Anchorage, City Tour (Part 2/4)

Alaska is at the northwest of North America, situated between Russia, and Canada. When I told people that's where I was going, they said, "Oh, it's close to the North Pole." Well, it depends on which North Pole you're talking about. There is a place called North Pole which is a small city in Fairbanks, Alaska. 

But there is also the Geographic North Pole which is at the northernmost part of the earth, does not belong to any country, is not inhabited, sits on a shifting sea ice, in the middle of the arctic ocean (there is no land). To get there from Alaska or from anywhere is a challenge, quite expensive, and you need to be part of a tour/expedition.

The Ulu Factory. At the Ulu Factory, they demonstrate how they make the Ulu knife, and how the rocking motion makes it easier to use with one hand.

This knife was made, and used by the Alaskan natives 5000 years ago for preparing food, and making clothes from animal skin. Originally, the blade was made of stone. I bought a few as souvenirs, and one for myself. It cuts well. Do recommend.

There is a sled, and food cache outside the store. The Russian couple in the above photo had a great sense of humor, and were super friendly. They agreed to pose for me with the sled. Since Russia is right next door, Russians used to get on a sled, cross the snow, and come to Alaska without having to go through border control. They would meet up with friends, and sometimes with a friendly community, willing to share their food. They would gather, have fun, and then return home in their sled.

Food Cache hiding behind a tree. Food cache was used to hide food from wildlife. When there were no refrigerators, people also kept their food outdoors under the snow.

Earthquake Park. This area was home to a community before it collapsed because of the 1964 Alaska earthquake. It's now a memorial, and there are educational boards along the park's path to give visitors a better understanding of what exactly happened, how the earth shifted, the land slid, and the geology changed. 

The earthquake had a magnitude of 9.2, lasted 4 1/2 minutes, and was the most powerful earthquake in the U.S. history, causing tsunamis that travelled across The Pacific from Oregon, to California, to Hawaii, and to many other places. 

Tip: There are a lot of mosquitos here. Make sure you take a repellent before your visit. I had none. A very kind lady had an extra one, and gave it to me. I was grateful. 

Also, if you plan on walking in the park, beware of wildlife such as moose. I learned that they are stubborn animals, and don't like to be surprised. So, take a small bell with you, and make noise every now and then, letting them know that you are there.

Point Woronzof. On a clear day, you can see views of Anchorage, and Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America.

The above photo is of Devil's Club, a healing shrub. It's used by the natives for medicine. The bark, and root can be made into teas. You can purchase it in the form of Salve to apply it to joints, and muscles to help them heal. I had an injured ankle before my travels. Melissa taught me how it works, and when I returned home, I bought one. It does work, but it takes time, and you have to massage it in the injured area at least once a day.

 

Cook Inlet. The inlet has powerful tides. The water is a combination of salt water, fresh water from the rivers, and silt from the glaciers. When the tides recede, they leave behind mudflats. There are signs around warning not to walk on mudflats. 

The Cook Inlet is actually called Tikahtnu (means big water river), and Cungaaciq (means blue), named by the natives who inhabited the area for thousands of years, long before the Europeans got there. When the British explorer, Captain James Cook, landed there, he named it after himself.

Lake Hood Harbor. This area is close to the Anchorage airport, and is where seaplanes land and takeoff. Melissa told us that all you need is 40 hours of flight experience, to get licensed.

My tour guide, Melissa, and me. She is an Alaskan native, an Inuit tribal member who can speak Yupik. Many refer to Inuit, and Yupik as Eskimo. But some natives may find the word Eskimo offensive, and prefer to be referred to as Alaskan native or Inuit. She said that she didn't mind to be called Eskimo. Many live in the U.S., Canada, Greenland, and Russia.

Wild Berry. When you walk in, there is a large version of a chocolate fountain you would find when you go to a holiday brunch, except that you're not allowed to eat from this fountain. In the video, I was thanking someone for not jumping in front of my camera.

They are quite generous to their customers. They not only have samples sitting out, they also let you sample something in the window before you purchase it.

Behind the Wild Berry building is the "Rock Man," and behind the Rock Man is the awaken Church. The Rock Man monument was like a street sign, marking settlements, hunting grounds, and food caches used by Inuit people to guide them. This monument is a large version of what was found throughout the Arctic.

There is a pretty area outside of the Awaken Church. It's nice to sit there, read a book, take a lunch break, or simply chill, and listen to the sound of nature. 

 

Beluga point. According to the State of Alaska: "Beluga point is situated along the 'Turnagain Arm' of Cook Inlet in Alaska." Turnagain Arm is named after Captain James Cook, who was forced to "turn again," in 1778 when he realized the waterway did not lead to the Northwest Passage, an important trading route. 

The Beluga Point has views of surrounding mountains, and the inlet with evidence of early human habitation in the area. It's known for sightings of beluga whales, and wildlife. Called the "canaries of the sea" for the variety of vocal voices they make, the beluga whales' spout is inconspicuous. They blow sphere-shaped bubble rings under water as a form of a play, and communication.  The young belugas are blue gray, and turn white when they are five or six years old. They are the only whales that are white.

If you turn away from the water, and look behind you, you will find a mountainous area. I was trying to find the white Dall sheep climbing the mountain, but they were hard to spot. Here, Melissa was asking me to get in a group photo. Instead, I offered to take pictures of all of them. I prefer being behind a camera 🙃