Anchorage

Did you know that Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is a pennisula surrounded by the Chugach mountains on the east and the Cook Inlet on the west? Did you know that in 1964 Anchorage suffered an enormous earthquake, magnitude 9.2, lasting 4 minutes? It was the most powerful earthquake recorded in North American history, and the second most powerful earthquake recorded in world history. How did we know this?.. Lee and I took a one hour trolley ride in the downtown and learned this very interesting information.

We passed by Earthquake Park which is beginning of the North American fault line...here is a picture of land that had dropped about 25 feet and has homes buried underneath.

We passed by the Lake Hood seaplane base and saw hundreds of seaplanes. Twenty five percent of all small aircraft in America are here in Anchorage and about ninety percent of all planes are handed down through the family. You can be 15 years old and fly a plane, yet not be old enough to drive a car...Wow!

After that tour, we did a quick trolley ride to the Ulu Factory where they make the ulu (Eskimo woman's knife) which is an all purpose traditional tool with a flat, fan-shaped blade that is used for cutting and scraping. I had to get one to use at home...it will be a very memorable souvenir.

Another highlight of our day was to watch salmon fishing from Ship Creek behind the Ulu Factory....it was an amazing sight to see all the fisherpersons (there were ladies fishing as well) casting their lines and hoping to catch a fish. We were lucky enough to see someone catch a salmon! Here are some pictures.

To end our day, we met up with new friends, Ron and Jeri Ritter, for a late lunch at the Glacier Brewhouse where we enjoyed Bering Sea King Crab Legs and, of course, fabulous Alaska Amber beer.

It was a great day!