One of the first stops was the visitors center - they had lots of information on things to do and see. The center was a log cabin, and there was grass growing on the roof. Then a wander around town, and some of the many shops - lots of fun!
We rented a van on Saturday and did a bit of a road trip beyond Anchorage. The weather was beautiful and it was great to see what we could see. Billie had found information on a Russian Orthodox church, Peter was curious about Wasilla, and we found that there was a glacier visible from the road, so off we went!
We stopped at Subway for a sandwich which we ate along the road side with beautiful scenery! So it was a restaurant with a "million dollar" view. We caught a glimpse of a mother moose and baby! We turned around to get a better look, but they scurried back into the forest. We did NOT see a bear!
We tried to have dinner at the Glacier Brew house as it had been recommended to John but it was full and the wait was for hours. So we had a lovely dinner at a hotel restaurant and then we called it a night.
John, Jo and Billie were leaving to go home on Sunday. Their airport van was leaving at 10:00 so we went over to their hotel to see them off. It was sad to see them go, and they had a long, long flight ahead of them!
After they left, we did a bit more browsing around town. We went to the local market and then had a nice long walk along the waterfront. We bought some sandwiches for lunch and went to the town square to have lunch since it was such a beautiful spot with gardens all around. We found a wedding ceremony happening there so had lunch watching a couple get married. Then it was off to the museum for the afternoon. After the museum, we retired to our hotels for a rest before meeting for dinner. We tried to go to the Glacier Brew House again but it was packed. So we went to a wonderful Irish pub instead that had great food. Although we were a bit concerned when our waiter greeted us saying, "I'm have a "bad" day! But he was very nice and we had a wonderful dinner.
Monday was gray and rainy. We had visiting the Anchorage Botanical gardens on our list, so we caught the bus and toured the gardens. They were really pretty, with big displays of dahlias blooming. It was pretty cold and wet, though.
In the afternoon we all went back to our hotels to begin the packing process, as we were all leaving on Tuesday morning.
We met for dinner and again were unable to get into the Glacier Brew House - that must be a great place to eat! So, we went to a pizza place instead. We all ordered beer and the waitress wanted ID!! Lee and I had ID, but Bryan and Peter had left their passports in their room - she would NOT serve us! I explained that we had grandchildren old enough to drink, but to no avail! So, we ended up at a different restaurant, where we had salmon and halibut, and a beer! No one asked for ID!! It was a great end to our time in Anchorage.
Then it's Tuesday, we said good-bye to Bryan and Peter, and headed home. What a great trip - we'll remember it always!
The visitor center at Anchorage - log cabin with grass growing on the roof!
Bryan, Jo, Billie and John, in front of the visitor center
Some of the beautiful flowers in the town center
Bryan and a new friend, outside of a shop
Peter and his new friend!
Lee has a new friend, too!
The Russian Orthodox church
This active little church also has an amazing grave yard
The church
Inside the church
Jo
Pat, John and Bryan
The original church, built in the early 1800's
The grave yard
All of the graves are covered with little houses, made to house their spirits
There must be a story behind this!
This was the most elaborate spirit house we saw
Also traditional is the placing of blankets on the grave
Here's the back end of the mama moose, heading into the forest
Gold country!
Some of the beautiful scenery
7 people piling out of the van!
More beautiful Alaska
Lunch break with a million dollar view!
The walking trail near the matanuska glacier
And there is the glacier!
Lots and lots of ice!
Viewing the glacier
Bryan, Jo, Peter, Billie, Lee, Jo and Pat - time to say good-bye to Jo, John and Billie
Jo, Billie, Lee and John
Jo and John, on the way to the airport
Jo
Billie
Jo and Peter
The market, on a cool and drizzly Sunday
Again - sorry, Dave!
Alaska's statehood monument
Liquid sunshine!
The Alaska Railway building
Our walk around the waterfront
We walked through a great residential area - note the totem pole in the yard
Salpinglosis!
Lee and Bryan with beautiful flowers
Captain Cook also visited Alaska!
Bryan and beautiful hanging baskets
Giant cabbage among the flowers
Lunch time wedding in the city square
Some of the exhibits at the museum. The white suit above is made of seal and walrus intestine and is waterproof!
Anchorage Botanical Gardens
Sunset - 10:30 pm!!
This is how light it was at 11:00 pm - thank heavens for black-out drapes!
Good bye, Anchorage - we had a great time visiting!!
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