Alaska Part 2

After the conference we planned to have two days to explore around Anchorage. People asked to meet with us, however, so our plan changed. We didn't get to explore quite as much as we'd hoped, but we did manage to fit some time in. Before our meetings on Sunday, we walked part of the coastal trail in Anchorage.


We clearly had intruded on this little magpie's space. For whatever reason, Laura couldn't get very close to him, but he walked right up to me and let me know it. We had quite the little discussion going for a while!


This part of the coast is designated an IBA, or important bird area. It is a series of mud flats along the coastal plain. As you can see, the recent cold weather had added ice to the mix, making some spectacular scenery.


We had some meetings at the Alaska Native Medical Center complex. It's an incredible facility. They have quite a lot of Alaska Native art, and much is on display to help patients feel more at home. Above, the John Hoover installation in the central dome area. Below, Francisca and Darlene and I by a case of stunning beadwork.



The Alaska Native Heritage Center is mostly closed at this time of year, but we had a meeting and tour there. The first shot is of the Tlingit, Haida, Aleut, and Alutiiq houses, from across the lake. (All Alaska Native cultures have a house on the lake. During the summer, the houses are staffed by people from those cultural areas who discuss the houses, objects, lifeways, and cultures.) Below, the grey whale skeleton along the lake.



Along Seward Highway. This is a lovely drive, especially when the area has had a recent snow. Below is Portage Lake with Portage Glacier in the background. Alaska, like other areas, is seeing glaciers retreating owing to warmer temperatures. (Apologies for the schmutz (great Yiddish word!) on the lens--it was windy and I didn't notice the addition.)



Sunset during our return along the Seward Highway. We originally missed our turn for Portage, but ran out of time to visit Seward. The GPS unit, though, tried to help: "Please, when possible, make a legal U-turn." So much for alternate routes. Below, a panoramic of Portage Lake and Glacier.