4th of July in the 49th State

Days 38 – 41, July 2 - 5, 2015

The 4^th of July in Anchorage is also the occasion of Anchorage’s 100^th birthday! Lots of celebrations. But what struck us was their humor, beauty, friendly people and artistry. Anchorage celebrates the three compressed months of ‘spring/summer/fall’ with flowers everywhere, a great sense of humor and murals and landscaping splashes of color... and music.

 

Anchorage sense of humor

Music

This WP couple knows that the 4^th of July is never complete without a live Symphony Orchestra performance … and Anchorage came through … Thank you Anchorage Symphony Orchestra and conductor Randall Fleischer! (get a look at his face ...  he loves his work!) The expected patriotic tunes along with some music distinctively Alaskan … (Sorry no fireworks … fires still are burning in Alaska.)

 

A Salute to America’s Military

This sculpture salutes soldiers from all America's conflicts from the  revolutionary war through the civil war until today's efforts to protect our freedom and independence. This is found at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church

... and this is our favorite soldier, Specialist Medic Megan … she jumps out of airplanes while her puppy Athena protects her at home. We were so glad to be able to visit with her as we’ve known her since she was six years old.

Few Highways in Alaska

There are only 5 major highways in this vast state. Numbered 1 through 5. Our drive on the 5^th of July is an advance to the sea … east through Alaska to Canada then south back to Alaska to Haines ... 775 miles to catch a ferry to sail the Inside Passage and visit Juneau.  Along the way we popped in on the Matanuska Glacier. Glaciers are everywhere in Alaska.

Boondocking 

A word on boondocking … free! 
And because Alaska offers extensive vistas of gorgeous terrain and spring time flowers are everywhere, we always find wonderful places to stay … however, there are some places that are just, well, free.

This is our second pass through Tok. This Northern Energy Tesoro Gas station offers free water, free car wash, free dump station and free overnight parking (and they sell gas and propane) … perfect for a quick overnight stop on our trip to Haines. Coyote is licking his fingers in anticipation of barbecue chicken and grilled zucchini!