Anchorage revisited

The roadway to Anchorage was stunningly bad. We had experienced roads far north around Fairbanks last time we were in Alaska with Colectiva, but not this far south. At first, we assumed that perhaps it was because we were earlier in the season, and maybe Alaska DOT had not yet been able to get to all the winter frost damagee. But we later learned that in May of last year the region was hit by a 5.2 earthquake, and the damage was a result. Locals complain that the state has received federal funds resulting from the earthquake, but just hasn’t spent that money to repair their roads.

I had mentioned that most of the towns we visited in the Aleutians had year-round populations well under 100, and the ferry maybe only stops monthly. Locals are so happy when the ferry stops, even through it is only for a half hour or so, that they treat the ferry passengers that stroll through town to a feast. This guys daughter spent the prior day cooking up all these baked goods and laid them out for any and all to enjoy – gratis!

The fishing theme is everywhere. Not only are there boats and nets and ship paraphernalia all over wherever the town gets close to the water, but nearly all the homes in the area are boldly decorated with nautical themed doodads. They actually seem to be in competition as to who can look the most nautical.

And even if a homeowner decided that a fishing or ocean theme is not to his or her liking, then there is also the wildlife or hunting themes that go well. This home combined both land based and water-based wildlife in his or her decorations.

I am not quite sure what these guys are up to. Are they of the opinion that if they can’t see you that you can’t see them – i.e. are they hiding from us? Or is there just something really fascinating under the surface of the water that we can’t see? Or is the water shallow and there are all kinds of superior food stuff on the bottom? Who knows!

I am not sure they can blame the condition of this bridge or pier – not sure which it was originally meant to be – on the earthquake. I think that it is just a function of lack of maintenance, and the harsh elements it has to contend with. I bet the locals don’t use this one any more.

In most US cities they name their roads for past presidents, or important historical characters. Sometimes roads are named for people who played a key role in the development of the city or the region. In Alaska, they don’t seem to do that.

Talk to you soon!