We wrapped up our epic journey to Alaska in Anchorage, the largest city in the state. With a population exceeding 300,000, nearly half the state’s residents call Anchorage home. Our hotel, the Westmark, included in our cruise package and owned by Holland America, was well-located downtown. We arrived early in the evening before an afternoon flight out of Anchorage the following day allowing us time for just a brief look around.
Panoramic view from our balcony at the Westmark Hotel, Anchorage
Dinner at Humpy’s came with outside seating made more enjoyable after the brief shower ended. Jim especially liked his caribou sausage but I had seafood again. Thankfully, salmon and halibut would soon be delivered to our door so it wasn’t my last meal of Alaskan seafood.
Jim and Sheryl outside Humpy’s
The following morning we got an early start to make the best use of our time. Anchorage plants more than 80,000 flowers in 270 flower beds throughout the city and we were happy to encounter more than a few on our walkabout.
One of the many flower beds planted around Anchorage each year
Our visit coincided with the Slam’n Salm’n Derby on Ship Creek, an annual fundraiser for the Downtown Soup Kitchen. I was intent on seeing this event so we headed straight for the creek. We overshot the mark, however, and ended up further upstream and found ourselves in a seedier neighborhood than we intended. In retrospect, if we had simply walked directly to the Information Center, we could have explored the area from there. The upside of getting off the beaten path, however, was seeing the Streambank Restoration Project to protect salmon habitat.
Ship Creek Trail
Fishing for salmon on the bank of Ship Creek for the Slam’n Salm’n Derby
More derby fishers at the Bridge at Ship Creek
Derby fisher weighs his catch
I later read the Derby winner for 2015 was a woman who caught a 37.55 lb king salmon early in the 10-day event.
We visited the nearby Ulu Factory and watched a craftsman work on a traditional ulu knife. With a history over 3000 years old, this tool was fashioned and used by native Alaskans and is still used today. We bought one for ourselves and one for a gift. I especially like it for chopping herbs since I don’t skin many seals.
Craftsman working at the Ulu Factory
My Ulu with cutting bowl
The Ulu Factory and Store
Jim with a dogsled displayed outside the Ulu Factory
A quick stop at the Visitor’s Center told us there was plenty more than we had time to see, and we would have to be content with the briefest of tours.
Anchorage Visitor Information Center
Downtown Anchorage
We decided to spend some of our precious time on an exhibit and video presentation of Dave Parkhurst’s photographs of the aurora borealis. Photography of his work in the exhibit wasn’t allowed but you can check out his images on his website, The Alaska Collection. We once viewed the northern lights in northern Wisconsin and Jim saw them another time while driving in Iowa on I-35 but this show was phenomenal. As a result, I now want to see the aurora borealis in either Alaska or Iceland.
Video presentation of images of the Aurora Borealis by Alaskan photographer Dave Parkhurst
Then it was back to the hotel to grab our luggage and catch a taxi to the airport. As we said goodbye to Alaska, we were treated once again to views of Mt. Denali. What could possibly provide a more lasting impression of Alaska?
Mt. Denali
Mt. Denali
Based on events of June 2015.