Day Two at Anchorage

 

Alaskan Masks

We woke up to find that we could see Mount Denali from our ship in the harbor, then we went to the Alaska museum. The second floor was the most interesting. Here we were introduced to tools, baskets, clothes, ceremonial masks and hats from the many native people’s of Alaska. I was particularly impressed by the winter clothes and boots made from squirrel skins, bird plumage, moose fur, seal intestines, or other animal products. The artwork was also very different in each culture.

Parka made of squirrel pelts

They also had an exhibit on the cold war. Recalling our history of testing atomic bombs in Nevada or the Marshall Islands; learning to duck under your school desk if the air raid siren sirens go off, and the backyard bomb shelters. Other exhibits included native and modern artwork as well as lots of Alaskan jokes.

Earthquakes in Alaska

We had learned that the largest recorded earthquake was a magnitude of 9.2 on March 28^th, 1964. We started our city tour viewing the 30 foot drop at the marina, that is a result of that earthquake. Our city tour continued at the International Airport (the third busiest cargo airport in the world), the float plane lake/airport, and the Alaska Wild Berry Chocolate Factory.

30 foot drop from 1964 earthquake