ANCHORAGE - PART II, JULY 6th to 9th

According to the Convention & Visitor's Bureau, Anchorage is Alaska's largest city with 44% of the population, over a quarter-million people, and 1,600 moose. From it, six mountain ranges are visible, with the Chugach providing the beautiful backdrop for the city. There are 200 recognized mountains, more than 60 glaciers and 30 lakes and ponds within 50 miles of Anchorage. You can see why it's a youthful city, the median age being 33.5. At 1,955 square miles, it is nearly the size of Delaware.

One of the many superlatives for which Anchorage qualifies is the world's second-largest bore tide. Learn about Bore Tides. We decided we would go see one. Something interfered with every opportunity until, on the last day, we set out  down Turnagain Arm for Beluga Point. Cook Inlet branches into Knik Arm and Turnagain Arm. Legend has it that Captain James Cook's exploratory party first went up Knik Arm only to discover it was a river and then up Turnagain Arm and, again, had to retrace their path. In frustration, they named it 'Turn Again' Arm.

 

Linda does not normally find puns humorous. This, however, tickled her funny-bone and she insisted on a photo. It's a barbecue place!

Beluga Point is a popular place. Access to the water is across the tracks and over some rocks. 

As we stood debating the obstacles, two cute local girls approached and encouraged us to go. They insisted that we "had to" go down to the water. They also warned us not to go on the mud flats, no matter what! They told us a story of a local man sinking into the mud. When they brought in a helicopter to pull him out, it tore his leg off! Carole yielded and went. Linda's knee wasn't up to a rock-climb but the girls were good company. They wanted to know how we liked Anchorage, what we had done so far and what we wanted to see. Carole rejoined us with some photos and we listed what we had already done. The girls made some recommendations.

As we got ready to leave, Brie began writing furiously. We were absolutely charmed! We will probably laugh for years over the girls and their parental warning story about the mud. And the innocent note is an Alaskan keepsake.

Oh, yes, we had just missed the bore tide.


For birders, one of the top two Alaska bird watching spots is the 2,300 acre Potter Marsh. Just south of the city, it is right on the Seward Highway and offers a 1,550' boardwalk over the protected wetland. This sign was good for a chuckle.

Carole happily shot away.

Mew Gull display

Mew Gull chick

Older Mew Gull chick

The incredible Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern feeding chick

Mew Gull display

Mew Gull with dragonfly

We found the dragonfly in this gull's mouth a surprise since they're usually feeding the chicks fish.

Mew Gull feeding chick

Arctic Tern fledgling

Arctic Tern

American Wigeon and ducklings

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The Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge is a uniques place for people to walk, view wildlife, ice skate, and cross-country ski, to name just a few activities.  Although not allowed at Potter Marsh, waterfowl hunting is permitted in certain parts of the refuge.

Anchorage is repeating the urban sprawl mistakes of so many cities.

We met a nice couple on the boardwalk who also wanted us to enjoy our visit to Anchorage. She had been born and grew up in Juneau and swore she'd get out of Alaska as soon as she could. Of course she met her husband and settled in Anchorage with him and wouldn't dream of leaving now. They, too, suggested some restaurants (one of which we did try) and told us where to get local tomatoes. It turned into much more than just a food source. More cultural surprises!

Bell's Nursery has large hothouses in which they grow tomatoes for the local market. They are the only tomatoes commercially grown in Alaska and proudly bear stickers proclaiming the fact.

Bell's Nursery is also a retail nursery and very nice gift shop. We enjoyed browsing for a while and then headed for the tomatoes. We were fortunate to have a delightful employee help us. Do notice the near box on the counter. It contained samples of See's candy - a San Francisco company. Bell's is the only place in Alaska that carries it and, hold onto your hat, we paid $45 for two cans of toffee! At home they would have been $16.25 each.

See this flower?

It's on this plant! It is someone's Christmas Cactus and estimated to be almost 100 years-old.

One of the services this amazing nursery offers is over-wintering of plants. Many had not been picked up by their owners yet and were here for us to enjoy. 

This fuchsia was so huge it required a support. 

Interestingly, by this time in the season they were almost sold out of hanging baskets which, we're learning, are an Alaskan icon.