Summer Ends

It was a quick three months for this gal. Anchorage had a weather pattern like I don't remember. In my forty plus years in Alaska, I don't remember the variety of daily showers and evening sunshine. The short baseball season for the Alaska Baseball League was successful, in that only one game was cancelled, due to the rains continuing into the evening hours. Thanks to the American Legion for installing a top quality diamond which aritificial turf that drained so well. Only the pitcher's mound was real dirt,and that was easily protected.

Of course, all the other sports were in action, too. There seemed to be a bicycle rally, fun run, marathons, golf tournaments, every weekend. These were no small events, as several had 3,000 plus participants. The Mount Marathon run in Seward, an annual event on the Fourth of July, drews hundreds to the small town, which gets most of its tourists from the docking of the cruise ships.

Farmer's Markets have multiplied, and the original one downtown is now mostly arts and crafts. My favorite one is the Spenard Farmer's Market, with a variety of foods from fresh oysters to rhubarb. The also have a theme each week, such as dog adoptions, raptor displays, and a Mobile Mender. This is a gal with a sewing machine who does just that!

Another unique thing that happens in the summer is the appearance of critters.

Here I have pictured a few of them, but they definitely come into the city to forage. It is not unusual to find them beside the road or crossing the road in front of your car. So you have to wait and the traffic will back up .

The 40 mile drive to Girdwood, which is the town of Alyeska Resort, is one of the most beautiful drives in the country, with the Turnagain Arm on the west side of the road, and mountains on the east. However, this year was treacherous, as there were many car accidents with fatalities. The reasons for these accidents are speed of course, but other distractions are viewing the mountain sheep that live there, fishermen crowding Bird Creek, and sightseers at Beluga Point, McHugh Park, and don't forget drivers using their cell phones. The road is in excellent shape, but even a fender bender can delay the traffic for an hour.

So this is a quick look around my city. Come up and we'll share our attractions with you! This is the place to beat the heat of the lower states.

I am a travel agent and like to book inbound travelers for touring and attractions. I am in touch with the happenings throughout the state, as well as escaping when it gets too cold for me.