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ANCHORAGE
The Banana Belt City Of Alaska

Anchorage is considered a warm city because it is shielded from the arctic winds by the Brooks Range mountains. Summer gets into the 70's during the day and 50's at night. In winter it only goes to 20 below which, to the rest of Alaska is warm. It was an early start when we drove from Criss's place in Wasilla for our day trip to Anchorage. The sun was already up at 6:00 am (it didn't get dark till 10:30 p.m.). Did you know that, although Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, it only has a permanent population of 226,338 at the last census? This was the first time we ventured from the house and we were a bit concerned about finding our way back. But not to fear, the day was a beauty and we returned without a hitch. Thanks to the good navigating from my partner Ceil.

We stopped for breakfast at a downtown restaurant to get a feel for the local food. It was the same as the lower 48 although they had reindeer (Caribou) sausage everywhere. The ambiance was a lot different but the food was much the same; burger and fries and Taco salad was the norm. I did have to admire and had to photograph the old car in the parking lot.

Then it was a visit to the Anchorage Culture Center with the wales painted on the nearby building. As we walked along the streets, outside vendors were selling their wears. We bought a few souvenirs. But we were saving for the Seward and Homer trips later in the week. We decided to check out the train station to see where we were to leave for tomorrows ride to Seward. That's where we saw the salmon fishermen wading in the stream trying to catch the tagged Coho prize Salmon during the Ship Creek Silver Derby (see photos below).

Vintage Car in Parking Lot

Anchorage Culture Center (above)

Prize, Tagged Coho for the winner (Below

Culture Center Fountain and Wales

Coho Samon Fishing Rules

After much driving about the Ship's Creek area (no place to park), we decided to check out the route south of anchorage and look for the Bore Tide in Turnagain Arm sound.

This was an exciting drive. (Below).

The sound is shallow and if the wind is right, a small tidal wave called a "Bore Tide" can be seen. Unfortunately our timing was not right and although we followed the railroad track along the sound, no bore tide was seen. Maybe tomorrow on the train we mused.

ANCHORAGE The Banana Belt City Of Alaska

ANCHORAGE
The Banana Belt City Of Alaska