July | 2016
July 1, 2016 — Last night I dreamed about Alaska …
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July | 2016
July 18, 2016 — Turns out my Rhode Island pal, Rebecca Noon, lived in Alaska. Her father lives there now. He lives in the Goldstream Valley outside of Fairbanks, as Rebecca put it, “where there is a road that comes to an end” before hitting the woods and Canada.
I tease, and asked: “Is that where, according to Sarah Palin, you can see Russia from here?” She tilts her head … NO!
Translation: lots and lots of trees and mountainous territory, and rivers lined with beautiful purple flowers.
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July 19, 2016 — I fly into Seattle, Washington where my sister, Elisa and childhood friend, Liz Tomisato are waiting for me. We hop on the Bainbridge Island ferry and cross the border toward Liz’s home in Sequim (pronounced
Skwim), a lovely island, which lies within the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains.
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July 20, 2016 — Elisa was very insistent on going to British Colombia. It was not in my list of things to do on this trip, but I kept in mind that I may never come back to visit this part of the country, and as I realize it’s an opportunity to cross the border into Canada I decided to enjoy what opportunities were presented to me.
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July 20, 2016 — The day of our visit there is a local festival going on in the Inner Harbour. We are told that local musicians are invited to set up and perform at various locations in the area.
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July 21, 2016 —
Olympic National Park, Port Angeles, United States. Today I died and went to heaven …
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July 21, 2016 — We drive north along the
Strait of Juan de Fuca Highway and then continue through
Clallam Bay, then onto
Neah Bay. On our drive I see these totem poles lined along the side of the road. Liz tells me that they are creations of the
Makah Tribe .
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July 22, 2016 — When we first reached out to childhood friend, Liz Tomisato, about visiting her in Washington State, she strongly suggested we do so during the Sequim Lavender Festival Weekend. She promised it would be worth it, Oh, yes! She was absolutely right about that!
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July 22, 2016 | 9:00PM — We leave Washington State late in the evening, bound for Alaska. I’m filled with anticipation and excitement! This sign greets us as we arrive.
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July 23, 2016 — The morning after we arrive, I wake up early and when I come downstairs, I meet Allie, Roblin's wife. I thank her for opening up her home to us. She waves my comment aside, and says she's happy to have us there.
After chatting over a cup of coffee, she sits down to sketch out a walking route from their house to downtown Juneau. I look outside and notice it's raining. No worries, I say, I did bring my rain coat and umbrella, and we can maneuver the rain and find ways to stay dry. Allie smiles, looks down and offers to let me borrow her rain boots when she sees that all I have on my feet are sneakers. Thankfully, we wear the same size and they slip on comfortably.
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July 23, 2016 — The Haida Nation and the Tlingit Nation are two separate and distinct tribes in Juneau. While the two proudly proclaim their individualism in order to protect their distinct cultures, the border which once divided them is now faded.One way in which the tribes retain their cultures is through their native art, which depicts their history and stories in the forms of totem poles, jewelry and sculpture and through local legends.
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July 23, 2016 — Ready for lunch, we wander a bit around Juneau trying to decide what to eat — do we try something that’s native to Alaska or … wait … what? Tacos!?
Elisa notices
The Taqueria before I do …
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July 23, 2016 — This is what I came to see!
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July 24, 2016 — We leave early in the morning from Juneau to Haines. From here onward, as we travel from one part of Alaska to another, we take ferries in and around, to and fro as we cross borders of water and land. We are also constantly surrounded by gorgeous skylines of mountains, low-hanging clouds and a mixture of smoky skies, snow and green trees in the horizon.
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