Anchorage - Day 5

Because we took our McKinley Flyer tour of McKinley/Denali last night, we got to sleep in this morning.  I found that there is a GeoCache right behind the Talkeetna Lodge so Gael and I set off to find it using my new Garmin IQue3600.  Sadly, I hadn't read up properly on how to use it so we didn't find the cache.  Later in the morning I had a "forehead-flattening" epiphany and figured it out.  By then it was too late to go back; we had to board the bus to Anchorage.

Joy filled our heads with Talkeetna lore as we drove south.  Remember the TV series "Northern Exposure"? It was based on the people and town of Talkeetna (there are some mighty quirky individuals in Talkeetna).  But they found it too cold (the actors all wanted to mutiny) so the production was set up in Washington state.

We pulled out from the Talkeetna Lodge promptly at 11:30a.  Our first stop was at the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla.  The Iditarod is a 1000+ mile sled dog race that is an Alaskan national treasure.  It runs from the first Saturday in March until those who complete it are done.  You may remember a few days ago that we sailed past Susan Butcher's dog training camp; Susan won the race (and there is only one class, no male/female) FOUR times!

This is the permanent trophy with winner plates along the bottom

Back on the bus for short hour into Anchorage; we arrived at about 3pm:

You've seen the painted cows that originated in Chicago? Where various artists decorate them and they're displayed downtown? Anchorage being Anchorage they've done a similar thing -- but with salmon:

"Sting Salmon"

"Nascar Jack"

"Salmon Run"

"Winter Migration"

"Flash In The Pan"

Where else but in Alaska can you get felt up by a moose?

We left the hotel:

The FlyByNight Club was absolutely terrific! They perform outrageous music, songs and skits about the politics of Alaska and the rest of the US.  It's simply outstanding; since the Wits End Players in Atlanta thirty years ago, this is the best cabaret theater we've seen.  Thanks again, Joe and Cathleen!

NOTE: If you ever find yourself in Anchorage, DO NOT leave town without seeing this show!  And be sure to make reservations well in advance.

Up at dawn to process ship documents and then back on the bus for a tour of Anchorage and the Alaskan Heritage Museum before taking the last bus leg (three hours) to Seward and the pier.  We'll board the Celebrity Summit for the next seven days.