Anchorage

These last few days, between naps, I have been exploring the city. Anchorage is reminiscent of Nevada. It has a vast open feeling surrounded by impressive snow covered mountains. Although the mountains here are much bigger than Nevada. It could easily be Las Vegas without the casinos. Or even Reno or Minden although not as crowded. It is user friendly and fairly easy to find my way around. Today I went to the Anchorage Museum. The news had reported a new exhibit of early artifacts, unseen for a very long time and stored in the Washington (DC) Smithsonian Museum and now being returned to their native land. I was excited. The Museum is beautiful and has an excellent collection of very old native artifacts well displayed chronologically - through the years with an excellent, politically correct, historical narrative that flows as you wander through. Also a wonderful collection of landscape paintings, Alaskan artists from the 1800's to contemporary artists. Amazing paintings from floor to ceiling of the beautiful scenery. . . unfortunately the Smithsonian addition won't open until May 22nd. Guess I will have to go back.

It will be a week before John gets back from Huston and we will head out on the train to Denali for a few days, so I have some time to fill. A scenic two hour drive will take me to Seward and the Kenai Peninsula and Beluga point with sight seeing boats taking you by the Fjords and glaciers - can't pass that up.

Emma is enjoying her time with Jock, Joe, and Kisha. Hated to leave her for so long and will be glad to get back to her.