Anchorage 2

Sunday, June 24

We woke up to wind, rain, and a bit of rain this morning, and decidedly cooler temperatures, as well.  We’d anticipated this change in the weather and planned to explore a couple of Anchorage’s museums today, and it proved to be a good plan.

We drove downtown, parked at the Anchorage Museum and bought combination tickets for it and the Alaska Native Heritage Center.  We rode a shuttle out to the latter and spent several enjoyable hours learning about Alaska’s eleven native cultures in a very impressive facility. 

We attended a performance of traditional music and dance, toured examples of each culture’s homes and villages, saw artists and traditional craftsmen at work, and viewed a variety of exhibits, both artistic and historical.  This would be a must-see for any Anchorage visitor.

After returning downtown, we spent a short while focusing on a photographic exhibit and a few other things at the large Anchorage Museum before walking around the small city center and heading back “home” for dinner.

Yesterday, Mel learned (via Facebook) that the daughter of a dear friend in Connecticut is currently in Alaska, awaiting good enough weather to fly to a glacier to begin an ascent of Denali!  We spoke by phone and, if she and her husband are unable to fly out tomorrow, we plan to see them in Talkeetna, their staging area and our stop for the next two nights.  We’re all marveling at the coincidence that brought us here at the same time!