Anchorage First Full Day

 It started raining at bedtime lightly and a few times could hear the gutter flow and pitter patter of the light rain.  It is supposed to stop later this morning, but plans are to sleep in and take it easy on our first day getting around Anchorage.  Also, plans to stop to get the bug spray and bear repellent.

Alaska has a time zone called Alaska time which is 3 hours different to KC and St. Louis.  It will be interesting to see how we adjust to the time zones delta, especially on our return.

Everyone was up by 8:00 a.m. and started the day with Bloody Mary and Sausage sandwiches.

Bloody Mary's

Headed over to Sportsman's for bug and bear spray.  Opted to check back with Eric on Bear spray.  He provided a holster for us to use.  Learned about hawk Mosquitos versus normal.  Oh boy.

We then drove downtown and explored around until we found the city park and tourist center.  After loading the parking application to pay the $5 for parking we ventured downtown to check out the various options.

Welcome Center

Black Eyed Susan - Janie and Sheila are amazed at size

We then ventured over to the 49th State Brewery for lunch.

Yak quesadilla appetizer along with a flight of beer.  The SMOK was super awesome and the stout was enjoyable.  Kent had the Blonde which was tasty.  The King Crabby Cheese sandwich with seafood chowder was awesome even shared.  Our waiter Gabriela was at her first table with her trainer (can't remember his name).  She was from Croatia and only 1 month into her Anchorage experience.  An exchange work program followed by a month to be in the states.  Her trainer was from Moldovia and both had strong Slovic accents.

The sun came out and the high of 65 came quickly.  We did a little more walking to the Anchorage Museum at but opted to pass.  Then stopped at the Law Enforcement Museum and while we didn't tour, the lady at the front desk shared a lot of the history in the museum.  She was from Atlanta and came to work in the canneries.  4 kids and 5th on the way.  People can be the most interesting part of a trip.

Sheila headed over to Penny's, (didn't know they were still in business) and Janie ventured into a jewelry store while Jeff went to get the car.

Next, we headed to Earthquake Park where on Good Friday of 1964 a 9.2 magnitude quake created a huge landslide destroying 500 homes.  From there we made a stop at the end of the Anchorage International Airport and watched some 747 cargo planes take off.

Then off to the Kincaid Dune Park where there was a motocross track.  We watched some real young riders up to the end with a four-wheeler really showing how to ride.  I'm sure if we do an ATV trip, Sheila will show us some of those same jumping skills. 😁  A good hike out to the ocean to see the tide out and the mud flats.  Quite the sight for sure.

Back to the Airbnb for a little down time.  We ordered Guidos Pizza and hung out.  Eric came over and hung out.  At 11:15 pm we took this picture.  Sunset with dusk till 12:30.  Dawn at 3:30 and 4:30 sunrise.

All but me stayed up, so Pic at midnight.