Anchorage to Juneau Thursday, July 5

 This is a firefighter's tower.  We are thinking that it is where they practice going up and down ladders and stuff.  Not sure.

 Lots of fur companies and stores.

The flowers are pretty.  The lilacs are in bloom.  I think of them more spring flowers not summer flowers.

 Landing in Juneau.

 Our hike up Mt Roberts

 great view.  They can have up to 6 cruise ships.

 There is snow!! I was surprised.

 The tram to go down

 Nathan feeding the polar bears!! hehe I guy took his picture on a green screen and the brought in the background.  Of course I had to buy it.

 My lots of points plus steak dinner that was delicious.  I deserved it.  Had a A to Z pinot.  I guess Alaska does not make any wines. They make some good beers - I am told.  Haven't had any yet.

 Down the tram.  I got some good shots coming down.

Then a walk through town.  Cute fountain.  Lots of great shops - and I am here with Nathan and George. Juneau is a cute little touristy town.  I like it so far.  And now to bed.

Ghost Tour in Anchorage

 Here is our tour guide for the Ghost Walk Tour.  Lots of great history stories but I could have done with out all the ghost references.  I guess I am a little of a skeptic.  It also was a little long.  About 2 1/2 hours.  The 2 short buildings across the street behind him are the 2 oldest buildings in Anchorage.

 Not a very good picture but the Blue Moose was cute.  It wasn't haunted we just passed it.

 This hotel is supposed to have the highest paranormal activity of any place around.  It was a cool hotel.

Nathan dropped us off about 10:30pm at the hotel.  After looking at the Captain Cook Hotel and the Anchorage Hotel - very posh - our hotel looks very drab.  Oh well. Tomorrow we fly to Juneau.

 After going to the waterfall and walking around there we walked to a close Russian Orthodox church/cemetery and museum.  One of the churches was very ornate, also very tiny.  Maybe 20 people could be in it at one time. Actually this one below is the largest.  The smaller one was one of the first buildings built in the Anchorage area built in the 1870s.

 Instead of grave stones they had these little houses.   In the early years they would put down blankets instead of flowers.  But now people bring flowers.

 Some of them were very elaborate. 

 Note the Russian design.

 Then after salmon chowder and bagels and cream cheese for lunch we went to a July 4th fair. Nothing terribly exciting.  But it was fun to see.

 A lot of reindeer burgers, hot dogs and sausages.

 A bird rescue group had 2 little owls which had been rescued.  They were cute.

We watched an episode of Wonder Woman - Nathan had gotten from the library.  That brought back memories.  Funny to see it now.  

Nathan is fixing dinner now.  Pasta, salad and jello.  Then tonight we are going on a Ghost Walk Tour.  That will be interesting.

 Sharon - this one is for you.  This is a neighborhood apartment near Nathan's.

 We went to the Thunderbird Falls.  Very nice.

Waterfall, what waterfall???

These were taken at 11:45pm - last night.  Hard to believe.

 The view out the window of the airport.  I bet on a clear day it is gorgeous with the snow capped mountains.

 Front of Nathan's apt building.

 Nathan's front door.  It is a much nicer place than his last apartment.  He has real furniture now.

 Getting set up for fireworks.  They do them at midnight going into the 4th so people can sleep in.

 The Whale Fat Follies. Do you recognize the guy in the back is the same as the guy above. He was the owner of the restaurant but now he just does the shows.  Funny.  I am sure that I did not get all of the "Alaska" jokes.  But I enjoyed.  My burger was delicious.

 This kind of shows how light it is.  It was nearly 11pm when I took the picture.

The woolly mammoth is big here.  Someone liked mammoths enough to put it at their grave.

Well it is late so I am off to bed.  Luckily we have thick drapes.

Anchorage, Alaska Tues, July 3rd

In a few minutes we will be heading off to catch the MAX to go to the airport.  We are off to visit Nathan for a few days.  I guess we will not be seeing any fireworks tomorrow since it does not get dark.  :-) I will try to post a few times.