First of the Last Frontier

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We landed at the Ted Steven's Anchorage International airport this morning at 5:30. It was a long flight, but we we're so excited to arrive we didn't want to go back to sleep. Once we arrived at the hotel, Glenn waited outside with the bags while I checked in. Once I brought the key out to him he admitted that he could see how people would think it's cold here--it was about -7C when we arrived.

After a couple of errands, we set off on our first "Alaskan experience," so off to Subway we went. But, not just any Subway, I chose the Dimond Center Subway--right across from the Dimond Center Ice Chalet. It didn't take too much convincing to get Glenn on the ice once he was happy and fed (our errands took the place of having breakfast). For his very frist time on ice he did quite well. Graduating from holding the railing, Glenn managed to skate the whole rink by himself a few times. Although, he never stopped complaining about the younger skaters purposely whizzing around the rink. We agreed that next time, however, he would get figure skates, that MIGHT help him from wobbling so much. All in all, he only fell twice (an audience gathered to support, or laugh at him?). Even I, the "Alaska Grown" girl, fell once though.

Glenn commented that it doesn't seem like over 250,000 people live here--it's all too spread out. There aren't too many buildings over 4 stories high; there are a few downtown, but they're mostly hotels. Buildings are made of wood and concrete instead of brick--I think the first of many surprises Glenn will encounter.

With all of the snow, Glenn laughs at the cars with "shovels" on the front. I explained that "plow-trucks" are used mostly for driveways and parking lots; we do have larger plows for the streets, I promise.

Next was a sightseeing drive. We drove out to Kincaid park for a glimpse of Mt. Susitna and the inlet. Mt. Susitna is also known as Sleeping Lady--my favorite sight, especially with a blanket of snow covering her. We were lucky in that the sky was clear, crisp, blue. AAlthough it hasn't snowed in about 11 days, the mountains are incredible. Little snow, but no shortage of ice. The sightseeing tour continued as we drove around downtown for another angle of the Sleeping Lady.

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Photos

Kincaid Park
Glenn & I atop the roof of the Kincaid Park Info Center.

Ice
Ice on the viewing roof at Kincaid.

Sleeping Lady
Mt. Susitna, aka Sleeping Lady.

"shovel"-truck
Glenn's "Shovel"-truck.

Comments

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THANK YOU FOR KEEPING A LOG
Iam writing you from lapaz. It is 78 degrees today and everyone is in coats, can you believe it. Have fun on your trip and keep the pictrures coming. Enjoy! Ben