it is because she has a partner, Paul Ellering, who mushes his own team just ahead of Scdoris and communicates with her via radio. He warns her about problems and obstacles as Scdoris can see shapes close up but very little beyond her lead dog.

The Red Lantern

By the way, there are still about nine mushers on the trail. The last place finisher wins the non-coveted Red Lantern award. Last year’s Red Lantern winner, Perry Solomonson of Whittier is slightly ahead of Phil Morgan of Anchorage. Morgan regularly pilots 737 commercial jets for Alaska Airlines. No musher has ever received the Red Lantern award twice.

Rachael Scdoris Scratches From the Race

2005-03-17T23:59:00.000-09:00

Rachael Scdoris, the legally blind musher from Oregon, has had to scratch from the 33rd Iditarod Sled Dog Race. She dropped from the race due to concerns for her dog team.

Scdoris and her guide partner had traveled bout 750 miles and had about 500 miles left to negotiate. The hardest miles were behind her. However, the trail had been difficult for her dog team since it had been a soft, slow trail.

The leader, Robert Sorlie, of Norway had already won the race. Rachael and her team were about 6 days behind. Because the safety and the well being of the dog teams is always a major concern, Rachael's fellow mushers had great admiration for her decision.

They also had great admiration for her accomplishment. No other legally blind musher has done as well.

Is There a New Dynasty in Sled Dog Racing?

2005-03-16T20:07:00.000-09:00

Robert Sorlie, a firefighter from Norway, cruised into Nome today, winner of the 33rd annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. The next two finishers, local Alaskans Ed Iten and Mitch Seavey, last year’s winner, followed within an hour of Sorlie. This represents the closest 1-2-3 finish in the race’s history.

Sorlie has won the race two of the three times that he has entered the race. A teammate of Sorlie’s from Norway, Bjornar Andersen, finished in fourth place. That’s an awesome finish for Andersen who is a rookie and, not surprisingly, he was named Rookie of the Year. The two mushers share a kennel in Norway, raising so many dogs that they can’t even keep count of how many they have.

So, dare we talk about a Dynasty? The Norwegian mushers have raised a large number of talented dogs who are now experienced race veterans. They have trained several bright and energetic lead dogs, enough for several teams. The Norwegians have awesome dog power.

Team Norway is going to be hard to beat for the next few years. They have an awesome pool of dogs and several experienced, top mushers.

Alaska mushers will have to get their game plan together soon. Perhaps Alaska’s biggest advantage is that they have the home field advantage.

So How Do You Feel Now, Senator?

2005-03-16T18:54:00.000-09:00

The U.S. Senate, by a 51-49 vote, agreed to budget money to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northern Alaska. Two years ago a similar budget proposal was defeated by three votes. The five vote swing reflects the fact that Republicans gained several seats in the Senate in last November’s election.

Hopefully, Alaska Senator Ted Stevens is feeling better after today’s vote. A few days ago Senator Stevens said that he was depressed after 24 years of working without success to bring oil exploration and oil production to ANWR. Senator Stevens even said that he would resign and not seek re-election in 2008, after 40 years in the Senate, if today’s vote defeated ANWR oil drilling.

After today’s vote Senator Stevens said that his retirement plans are on hold.

Now that the Senate has voted to budget money for oil drilling everything will proceed smoothly. Or will it?

Numerous obstacles still must be overcome. The House of Representatives must pass a similar budget proposal. Then the lawmakers must agree on the final budget, something that they were unable to do last year. Then the latest technology, which is not inexpensive, must be taken to ANWR. If all goes well it will likely be a decade before any oil is able to flow out of ANWR to market.

What will the world be like ten years from now? Probably, things will change. They always do.

But if our energy needs don’t improve drastically in the next decade, today’s action will be seen as the right action to take.

So, relax Senator Stevens and get rested and ready for the next step.

Scott Gomez, Now That Is Classy

2005-03-14T23:50:00.000-09:00

Perhaps you heard that the NHL hockey season was cancelled. That’s not a big deal really, because with minor league hockey, college hockey, high school hockey, and age group hockey in town, we have plenty of puck action to keep us happy.

But this gives me a chance to talk about one of my heroes, Scott Gomez, hockey player.

Scott Gomez graduated from high school in Anchorage in 1996. He was considered an outstanding citizen and hockey prospect when he graduated. As a senior Gomez averaged 2 goals and 2 assists per game. Very amazing statistics.

As a citizen, Gomez was a leader. One of his classmates in high school recalled an incident where she and her friends were practicing hip-hop routines and being heckled and taunted by some male classmates. Gomez came upon the scene and spoke up, reprimanding the boys for their bad behavior. That's classy.

After several years of minor league hockey Scott Gomez went to the NHL New Jersey Devils. Gomez excelled during his first season and was selected Rookie of the Year. Additionally, Gomez was named to the NHL All Star Team, a rare honor for a rookie. Then to top all of that, the New Jersey Devils went to the Stanley Cup playoffs and won the Cup. Best in the league! And Scott Gomez hadn’t even turned 21 yet.

Now, whenever a team wins the Stanley Cup, each player on the team is allowed to take the cup to their home town and show it off to the local fans. When Gomez brought the Cup to Anchorage, thousands of fans showed up to view the cup and to talk to Gomez. Scott Gomez was incredibly proud to share the Cup with Alaskans. More fans viewed the Cup in Anchorage than in any other city.

That’s because Alaskans really love hockey and Scott Gomez.

He’s truly a great guy. He puts his arms around people when they ask for pictures with him. He goes fishing with his buddies during the summer. He donates to local clubs, churches, and associations. He participates in local fundraisers. He’s very classy.

And now, get this, he’s playing hockey for the local minor league team. That’s right, Scott Gomez, with two Stanley Cup championship rings, is playing with the local Anchorage Aces of the ECHL.

No other NHL player is playing with local minor league teams like Gomez is. Many players went to the European leagues where the level of play is similar to the NHL. The ECHL is several steps below. But Gomez was asked to come back to Anchorage and play in front of the local fans and he agreed to do so. That’s very classy.

During the NHL season, Gomez earns several million dollars for his services. With the Anchorage Aces he earns $500 per week. Same as the rest of the players. That’s very classy, too.

Well, the result is that the Aces are leading the league currently and Scott Gomez is leading the league in scoring. Not surprisingly, each home game is a sellout.

Now, bear in mind that Gomez is not dominating the team or the league. Hockey is such a strong team game that a single player alone cannot dominate. But he is raising the level of play of his teammates. You can see the quality of passing improve tremendously. You can also see the speed of the skaters increase. And the team and the league have become classier.

You can tell that I am a big Scott Gomez fan. There are a few games left in the regular season for the Aces, then there are the playoffs. I’m not at all anxious for the season to end because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see Scott Gomez play with the home team.

Well, if we’re lucky, they’ll cancel next year’s NHL season also. That would not be classy, but Scott Gomez certainly is.

Siberian Huskies, The Hottest Team On The Trail

2005-03-13T14:58:00.000-09:00

The Siberian Huskies are at a big disadvantage this year.

The 33rd annual running of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is at the halfway mark now and it has been a warm race since day 1. The mushers, generally, were afraid that this year’s race would be warmer than normal, and the weather predictions have been accurate so far.

The problem with warm weather, meaning temperatures in the 30’s and 40’s, is that the dog teams do not run as efficiently as they do in cooler weather and the dogs are in danger of overheating. Also, the snow on the trail tends to be softer in warmer weather, which forces the dogs to work even harder.

Most teams are comprised of relatively small, lean, short-haired huskies, but one musher, Karen Ramstead, chose to use a team of full-bred Siberian huskies. In fact, she has the only full-breed team in the race.

Siberian huskies are real arctic dogs, a little heavier than most huskies and with long hair. They are very attractive dogs with round faces, curly tails, and stout builds. With the warm weather at this year’s race, the Siberian husky team is traveling more slowly than normal.

Siberian huskies have a respected history in Alaska. It was teams of Siberians that were responsible for hauling the diphtheria serum to Nome in 1925 to save lives there. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an annual commemoration of that heroic run.

In fact, Fritz, one of the important lead dogs during the Serum Run to Nome is thought to be the godfather of today’s Siberians. It can be said that Ramstead’s team of Siberians are all descendants of that dog hero.

Ramstead and her team should arrive in Nome in a few days, but unless the Siberians can take off their winter coats during the middle of the day, they will not be among the leaders.

Currently, Robert Sorlie of Norway is in the lead followed by several local Alaska mushers. Rachael Scdoris, the legally blind musher, is much further behind, but still in the race.

By the way, to view more photos and read more stories about this year's race visit the Anchorage Daily News website.

It's a Sled Dog Race Not a Dog Sled Race

2005-03-13T14:41:00.000-09:00

The Iditarod Sled Dog Race is run each year as a commemoration of the 1925 Serum Run to Nome. Back in 1925, Nome, a gold rush town on the west coast of Alaska, was in the midst of a diphtheria epidemic. The solution to the problem was to send the needed serum medicine to Nome from Fairbanks with sled dog teams.

A number of teams were involved, with each team running a certain distance as in a relay. The husky teams with the famous Balto and Togo in the final teams got the serum to Nome and saved many lives.

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race was begun in 1973 as a tribute to the Serum Run. The Race follows the historic Iditarod trail, a long trail that actually starts in Seward, Alaska, and runs through the Interior of Alaska, ending in Nome. The Race, sometimes called The Last Great Race, starts in Anchorage and follows the trail 1049 miles to Nome.

With that background in mind, here's an important point: it is not a dog sled race. The sleds don't do any racing. They can't; they're just along for the ride, being pulled by the teams of sled dogs who do all of the racing. So it is in fact a sled dog race.

Now the mushers are racing as well. But it is the first team of sled dogs to cross beneath the burlwood arch in Nome that is declared the winner.

So, make sure you understand the vocabulary here. It is a sled dog race, not a dog sled race.

To follow the progress of the race and to view some great photos, go to www.adn.com/iditarod.

Iditarod Sled Dog Race Has Started

2005-03-12T00:04:00.000-09:00

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has started in Alaska. The race, a little over 1100 miles starts in Anchorage and finishes in Nome. This year marks the 33rd running of the race. Sounds a little like a Super Bowl number, doesn't it?

The Race is a big event in the sled dog racing universe. This year's Race has 80 entries and includes many entries from out of state and from other countries. For example, Robert Sorlie, from Norway and the winner of the Race two years ago, is back again this year and with two other Norwegian musher teammates. Also back this year is Doug Swingley from Montana who won the race three years in a row.

However, the most unique entry in the Race this year is 20 year-old Bend, Oregon, resident Rachael Scdoris who is legally blind. She is not totally blind, though, as she can see shapes and light if she concentrates. She has a guide/partner from Minnesota who helps her to stay safe on the trail.

The trail to Nome is always rough, with bumps and holes and low hanging branches, none of which Rachael can see well enough to deal with safely without a guide to help. However, she must steer and ride the sled and must take care of the dogs all by herself, with no help, and that's hard enough for someone with full sight.

Rachael is dealing well with the trail so far. She is young and athletic and has enormous determination. She may just make it all the way to Nome, and that would be quite a feat for any young rookie.

Rachael is taking extra rest and time to take care of herself and her dog team, so she is not in competition for the race lead. In fact she is in competition for the Red Lantern, which is given to the last musher to reach Nome. Of course, the real story is not so much where she places but in the fact that she can run the race at all.

If you want to follow the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and Rachael Scdoris' story be sure to check out the best Race site on the Web, www.adn.com/iditarod. It's a site maintained by the local newspaper.

By the way, Norwegian Robert Sorlie is currently in the lead with local favorites, Dee Dee Jonroe and Martin Buser close behind.

Ho Hum -- We Had Another Earthquake

2005-03-04T17:57:00.000-09:00

We had a 4.7 earthquake here in Anchorage the other morning with some slightly smaller aftershocks later in the day. In fact we had about 15 to 20 earthquakes altogether that day.

Did that even make the newspaper or evening news where you live? Probably not. It made our news but only barely, since the only other event worth reporting that day was the cancellation of the NHL hockey season. Of course we were expecting that to happen--both the earthquake and the hockey season cancellation.

Some people didn't even feel the earthquakes that day. Can you believe that! I was one of them. I was teaching basketball in a Phys Ed class in high school when the largest quake hit in the morning. I'm sure I was getting bounced around by taller, heavier, faster high school boys at the time and didn't notice the earth shake.

It was a pretty good shake, too. As the Anchorage Daily News described it, "The initial morning jolt was announced by a 'bang!' and was quickly followed by a side-to-side shudder." Friends described the jolt to me as being very sudden and very sharp. Sometimes our quakes are rolling in nature but this one was different. Then there were smaller, gentler, even unnoticeable ground shakes all the rest of the day.

Our area receives so many moderate earthquakes of this nature that we have become quite used to them. As a matter of fact we are usually rather happy when we feel these quakes. We know that quakes of this nature relieve pressures deep inside the many fault zones that are located nearby which decreases the likelihood of being struck by a huge earthquake like the one that hit southcentral Alaska back in 1964.

So, the quakes the other day served to create some friendly conversation for a day but they did not create any anxiety or fear. However, a couple of those high school basketball players that I was coaching the other day did. But that's another story.

By the way, if you are interested in learning a little more about the 1964 Good Friday Alaska earthquake and tsunami, check out this article that I wrote on that subject.

Life In Alaska

2005-03-04T16:29:00.000-09:00

Welcome to the Life in Alaska page! People often ask me if I live in an igloo. My usual reply is that no, I don't live in an igloo, but my neighbors do. I say that as seriously as possible to make people wonder if it's really true.

So, I've decided that one of the purposes of this page is to share with readers what life in Alaska is like. I'll post fun and interesting articles about living in the Great Land, hoping to intrigue, entertain, and educate you. Whenever you have questions about Alaska or comments that you wish to add, please do so.

I'll also use this page to include local social and political news, pertinent to Alaska and the nation. Some of the comments will create discussion and debate and I invite you to join in freely. Comments, of course, must be appropriate and tasteful.

Can't Get There From Here

2005-01-16T19:05:00.000-09:00

Juneau is the capital of Alaska, but did you know that you cannot drive there from anywhere?

You can fly into Juneau or you can take a ferry to Juneau, but you can’t actually drive there. There are no roads into Juneau. Can you imagine not being able to drive to the State Capital in the state where you live?

Normally, a lot of business and a lot of government takes place in a state’s Capital. Not having easy access to it would create lots of problems, wouldn’t it? Well, not in Alaska.

In fact, up until a few years ago Juneau was two time zones or more away from the rest of the state. A few years ago Alaska had five time zones. Now we have only two time zones and our Capital is now in the same time zone as most of the state.

Governor Frank Murkowski has a transportation plan that would include the building of a 65 mile road from Juneau to Skagway by the year 2010. That would connect Juneau by road to Anchorage, Fairbanks, and much of Alaska.

Of course, you would have to drive through part of Canada to get to Skagway. Not a big deal, since Canada still likes us.

However, many Alaskans are not too thrilled by the idea of building an expensive road to Juneau. According to Skagway business owner, Jan Wrentmore, “It will be as stupid an idea in 2010 as it is now.”

Part of the issue is that Skagway and Haines depend on the marine ferry system for business, since Skagway and Haines are the northernmost terminus for tourists who want to disembark the ferry and drive. The fear is that Juneau would become the northernmost stopping point for the ferry if a road is built from Juneau to Skagway.

“We lose our status of what we’ve had for 100 years,” said Jan Wrentmore. “It creates a competing port.”

Of course, the rest of Alaska doesn’t really care about the competing port issue. The point is that the rest of Alaska doesn’t really care about the whole issue. Our legislators at the State Capital seem to get along just fine the way things are currently.

Change comes slowly in Alaska and I would guess that this issue will be talked about for a good many more years to come.

If we talk about it long enough, eventually it will become a mute issue. We won’t need a road. Eventually we’ll be able to teleport ourselves to the Capital if we wish.

Beam me up Governor.