Anchorage Museum and Home
August 9:
We had time for one last tourist stop before catching our Alaska Airlines flight to Sacramento. An Anchorage native recommended the Anchorage Museum. The ticket clerk recommended the second floor if we were in a hurry. There we found rows of artifacts displayed in towering glass cases sorted by regions of Alaska. Dramatic lighting was dim and challenging, but the contents were of the best quality, containing the typical clothing, tools, household items from each region.
In front of the display cases were video screens which played a continuous loop of videos about the various regions, history, and cultures. Each screen played a different video, some with narration that distracted from nearby screens. We decided to slide along seating in front of the screens from to left. The final result was an haphazard overview of all of the regions, history, and cultures. I would have preferred a more linear approach or, at least, a comprehensive IMAX experience as an introduction. Everything seemed designed for repeated visits. The ticket clerk had warned us that time constraints would be an issue. Still, I was impressed by the depth and extent of the museum's holdings--worth the visit.
By five o'clock we had returned the rental car, checked in our luggage, and were ready for an early dinner. Our stomachs were finally ready for some Alaska fish. We feasted on Sockeye salmon and a local ale.
I brought along extra treats in my backpack because I knew Alaska Airlines wouldn't offer much during the 5 hour journey home. That journey was extended when the jet had to taxi back to the gate because of some mechanical issues.
Now we wouldn't reach Sacramento until 1:00 am. Still, we reached Paradise by 3:30. We could sleep in until the 12:30 Spanish Mass. Those Alaska pioneers had it much worse. We returned to all the comforts of home and didn't have to face "caribou heart, kidneys, stomach and liver in a frying pan" trying to survive the Alaskan wilderness. Our Alaska adventure had been worth any pioneering pains. We sought gold in Alaska and paid the price. Because we found gold in memories, we have no regrets.
